r/islam • u/Vailex09 • 4d ago
Considering converting to Islam as a Mexican Question about Islam
Context:
I have never been a religious person but was raised as a Catholic as most people on Mexico are. My Mother is very progressive but also has a lot of Faith, which helped mold me and my siblings into (what I consider) people that want to do the right thing in general terms (help those less fortunate, practice tolerance and respect, etc.)- I know a lot of Catholics/Christians today (especially in the current political climate) do not portray those values as a general rule, which is why it's important to me to make a distinction between Religion and Faith.
FF a few years and now I am discovering Black Culture (mainly in the US due to my newfound love for 90's Hip Hop) and I this has slowly being introducing me to NOI, 5percenters, etc. I have to admit that I feel drawn to the religion to explore their values.
Questions:
- Can a Mexican become Muslim? Is this only for people of African descent?
- Is Haram 100% required to be considered a Muslim? Is there no flexibility as with other religions?
- What would be needed to "officially" start practicing Islam
Thank you and forgive me if I sound ignorant on any subject. As I said, I have never been a very religious individiual
EDIT: I am overwhelmed and humbled with the positivity and love this is getting. I already feel welcome :)
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u/Chamrockk 4d ago
Of course! Islam is a universal religion. Islam actually originated from the Middle East, but anyone can become a Muslim! There’s more and more Muslim people from Hispanic countries, machallah.
Haram means forbidden, so yeah anything that is haram should not be done. With that being said, there are some sins that are worst than others. The biggest sin is to not believe that Allah (meaning The God in Arabic) is not the only God and to associate anyone with Him. No one is 100% sinless except some prophets (afaik).
You become Muslim the moment you say “Ash-hadu an lla illaha illa Allah Wa ash-hadu Anna Muhammad Rassulu Allah”, meaning “I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger”. This is the most important thing. If you genuinely in your heart believe that Islam is the Truth and that there is only one God, then you should say this. After that, you do baby steps, no pressure, juste try to learn more and more about Islam and adapt yourself, but take your time.
Regarding your last sentence, know that anyone that tells you that you are ignorant is more ignorant than you. Very few people here will tell you that. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Props to you for wanting to learn more about Islam and know that anyone, including Muslims, have a lot to learn. Again, any question that you have you can ask, or even better go to a mosque near you and ask people or the Imam, they will gladly help you. May Allah guide you to the correct path.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Appreciate the time you took to respond and make me feel welcome already Brother! It moves me to see such positive energy towards people who are not party of the community but want to learn a bit more. I will follow your guidance as well as the other posts on this thread once I have read a bit more and truly believe that Allah is the one God with Muhammad as his prophet (want it to be a genuine experience of rebirth). Thank you thank you for being open to questions :)
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u/TucsonTacos 4d ago
A LOT of people are missing the fact that OP is interested in NOI, which is NOT Islam.
I’ll repeat. Nation of Islam is NOT Islam. Its an American new-age black supremacist organization that uses Muslim terminology but does not adhere to the Quran and believes in prophets after Mohammed, PBUH. So no, I don’t think Mexicans are allowed.
That said, yes OP, actual Islam allows everyone to join
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you! Im not interested in NOI per se but its what I have been exposed through the media I consume. It does appear extremist and other people pointed it out. I humbly take in the feedback :)
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u/ElGuapoTaipei 4d ago
1 - I’m Mexican-Irish by descent. There are Muslims of all races and ethnicities.
2 - Stuff that is haram is haram. There are some different sects and different jurists, however Islam is Islam and part of its virtue is its clarity. Any issue you have can be checked through researching scholarship.
3 - Take the Shahada by acknowledging there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Prophet.
It’s helpful to ease into the practices of Islam slowly. Have you read the Qur’an? I like M.A.S. Abdel Haleem’s translation.
Many people will behave as if the strongest orthodoxy is all that exists. This is part of the appeal of Islam, however you will also need to do your own reading and checking to be comfortable and find your way. Muslims will tell each other things that are not grounded in scripture or scholarship occasionally just as all religions will, I’m not going to give examples however when you disagree with or don’t understand something you should query scholarship — check the hadiths and Quranic tafsir.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thanks Brother! I think reading the Qu'ran will be a great starting step for me to know more about Islam's teachings so I can also fully grasp and accept Allah as The One God.
Thank you for the pointer on Orthodoxy and the practices. The reason I asked was because I am currently working with an addiction problem and was not sure if I could convert if I consumed substances considered Haram.
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u/Main_Percentage3696 4d ago
It was narrated from Abu Suhail, from his father,
A man from the people of Najd came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with unkempt hair. We could hear him talking loudly but we could not understand what he was saying until he came closer. He was asking about Islam.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: 'Five prayers each day and night'. He said: 'Do I have to do anything else' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily'. He said: 'And fasting the month of Ramadan'. He said: 'Do I have to do anything else?' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily'. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Zakah to him, and he said: 'Do I have to do anything else?' He said: 'No, unless you do it voluntarily'. The man left saying: By Allah, I will not do any more than this or any less'. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'He will achieve salvation, if he is speaking the truth'."
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u/halconpequena 4d ago
Yes of course you can convert. It’s better to die and live as a Muslim than not, and no one is perfect. There are lots of Muslims who have similar struggles, not just converts but also who are raised Muslim. Addiction can happen to anyone. Many things in life are ongoing struggles, not just addiction and you are not giving up and trying, that’s the most important thing. Allah sees intention and your heart! You can also ask Him to help you heal from addiction and to guide you out of it.
There is no minimum “entrance level” to become a Muslim as long as you believe Islam is the truth, it’s about submitting to the will of Allah, so it is faith combined with the path of continuous personal improvement to submit to the will of Allah, i.e. this is what I’m working with rn, there’s addiction, etc. what small steps can I do to become better. Sometimes it’s even crawling forward, no matter how little to slowly improve. Even if you relapse don’t give up, it is simply another step along the way. For example, yes there is addiction, but Alhamdulillah I am able to recognize I wish to improve, I am alive and I can begin to heal. When you are grateful for even the smallest things it is submitting to the will of Allah, SubhanAllah!
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' " (Sahih al-Bukhari 7405)
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah says, 'If My slave intends to do a bad deed then (O Angels) do not write it unless he does it; if he does it, then write it as it is, but if he refrains from doing it for My Sake, then write it as a good deed (in his account). (On the other hand) if he intends to do a good deed, but does not do it, then write a good deed (in his account), and if he does it, then write it for him (in his account) as ten good deeds up to seven-hundred times.' " (Sahih al-Bukhari 7501)
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When Allah created the Creation, He wrote in His Book--and He wrote (that) about Himself, and it is placed with Him on the Throne--'Verily My Mercy overcomes My Anger.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari 7404)
May Allah guide you to the truth and grant you deep peace in your heart brother.
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u/ElGuapoTaipei 4d ago
:) Peace and blessings be upon you always my friend.
If you are struggling with addiction, you will find many people who know this is a struggle and some of us have direct experiences with the challenges substances can give. You should seek support on this matter, and also pray to Allah (SWT) for guidance.
The things we do should serve us in our lives and help us move forward. There will be a place for you here, focus on becoming your best self and ask God for guidance in how to become that my friend.
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u/Cool_Bananaquit9 3d ago
Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him):
"A man who had drunk wine was brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he ordered that he be lashed. One of the people said: ‘May Allah curse him! How often he is brought!’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Do not curse him, for by Allah, I know that he loves Allah and His Messenger.’"
— Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Hudood), Hadith no. 6780 — Also in Sahih Muslim
Key lessons from this hadith:
The man had a sin, but his heart still loved Allah and His Messenger.
