Now that you have converted to Islam, what is the next step?. The answer can be overwhelming, however, if you take one step at a time, your journey within Islam will be fruitfil and beneficial.

1. ADVISE (Nasiha)To New Muslims Dr. Sabeel AhmedGainPeace.com

2. Presentation Outline

3. The Commitment The choice have been made You have entered Islam by reciting the testimony of faith: Ash-hadu an la ilahaillaLlah(u), wa ash-haduanna Muhammad an RasuluLlah I testify that there is no God worthy of worship but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

4. Shahada – What does it affirm? Divine unity and Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) Acceptance of the message of Islam… Commits a Muslims to all that is permissible Abstain from all that is forbidden

5. Shahada – Testimony of Faith Prophet Muhammad (s) is the last prophet and messenger Therefore if anybody says I am a prophet, reject him/her… Rashid Khalifa Joseph Smith Elijah Muhammad MirzaGulamahmed Bahaullah Ellen G. White

6. Lessons from Jews and Christians Left teachings of their Prophets appointed by God Paid more attention to their scholars Rabbis Pastors Priests monks

7. Islam = Religion of Structure When somebody tells about any injunction, they should provide evidence from The Quran – book of God The Sunnah – example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) From Scholars – Ask Evidence One mistake by the scholar will be transferred to all his followers and to future generations, but asking for evidence will act like check and balance and will avoid any slip by any scholar. Don’t be afraid to ask for evidence even from your… Best of scholars Beloved scholars Respected scholar

8. Our name is ‘Muslims’ – Quran, Chapter 22.78 Not Salafis Sufis Shias Sunnis Deobandis Wahabis Hanafis shafais

9. Name of the religion is Islam – Quran Chapter 5.3 Names not given by God, or any Prophet or even their own Bible: Christianity – not mentioned in the Bible Judaism – not mentioned in the Bible

10. Islam - Religion of intellectuals > 750 times the Quran uses the words ‘ponder, reflect, think’ etc. Inventions, discoveries were made in the past by Muslims. Main purpose Using them to worship Allah Better Internet to collect zakat Texting the prayer timings iPhone prayer app to get Qibla direction

11. General rule onwhat is forbidden and accepted In the matters of worship All forbidden except what is prescribed ‘He who innovates something in this matter (of religion) of ours that is not of it will have it rejected’ (Bukhari and Muslim) In worldly matters All permitted, except what is forbidden All animals are allowed except what is forbidden ‘Allah prescribed religious duties, so do not neglect them, he has set boundaries, so do not over step them, he has prohibited some things, so do not violate them, about some things He was silent – out of compassion for you, not forgetfulness, so seek not after them’.

12. The Pillars of Islam

13. 90% of all matters are agreed upon by scholars Example of building – An analogy Structural engineer will say… Buildings are made with some flexibility If rigid the building brittle and fall 10 % are differences of not very significant level - flexibility Where to hold our arms in prayer How to move the finger in sitting down in prayer Saying ‘ameen’ silent or loud This flexibility So Islam can be adapted by people of any Culture, race, age, nationality, time etc.

14. How to deal with these differences Example - collective dua, If we have powerful evidence against what a Muslim is doing then politely approach the person If he listens fine or else move on We have better things to do Muslim ummah around the world Under occupation in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan Muslims are raped and tortured Muslims are starving Muslims are not even coming to the masjid Muslims not fulfilling their fundamentals of Islam Thus we have more important things to tackle than these superficial differences Muslims argue over.

15. What about the 4 schools of thought? Muslims scholars gave their ruling based on the available resources they had. When we follow one or more of them, then we have to make sure that what we follow have evidence from Quran and authentic sunnah of Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) When buying a book, see if the author provides references to Quran or authentic hadith.

16. Importance of Gaining Knowledge “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim…” (Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 218) Read authentic books Consult with authentic scholars Attend the masjid for lecture and gatherings Don’t ever say that I am 60 years old, no need to gain knowledge Example of a 67 year old hafiz who started memorizing the Quran at the age of 65

17. Other advises Begin with learning the obligations Learn the etiquettes of good manners, humility, modesty Stay close to the masjid and Islamic community If weakened in Iman, always return to the Shahada Is the God, a man, idol, or any creation or is HE the unseen creator, and Muhammad (s) is the messenger Rely on your faith Start doing the Sunnaaspects of Islam Extra prayers, fasting, growing beard Stick with the bigger majority of Muslims (sunni) ‘There will always be a group of my ummah openly on the truth until the day of judgment (Muslim)

18. Avoid the many temptations They may get in the way of you fulfilling the obligations Sports Drugs Music Friends family

19. Dawah – Sharing of Islam - an obligation Start with: Family – parents, spouses, children Neighbors humanity

20. Learn and become scholars Don’t stay new Muslims for the rest of your life After 100 days you are no longer a new Muslim Become scholars and leaders– new Muslims The 4 khalifas – successors to the Prophet Almost all the companions of the Prophet List of prominent Muslims in the West who are converts to Islam: Sirajwahaj Hamzayusuf Yusuf estes Zaidshakir Ingrid mattson Aminaassilmi YuvonRiddley Yusuf Islam

21. Specialize in knowledge Become leaders in at least one field Dawah - outreach Comparative religion Quran tafsir (commentary) Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad (p) Tajweed (proper Quranic pronounciation) Islamic history Islamic finances

22. Supplication May Allah, swt, always keep us all guided. May Allah, swt, accept from us and make it easy for us to learn, practice and propagate Islam, the religion of Peace…aameen.

23. Contact: Dr. Sabeel Ahmed sabeel@GainPeace.com www.GainPeace.com