How to become a Muslim (Submitter)
She said, "My Lord, I have wronged myself. I have
submitted with Solomon to God, the Lord of the Worlds."
27:44
Many new believers are expressing their desire to convert to Islam every day. Many of them are told that to convert to Islam they must go through specific procedures. They are told that they have to go to a nearby Mosque (masjid) and recite the Shahada (testimony of faith). Following that, they would sign a conversion statement. Following that, the converts are advised to change their name to an Islamic name. Are these regulations required by God in the Quran from the one who wishes to become a Muslim, or are they man-made innovations?
As far as names are concerned, the following article "Islamic Names" demonstrates that the concept of 'Islamic name' is a myth which was invented by the Arabs. With regards to the signing of conversion documents, this may be required for the issuing of legal documents, such as passports, but it is not a requirement set by God to become a Muslim.
And as for the utterance of the Shahada, any person wishing to submit to God must testify his/her acceptance of God as the only God. The Shahada can be uttered at any time and is a declaration made by the individual and addressed to God. It should not be an utterance to be uttered in front of a panel in order to be pronounced a Muslim.
Islam (Submission to God) is the religion whereby we recognise God's absolute authority, and reach an unshakable conviction that God alone possesses all power; no other entity possesses any power that is independent of Him. The natural result of such a realisation is to devote our lives and our worship absolutely to God alone. This is the First Commandment in all the Scriptures, including the Old Testament, the New Testament, and this Final Testament.
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is One God! Therefore you shall adore the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." [Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30]
The same testimony is given in the Quran:
God bears witness that there is no god except Him, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge, upholding justice. There is no god except Him, the Dignified, the Wise. 3:18
To associate anything or anyone with God is known as shirk and is the only unforgivable sin:
God does not forgive the association of anything with Him, and He forgives other than that for whom He wills. Anyone who associates anything with God has forged a gross sin. 4:48
Therefore, the Shahada which is to be uttered by the believer to profess his/her faith in the One God is: "I bear witness that there is no god but God."
The full details are on this page: Shahada
The Quranic narration of Abraham at the time when he submitted to God informs us that to become a Muslim (Submitter), no red tape nor man-made innovations are needed.
When God granted Abraham certainty, He commanded him to submit, to which Abraham replied "I have submitted to the Lord of the Worlds." 2:131
Abraham then instructed his children to do the same:
And Abraham instructed his children and Jacob with the same, "O my children, God has selected the religion for you, so do not die except as Submitters." 2:132
The same words were instructed by Jacob to his children when death was near:
Or were you witnesses when death came to Jacob, when he said to his children, "What will you worship after I am gone?" They said, "We worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac: One God, and to Him we are Submitters." 2:133
We also have in the story of prophet Solomon and the Queen of Sheba an example of how submission to God is attained and professed. The narration tells us about the moment when the Queen of Sheba submitted to God. Previously, she had been an idol worshipper. To demonstrate the greatness of God to the Queen of Sheba, Solomon used powers given to him by God to move her palace from its place to another place in the blink of an eye. Seeing this, the Queen realised God's power, thereby immediately submitting to God and repenting:
She said, "My Lord, I have wronged myself. I have submitted with Solomon to God, the Lord of the Worlds." 27:44
Conclusion:
The above Quranic words affirm that becoming a Muslim (Submitter to God) is a simple process that has no red tape nor any unnecessary human innovations.
The examples of Abraham and the Queen of Sheba and how their submission was instant, portray the ease by which a person can be a Submitter to God (Muslim). None of those model figures changed their names, nor stood in front of a panel to recite specific words, nor signed any documents.
The examples of Abraham and the Queen of Sheba and how their submission was instant, portray the ease by which a person can be a Submitter to God (Muslim). None of those model figures changed their names, nor stood in front of a panel to recite specific words, nor signed any documents.
By saying, "I have submitted myself to the Lord of the Worlds", a person becomes a Muslim.