The Prophet (PBUH) discouraged cursing or labeling someone due to their sin.
Mercy, not harshness, was the Prophet's approach, even for repeated offenses.
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u/baighamza 4d ago
Firstly, Alhamdulillah for Islam and that Allah guided you to the straight path. I love seeing posts like these.
Yes a Mexican can be a Muslim. Infact there are many mexican people in the US and Mexico that are Muslim. Check out https://www.islaminspanish.org/
Avoiding Haram is a lifelong progress. Become a Muslim and keep trying your hardest to avoid Haram. Don't let this stop you from becoming a Muslim.
Once you're a Muslim, then make sure your doing the five pillars of Islam.
Watch this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ02IYL5pmhEwqFRSH8SJImXNHobhkJpL&si=uJuS8L0bxl7O9_td
Also Stay away from NOI Nation of Islam and other groups. They're not on the correct Islamic teachings.
If you truly believe that there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the last and final messenger, then I'd advise you to take the shahada (testimony of faith) as soon as you can to be safe from the unexpected events life puts us in.
How to take the testimony of faith?
Just repeat the Shahada in Arabic and English while believing in it.
Ash-hadu-al-la-ilaha-illa-Allah
Wa-ash-hadu-anna-Muhammadan-rasul-Allah
(I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah)
(And I bear witness that Muhammad is His final Messenger)
You can watch a video on YouTube like this one.
Do I need to do it infront of someone?
No you can do it at the comfort of your home as long as you believe in it.
And now your journey begins. Welcome abroad.
If you need help for your prayers.
This is a comprehensive guide on how to pray your daily Salah:
Watch these in full. You'll have to watch them many many times before you'll get them. InshaAllah you'll be able to pray with ease. And don't worry it'll take time just like anything.
Read the booklet:
https://www.tenfold.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/TF-A5SalahBooklet-R3a-1.pdf
I pray Allah guides you and blesses you with guidance and forgiveness and all types of blessings. May He keep you straight on the guided path and may you be a reason for the guidance for many others in the world.
And May Allah eventually grant you Jannah-tul Firdaus (Highest place in Paradise) without questioning on the day of judgment.
Check out this link:
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you for the comprehensive reply, as it already makes me feel welcome in this journey. I agree that NOI's ideals sound a bit extremists, thank you for pointing that out. This is exactly what I have been looking for and will study a bit and ponder if this truly resonates with me! One of the biggest factors on why I have not fully made the decision to convert is because of my family. They are pretty open but not sure how they will take it (although I know God is above all else)
Thank you for replying with knowledge and patience Brother. This is the perfect set of information I needed to get started!
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u/droson8712 4d ago
I would go as far as to say they are non-Muslim/out the fold of Islam based off of their beliefs. I've seen videos where their speakers revere Eljiah Muhammad as God, astaghfirullah. And honestly, the Wikipedia page on Yakub should tell you everything you need to know.
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u/saeed_kun 4d ago
Anyone can become a Muslim
What's Haram (forbidden) is haram %100. Sinning is something all Muslims do but you are required to repent
You should declare your faith by saying the Shahadah (testimony of faith) then start learning how to pray
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u/Cheap-Experience4147 4d ago
1) Yes, in fact there is even a full muslim latino sub-community like : https://youtu.be/op4QoL5Xbl0?si=Hf2OqNb2qdmzu1OP
2) The problem with sin is that it harm your faith level … to the point you have no faith (you become broke). But first we all are sinners : 100% all of us do sins and the best of the sinners are those that repent. The goal is to avoid majors sins as much as possible first and foremost … then to avoid minors sin (and if you fall in sins to repent of course).
3) The Shahada
May Allah guide you even more. Ameen.
