A Very Brief Intro
As you may know, Islam literally means, “submission to the will of God.” For many people there are multiple layers to what Islam looks and feels like. This is far beyond the pillars and articles of faith. It’s the beauty of your own lens as it is tries to focus on an intricate kaleidoscope bursting with colors. For me, I feel at ease and comforted. Everything feels right, even when it goes awry.
As a revert to Islam there are many new aspects to live and everyday living that you become aware of. This can be a bit of a “culture shock” if you come from a more westernized region of the world, but it’s really not as hard as you may thing. Of course there are the “haram police” which are people that will find joy in telling you that everything you are doing is wrong, but this is your journey, not theirs…. always remember that! None of us are perfect and we could all be better humans at the end of the day. Of course helping your fellow Muslim is great, but it should be private and in a genuine effort to educate, not to be condescending.
There are five (5) pillars in Islam, that over two billion followers around the world adhere to:
- The Profession of Faith (shahada). The belief that “There is no god but God, and Muhammad (pbuh) is the Messenger of God.”
- Prayer (salat)
- Alms (zakat)
- Fasting (sawm)
- Pilgrimage (hajj)
There are also seven (7) articles of faith:
- Belief in the Oneness of God
- Belief in the Angels
- Belief in the Revelations (Books) of God
- Belief in the Prophets of God
- Belief in the Day of Judgment
- Belief in Premeasurement (Qadar/Qadr)
- Belief in Resurrection after Death
Specific Topics
- What Do Muslims Believe?
- Islam as a Revert
- Common Misconceptions
- Islam in the Digital Age
- Finding a Community
Digital Resources
These days it’s not uncommon to learn and gather information through digital resources. Below you will find a number of files and apps containing Islamic materials. When you begin to see the truth in Islam you may find yourself wondering why anyone would villainize a religion that is truly one of peace. Read, learn and do your own research; I’m sure you will be surprised.
If possible you should visit a masjid or two in your area. This way you can get to know members of the community and ask questions directly.
Other resources:
A New Muslim Guide PDF (available in other languages here) 2017 update
New Muslim Academy (100% free courses)
Yaqeen Curriculum (printable lessons)
Physical Quran
This Noble Quran with English interpretations can be found on Amazon. Keep in mind this edition does NOT include a transliteration in Roman script. You will need to be able to read Arabic script in order to fully utilize the aforementioned version. This transliterated version (pictured on the left) is a great way for non-native Arabic readers to sound out each word in the Quran.
Finally if you are looking for a full Quran with transliteration and colored tajweed consider this very popular edition. You may have seen this version on videos or lives of people reciting Quran on TikTok or other social media platforms.
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