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Converting to Islam and Istikharah issues

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by DarulIftaBirmingham

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

I did istikaraah to see if I should marry the person I wish to marry and I dreamt that a little girl gave me red roses to give to the local imam. Please note I am not yet a Muslim but am looking to convert. My friend that I wish to marry is a Muslim and he also did istikaraah and the had 3 dreams: 1. Me and him were sitting in separate rooms and then walking through different doors. 2. Me and him were walking the opposite way from each other and 3. He was falling and I was just watching him fall please would you interpret them for Me and tell me what they mean. Thank you Jazak Allah kher

Answer:

Bismillah

The basic beliefs one is required to accept while entering the fold of Islam are as following:

1) God is one. He has neither a partner, nor a son or daughter. He is One in the true sense of the word that has no room for the concept of trinity, or for any other form of camouflage monotheism (tawhid) or a disguised polytheism (shirk).

2) The Holy Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is the last Messenger of Allah after whom no Messenger or Prophet of Allah (in any sense of the word) will come.

3) The Holy Qur’an is the last of the divine books revealed upon the blessed Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), and all its contents are true.

4) The life in the Hereafter (after death) is eternal, where one will face the fate of his good and evil deeds.

5) All the teachings of the Qur’an and the Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) in absolute and unambiguous terms are true and acceptable.

When an individual accepts these fundamental beliefs of Islam from the depth of his heart, and rejects those beliefs of his former faith that contradict Islamic beliefs, then he will be considered a Muslim.

As far as the verbal acceptance is concerned, the majority (jumhur) of the scholars of Islamic creed (aqidah) are of the view that verbal confession is a condition in order for one to be called a Muslim in this world, and on which judgments are passed, such as: Marrying, inheriting, being buried in a Muslim graveyard, etc…

Since having a belief in the heart is a hidden thing that must have a sign, therefore whosoever believes with his heart (tasdiq bil qalb) and does not confess with his tongue (iqrar bil lisan) is considered a believer with Allah Almighty, but not according to the judgments of this world (See: Sa’d al-Din al-Taftazani on the creed of Najm al-Din al-Nasafi, P. 190, Dar al-Bayruti, Damascus).

Therefore, if you are convinced of the basic and essential beliefs of Islam, then you are already considered a believer according to Allah Almighty. However, for you to be considered a believer in this world, you must confess and express your beliefs by saying the Shahadah.

Conversion to Islam is very simple and has no particular procedure, like baptism, etc. It is not necessary that one seeks the mediation of a saint or priest, nor is it a pre-requisite to go to a mosque or to an institution for accepting Islam. One can accept Islam on his own. However, it is advisable to go to a learned Muslim (preferably a scholar) who can inform you about the basic beliefs of Islam and can teach you the concise and comprehensive words to express the acceptance of those beliefs.

Normally the following sentences are used for that purpose:

“I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad, ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), is His servant and Messenger.”

“I have believed in Allah and His angels and His book (as they were originally revealed on His prophets) and in His messengers and in the Last Day and in the fact that all the good and bad destinies come from Allah and in being raised alive after death.” (Extracted from www.darulifta.com, Mufti Muhammad Bin Adam (DB))

After performing istikarah the person will (Insha Allah) get guidance from Allah and be inclined towards what is right. It is not necessary that it is seen in a dream or even as a vision while awake. The individual will just feel what is right and should then go on to do the task or make the decision. With regards to your question, the dreams you and your friend have seen is indicating that you should get married together as long as you have this feeling in your heart that this is the right and correct thing to do.

Therefore, the conclusion we can come to is convert to Islam first and thereafter do the marriage with this Muslim brother and Insha Allah there will be blessings for you in this.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

This answer was collected from DarulIftaBirmingham.co.uk, which is run under the supervision of Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah from the United Kingdom.

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