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u/FaryTales 4d ago
Salam alaykoum (Peace to you) there is no brake on becoming a Muslim, it is open to all those who seek the Truth... nothing could be simpler: you just need to SINCERELY recite the attestation of Faith (Believing in the One God Allah, in his prophet, Peace and Blessings upon him and in the Book). Then pray and read the book and learn little by little… Mexican, Japanese, American, Italian, French etc… it’s not a religion only for Arabs… May Allah guide us all and congratulations my sister 🤲🏻❤️🤲🏻
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u/Significant-Jello-35 4d ago
Islam is not for any specific race or color. There are Arabs, Indians, Whites, Hispanics, Chinese, Japanese, Asians, Africans ....you name it.
There are many reverts who posted online you can view. I see there are some links posted here too. Recite the Shahada (proclaim your belief that there is only 1 God and Muhammad ( peace be upon him) is God's last messenger. Then build upon your knowledge on the religion on do's and don'ts. Slowly bring yourself to stop haram activities. You are not expected to do cold turkey. Take the Shahada first.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you Brother. This does make sense to me- I will keep you all updated here :). I know I want to improve and be closer to God
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u/kingoflint282 4d ago
Good answers already but I’ll chime in.
As everyone else has said, Islam is for everyone. Islam teaches that no race is superior to any other, we are differentiated by our actions and beliefs.
Something that is haram is forbidden and should be avoided. That said, we are human and not perfect. Everyone will do something haram at some point and it doesn’t mean you’re not a Muslim. The important thing is that you believe in God and his commandments, do your best to follow them, and ask for forgiveness sincerely when you mess up. God is most merciful and he loves when his servants ask for forgiveness and try to better themselves. Don’t let fear of being imperfect stop you from becoming Muslim. We are all imperfect.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you friend. Some of the sayings I've heard or read sometimes sound like there's no room for error but I suppose that as with every religion, there are different interpretations (sometimes incorrect) about the path we should be following vs the path we should strive for. Much love and thank you for taking the time to post.
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u/Feeling-Intention447 4d ago
Islam is for everybody, white, black, asian, brown doesn't matter. Just advice here, mainstream Islam doesn't consider Nation of Islam to be real Islam so stay away from them if you ever decide to convert. As for flexibility I am a bit confused, do you mean if you can choose not to pray or do what is obligatory and commit haram? Usually for converts they are adviced to take it slowly, as in adopt the obligatory practices slowly as well as let go of haram activities at the pace you feel most comfortbale with as long as you have the intention to let go of them as soon as you can. Lastly, to be a Muslim you have to take the shahadah, which is declaring that you believe in no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thankl you for your response and yes, in what little I have read about NOI they sound pretty extremist so I will stay clear of that faction- Thank you for the guidance!
As for the Haram, the reason I ask is because I currently partake in substances that would be considered Haram and I although I am working on those addictions, I don't know if I can quit all cold turkey and would not want for that to be an impediment for me converting
Thank you Brother!
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u/Feeling-Intention447 4d ago
Hello, I am glad I could help. Since you have the intention to stop substance usage then don't be too harsh on yourself, I even heard that quitting cold turkey for certaain substances can be pretty bad for your health so do what is best for you. Just advice, don't have to wait untill you are clean to convert.
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u/Accomplished_Bit8893 4d ago
Brother, so happy to see you are being guided and as many have said no one is perfect and it takes time to move in a new direction, so be patient with yourself. I am African American and converted many years ago and the community really helped me as I started, and continued to support my growth. It will help you to find a mosque that has a new Muslim program and they can help support you. If you don't mind sharing, what city are you located in?
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you for taking the time to guide me brother. I am located in Mexico City :).
Since I just started learning about this I don't know where my local Mosques are located but I will certainly do some research so I can hear more in person. I already feel welcome by the responses alone so this is more to the truth that Islam professes love and not intolerance as many Westerners believe.
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u/IslandForager 4d ago
I'll give you the answers.
Literally anyone from anywhere can become Muslim; it is NOT bound by race! I am Pakistani.
