To Become a Muslim it is definitely the best thing that can ever happen to you. Congratulations champ! Now, I guess you are haunted by many questions about your new life. Asking such questions reflects your utmost dedication and enthusiasm, or maybe worries about it.
In this article, we shall answer many of your questions! We will be covering the five pillars of Islam and how to apply them as a new Muslim. Moreover, and to avoid falling in sins, we will be giving you some practical tips. We are going to identify the seven great destructive sins in Islam as well. Those great sins which Muslims should be more than keen to avoid. We will also be shedding some light on the unique aspect of repentance in Islam concluded by extra references for more guidance.
Let’s get started!
Here we will learn the following:
- Is Shahadah obligatory to be a Muslim?
- How To Pray as a New Muslim Convert?
- Zakah and Charity for New Muslim Convert
- How for a New Muslim Convert to Perform Fasting?
- How for a New Muslim to Perform Hajj?
- How for a New Muslim Convert to Avoid Sins?
- What Are the Seven Great Destructive Sins?
- Should I Start Doing All Worships As Soon As I Become A Muslim?
- Persistence and Ambition Are the Keys to Success
- What is the Meaning of Worship for new Muslim convert?
- What Are the Five Pillars of Islam for new Muslims?
- Extra New Muslim References for Help
Is Shahadah obligatory to be a Muslim?
No doubt, yes Shahadah obligatory to be a Muslim! To be a Muslim you should pronounce shahadah–the first pillar of Islam–understand its meaning, and believe it. This is the gateway to being a Muslim.
For more about shahadah, its meaning and conditions, please read the following article:
What is Shahadah in Islam? – A Full Guide
How To Pray as a New Muslim Convert?
Directly following your declaration (Shahadah) is to learn how to pray to Allah since prayer is the second pillar of Islam and its essential mainstay. Here you can find a useful guide to help you learn what you need to know about salah.
Indeed, prayer is not a burden. Rather, it’s a time to release your burden of life hardships and sins. Prophet Mohammed PBUH describes the reflection of prayers on him saying: …my relief has been provided in prayer”. [Hadith]
Unlike the rest of the Islamic pillars, performing prayers is deeply rooted in Muslim’s everyday’s life since it provides him safe haven in the middle of daily life concerns, while the rest of the pillars are performed at certain periods of times around the Lunar year. For example; fasting and performing pilgrimage, while giving charity is only obligatory according to certain conditions that may not be applicable to all Muslims. Referring back to the fifth pillar, pilgrimage (hajj), it should be performed only once in a lifetime and only in case of capability for performing it in many means.
Zakah and Charity for New Muslim Convert
“A new Muslim should be starting calculation of Zakah obligatory upon him, if any, since the very first day it acquires Nisab. [This is 85 grams of 24 karat gold or their similar cost whether of any other karat or of money. Zakah is 2.5% of the total amount if a full Lunar year has passed with the same amount kept].
“If he acquires the “Nisab” amount on the first day of his conversion to Islam, he should be starting counting the Lunar year on this day. After a full Lunar year should have been passed (app. 354 days) he should be calculating his acquisitions thereon, if he kept an amount that equals the “Nisab” or more, Zakah is due then upon that remainder amount at the rate of 2.5% and he should be repeating these calculations every Lunar year.” Dr. Monzer Kahf, Scholar in Islamic Economics and Financial Expert Stated. (islamonline: How Does a New Muslim Calculate Zakah?)
For more, please refer to this: Zakah Made Easy for New Muslims
How for a New Muslim Convert to Perform Fasting?
Fasting Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. The main purpose of fasting Ramadan is to obey Allah Almighty, our All-Wise Creator, and then to acquire piety in our hearts. It is obligatory to fast for one month every Lunar year, i.e., the month of Ramadan.
For more about fasting conditions, exemptions, wisdom and more, you may refer to the following articles:
- What is Ramadan 2023 and when is it? – Muslim and Non-Muslim Guide
- Benefits of Ramadan Fasting – Medical, Spiritual, Psychological And More
- Breaking Fast In Ramadan With The Kafarah (Breaking Fast Expiation)
- What Is The History Of Ramadan? – History Of Ramadan Fasting And Festival
- Ramadan Eating Rules – Top 10 Questions On Eating During Ramadan
- How To Change In Ramadan? – 2023 Guide
- Ramadan Quran Verses And Hadiths In Arabic and English
How for a New Muslim to Perform Hajj?
Hajj for new Muslims is the same as for the rest of Muslims. As the fifth pillar of Islam, it is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are capable to perform it. Hajj is a spiritual journey–not only physical–to Allah’s House in Makkah. It only lasts for a few days. You should not hesitate to perform pilgrimage once you are capable of doing so as your soul can enjoy the delight of faith. Moreover, it can help you to strengthen your faith and to gain spiritual power to be able to continue your life.
For more about hajj meaning, purpose, and other details, refer to the following articles:
- What, Where, Why And How Do Muslims Go During Hajj?
- History of Hajj – 2023 Full Guide
- Is Muslim Hajj A Sign of Tawheed or Polytheism? – How Tawheed Is Manifested in Hajj Rituals
- What Is The Importance Of Hajj? Best Benefits And Reward
- Hajj And Umrah For Women – Can a Woman Go To Hajj or Umrah Alone Without a Mahram?
How for a New Muslim Convert to Avoid Sins?
To avoid sins, you should sincerely seek Allah’s refuge and you should be keeping yourself away from their causes. Yet, it’s important to note that committing sins is part of our human nature, still, rapid repentance afterwards is preferable to gain Allah’s, Almighty, forgiveness and love. Allah Almighty loves those who constantly repent and return back to Him, as He says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
“Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.”
[Quran, 2:222]
Try to get rid of your usual sins and bad habits and mistakes. Seek a trustful Muslim’s support, on-ground or online, to make it easier for you and to follow up with you. Also, you should be keen to repent as soon as you do any sinful act, and you should believe that you can repent of any sin you commit and trust Allah’s forgiveness.
For more about repentance in Islam, its meaning, conditions, and other unique aspects, refer to the following articles:
- Does Allah Forgive All Sins? – I Have Sinned!
- The Original Sin In Islam – Who Sinned First?
- Did Jesus Die For Our Sins? – The True Meaning Of Original Sin
What Are the Seven Great Destructive Sins?
The worst prohibitions in Islam are called “The seven great destructive sins”. If you do one of these seven major sins, you need to abandon it instantly. Indeed, prohibitions or sins in Islam vary in their degrees of punishment and transgression. The seven great destructive sins are:
1. “Associating anyone or anything with Allah or other than Him in worship,
2. Practicing sorcery,
3. Committing deliberate murder to someone with no just cause and away from the authority of your state,
4. Devouring property of an orphan,
5. Practicing Usury,
6. Fleeing away of a battlefield, and/or
7. Slandering good beleivers chaste women who never even thought about anything against chastity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Should I Start Doing All Worships As Soon As I Become A Muslim?
No, you do not have to do all worship acts immediately. You may practice them one by one however.
- You should only start with mandatory basic worship acts as soon as possible.
- You should immediately give up practicing any act of the seven destructive sins as well.
The rule controlling this issue is the Prophet’s saying:
فإذا نهيتكم عن شيء فاجتنبوه، وإذا أمرتكم بأمر فأتوا منه ما استطعتم
Refrain from what I forbid you and do what I command you to do to the best of your ability and capacity
(mutually agreed by Bukhari & Muslim)
Really, Islam is a way of life, but you don’t have to do it from the get go. You should first learn and understand, and then apply what you’ve learnt. Keep a constant connection to your Lord and persistently ask for His guidance and steadiness on His path.
Persistence and Ambition Are the Keys to Success
To maintain a continuous worship act, there are two keys that lead to it: persistence and ambition. In other words, maintain what you already practice and seek for its enhancement or addition to it.
The Prophet PBUH said about those who exert effort for the pleasure of Allah and seeking approach in their relation with Him:
Allah says: ‘ When a slave of Mine approaches Me a span, I approach him a cubit; and if he approaches Me a cubit, I approach him a fathom; and if he approaches Me walking, I run towards him.”
[Sahih Muslim]
What is the Meaning of Worship for new Muslim convert?
Worship in Islam is to be humble to Allah, Almighty, with love and glory and this will be accomplished by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions, in the manner in which His laws came. Also, Ibn Taymiyyah defines worship as follows:
Worship is a comprehensive name for everything that God loves and is pleased with, words they are or deeds, both inwards and/or outwards. Performing prayers, paying zakah, fasting, performing pilgrimage, speaking truthfully, being trustworthy, showing dutifulness to parents, maintaining ties of kinship, fulfilling promises, enjoining good and forbidding evil, making jihad against infidels and hypocrites, and the like are acts of worship. They also include showing kindness to neighbors, orphans, needy people, wayfarers, possessed human beings and even beasts. Performing supplication, remembrance of Allah, and recitation of the Quran are also included as acts of worship.
Nevertheless, to show love of Allah and His Messenger, to fear Allah and to turn to Him, to be sincere to His religion, to show patience with His decrees and gratitude for His grace, to be pleased with His judgments, to put full trust in Him, to hope for His mercy, and to fear His punishment – all and the likes are acts of worship.
What Are the Five Pillars of Islam for new Muslims?
The five pillars of Islam are mandatory and basic commands that you have to maintain. They are: the testimony of faith (shahadah), performing prayers (Salah), paying charity (Zakah), fasting Ramadan (Sawm), and performing pilgrimage (Hajj). And then you should be gradually learning the teachings of the Prophet PBUH and how to live your life as a Muslim.
For more about Islam and its five pillars, please refer to these articles:
The 5 Pillars of Islam – 2023 Best Guide
Your brief guide to become a Muslim: Embracing Islam from A to Z
What Is Islam? A Simple & Easy Guide For Non-Muslim
Dawah in Islam: Why do Muslims Preach Islam?
Extra New Muslim References for Help
To conclude, we have started a free short course to walk you through the challenges of becoming a new Muslim. There are many websites, as well, explaining Islam. And there are online scholars who are more than willing to answer any of your questions, you may approach them for help when you are in doubt.
Now, it’s time to start your new life as it should be. Having any questions, contact us on WhatsApp.
