Fatwa ID: 06431
Answered by: Mufti Tammim Mohamadou
Question:
I want to become Muslim, I think a lot of the things in the Qur’an and Hadith are amazing and I think if there is a true religion, it is Islam.
However, I have 4 questions I would like answered before I can become Muslim. Indeed, I would hasten to say my Shahada, but I am not sure if I am allowed to become Muslim yet.
- I have trouble being convinced or making sense of a lot of things in Islam. I have many examples, but I will use Adam as an example here, no matter how hard I try to convince myself, I have trouble thinking he was real. To better understand what I mean by this, if someone who knew everything held a gun to my head and asked me if Adam was real or not, I would say no. However, the definition of belief is to simply accept that something is true, with that definition, If I accept everything in Islam as true (including Adam) even though I have trouble making sense of some things and all that is listed above, would that be enough for me to say the Shahada? I am willing to repel and ignore any thoughts I might have that contradict the teachings of Islam. I would like to further emphasize the point that I am trying my best to make sense of the things that I have issues with, but it’s out of my control, however, I am fully willing to accept it all as true without questioning and ignore my feelings if that is an option.
2. I sometimes get scared of Christianity and think “what if their Hell is real?”
Would this be a Shirk of fear if I don’t actually believe in Christianity and I repel these doubts?
- Does water have to reach ALL the face in Wudu? How would one make sure to do that?
- Is selling the soul to the devil a thing in Islam? Can one repent for that? (this one is not related to me, just interested)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
We welcome your choice to become a Muslim, and we encourage you to not wait as once the truth has been recognized it is natural that one gets hold of it. Therefore, we urge you to seize this opportunity and be a cause of good for others through your Islam, in shā Allah.
As for your questions, here are our answers:
Q1/
First of all, it is quite surprising that you ask yourself about the reality of Adam (عليه السلام) whereas you have recognized that Islam is the true religion.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an:
“Surely, the case of ‘Isa, in the sight of Allah, is like the case of ‘Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be”, and he came to be.” (Sural al-Imran, 59)
“The truth is from your Lord. So, do not be of those who doubt.” (Sural al-Imran, 60)
The question that you should ask is how the creation started, how life has begun, and how the soul has been blown into the being. If you ponder over these questions, you will realize that the creation has been created by The Supreme Creator and this Creator told us in the Qur’an which is His Speech that the first of the human creation is Sayyiduna Adam (عليه السلام). We hope this will help you to understand better this point and we advise as well to learn Islam under the feet of pious scholars so that all your doubts can be cleared, in shā Allah.
You may also go through the below answer as well:
http://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/the-creation-of-adam-alayhis-salam/
Last but not least, Imam at-Tahawi (رحمه الله) who is a master of the Islamic creed told in his famous book on the creed of Islam, the following:
“The foundation of one’s Islam is not firm unless it is upon outward submission and surrender to Allah.” [1]
“Faith consists of affirmation by the tongue and acceptance by the soul. All of what is authentic from the Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, of the Law and clear teachings are true.” [1]
“Faith consists of belief in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and providence, its good and its evil. The pleasant and unpleasant are both from Allah Almighty. We have faith in all of that. We make no distinction between any of His Messengers. We accept all of them as true in what they brought.”
We hope this will clarify your question. [1]
Q2/
You should not as Islam is the last religion that has been sent by Allah ﷻ in order to correct and complete the religion of the past. As Muslims, we believe in all Messengers and all scriptures (see Q1). So, we believe that Paradise and Hell are true as well.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an:
“Indeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding eternally. It will not be allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair. And We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.” (Surah al-Zukhruf, 74-75-76)
It is narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Paradise and the Fire (Hell) argued, and the Fire (Hell) said, “I have been given the privilege of receiving the arrogant and the tyrants.’ Paradise said, ‘What is the matter with me? Why do only the weak and the humble among the people enter me?’ On that, Allah said to Paradise. ‘You are My Mercy which I bestow on whoever I wish of my servants.’ Then Allah said to the (Hell) Fire, ‘You are my (means of) punishment by which I punish whoever I wish of my slaves. And each of you will have its fill.’ […]” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4850)
We hope this answers your question.
Q3/
Yes, the water should completely reach each limb that should be washed during the Wudhu. This would be guaranteed by rubbing the limb and ensuring that no dry spot is left, in shā Allah.
Q4/
As far as we have researched there is no concept of “selling one’s soul to the devil” rather one may become a satanic being through his actions of corruption, mischief, etc. Indeed, if one went astray and Allah ﷻ granted him due to His Mercy the ability to come back to the right path, then he should first repent because Allah ﷻ says:
“And seek forgiveness from Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.” (Surah al-Nisa, 106)
It was narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said “If you were to commit sin until your sins reach the heaven, then you were to repent, your repentance would be accepted.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 4248)
So, one should never lose hope in Allah ﷻ.
Only Allah (ﷻ) knows best.
Written by Mufti Tammim Mohamadou
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
| [1] | الطحاوي، “ص43 – كتاب متن الطحاوية ت الألباني – هذا ذكر بيان عقيدة أهل السنة والجماعة وَنَحْنُ مُؤْمِنُونَ بِذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْ رُسُلِهِ وَنُصَدِّقُهُمْ كُلَّهُمْ عَلَى مَا جَاءُوا بِهِ،” ٣٦ – وَلَا تَثْبُتُ قَدَمُ الْإِسْلَامِ إِلَّا عَلَى ظَهْرِ التسليم والاستسلام (١) […] وَالْإِيمَانُ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِاللِّسَانِ وَالتَّصْدِيقُ بِالْجَنَانِ وَجَمِيعُ مَا صَحَّ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنَ الشَّرْعِ وَالْبَيَانِ كُلُّهُ حَقٌّ […] وَالْإِيمَانُ هُوَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ وَحُلْوِهِ وَمُرِّهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى . [متصل]. Available: https://shamela.ws/book/9568/40#p1. |
