Waalikum Asslaam
format_quote Originally Posted by
new2010
Is it a duty for one you wants to convert to Islam that he says the shahada in front of 2 witnesses? Or is it enough when one brother leads him?
Does Making Shahadah Need Witnesses?
Making Shahadah in public, we’d like to draw your attention to the fact that Islam trains Muslims that pubic and secret deeds are known to Allah. Therefore, making Shahadah in presence of witnesses is not an essential condition, though it’s preferable to put the official arrangements in order. Islam, as a matter of fact, lays more emphasis on conviction on the part of the person who embraces Islam. This is what really matters, as there should be no compulsion in religion.
Strictly speaking, it is not at all considered an essential requirement for witnesses to be present when a person is embracing Islam; thus if a person declares Shahadah (testimony of faith) between himself and Allah, he is considered a Muslim in the sight of Allah. But in order for him to be recognized as a member of the Muslim community, he must declare the same in presence of two witnesses or before an Imam of a mosque who has been duly authorized to issue a certificate indicating the same.
It is, therefore, highly recommended for anyone embracing Islam to do so in the presence of persons authorized to issue certificates as he/she may be called upon to produce them while planning to go for Hajj or in case of any question concerning his Islamic identity. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us that while doing things we should try to do them as professionally and efficiently as possible.
Are witnesses needed for a non Muslim to take shahada?
Question:
If a non Muslim wants to accept Islam is it obligatory for two Muslims to witness it or is it enough if only one Muslim is a witness?
Answer:
This is not a condition, they pronounce the two testimonies of faith (I bear witness that nothing has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) and they enter into Islam and there is no need for witnesses. But from the angle of confirmation only, witnesses are only for confirmation but witnesses are not a condition for the testimonies of faith to be valid.
Fatwa by Sheikh Fawzaan
format_quote Originally Posted by
new2010
When reading and learning in non-Arabic Islamic books it is permissible to write into this books to make some notes or to mark important parts? Is is permissible to make notes in Quran? In this case I am absolutely not sure, I can see a small danger even when you write with Latin characters?!
Is it considered bad adab to write notes (in pen/ pencil) in fiqh books/ Quran/ hadith books etc? What about highlighting?
There is nothing wrong with writing notes in books, or to highlight them. If it helps one study, it would be praiseworthy.
However, one should not write within the Quran nor highlight it. If one writes in the margin, one should only do so with the utmost caution, lest ones notes be misunderstood as being commentary by another reader.
Source
Q: Some Quran teachers leave notes and marks with pencils on their mushafs or their students' mushafs to notify them about their mistakes. For example they underline Ghunnah (غنة) places and the like of reciting rules, they do that after the recitation is complete. So is it permitted to write similar things on mushafs?
A: I see it's OK to put these notes and marks for the reasons mentioned in the question, it's OK to put them on the margin, on the footnote, or even between the lines, in case these notes were symbols and marks similar to stop and tajweed marks that are normally in mushafs. If these notes were small, written with pencils so they can be erased when no longer of use, then it's OK to put them. It's only not allowed to put on mushaf what doesn't belong to Quran if there was danger that the reader will think these things are part of Quran, or are describing it (and they originally don't). If there no such danger, then we see no problem putting these notes and marks when needed. And Allah knows best.
Abullah bin Abdulrahman Ibn Jebreen