format_quote Originally Posted by
glo
Hi Cердце
The Shahadah doesn't say "I bear witness that there is no god except for God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God, and I promise to give up my dog"
or "I bear witness that there is no god except for God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God, and I will stop believing in evolution"
or "I bear witness that there is no god except for God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God, and I promise to marry somebody I have not met before".
Marrying someone you have not met before, is not a part of Islam, and, as such putting this statement in implies to someone that perhaps they would be expected to marry someone they had not met before, whereas this is not a part of Islamic belief.
Therefore questions such as these are best left to Muslims to answer.
format_quote Originally Posted by
glo
It simply says this: "I bear witness that there is no god except for God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
No more, no less.
That does not mean that you can say the shahadah and then do what you like. When you accept Allah as the One True God, and accept Muhammad as the Messenger of God, and bear witness to Islam being the truth, then you have to, by default accept all that comes along with the package. Simply believing is not enough.
Islam means submission to the will of Allah. Submitting ourselves to Him, means also submitting and accepting the way of life which He has prescribed for us. Islam is based not just on belief, but good deeds have to accompany it. Which is why, in the Qur'an, it says so many times, "Indeed those who believe
and do good deeds....".
Islam is not just a religion, nor just a private matter of faith, but a complete code of conduct and way of life, which governs how we talk, eat, dress, interact, worship, marry, and bury our dead etc. Allah is All-Wise. Each law has a Divine wisdom behind it, but we may not always understand that wisdom.
Everything that is forbidden, then any pathway that might lead to that sin is also forbidden. Islam doesn't believe in only trying to mend the evils in society after they have occurred, but to prevent them in the first place.
What sets Islam apart is the fact that the laws Allah has decreed, are for all people, all times, and all places.
This is a quote from another post:
Originally posted by
Qatadah
First, it would be best for you to fulfill the 5 pillars of Islam. These pillars are;
1 - To declare the shahadah [testimony of faith].
2 - To Establish the 5 daily prayers.
3 - To give Zakah/Charity [2.5% of your wealth per every lunar year.]
4 - To fast in the month of Ramadan.
5 - To Perform Hajj to the Holy House in Makkah, if you are able - atleast once in your lifetime.
1) To believe in your heart is not sufficient, but you have to show that through profession on the tongue, and through your limbs.
2) So you are ordered to pray, because trust me - you will be misguided if you don't stop to ask Allah to guide you. This is FACT. A soul cannot be nourished on a personal prayer alone. Many times we would forget personal prayers, but the obligated prayer makes you feel disciplined, and keeps you aware that you will stand infront of God later in the day, aswell as a continuous reminder that you WILL stand infront of Him on Judgment Day to answer for your actions.
3) Zakah literally means to 'purify' your wealth. This is your share of charity, and Allah's right upon you. If you were to say that you would give in optional charity anyway, then know that Allah rewards more for the obligations we fulfill than the optional ones we complete.
4) A person who fasts is disciplined. You learn patience, inner strength, and you overcome your desires. This in effect makes you a powerful human, since nothing can really sway you of desire. If a person is unable to fast, they have to feed one poor person every fast they miss [Fidyah], and they have to catch it up later if they are able to.
5) If you are able to financially and physically perform the Hajj in Makkah, it is an obligation to perform this once in your lifetime. This reminds you of Judgment Day, but it also reminds you of the unity of Muslims. An experience which inspires many, and even makes you richer as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said.
You should work on them 5 pillars, that is the best starting point for you as a Muslim. After that, the other issues can be taken as they come.
I notice that your main concern is about dating and being alone together, both of which aren't allowed in Islam. However, you are not expected to marry a complete stranger, somebody you do not know and have never met, and are not pleased with. A forced marriage is not a valid marriage in Islam.
May I ask, what is the view of the man you wish to marry on Islam? Is he interested, or is it just you at the moment?
If you were both to become Muslim, you could marry Islamically, but defer living toegther til later, say til after you finished school. You could then see each other in your free time exactly as you pleased.
Sister τhε ṿαlε'ṡ lïlÿ has answered point three adequately.
Point two, well you get anger and harshness amongst all types of people, not just Muslims. We are supposed to be, as far as possible in our dealings with others, kind and compassionate, as our fellow human beings have rights over us. But remember we are humans and I don't know anyone that has never become angry on occasion.
Point one. Generally it is forbidden to keep dogs in the house. Dogs may be kept for hunting, guarding livestock and guarding crops and guarding rural properties. One who keeps dogs without reason loses some reward of his/her good deeds each day. Dog's saliva is also regarded as impure.
However, if you sincerely believe that Allah is the one true God, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his final messenger, then do say the shahadah, having it in your mind that you're slowly and steadily going to try and become a better Muslim.
May Allah guide you further and make things easy for you. Ameen.
Peace.