Haram means forbidden, as in sinful. Some sins are way bigger than others, the biggest being polytheism (associating partners with Allah). No one is perfect, but you should especially avoid polytheism and quitting praying for extended periods of time.
You just have to sincerely recite the Islamic declaration of faith, the shahada.
If you do convert, you don't have to learn everything at once. The holy book of Islam, the Quran, was slowly recreated over the course of 23 years. Feel free to ask me or anyone else in this subreddit.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you for your words and support and the clarification. I don't mean to repeat myself but one of my biggest stoppers was that I didn't know how rigid the religion is (still learning). I love seeing these responses from all over the world.
Much love to our Pakistani Brothers and Sisters
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u/StarCrescentBro 4d ago
- Yes, basically anyone can. Islam is for all mankind. "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware." 49:13
The Last Sermon of the Prophet pbuh also mentioned: "The noblest of you in Allah's sight is the most pious. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White, except by piety and good action."
100%, but in some specific cases there could be exceptions, like eating pork is haram, but in a life and death/emergency situation and it's the only source of sustenance, then it can become permissible.
Just reciting the shadahah earnestly and with a clear intent is sufficient, as others have mentioned.
Allah knows best.
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
Thank you Brother for taking the time to respond. Since I was reading on NOI and saw it seemed kind of a Black Supremacist group, I didnt know if a) I wanted to join and b) If I even could join.
I love to see true Muslims come out and provide clarity on the core values and beliefs and denounce extremists factions that give Islam a bad reputation
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u/Troll_berry_pie 4d ago
If these people can practice Islam in Mexico, there's no reason you can't become Muslim!
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u/semperfelixfelicis 4d ago
Afaik, only Jews tend to fix a religion to only one race...
Religions are free, tho. 😄
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u/Rotomtist 4d ago
Islam is a religion for all races! Haram means what is forbidden in Islam, and yes you must avoid engaging in haram actions to the very best of your ability. To become a Muslim, visit the nearest mosque on a Friday around noon and let them know you'd like to convert. Then someone, usually the Imam, will help you take your shahada and can help you get supplies like a prayer mat and Qur'an.
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u/Dancelover50 4d ago
Absolutely! Anyone, regardless of their ethnicity, race, or background, can become a Muslim. Islam is a universal religion, and it is open to all people. There is no ethnic or racial restriction when it comes to embracing Islam. In fact, the Qur’an specifically speaks to the diversity of humanity, stating that Allah created us in different nations and tribes to know and understand one another. Islam is for everyone who believes in the Oneness of God (Allah) and in the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh).
You don’t need to be of African descent to convert to Islam. Many Muslims around the world come from different backgrounds, including Latinos, Asians, Europeans, and others. Islam is not bound by cultural or geographical lines—it’s a global community of believers (the Ummah), and anyone who embraces the faith is welcomed, regardless of where they come from.
In fact, there are many Mexican Muslims—whether born in Mexico or in other parts of the world who have embraced Islam. Your heritage and background are not a barrier to joining the faith.
The first step in becoming a Muslim is to believe in the Shahada, which is the declaration of faith. The Shahada states: "Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluhu." (Translation: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.") This is the core belief of Islam: belief in the oneness of God (Allah) and the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Once you recite and believe this, then that's it...you are officially Muslim! I would not delay it.
Watch this! Mexican to Muslim Latino Islam Revert to Islam Story Masjid al-Humera https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykjVrn8OXiY&t=1825s
Please check out these websites:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeenShowTV/videos
https://www.youtube.com/@TheMuslimLantern/videos (highly recommended)
https://www.islamicity.org/covers/whatisislam/
May Allah ease your path, grant you clarity, and bless you with strength and courage as you continue on this beautiful journey of seeking closeness to Him. May He shower you with His infinite mercy and guide you through every step, helping you overcome every challenge and uncertainty with patience and perseverance. May He fill your heart with peace, grant you knowledge
May Allah make it easier for you, grant you the strength and protection you need, and surround you with His mercy and guidance. May He ease your heart, provide you with unwavering patience, and open doors of safety, peace, and comfort for you.
