Hawzah News Agency-The basic requirement to become a Muslim is to say, “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah,” which means, “I testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Anyone who says this phrase joins the ranks of the Muslim nations. However, saying this only begins the long physical and spiritual journey to practice all aspects of Islam in life and become one of those whom the Qur’an terms “the faithful” (mu’min). Although this journey is long, its rewards are numerous for those who embark on it with sincere will and intentions.

Practicing Islam requires learning the Islamic ideas, teachings, and practices, and then adapting to them – a process that does require some sacrifice. The necessity of sacrifice, however, should not be a deterrent since the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sawa) has said that whenever someone gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better.

Sincerity of belief also develops over time. When Prophet Muhammad (sawa) was first spreading the message of Islam, some people came to him and informed him that they were believers. In reply, Allah revealed:

“Tell them: You do not believe. Better say: ‘We submit’; for belief has not yet penetrated your hearts.”

(The Holy Quran, 49:14)

The first successor to the Holy Prophet, Imam ‘Ali (as), has described the dynamic process of following Islam:

I am defining Islam as no one has defined it before me: Islam is submission, submission is conviction, conviction is affirmation, affirmation is acknowledgement, acknowledgement is performance of obligations, and the performance of obligations is good deeds.

Nahj al-Balagha (The Peak of Eloquence), saying #125

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