*
A
LETTER TO NON-MUSLIMS
DR UMAR AZAM BA
PHD DCL DIP.FJ DIP.IM
Manchester,
UK
MARCH 2003
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Dear Non-Muslim,
Islamic organisations
constantly receive enquiries from non-Muslims stating that they [the
latter] are considering whether to convert* to Islam, or
confirming that they have already decided to convert, and asking what
their next step should be. This paper is intended as a guide to
such prospective Muslims; it is not intended as a propagative
exhortation to pressurise non-Muslims to convert to Islam against their
will.
Millions, of
non-Muslims the world over have already converted to Islam, out
of their own free will, without duress of any kind, over the 1,424
years of Islam's history. So, if you do convert, you will be
joining a multitude of fortunate people!
Most non-Muslims
convert to Islam after being profoundly convinced of the truth by the
Holy Quran. So please read the English meaning of the Holy Quran,
or the translation of whichever language you use:
Spanish, Swaheli, German, Mandarin Chinese etc.
If you are thinking of
converting to Islam but are feeling apprehensive, it's a good idea to get
advice from those Muslims who were themselves formerly
non-Muslims. Once you have decided to convert to Islam, all
you need to do is to go to a Mosque or Islamic Centre and you will be
welcomed with open arms. When you convert, you first need to take
a bath and then declare the following [it is in Arabic]:
" LA
ILAH ILLALLAH
MOHAMMED-UR-RASOOL ULLAH
There
is no god except Allah and Mohammed [PBUM] is the Messenger of Allah
And you will have
become a Muslim! After that, all you do is to follow the
rules of Islam with all your heart, that's it - it's so simple!
There is no compulsion or obligation for non-Muslims to convert to
Islam: the Holy Quran makes this absolutely clear. But believers
are urged to preach Islam to non-Muslims with 'a beautiful
preaching'. If, as a non-Muslim, you become convinced that upon
converting you will, Insha'Allah [by the Will of God] be saved from
the Eternal Fire of Hell, then no other decision you make in your life
can be as important!
Here are some points a
Muslim in the Mosque or Islamic Centre would make to a non-Muslim to
help him/her in his/her decision to become a Muslim:
Whoever
you are, you are my ultimately my brother or sister because all
mankind is descended from Adam and Eve [May Allah Bless them].
So your race, nationality, status etc. are of no
particular concern to me or any other Muslim.
Because you are my brother/sister, I care for you. So I don't want
Hell to be your destination after death. I want God to be kind to
you. I want you to go to Paradise. Do become a Muslim.
Islam will give you Paradise.
We
live in a temporary world. It is temporary because there is no
guarantee of life. Death can come at any time.
Be
a Muslim at the time of your death. When you convert, you
will be forgiven all the sins you accumulated while you were a
non-Muslim. Then when death does come, you will be in a much
stronger position to be forgiven the sins you accumulated after
becoming a Muslim and will, Insha'Allah, be Blessed on the Day of
Judgement.
Do
not allow anti-Islamic propaganda to beguile you. Islam is a
religion of peace and love. Do not let your family and friends, if
they disapprove of you converting to Islam, become a barrier to your
destiny. Your loyalty to your Creator ought to be greater than to
those you love [indeed God is the Maker of such relationships]. No
soul can bear your burden on the Day of Judgement, so it is your
decision alone. Moreover, you will be alone in your grave,
so your family and friends won't be able to help you if you die in
disbelief.
The
most I can do for you is to tell you what is true: that if you decide to
believe, you will gain Salvation and Eternal Bliss. The most I can
do is to tell you so. The final decision as to whether you
should convert or not is in your hands. I pray that God be
your Guide and Mercy.
Dr Umar Azam