format_quote Originally Posted by
solfa
Assalam alaikum~
I've yet to recite the shahadah, but I 100% plan to :statisfie I guess it's ultimately up to me, but I would like to know when would be a good time to do this? How was it for everyone else?
the shahada is kind of like action statement, meaning from this point on i will worship none but Allah as none but Allah is worthy of worship[first part] and i will do so in the manner prescribed the Muhammad ibn Abdullah, Salla Allahu Alayhe wa Salaam [2nd part]; once you understand the 1st part, you should move to the shahadah ASAP.
I want to be open about my faith and just get this off my chest. I have a friend who asked when I was planning on doing this and told me it's better to do it sooner than later ("Just in case something happens to you"). My family doesn't know and I know they wouldn't be supportive, but above anything, my desire to please God is more important (as harsh as that probably sounds. I'm not a horrible daughter, I swear! D:)
being a Muslim is more important than "advertising" that you are a Muslim. one of the main Pillars of Faith [as opposed to the 5 Pillars of Islam] is belief in Qadr, Allah's Preordainment and Decree. in others words, Allah CHOSE this time for you to become a believer and so while you may have some trepidation and fear, Allah is keenly aware and knows EXACTLY what you are going through and what obstacles you face. just seek His Help and Guidance.
Once it's official, I know my life is going to need some tweaking here and there. I have one question about friends. My group of friends consists mainly of atheists, agnostics, christians, and catholics. I've known a majority of them since elementary so we're very close. Is is okay for me to still remain friends with them? I don't really know a lot of Muslims, so this is why I'm asking. Also, my friends are male and female. But, I'm not really allowed to associate with my guy friends anymore, am I? There's no romantic aspect to any of my relationships, just friendship, but I still get the feeling that it's not allowed. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you very much!
Salaam Sisters,
sometimes the question is not whether you can remain with your friends, but whether your friends will remain with you! you "KNOW" your folks won't react well, but somehow assume your friends will think it's OK!? Allah decides everything, not us or our friends. once you begin to learn about and understand Islam, you will begin to view life differently and eventually you will be at odds with some of the behavior of your friends. and Allah knows best.
now, MANY well meaning brothers and sisters will seek to assist by "helping" you and telling you "that's haram" and "that's haram!" the MOST important thing is LA ILAHA ILALLA! the Companions of the Prophet, the Sahabah, had very little Shariah [law] for 13 years! initially, pray twice a day, don't worship idols or associate partners with Allah and don't kill your babies if you have a girl. THAT'S IT! and they HAD the Prophet right there with them and MANY were Muslims in secret!!
i'm guessing you had no idea about that!
Riba [interest] was stopped in stages and not ruled out completely until the Prophet gave his famous Hajj farewell sermon, SHORTLY BEFORE HE DIED! [May Allah grant him the Highest and most respected place on Jannah!]
alcohol wasn't banned until AFTER the hijrah to Medinah! [you'll see the Qur'an say 3 different things about alcohol which SEEM to contradict each other, but they were just revealed at different times]
its hard for me to make female friends. its not that i don't want to... but its actually kinda a foreign concept for me. .
which do you think is better:
be a believer that might have a male friend or 2
OR
be a nonbeliever?
simple choice, isn't it?
when it comes to the Sharia, NEVER deny it! just seek help and guidance with Allah. don't sweat those of us that seem to judge you. as we say in al Fatihah, Maliki Yawmid Deen! Allah is the ONLY owner of the Day of Judgment, not any of us!
and after reciting that we say:
Iyyah k'nabudu wa Iyyah k'nesta'een; You alone we worship and You alone we seek help! when you delay Shahadah it's like you believe it's OK to worship other than Allah! May Allah protect us from such!
the next verse:
Idhinas Siratal Mustaqeem! guide us to the straight way! at least 17 times a day we ask Allah to guide us! if you know that and understand that, it is a du'a made to Allah! THAT du'a you can make as often as you like!
always try to move closer to the "straight way," but remember:
La Hawla wa La Quwatta Illa Billah; the is no movement and no power but by Allah's permission.
May Allah assist you and guide you and may He assist us and guide us as well!
:wa: