Studying Islam and considering converting.

[Saint Frankenstein]

Hi. So I'm studying Islam and - who knows - may even convert. I know that Christianity doesn't make sense to me and I'm not sure it ever did. Islam's theology seems to jive with me better.

So does anyone have tips? Such as how to get started with praying in an Islamic fashion? How do you do salat?

Thanks!

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Well, they have no solution to the sin problem. They don't know if they're forgiven or not until it's too late to do anything about it.

And you know that there is only one name under heaven by which men must be saved.

Just sayin'

Dude, this is the Islam DIR.

 

[moon light]

Hi. So I'm studying Islam and - who knows - may even convert. I know that Christianity doesn't make sense to me and I'm not sure it ever did. Islam's theology seems to jive with me better.

So does anyone have tips? Such as how to get started with praying in an Islamic fashion? How do you do salat?

Thanks!

Dear Sainte, I promise to help you

 

[moon light]

Before you learn how to pray, you must find what you are looking for first
Well you are looking for what in Islam

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Before you learn how to pray, you must find what you are looking for first
Well you are looking for what in Islam

If you're asking what I'm looking for in Islam, I'm looking for God, and a theology that makes sense (unlike Christianity). I'm not looking for the opinions of people or any other man-made stuff. I just want God.

 

[EtuMalku]

I gotta say, I'm as anti-Theistic / Abrahamic as they get but even I know this is a DIR forum.
I would like to ask you, what is it about Islam that you are finding attracted to? I understand you are just beginning the faith and don't have all the answers, however what do you find so far that resonates with you?

 

[moon light]

If you're asking what I'm looking for in Islam, I'm looking for God, and a theology that makes sense (unlike Christianity). I'm not looking for the opinions of people or any other man-made stuff. I just want God.

good
So you have to know the answer to these questions
- Who is this god and what are its specifications quran 112

- Why did we create quran 51: 56

- What should we do quran 91: 7
- In the end, what will happen to us 91: 9
Read in the Koran and then complete our conversation

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

good
So you have to know the answer to these questions
- Who is this god and what are its specifications quran 112

- Why did we create quran 51: 56

- What should we do quran 91: 7
- In the end, what will happen to us 91: 9
Read in the Koran and then complete our conversation

I don't have a Qur'an on hand and I'm on a phone. This is just off the top of my head.

God is the Creator, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. The Qur'an was created as a sure guide for believers. We should worship God and follow the teachings of Mohammad and all the Prophets. In the end, we will be judged by God and will go to either Paradise or the hellfire.

 

[moon light]

I don't have a Qur'an on hand and I'm on a phone. This is just off the top of my head.

God is the Creator, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. The Qur'an was created as a sure guide for believers. We should worship God and follow the teachings of Mohammad and all the Prophets. In the end, we will be judged by God and will go to either Paradise or the hellfire.

take your time
This is a site to translate the Koran
You have to read the parts have identified to know what Islam is

No all knows who God is. There are those who say that it is three

Please read and complete

 

[moon light]

The Quran Translation by Yusuf Ali

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I gotta say, I'm as anti-Theistic / Abrahamic as they get but even I know this is a DIR forum.
I would like to ask you, what is it about Islam that you are finding attracted to? I understand you are just beginning the faith and don't have all the answers, however what do you find so far that resonates with you?

The strong devotion to pure monotheism, it not being anthropocentric like Christianity, no teaching of original sin, the strictness of its ideals (I need structure and rules in a religion), the beauty of the Qur'an, the overall simplicity of the theology, etc.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

take your time
This is a site to translate the Koran
You have to read the parts have identified to know what Islam is

No all knows who God is. There are those who say that it is three

Please read and complete

I read it. No, I don't believe God is three. There is only one God and He does not beget nor was He begotten.

 

[az604]

My new brother in faith,

I begin by greeting you with the greeting of the Prophets, the greeting of Islam, As-salaamu Alaykum (Peace be upon you).

I must admit that I am jealous of you because of the great status that a revert has in the sight of Allah.

"Those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [25:70]

For your question on how to pray, please see the following reference:

How to Perform Salah

As a revert myself I can tell that your mind must be racing with different questions and as such I would like to give you some trustworthy websites to learn from.

