XPost: alt.alien.research, alt.alien.visitors, alt.atheism   
   XPost: alt.paranormal.crop-circles, alt.religion.islam, sci.skeptic   
   From: TheNewJerusalem@Almighty.God   
      
   You can thank Mr. HVAC for this.....Islam....   
      
   "HVAC"  wrote in message   
   news:1172840110.921322.154520@30g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...   
   > All praises be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May the peace and   
   > blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad His last messenger.   
   >   
   > The objective of this handout is to correct a false idea spread among   
   > those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people are facing   
   > difficulties on the basis of their mistaken belief that entering into   
   > the Islamic fold requires an announcement from the concerned person in   
   > the presence of high ranking scholars or sheikhs or reporting this act   
   > to courts of justice or other authorities. It is also thought that the   
   > act of accepting Islam, should, as a condition have a certificate   
   > issued by the authorities as an evidence to that effect.   
   >   
   > We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none of   
   > the above mentioned conditions or obligations are required. For Allah;   
   > the Almighty, is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of   
   > all hearts. Nevertheless, those who are going to adopt Islam as their   
   > religion are Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as this   
   > procedure may facilitate for them many matters including the   
   > possibility of performing Hajj and Umrah.   
   >   
   > If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and   
   > strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah (SWT)   
   > for all human beings, then, one should pronounce that "Shahada" (The   
   > testimony of faith) without further delay. The Holy Qur'an is explicit   
   > in this regard as Allah (SWT) has stated.   
   >   
   > "Truly, the Religion on the sight of Allah is Islam." (3:19)   
   >   
   > In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has stated:   
   >   
   > "And whosoever desires a religion other that Islam, never will it   
   > accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those   
   > who are lost." (3:85)   
   >   
   > In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing over all other   
   > religions. Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an;   
   >   
   > "And to thee. We have sent the Book in truth, (This Qur'an) confirming   
   > the scripture that came before it, and a witness over it..." (5:48)   
   >   
   > Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon   
   > him), said:   
   >   
   > "Islam is based on five pillars: testifying that there is no God   
   > worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger   
   > of Allah and His servant; performing the prayer; paying the Zakat   
   > (obligatory charity); fasting the month of Ramadan; and perfuming   
   > Hajj."   
   >   
   > The Shahada can be declared as follows:   
   >   
   > ''ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU   
   > WA RASUULUH."   
   >   
   > The English translation is:   
   >   
   > "I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped but   
   > Allah, and I bear witness the Muhammad is His servant and messenger.''   
   >   
   > However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to utter only this   
   > testimony orally either in private or in public, but rather, one   
   > should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction with the   
   > teachings of Islam in all his life he will find himself a new born   
   > person, (or new man).   
   >   
   > This will move him to strive more and more to improve his character   
   > and draw nearer to perfection. The light of the living faith will fill   
   > his heart until be becomes the embodiment of that faith.   
   >   
   > What would be next after declaring the testimony of faith (Shahada)   
   > and then becoming a Muslim? He should know the real concept underlying   
   > this testimony which means the Oneness of Allah and accept Prophet   
   > Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of the Prophet, and meet its   
   > requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true faith to   
   > every thing he speaks or does. What do the words of "Shahada" signify.   
   >   
   > The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the   
   > truth that there is no God (ditty) to be worshipped other than Allah,   
   > (Glory be Him). He is the only true God, Who Alone deserves to be   
   > worshipped, since He is the Giver of life and Sustainer and Nourisher   
   > of mankind and all creation with His unlimited bounties. Man must   
   > worship Allah, Who Alone is worthy of worship.   
   >   
   > The second part of the "Sahada" i. e. "We ashhadu anna Muhammadan   
   > abduhu wa rasuluh" means that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is the servant   
   > and chosen messenger of Allah. No one must have two opinions about   
   > this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the   
   > Prophet (PBUH), to believe him in what he has said, to follow his   
   > teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah alone   
   > according to the message revealed to him.   
   >   
   > What is the meaning of worship? It simply means rendering sincere   
   > service; showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade of meaning, it   
   > implies total submission and complete obedience to Allah's   
   > Commandments both in utterances and actions of man whether explicit or   
   > implicit and whether private or public.   
   >   
   > Worship falls into two categories:   
   >   
   > Visible (manifest or outward)   
   >   
   > Invisible (concealed or inward)   
   >   
   > Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the   
   > "Shahada" performing prayers, giving Zakat (Obligatory charity),   
   > observing fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation of   
   > the Holy Qur'an, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him,   
   > purifying our bodies before prayers, etc.   
   >   
   > This type of worship is associated with movement of the parts of human   
   > body, [actions].   
   >   
   > Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgment, in   
   > the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Divine   
   > Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allah alone.   
   >   
   > This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body   
   > but it surely has a bearing on one's heart which subsequently affects   
   > his way of life. (Beliefs).   
   >   
   > It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allah alone,   
   > will be rejected as one form of polytheism or shirk, which amount to   
   > apostasy from the Islamic point of view.   
   >   
   > The next step for a devotee (newly reverted to Islam) is to purify   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)