I've decided that I want to be a Muslim...now how do I tell my family?

[Peace]

Please, don't hesitate to say shahada. Even if no one but Allah is there to hear it. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, let alone a couple of weeks. If you need help with what to say or how to say it, please let us know.

I second what cocolia said :yes:

 

[Rational_Mind]

Also wanted to ask you to spend a lot of time dedicating prayers SPECIFICALLY for your family. Allah (swt) can soften their hearts as was done to the families of many Sahaba who suffered at the hands of their family but were able to save them due to their strong prayers.

 

[Matemkar]

Salam..
MashaAllah.. Welcome to Islam..
Ma salam..

 

[MatthiasGould]

Also wanted to ask you to spend a lot of time dedicating prayers SPECIFICALLY for your family. Allah (swt) can soften their hearts as was done to the families of many Sahaba who suffered at the hands of their family but were able to save them due to their strong prayers.

This I plan to do and keep on doing.

 

[F0uad]

Just a advice.. Don't pick a branch or "sect" of Islam just follow Islam as you understand it. When you have troubles with understanding something just look at the one that makes the most sense explaining it to you.

 

[MatthiasGould]

Just a advice.. Don't pick a branch or "sect" of Islam just follow Islam as you understand it. When you have troubles with understanding something just look at the one that makes the most sense explaining it to you.

I'll freely admit that when I originally began to study Islam, and even now, all the talk of the different sects and the theological reasoning behind why different sects believe in specific doctrines to be confusing and especially given I'm still 'new' to Islam.

 

[F0uad]

I'll freely admit that when I originally began to study Islam, and even now, all the talk of the different sects and the theological reasoning behind why different sects believe in specific doctrines to be confusing and especially given I'm still 'new' to Islam.

You shouldn't be focused on it nor should other Muslims it is a distraction and an evil distraction to say at-least. We are always here to help you out

 

[FearGod]

I'll freely admit that when I originally began to study Islam, and even now, all the talk of the different sects and the theological reasoning behind why different sects believe in specific doctrines to be confusing and especially given I'm still 'new' to Islam.

i add my voice to Foad as not to investigate sections in Islam because it is a misleading and even though that prophet Mohammad PBUH warned us from this to happen and even he prophesied that it'll happen but the followers of sections are in the wrong way of the real Islam.

Islam is To believe in Allah, His Angels and His Books, and His Messengers and the Last Day and Divine Predestination, whether good or bad.

So i believe we should follow only the quran and the authentic hadith which is the right path for us.

Islam is to (submit and surrender to god) and not to a scholar or a teacher or a philosopher or even to Mohamed or Jesus peace be upon them but only to almighty god.

 

[MatthiasGould]

I know the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and that's as far as I want to go.

 

[Assad91]

Just follow Quran and Sunnah! That is all you need

 

[cocolia42]

Just follow Quran and Sunnah! That is all you need

:clap

 

[Gharib]

I'll freely admit that when I originally began to study Islam, and even now, all the talk of the different sects and the theological reasoning behind why different sects believe in specific doctrines to be confusing and especially given I'm still 'new' to Islam.

I have to go against Fouad's statement. It is mandatory that you follow a Madhhab. Without following one of the madhhabs you are a lone sheep.

While the Prophet was alive, all the people followed his Madhhab, while Abu Bakr was the Khalifah all the people followed his Madhhab etc.

When the rulers who followed the Rightly Guided Khalifas came to power they separated the scholars from the state. Having done that, a number of prominent scholars of that time took it upon themselves to explain that Islam wasn't as the government was presenting it.

You must follow a madhhab because you and I are in no position to comment or interpret the teachings of Islam. We do not have even the slightest amount of knowledge.

You see, in order to understand the Qur'an, we need the hadith and in order to understand the hadith we need the interpretations/explanations of the Sahaba and in order to understand what the Sahaba have said is to look at the teachings of their students, ie. the Tabieen (the generation after the Sahaba who were the students of the Sahaba).

And as it happens the scholars have used 5 major sources/steps in sourcing out a ruling or Islamic law. They are arranged in order of most importance:

1. The Qur’aan
The Qur’aan was the first source of law and its passages
were accepted unanimously as being authentic. However, there were
some differences of opinion in interpretation of some of its passages.

2. The Sunnah
Hadeeths of the Prophet (s.w.) were next in importance.
However, scholars for their acceptance and application set various
conditions.

3. Opinion of the Sahaabah
The opinion of the Sahaabah either as a group or
individually was considered the third most important source of law.
This source was divided into two parts according to the positions
taken by the Sahaabah.
(a) If they were united on an opinion it was referred to as
Ijmaa’.
(b) If they had different opinions on a single issue,

4. Qiyaas
Ijtihaad based on evidence found either in the Qur’aan, the
Sunnah or Ijmaa’ was next in order of importance. The method of
reasoning used was a form of analogical deduction called Qiyaas. An
example of Qiyaas is the prohibition of marijuana based on the
Prophet’s statement: “Every intoxicant is Khamr and every form of
Khamr is Haraam.”124 Since Marijuana has as intoxicating effect it
can be classified as Khamr and thus Haraam (prohibited).

5. Istihsaan (Legal Preference)
This principle involves the preference of an opinion based on
a circumstantial need over an opinion based on Qiyaas. This
principle, referred to by various names, scholars of most schools of
thought used (e.g. Istislaah). An application of Istihsaan is seen in
the treatment of a contract for the manufacture and salw of as item.
According to Qiyaas, based on the Prophet’s statement, “Whoever
sells food should not do so until he has in his own possession”,125
contracts of this type are invalid, since the item is nonexistent at the
time of the contract. However, since such contracts have been
universally accepted by people and the need for such contracts is
obvious, the ruling by Qiyaas was dropped and the contracts were
allowed, based on the principle of preference (Istihsaan).

6. ‘Urf (Custom)
Local customs were accepted as a source of law in a given
region as long as they did not contradict any of the principles of
Islamic law; for example local marriage customs concerning dowry’
payment. The dowry (Mahr) according to Islamic law, must be
agreed upon as part of the marriage contract but it has no set time to
be paid. It is the custom of Egyptians as well as others that a portion
of it called the Muqaddam must be paid before the marriage
ceremony while the reminder called the Mu’akhkhar is only required
to be paid in the case of death or divorce, according to whichever
occurs first.

Taken from the book of Bilal Philips 'Evolution of Fiqh'.

I do advise you to follow a madhhab, all scholars are in agreement that for one to be a Muslim he must follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.

 

[Gharib]

Just follow Quran and Sunnah! That is all you need

The Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wa salam has stated that his inheritors are the Scholars.

Abud-Dardaa (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) say: ‘Whoever treads a path due to which he seeks knowledge, Allaah will make him tread one of the paths towards Paradise. And the angels lower their wings out of contentment for the seeker of knowledge. And verily all those in the heavens and in the earth, even the fish in the depths of the sea ask forgiveness for the scholar. And verily, the virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like the virtue of the moon on the night of Al-Badr over all of the stars. Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, for the prophets do not leave behind a dinar or a dirham for inheritance, but rather, they leave behind knowledge. So whoever takes hold of it, has acquired a large share (i.e. of inheritance).’

We are obligated to follow and obey the scholars at all times and not do so only when we feel like it.

I am saddened to hear about new Muslims being called away from the Scholars when we must follow and obey them. From the above hadith scholars have even concluded that to speak in high voice before a scholar equates to speaking in loud voice before the Prophet due to their knowledge stemming from the Prophet. And regarding that, Allah says that the good deeds of a person who speaks in loud voice in the presence of the Prophet become erased.

 

[FearGod]

The Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wa salam has stated that his inheritors are the Scholars.

Abud-Dardaa (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) say: ‘Whoever treads a path due to which he seeks knowledge, Allaah will make him tread one of the paths towards Paradise. And the angels lower their wings out of contentment for the seeker of knowledge. And verily all those in the heavens and in the earth, even the fish in the depths of the sea ask forgiveness for the scholar. And verily, the virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like the virtue of the moon on the night of Al-Badr over all of the stars. Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, for the prophets do not leave behind a dinar or a dirham for inheritance, but rather, they leave behind knowledge. So whoever takes hold of it, has acquired a large share (i.e. of inheritance).’

We are obligated to follow and obey the scholars at all times and not do so only when we feel like it.

I am saddened to hear about new Muslims being called away from the Scholars when we must follow and obey them. From the above hadith scholars have even concluded that to speak in high voice before a scholar equates to speaking in loud voice before the Prophet due to their knowledge stemming from the Prophet. And regarding that, Allah says that the good deeds of a person who speaks in loud voice in the presence of the Prophet become erased.

i agree with you but i am against dividing Islam to branches such as Islam shia,Islam sunni etc.

Mohammed , Jesus,Moses and all prophets peace be upon them were muslims so we can't say our muddhab is Mohammed or to be mohammadism or Alawites (followers of Ali)..etc

Mohammed PBUH should be our ideal how to be a real muslims.

 

[Peace]

Just follow Quran and Sunnah! That is all you need

Well said brother, jazaka Allah khayran! Islam has two souces, the Quran and the Sunnah. Follow them and you are on the right path!

All the best,
Peace

 

[Assad91]

We are obligated to follow and obey the scholars at all times and not do so only when we feel like it.

I have to respectfully disagree. Many will follow blindly any scholar. But you should only follow those who refer the matter back to Quran and Sunnah

I am saddened to hear about new Muslims being called away from the Scholars when we must follow and obey them. From the above hadith scholars have even concluded that to speak in high voice before a scholar equates to speaking in loud voice before the Prophet due to their knowledge stemming from the Prophet. And regarding that, Allah says that the good deeds of a person who speaks in loud voice in the presence of the Prophet become erased.

Sadly many scholar use qiyas and ra'y

 

[MatthiasGould]

Regarding scholars, I think it best if I continue to study the basics of Islam before studying scholars. There is little point in studying their works if I can't understand what they're precisely discussing.

That's not to say I won't study scholarly schools and their works at a later point. But I think at present that I need to cement in my own understanding of the faith.

 

[cocolia42]

I am saddened to hear about new Muslims being called away from the Scholars when we must follow and obey them. From the above hadith scholars have even concluded that to speak in high voice before a scholar equates to speaking in loud voice before the Prophet due to their knowledge stemming from the Prophet. And regarding that, Allah says that the good deeds of a person who speaks in loud voice in the presence of the Prophet become erased.

I think you are misunderstanding. Of course we need the scholars. BUT, as a new Muslim, one can easily be misguided. A new Muslim should gain a basic understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah first so they will have the ability to realize if and when they are being misled. That's why most Muslims recommend that reverts stay away from different sects and learn the Qur'an and Sunnah first. And in the day of Youtube its so easy to learn from the scholars without getting any "middle man" involved.

 

[MatthiasGould]

I think you are misunderstanding. Of course we need the scholars. BUT, as a new Muslim, one can easily be misguided. A new Muslim should gain a basic understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah first so they will have the ability to realize if and when they are being misled. That's why most Muslims recommend that reverts stay away from different sects and learn the Qur'an and Sunnah first. And in the day of Youtube its so easy to learn from the scholars without getting any "middle man" involved.

This is why I've personally chosen for the time being to concentrate purely on Qur'an study so I can have a firm foundation in Islam.

Plus I personally don't want to end up involved in some tedious theological argument about some miniscule detail or end up with a massively warped view of Islam.