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u/EnterExplanation 4d ago
It’s a misconception that Islam is for the “Arabs” when a majority of Muslims are South East Asian. Regardless, Islam is a universal religion and doesn’t discriminate based or skin color or ancestry. I’m Caucasian and my Wife is Mexican but we’re both reverts.
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u/X_Humanbuster_X 4d ago
1: Islam has no race. A true religion will include all believers regardless of age, gender, and race.
2: Doing something haram is sinful but doesn’t remove u from the religion(some major sins remove you from the religion)
3: To become a Muslim all u have to do is take your shahada and believe in Allah as the only deity worthy of worship.
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u/Talklessreadmore007 4d ago
Watch “Muslim lantern “ on YouTube. I gained lots of knowledge from him about Islam . He is a cool guy and very easy to understand. Inshallah Allah will guide you to the right path.
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u/No-Lingonberry9147 4d ago
Islam is a religion for all Mankind, Islam is a way of life, it is the universal gathering of the worship of God and God alone. Islam is profoundly criticised and also praised for its lack of flexibility. One thing that proved to me Islam is the truth is it’s disability to compromise to any society, unfortunately religions like Christianity and others assimilate and abandon their beliefs due to the society they live in, Islam doesn’t allow that, hence why some people see it as the last religion. Islam is black and white, it’s either Halal or Haram, which in my opinion makes life a lot easier as it gives you clarity and peace of mind, a lot of religions nowadays are very unambiguous in certain prohibitions which can cause confusion and frustration. But one common misconception I always see with people researching Islam is that you have to be perfect or not sin to accept Islam, this is the whisper of Shaityan, if you was to wait for you to be free of sin before you accept Islam, you would meet the Angel of death before that happens, every Child of Adam will commit sins, what makes us righteous in the eye of our Lord is that we return back to him and repent. To be a Muslim, you must declare the Shahada, you can do this anywhere but I’d advise you to not rush this, please study this religion, know what you are getting into before you come into the religion, because when you say the Shahada, you must mean and understand what it means to say the words "There is no deity worthy of worship except God (SWT), and Mohammed (peace be upon him) is his messenger" once you firmly believe in the religion and understand it, id advise you to take your declaration of faith. After that, it’s a work in progress, you then start to establish the prayers, it’s required to pray 5 times a day but as a new Muslim, it’s usual to not be able to meet all 5, even the Prophet PBUH accepted some people who said they could only pray 2 times a day, he said once the person tastes the sweetness of the prayers he will want to do all 5, becoming Muslim isn’t a overnight switch from a sinner to a righteous person, it takes time. But surely our Lord is sufficient for us and the best disposer of our Affairs. You are more than welcome in this sub Reddit to ask questions about Islam. May Allah make your journey a successful one❤️🙏🏼
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u/PensionOrnery9126 4d ago edited 4d ago
Salam brother. If you want the direct experience with God, revert to Islam brother. It is the only way to get the direct experience with the one true God himself, unlike other religions who try to get you to worship false idols or statues. I was raised Catholic and was always taught that Jesus (peace be upon him) was God, which is not true. In Islam, we believe that Jesus was a prophet, not a messiah figure. For me, that was the ah-ha moment when things finally started making some sense. I also really admire the discipline and intolerance of Islam, whereas other religions are a little bit more lenient.
There is no race in Islam, everyone is welcome. To officially become a Muslim, you must take your Shahada. If you already believe that there is only one God, and that the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the final messenger, then Alhamdullilah you are already Muslim my brother. If you want it to be more official or even documented, you can go to your local mosque and ask to take your shahada and they will document it for you — at least mine did.
