Revert Muslim - How To Take Shahada

Do you know which is the most converting religion in world? Islam of course. The rate of revert Muslim has increased exponentially in the last decades. Allah promises in the Quran that “The truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is bound to vanish”(17:81). It is this promise that hundreds of people are taking shahada every day. We will discuss the reasons for conversion to Islam and the process of how to take Shahada in detail

Revert To Islam Meaning

Revert to Islam meaning is to accept Islam as a religion and have faith in Allah, the Angels, the divine Books, the Messengers, and the Day of Judgement and reject all other religions and beliefs associated with them. Negating all other beliefs than Islam is compulsory to fully enter  the threshold of Islam from a theological standpoint. A person who converts to Islam is called a reverted Muslim.

Revert Vs Convert–What Is The Difference?

The words revert or convert are interchangeably used for the people converting to Islam. Let’s dive deep to understand the terms revert vs convert and the basic difference between them.

The word convert is used for those embracing a new religion or changing from one religion to another. 

But the term revert is somehow specific in Islamic terminology. In Islam, it is believed that all humans are born upon fitrah– an inherent tendency toward Tawheed. Whenever someone embraces Islam, he reverts to the religion of his birth. This concept is based on the Hadith of the Holy Prophet.

Abu Huraira R.A. narrated that the Prophet of Allah SAW said;

No babe is born but upon Fitra. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist. A person said: Allah's Messenger, what is your opinion if they were to die before that (before reaching the age of adolescence when they can distinguish between right and wrong)? He said: It is Allah alone Who knows what they would be doing. (Sahih Muslim 2658e)

Requirements For Converting To Islam

Every religion has some prerequisites to embrace it. The prerequisite for converting to Islam is to say the Shahada, the most sacred statement in Islam. Shadah is the declaration of faith, witnessing the Oneness of Allah-Tawheed, and the Prophethood of the Muhammad SAW, the seal of the Prophets (Khatm e Nabuwwat).

Shahada In Arabic

It is obligatory to read Shahada in Arabic to become a Muslim. You should read it with any Islamic scholar or ordinary Muslim to make it valid. 

7 Conditions of Shahada

To validate testimony of faith, there are certain conditions that need to be fulfilled. The 7 conditions of Shahada are the cornerstone of the Islamic faith. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Knowledge 

Knowledge or Ilm is the first condition of shahadah. It means not only to pronounce shahada but also to know its meaning. Reciting Shahada in Arabic text without knowing its meaning does not make faith valid. It is important to know the meaning of Shahadah to enter the threshold of Islam. 

Hadith Sahih Muslim 26a highlights the importance of knowledge of Shahadah.

It is narrated on the authority of 'Uthman that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said. He who died knowing (fully well) that there is no god but Allah entered Paradise.

Certainty 

Certainty or Yaqeen is the utmost condition to be a Muslim. It means that while taking a Shahada, one should be certain that whatever he reads is true and that Islam is the true religion. Allah says in the Holy Quran;

The true believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting—and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. They are the ones true in faith. (49:15)

Acceptance 

Acceptance or Qabool means to accept the message of Shadah by tongue Bil-Lisan and with heart-Bilqalb. The refusal of the implications of Shadah results in elimination from Islam. It is obliged for the believers to submit themselves to the will of Allah wholeheartedly. As the Quran states;

 “So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.”  (2:85)

Submission 

Submission or Inqiyad is to submit one’s will before Allah’s will, the true meaning of Islam. It is to accept all Islam's principles, rules, and regulations. Practice what Allah allows and abandon those He forbids. 

Who is better in religion than he who surrenders his purpose to Allah while doing good. (Nisa:125)

Truthfulness

Truthfulness or Sidq is the drawn line between true believers and hypocrites. It means whoever converts to Islam, should be for Allah and righteousness not for any benefit or worldly rewards. Allah says for those who do not truly believe in Islam;

"And of mankind are some who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' when they believe not. They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves, but they perceive not. In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increases their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie." (2:8-10)

Sincerity 

Sincerity or Ikhlas while declaring the shahada means one should embrace it with pure intention, not under any compulsion or to please others. It should be between and Allah. No one should be in between while reading Islamic shahada in Arabic.

Love

Love or Mahabbah is sincere devotion towards Allah, the Prophet SAW, and the teaching of Islam. So, those who read the shahada of Islam should love Allah and His apostle more than anything in the world.

The Prophet (PBUH) said,

"Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else, who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake, and Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire."  Sahih Bukhari 16

Rights of Revert Muslim

The revert Muslim has paramount significance in Islam. Being Muslim they are the brother of other Muslims and hold equal significance before Allah. But they deserve more respect for their noble cause. Islam emphasizes supporting newly converted Muslims to the fullest. It is advised to support them financially through Zakat (charity) so they may not give up on faith due to financial stress. It is the obligation of Muslims to protect them and provide security to their land assets.

Why People Are Converting to Islam

Islam is the only religion with the most converts and it increases day by day. There are some reasons why people are converting to Islam.

The Teachings of Islam

Islam is a divine religion and has divine teachings. Its teaching is simple, rational, and understandable for everyone. The doctrine of Islam is simplest and based on practical worship which makes it different from other religions. Thousands of people reverted to Islam due to its simple and comprehensive teachings.

Human Rights

Islam elaborates on human rights and emphasizes to carry them out. Every human has specific rights they can’t be deprived of. The rights of women, children, parents, neighbors, friends, and orphans are explicitly mentioned in the Quran attracting more people to convert to Islam. Protection of women's rights encourages women converting to Islam

Equality

Equality is at the heart of Islam. It discourages discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, and region. The basis of superiority in Islam is piety, not worldly standards. All humans are treated equally. On the occasion of the final sermon, the Prophet of Islam SAW said;

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action.”

Solution To Social Problems

The world today faces a plethora of social issues. Inequality, immodesty, poverty, and injustice are on the rise. There are moral crises. Other religions have no solutions to these pivotal issues. Islam provides solutions to major social issues the world faces today. It is the strong social fabric of Islam due to which millions of people converted to Islam.

Values

Islam has high moral and social values. Social values such as respect, kindness, and forgiveness are the core reasons why so many people are converting to Islam. Islam emphasizes character-building and strengthening social bonds which are the basis of a peaceful and harmonious society.

Virtues of Muslim Revert

Muslim revert has high virtue in Islam. Those who embrace Islam for the sake of Allah with pure intention, all their previous sins will be forgiven. Allah says in the Holy Quran;

As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (25:70)

It is obvious that an individual will enters Islam will have both good and evil deeds in the past. While recite the Shahada, he intends to abandon all the evils and embark on the journey of good and virtues.

Hazrat Hakim ibn Hizam R.A. reports that He said to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) “What do you think of the acts of worship I did in the time of ignorance. Will I get anything from them?” The Prophet said, “You have embraced Islam with the good you previously did.” (Sahih Muslim 123)