 

[F0uad]

I have to go against Fouad's statement. It is mandatory that you follow a Madhhab. Without following one of the madhhabs you are a lone sheep.

While the Prophet was alive, all the people followed his Madhhab, while Abu Bakr was the Khalifah all the people followed his Madhhab etc.

When the rulers who followed the Rightly Guided Khalifas came to power they separated the scholars from the state. Having done that, a number of prominent scholars of that time took it upon themselves to explain that Islam wasn't as the government was presenting it.

You must follow a madhhab because you and I are in no position to comment or interpret the teachings of Islam. We do not have even the slightest amount of knowledge.

You see, in order to understand the Qur'an, we need the hadith and in order to understand the hadith we need the interpretations/explanations of the Sahaba and in order to understand what the Sahaba have said is to look at the teachings of their students, ie. the Tabieen (the generation after the Sahaba who were the students of the Sahaba).

And as it happens the scholars have used 5 major sources/steps in sourcing out a ruling or Islamic law. They are arranged in order of most importance:

1. The Qur’aan
The Qur’aan was the first source of law and its passages
were accepted unanimously as being authentic. However, there were
some differences of opinion in interpretation of some of its passages.

2. The Sunnah
Hadeeths of the Prophet (s.w.) were next in importance.
However, scholars for their acceptance and application set various
conditions.

3. Opinion of the Sahaabah
The opinion of the Sahaabah either as a group or
individually was considered the third most important source of law.
This source was divided into two parts according to the positions
taken by the Sahaabah.
(a) If they were united on an opinion it was referred to as
Ijmaa’.
(b) If they had different opinions on a single issue,

4. Qiyaas
Ijtihaad based on evidence found either in the Qur’aan, the
Sunnah or Ijmaa’ was next in order of importance. The method of
reasoning used was a form of analogical deduction called Qiyaas. An
example of Qiyaas is the prohibition of marijuana based on the
Prophet’s statement: “Every intoxicant is Khamr and every form of
Khamr is Haraam.”124 Since Marijuana has as intoxicating effect it
can be classified as Khamr and thus Haraam (prohibited).

5. Istihsaan (Legal Preference)
This principle involves the preference of an opinion based on
a circumstantial need over an opinion based on Qiyaas. This
principle, referred to by various names, scholars of most schools of
thought used (e.g. Istislaah). An application of Istihsaan is seen in
the treatment of a contract for the manufacture and salw of as item.
According to Qiyaas, based on the Prophet’s statement, “Whoever
sells food should not do so until he has in his own possession”,125
contracts of this type are invalid, since the item is nonexistent at the
time of the contract. However, since such contracts have been
universally accepted by people and the need for such contracts is
obvious, the ruling by Qiyaas was dropped and the contracts were
allowed, based on the principle of preference (Istihsaan).

6. ‘Urf (Custom)
Local customs were accepted as a source of law in a given
region as long as they did not contradict any of the principles of
Islamic law; for example local marriage customs concerning dowry’
payment. The dowry (Mahr) according to Islamic law, must be
agreed upon as part of the marriage contract but it has no set time to
be paid. It is the custom of Egyptians as well as others that a portion
of it called the Muqaddam must be paid before the marriage
ceremony while the reminder called the Mu’akhkhar is only required
to be paid in the case of death or divorce, according to whichever
occurs first.

Taken from the book of Bilal Philips 'Evolution of Fiqh'.

I do advise you to follow a madhhab, all scholars are in agreement that for one to be a Muslim he must follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.

With all respect are you suggesting that he has to worry about these things when he just converted? I am pretty sure if one educates himself more into Islam he is already following a madhhab. I am not telling him to exclude himself i am telling him to find the right path and then come to a conclusion. I even personally don't know which Madhhab i am following since i don't know all the Fiqhs', i think its a mix i just adhere to the Quran principles and Sunna.

Not to forget a "New-comer" can get confused at looking at this diversity and take a whole different path.