I read that one of the conditions for the Shahadah was certainty without doubt. I don't think that I have this. I have never seen Allah SWT, and I think that it is ridiculous to think that this universe just came into existence by chance, but I don't think I'm certain about it. I don't think I could read Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion and not have my faith destroyed. I am trying my hardest to be a good Muslim by fasting, making du'a, praying 5 times a day, etc. But am I really a Muslim since I don't have the certainty in Allah SWT?
Also, I bought my computer on hire purchase which has interest. I know now that riba (interest) is against Islam, so what do I do about my computer?
Brother Michael,
First of all everything come step by step, Faith in Islam are levels and more you try to be close to Allah (swt) you will always find HIM closer to you as verse in Quran says:
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. 2:186
With time and step by step you will feel yourself that Allah (swt) make your level of faith higher and higher 2ensha2 Allah (swt).
the lowest level of Faith as far as I know is to fear with respect our Creator, and this is not bad, but we should always try and seek to be closer to Allah (swt), but in ISLAM we learn things Gradually and with Allah's WILL you will reach the time when you read any book and you will say SUBHAN ALLAH (swt) of what they write!
It is as if you were seating in Dark room and suddenly light comes and you see everything, and in Islam you see things by your heart and Mind!
We all are different in nature, and in Islam in everything we do, it is Prayer to Allah (swt) even in your work, when you sleep before you eat when you eat etc... those things with time ensha2 Allah (swt) you will Know!
As our nature are different we should also should find the best way that fits our nature to become closer to Allah (swt) of course the Obligated Prayers are must, but what I want to say for example:
One Muslim cries while he pray and another don’t this doesn’t mean that anyone of them is better, maybe one of them effected when he Read Quran, or when he help other Muslims etc....
so we should find which kind of prayer fit our nature and we concentrate in it so that it will be our way to be closer to Allah (swt) and higher in Level, and again this is beside the Main Pillars of Islam and Iman (faith)!
May Allah (swt) guide us all and may everyone have the chance to go to Hajj!
Peace