Conversion to Islam

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

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Zeinab Donati, Zeinab Donati has been studying books about various Islamic subjects for more than 19 years. She is deeply interested in history and politics as well as social issues in particular those pertaining... Answered 9 mesi fa

As mentioned already, al-Islam.org has an extensive library concerning all kinds of topics related to Islamic matters, so browse the library to find answers to your questions.

In particular, I suggest you to check these two sections:

Discover Islam

https://www.al-islam.org/discover/converts-to-islam

Who are Shi'a & Sunni?

https://www.al-islam.org/explore/shia-and-sunni

In these sub-sections you will find plenty of resources specific to what you are looking for.

InshaAllah this helps.

Fi aman Allah

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... Answered 9 mesi fa

This website (al-islam.org) has an in-depth library, and you can find materials which are both introductory and advanced. So, I recommend starting here!

You could also look online for taught classes, since sometimes it is useful to have a human teacher. 

Beyond that, there is also ample material on YouTube - as a hint, if you want to find a discussion of a subject, search for Muharram majlis followed by your subject, and those are almost guaranteed to be presented by Twelver Shi'a. 

Best wishes!

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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 9 mesi fa

Bismihi ta'ala

If she becomes Muslim, her marriage is automatically be nullified, should her husband not convert as well. She will need to observe 'iddah as well.  

Of course, this is a serious decision that she needs to deeply think about, as leaving her husband might not be an easy thing to do.

And Allah knows best

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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 9 mesi fa

You do not become an apostate or break the third shahadah by speaking with someone who has a different belief or by being present at their gatherings, unless you have the intention of apostasy. (This is true whether they are Sufi, Christian, atheist, or any other group.) 

However, sometimes, when we are solidifying our religious identity, especially after a recent conversion, it is helpful to stay within the confines of our religious group and avoid contact with others. But this is a psychological or spiritual matter, not anything relating to apostasy. 

You are a Shi'i if you wholeheartedly accept the authority and spiritual status of Imam Ali (a), without any competitors, and identify as Shi'i. 

If you had any belief which is incompatible with Shi'ism, you may reject that belief and remain Shi'i. Similarly, if you gave bay'ah to someone other than Imam al-Mahdi (A) (for Twelver Shi'a), you can declare your ultimate bay'ah to Imam al-Mahdi (A). If you acknowledged the authority or lineage of someone (living or deceased) who is incompatible with your allegiance to Imam 'Ali (A) and Imam al-Mahdi (A), you may choose to reject that authority.

Sufis differ from one another, and some are closer to Shi'ism than others. 

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As a Muslim, you are not allowed to marry or keep real sisters together as your wives, because Allah prevented that in Quran (Sura An-Nisaa' , verse 23.

'You have no choice but to leave one of them immediately but nicely.

Wassalam.

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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 10 mesi fa

It is an act of showing respect to our present Imam; Al-Mahdi (AS). We have in our books that Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (AS) used to do the same when mentioning Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) who is his great grand son and was not born then.When mention our Imam Al-Mahdi (AS), we put our hands on our head out of respect to him being the divine leader of our time.

Wassalam.

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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 1 anno fa

You become a Muslim just by believing that No God but Allah and Muhammad is His last messenger. Practicing the Islamic rules are necessary but if you fail in that you still remain a Muslim.

'Your faith in Islam makes you follow the pure teachings of Islam and avoid ideas and acts which have no foundation in the teachings of Islam.

'Your cultural practices can be accepted as far as it does not contradict with Islamic teachings. Every cultural practice must be assessed to be sure that it does not have any wrong act before you can follow it.

'Wassalam.

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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 1 anno fa

Bismihi ta'ala

All you need to do is recite the Nikah ceremony, and there is no need to wait for a three month period. 

If you have a temporary contract between you and her, you must nullify that first, by freeing her for the remaining period. Then you do the permanent Islamic marriage contract with her.

And Allah knows best. 

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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 1 anno fa

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.

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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 1 anno fa

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!

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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 1 anno fa

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.

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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 1 anno fa

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.