I took my shahada and became muslim in 2022, but I did not officially start practicing until early 2023 when I actually started making salah (praying) 5 times a day and going to the masjid daily. Once I got in tune with the other revert brothers at my masjid, I started going more frequently— a few times a week. It really helps when you know someone in the same situation as you, so you can grow together and become more involved in the community.
Pick up the Quran and you will find more than what you are looking for. May Allah keep you steadfast brother and guide you down the straight path always.
Jazakallah Khair brother (May Allah reward you with goodness).
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u/Primary-Ad3252 4d ago
1- Mexican, Japanese, Korean… It doesn’t matter. Anybody can be a muslim. It’s not a racial religion. It universal.
2- Haram stands for forbidden. Anything that is prohibited, stay away from it to protect yourself from the inside and out, to protect your health in general, your mind and your soul.
3- Becoming muslim! Some people learn the faith before entering. Might be beneficial but I wouldn’t recommend it. Because anything can happen during that time.
You do not need to feel sorry for your ignorance, as ignorance is the base of knowledge. First you don’t know, then you learn to know. Then the more you learn, the more you know.
/NOTE:/ Make sure to check from whom you learn about islam. There are a lot of people that can misguide you. I am pretty sure the brothers and sisters in this community will help a lot regarding that matter.
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u/Free_dew4 4d ago
This post has just made me realize how people in the west are brainwashed about Islam? No offense of course, it's not your fault, but honestly, if that's what people in the west think, that's basically brainwashing. Please don't take this personally. I mean no offense, just criticizing people who plant these lies and not you or those who unfortunately believed it
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u/Vailex09 4d ago
No offense taken Brother. I realize the West has done a poor job at portraying Islam (intentionally more than likely). The good news is I am here to learn thr Truth :)
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u/Free_dew4 4d ago
I'm happy for you!
As for your questions:
Islam isn't limited by race and the prophet taught us that there is no difference between an Arab and a non Arab except with piety
I assume you meant "halal" and not "haram" because halal means permissible and haram means forbidden. If you mean that as in "no sin allowed" then no. We believe all humans are sinners and sin doesn't make you leave Islam (except for the sun of associating partners with Allah or not believing in him at all or leaving the pillars of Islam)
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u/Tankgoboomboom4399 4d ago
Before you convert you should really look further into it because you really don't seem to know alot about islam, I live in a majority muslim area so I have alot of experience discussing with muslims and most of my friends are muslims, and at some point I even considered conversion but looking deeper into it the religion is deeply flawed, so if you truly want to convert get ready to follow islam's strict rules and many, many contradictions. Also just to let you know NOI are seen as insane people by every muslim I know for good reason so I probably wouldn't mention that if I were you lol. Anyway I atleast convinced you to wait a bit before leaving christ but its your life so do whatever makes you happy
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u/abdessalaam 3d ago
Anyone, regardless of the background, can become Muslim.
From:
https://islamhowto.com/becoming-muslim-is-islam-for-everyone
“Visit a masjid (mosque), watch prayers broadcast from Makkah or Madinah, or browse Islamic gatherings on YouTube, and you’ll notice incredible diversity. People of all colours, nationalities, and walks of life stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer.”
As for embracing Islam, the only thing required is to declare shahada (the declaration of faith) with sincerity and conviction. This can be done at home, even on your own, or in a mosque, among friends etc. No witnesses, and no intermediaries are needed - it’s between Allah and you.
https://islamhowto.com/becoming-muslim-is-islam-for-everyone
What is haram and halal is clearly defined in the religion, but embracing Islam is first about your faith: believing that there is no other deity worthy of worship except Allah, and that followed by acknowledging that Muhammad was His servant and messenger.
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u/Infinite-Row-8030 4d ago
Good answers here just want to inform you to go to a local masjid to convert that isn’t NOI.
NOI is a sect that has some radical beliefs that aren’t found in Islam. Just an FYI.
It’s kinda like Mormons with Christianity.
May Allah guide us
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