The first and foremost important thing in the life of a Muslim is the Quran.
This can be found on quran.com; a great website with multiple translators and reciters all on one page.
For a simpler and easier to use layout, the older version of the website is also available at legacy.quran.com

You should also feel free to look on youtube as the Quran was meant to be recited and perhaps a proper recitation would help with your understanding when read alongside the translations.

ex:

Secondly, as Muslims we are commanded to not only obey our Creator, but also to obey the messenger. [4:59]

As such, our declaration of faith is as simple as saying "there is no deity except for one God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God."

In arabic: La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad rasool Allah.

We can obey the messenger by learning about his life and about his commandments through the authentic traditions that are available to us.

The following website is available to answer our questions with authentic references: islamqa.info/en

I would now like to use this final moment to advise you towards staying with the main group of muslims and to avoid any small groups, sects, or labels.

Stay with the majority of believers and follow what is found in the Quran and in the authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

We find the command for this in Surah 4:115, "And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination."

And it was also narrated from a companion that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood and said: “Those who came before you of the people of the Book split into seventy-two sects, and this ummah (community) will split into seventy-three: seventy-two in Hell and one in Paradise, and that is the jamaa’ah (main body of Muslims).”

May Allah bless us both through the Quran and make it a light for us to be guided by.
And to Allah belongs all praise - Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the worlds.
Peace be upon you.

 

[Muslimman]

I don't have a Qur'an on hand and I'm on a phone. This is just off the top of my head.

God is the Creator, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. The Qur'an was created as a sure guide for believers. We should worship God and follow the teachings of Mohammad and all the Prophets. In the end, we will be judged by God and will go to either Paradise or the hellfire.

Well, this may be useful: (Free books on Islam delivered to your home)
Receive Books on Islam for free!

Edit: The up-to-date site:
www.islamunveiled.org/

 

[Godobeyer]

Salam dear SF

I recommand to watch or read from Yusuf Estes or Hamza Yusuf


Salah (Prayer) - Hamza Yusuf

 

[az604]

As salaamu alaykum

How are things going so far? Please update us.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

As salaamu alaykum

How are things going so far? Please update us.

Alaykum salaam,

Things have been going well. I bought a study Qur'an and a tajweed Qur'an. I have been reading both with great enthusiasm. Thank you for the online resources to all who have replied so far. They are a great help.

I do have another question. How long should I wait before I say my Shahada? Should I wait until I've read the Qur'an and know the prayers? Or is a basic grasp of Islam all that is needed? I know I do accept Islam's view of God and accept Mohammad (pbuh) as a Prophet but I don't want to rush into things as this is a lifetime commitment. I don't want to end up messing up and breaking my commitment to God.

Thanks, brothers and sisters.

 

[az604]

Allah states in the Qur’an :

“…There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Qur’an 2:256).

As long as you believe in the six pillars of faith (not to be confused with the five pillars of Islam), then you are a Muslim and you should say the Shahadah.

1. The belief in one God
2. Belief in the angels
3. Belief that God has sent down books (torah, psalms, gospel, Quran, etc)
4. Belief that God has sent messengers
5. Belief in resurrection and the day of judgement
6. Belief in predestination, that everything has been planned by God.

As long as you believe in these things, then all you need to do is confirm it.

I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except for God
and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God

Arabic: La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad RasoolAllah

This would also be a good chance to visit a local Masjid (Mosque) or Islamic center to meet your new brothers and to benefit from some of the gatherings and lessons that they might teach you there.

"And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life.." [18:28]

 

[moon light]

This is great and good luck
It is good not to rush towards the exact details and you are in this stage
Now take care of the basics
Continue if the topic may benefit you

www.religiousforums.com/threads/this-is-the-koran-what-about-the-others.200048/page-5

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Allah states in the Qur’an :

“…There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Qur’an 2:256).

As long as you believe in the six pillars of faith (not to be confused with the five pillars of Islam), then you are a Muslim and you should say the Shahadah.

1. The belief in one God
2. Belief in the angels
3. Belief that God has sent down books (torah, psalms, gospel, Quran, etc)
4. Belief that God has sent messengers
5. Belief in resurrection and the day of judgement
6. Belief in predestination, that everything has been planned by God.

As long as you believe in these things, then all you need to do is confirm it.

I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except for God
and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God

Arabic: La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad RasoolAllah

This would also be a good chance to visit a local Masjid (Mosque) or Islamic center to meet your new brothers and to benefit from some of the gatherings and lessons that they might teach you there.

"And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life.." [18:28]

Thank you so much. I realized a lot today. I do agree with the 6 pillars and am already a Muslim in my heart. I will say the Shahada and find a mosque. Bless you, brother.