Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear brother, a Christian woman who has recently been married to a Muslim ,has asked:

I intend to accept Islam. Please advise how should I proceed about it. Is there any formal procedure involved or just the declaration of faith "La Ilaha ........Muhammadur......" enough. Please advise.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Formal procedure to enter islam

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

To enter and accept Islam as one’s way of life is a condition of one’s heart, and a covenant between an individual and The Lord Most High. The only thing one needs to do if one wishes to officially enter the fold of Islam is to declare the declaration of faith, and one will be deemed a legal muslim in the Sight of Shariah Law and the believers.

Other than the declaration of faith, there is no formal or other procedure to officially enter the fold of Islam and be recognized as a ‘muslim’.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan