Conversion to Islam

Conversion to Islam is the adoption of the set of beliefs identified with the Islamic faith to the exclusion of others.

145554

Conversion to Islam . Sunni-Shi'a . Sawm (Fasting)

I am a recent convert to Shia Islam and I was breaking my fasts right at sunset as I did not know I had to wait some minutes longer. Are my fasts valid for those days or do I have to make them up later?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 7 hours ago

If you thought that time of breaking the fast has definitely come, and based on that you broke you fast according to that, your fast is valid.
‘If you wish to practice precaution by fasting those days again, you can do so but it is not obligatory.

Wassalam.

145498

Hair . Scalp . Hijab . Conversion to Islam . Wudu (Ablution)

As a Muslim revert, how can I manage the excessive production of oil in my hair caused by wetting my scalp during Wudu, especially since I cannot wear a Hijab outside or wash my hair more than twice a week?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 3 days ago

Often, the production of hair oil adjusts naturally over a few months to a change in hair routine. So, possibly, your hair will adjust by itself.

In the meantime, I suggest using the minimum water and doing the minimum necessary amount of washing for wudu (rather than anything extra/mustahhab).

This will vary between schools of thought. For instance, the 4 Sunni schools of thought require wiping the entire head (but have some minor differences regarding wudu between each other). The Twelver Shi'i school of thought requires wiping a quarter of the head with 1-3 fingers by using the remaining water from wudu (not taking extra water).

Historically, most people did not wash their hair daily, and certainly did not have access to commercially produced shampoos, so, in and of itself, performing wudu regularly does not usually require people to wash their hair more frequently (although individual circumstances vary).

This is venturing outside the scope of responses offered here, but you could look into advice online by people starting the "no shampoo (no 'poo)" routine in reducing oiliness. Possibly dry shampoo might be helpful. Of course you have to decide what is best for yourself, your health, and your circumstances.

Lastly... doing wudu doesn't usually make people's hair oily. It is possible that this is happening for yourself, since everyone is different. However, if you haven't already, you could look into other causes, such as hormones, stress, diet, or an underlying health condition. If you have recently converted to Islam, this could be an underlying stressor, if it has come with shifts in your life or challenges.

Best wishes!

124910

Hereafter . Forgiveness . Sin . Conversion to Islam

What advice would you give to recent reverts to Islam who feel the weight of their numerous major sins and are really pessimistic about their fate in the hereafter despite saying “I’m sorry my lord” and then moving on?

The best answer is from Allah in Quran : Say O My servants who have transgressed against themselves ( by committing evil deeds and sins) Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. Verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is The Oft-forgiving , The Most Merciful) Sura 39, Verse 53.

The Mercy of Allah (SWT) is much greater than our imagination. It includes every thing (My Mercy embraces everything) Sura 7, Verse 156. Special mercy is for sincere servants servants of Allah who left wrong deeds and repented and sincerely decided not to do it again. Allah Love those who repent and purify themselves. Sura 2, Verse 222.

We need to trust The Mercy of Allah and hope to receive His Oft-Forgiveness. He Has Promised every one who repents and sincerely seeks forgiveness to Grant him His Forgiveness.

'It is good to repeat (YA ARHAM ARRAHIMEEN) also to repeat (YA GHAFOUR YA RAHEEM).

Wassalam.

132229

Mosque . Conversion to Islam . Makkah

As a convert to Islam, does my Islam need to be validated by a mosque so that I may enter Mecca?

Real Islamic rules do not need such validation document because your faith in Islam (THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH, MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH) in enough to be a Muslim.

Some Muslim governments ask for a document of being a Muslim from those who were born as non Muslims. Such document can be issued by a mosque or Islamic organization for getting a visa for Hajj or Umrah. It is never compulsory to get such document to be a Muslim. Visa requirement to Macca is different from the conditions to be a Muslim.

Wassalam.

128402

Man . Islam . Marriage . Love . Marriage Proposal . Conversion to Islam

I have a proposal from a man who is willing to revert to Islam. How do I know he is genuinely believing and will our marriage be accepted if he secretly reverts for love?

You never really know about people. Even in the time of the Prophet (S), there were hypocrites who pretended to be Muslim. Only Allah knows what is in the heart, and only Allah knows whether people will follow through with a lifetime commitment (such as converting to a religion - or, for that matter, having a lifelong marriage).

Many of the sahabah converted instantly. So if he converts tomorrow, he could be an Abu Dharr or a Salman al-Farsi. Or he could be... someone else. One way you can glean some idea of this is with respect to how he is with commitment in life, in general. Has he followed through on other commitments, or does he tend to jump around from thing to thing? This still doesn't give you a full picture but gives you some idea.

Also, people sometimes change throughout life anyway - there is no guarantee that the person you marry will be the same person forever.

So, you can never know for sure, but it is good to follow your intuition and good judgment and advice from people you trust and who have wisdom. If you are having doubts, possibly your intuition is picking up on signs that your rational mind is dismissing.

You could wait some time after he has converted (say, a couple years) before committing to the marriage to see how he does with Islam.

That said, it is not respectful to doubt that someone is sincere about his religious belief simply because he was not born into it (unless there are some signs that the person is insincere or not thinking straight), and respect is important for marriage. So this should also be sorted out before marriage.

It is not uncommon for women to convert at the time of marriage to a Muslim man and often they remain in the faith and become strong Muslims. Of course, the social situation and experiences of men are somewhat different, but just putting that out there.

Man . Islam . Marriage . Love . Marriage Proposal . Conversion to Islam

I have a proposal from a man who is willing to revert to Islam. How do I know he is genuinely believing and will our marriage be accepted if he secretly reverts for love?

We always need to take lessons from realities of life and study the majority of similar cases before emotionally going ahead with marriage proposals based on promises. Lot of marriages have taken place based on a promise to become a Muslim but ended up with different situations few years after the marriage. Emotions before marriage usually don't last long after marriage. Usually married couples face some issues and misunderstandings between them which can decrease their emotions towards one other. Studying the results of thousands of similar cases should make us more careful before deciding as such decision is for life. As many similar promises were not fulfilled properly by many, we need to be sure that person has really accepted Islam for the sake of Allah and decided to follow the True religion. His real practice is must and not his promise. After he really practiced Islam like a good Muslim, then you can assess whether he is willing to remain a Muslim for life or just for the sake of marriage.

In fact just promising to be a Muslim will not make permissible for him to marry a Muslim girl, unless he is already a Muslim.

You need to be sure about your future and the future of your children.

Wassalam.

127792

Wife . Marriage . Conversion to Islam

I want to convert to Islam but my wife, who is a Sikh, will not. Will my marriage to her remain valid if I convert?

You should nicely explain to her the facts which you reached to. Try to give her the evidence which she can understand and accept. Many Sikh persons embraced Islam and became good Muslims following Ahlul Bayt (AS). You can use their evidence and writings to convince your wife.

If she insists on refusing Islam, then you as a Muslim will not be allowed to continue with a non Muslim wife.

Wassalam.

126184

Tattoo . Conversion to Islam . Salah (Prayers)

Does someone who has tattoos on his arm, some that show faces, that he had prior to converting to Islam, need to cover those tattoos before he prays?

It is not obligatory on him to cover the tattoos while praying as far as the tattoos are not promoting un Islamic values or faith.

Wassalam.

125730

Family . Conversion to Islam . Christianity . Grandparents . Du'a (Supplication)

I am a revert and my family is Christian, mostly Catholic. My grandmother passed away today. What Dua and actions can I perform so that Allah could bless her with entry to paradise?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 11 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

As the holy verse in the Quran says God's mercy encompasses all. You can ask the Almighty to show His mercy upon them, and overlook their shortcomings, etc.

Unfortunately some Muslim groups believe it is haram to prayfor a non-Muslim in any way, but reality is such an approach is difficult for one whose family might not have recognised Islam and be good people.

Just requesting Almighty God to show His mercy would hopefully assist them in their next life.

And Allah knows best.

124275

Woman . Father . Marriage . Conversion to Islam . Marriage Proposal

Is there a Wali for a revert woman with a non-Muslim father? If not, is she able to accept a marriage proposal on her own?

If her father is non Muslim and she is a Muslim, then no authority for her non Muslim father on her and she will be able to decide her marriage with suitable believer.

Wassalam.

122922

Marriage . Mut'a (Temporary marriage) . Menstruation . Conversion to Islam

Does a Muta end automatically at the end of the period or does one have to say or do something? How can a couple convert it into permanent marriage?

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, the temporary marriage contract is automatically terminated once the time period ends.

One cannot have two contracts at one time, so if the couple agreed to have permanent contract, and the temporary contract is over, they can do the permanent contract. If they are still in the temporary contract, the male says to the female: "I release you for the remaining period", and once he says that, they can do the permanent marriage, as long as all other requirements are met.

And Allah knows best.

121556

Conversion to Islam

Why is it that, when you revert to Islam, some Muslims still consider you as an outsider? What can I do to change that attitude?

Real Muslims will never consider a new Muslim as an outsider. History of the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) proves that they were dealing with new Muslims as real Muslims and sometime better than some born Muslims who are less in practicing Islam. We need to explain to those weak Muslims the real teachings of Islam which are based in true faith and sincere practice and not on the previous history as the Hadeeth say: الإسلام يَجُبُّ ما قَبلَه Becoming a Muslim omits what's before it.
Wassalam.