Islamic Faith

[Rifqah]

People have varying degrees of faith and I was wondering how much faith you have to have to make your statement of belief or shahada. Do you have to believe emphatically that the words you are speaking are absolutely true or can you simply believe that Islam is truer than other religions you've come across?

Thanks for your consideration.

[shay5]

Re: Islamic Faith

People have varying degrees of faith and I was wondering how much faith you have to have to make your statement of belief or shahada. Do you have to believe emphatically that the words you are speaking are absolutely true or can you simply believe that Islam is truer than other religions you've come across?

Thanks for your consideration.

Explain the bit in bold...

[RaNdOm]

Re: Islamic Faith

How can truth be compared to falsehood?

That makes no sense because if they were all true you could find the trust but if one is true and the other is not then no truer form can exist

it's like comparing green to red and saying that this looks the greenest to me out of all the other reds

[AmantuBillahi]

Re: Islamic Faith

Hey

I guess it comes down to whether you believe this faith is divine. Do you believe the Quran came from Allah? Do you reject things about the Quran? If it's from God how can you reject anything about it, that would be outright arrogance towards a Being more knowledgable and capabe than you.

Just wanted to also tell you , as far as taking the shahada and becoming a member of the muslim community. You just have to say those words publicly. Many people have joined islam for wealth(well we don't know what's in their hearts but their actions speak volumes) even during the prophets life , a disbelieve wanted to partake in the battle of badr which was assumed to be a clear and easy raid of the enemy caravans, but the prophet rejected him because he was not a muslim. After at least going back to the prophet 2 times saying " I want to fight with you but I don't accept islam" he eventally just took the shahada to get in the army and enjoy the spoils of war.
(The incident doesn't say he converted for wealth but it's practically assumed due to his rejection just earlier)
Anyways , I'm not bringing this up to say be a hypocrite and I hope no one takes it like that. As far as when you should take it , well that incident proves that even the prophet did not question the mans intention. Everyone is encouraged to become a muslim.

Though I assume your question is asking when should I? I feel confident about islam , it makes sense and has proofs but I'm just not 100%. Just so you know , yes islam is the most sensible religion. It also provides strong proofs to prove that the Quran is actually from the Creator, but islam nonetheless requires you to have *faith* .. We don't see Allah but we believe in him and his signs, nor did we see the prophet and his miracles(other than Quran) . We didn't see the angels approaching him , nor did we fly to the heavens on a well known night. Islam asks you to believe in the Unseen. With regards to the unseen , you may have conviction that it exists , but you still didn't see it with your own eyes. What is certainly in faith? Can you be certain that heaven exists? We have very powerful reasons to believe. At the end of the day we *believe and we are not *witnessing.

I would recommend you to take that shahada. You never know how long you will live , or you will procrastinate until death takes over or something. Islam is the truth man , I simply don't see any way of thinking which is greater than this.

May Allah soften your heart and guide you .. hope this msg helped. May Allah guide me.

[TCKMuslima]

Re: Islamic Faith

People have varying degrees of faith and I was wondering how much faith you have to have to make your statement of belief or shahada. Do you have to believe emphatically that the words you are speaking are absolutely true or can you simply believe that Islam is truer than other religions you've come across?

Thanks for your consideration.

You know Islam is a religion of the heart and the mind. So logically does your mind accept that Allah is the One True God - the only one worthy of our worship? Do you accept that Muhammad peace be upon him was the last prophet in a long line of prophets of Allah?
If the answer to those two questions is yes.. then you have faith in these two things. And that's all that's needed for you to say the shahada. If you don't feel comfortable saying it in front of witnesses yet you can say it to yourself and Allah will be your witness.
As far as people having varying degrees of faith (iman) - you're right, you know. Faith goes up and down. We have to constantly nourish it and ask Allah to increase it and strengthen it. We are tested in our lives and it stands to reason that our faith will fluctuate because of those trials. We have to pour effort and work sometimes into nourishing our faith continuously with Allah's help.
So don't wait for some kind of iman high. In sha Allah that will come.

[TCKMuslima]

Re: Islamic Faith

People have varying degrees of faith and I was wondering how much faith you have to have to make your statement of belief or shahada. Do you have to believe emphatically that the words you are speaking are absolutely true or can you simply believe that Islam is truer than other religions you've come across?

Thanks for your consideration.

You know Islam is a religion of the heart and the mind. So logically does your mind accept that Allah is the One True God - the only one worthy of our worship? Do you accept that Muhammad peace be upon him was the last prophet in a long line of prophets of Allah?
If the answer to those two questions is yes.. then you have faith in these two things. And that's all that's needed for you to say the shahada. If you don't feel comfortable saying it in front of witnesses yet you can say it to yourself and Allah will be your witness.
As far as people having varying degrees of faith (iman) - you're right, you know. Faith goes up and down. We have to constantly nourish it and ask Allah to increase it and strengthen it. We are tested in our lives and it stands to reason that our faith will fluctuate because of those trials. We have to pour effort and work sometimes into nourishing our faith continuously with Allah's help.
So don't wait for some kind of iman high. In sha Allah that will come.

[Rifqah]

Re: Islamic Faith

Thank you for the replies everyone. The information is really helpful.

[AbdullahiG]

Re: Islamic Faith

you have to believe that it is the absolute truth from God; anything less that that wont make you a muslim at heart

[Rifqah]

Re: Islamic Faith

So, is it enough to have the intention to live an obedient life and to worship and serve The Almighty even if the individual still has reservations? If the intention to try and do the right thing is present, then that is the most important thing?

[eesa the kiwi]

Re: Islamic Faith

So, is it enough to have the intention to live an obedient life and to worship and serve The Almighty even if the individual still has reservations? If the intention to try and do the right thing is present, then that is the most important thing?

dont know the answer to your question but i just figured out you are a full member now, your names gone blue
Alhamdulilah should make using this site easier

[Rifqah]

Re: Islamic Faith

dont know the answer to your question but i just figured out you are a full member now, your names gone blue
Alhamdulilah should make using this site easier

Oh oh OH! I can search lol
Thank you for the nudge, I didn't notice.

[AmantuBillahi]

Re: Islamic Faith

Oh oh OH! I can search lol
Thank you for the nudge, I didn't notice.

So have you taken the shahada? :D

[Rifqah]

Re: Islamic Faith

So have you taken the shahada? :D

Not yet. I very nearly did, the day before yesterday but it's just not that easy. I just need to be a little more prepared I think.

[ElKh]

Re: Islamic Faith

Not yet. I very nearly did, the day before yesterday but it's just not that easy. I just need to be a little more prepared I think.

May Allah let you die as a Muslim, sister.

[AmantuBillahi]

Re: Islamic Faith

Not yet. I very nearly did, the day before yesterday but it's just not that easy. I just need to be a little more prepared I think.

May Allah guide you and give you strength. If you need anything feel free .

Our prayers are with you and would love to call you our sister in islam soon. Please announce it to us when you do go through with it.

And remember you don't need to be a super muslim 0 to 100. It takes time , the Prophet(saws) was easy going with his companions as they were all new converts to the faith. The religion was not revealed in 1 day. It was a 23 year old process with commandments coming down throughout that period.

Yeah.