Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Q. I converted to islam and I took the kalimah shahadah with my imam but I was menstruating. Do I have to take it over? I read where it is said that I don’t have to take it over. If it is still accepted, can you please explain how this is because my understanding is, when one addresses Allah that they are supposed to be clean? Can you please clarify what is the right way to make kalimah shahadah and if i need to re-take it.

A. No, you do not have to re-take the Shahadah. It will be accepted, and you will be considered a Muslim from that time.

It should be understood that the kalima of Shahadah is a statement which one pronounces with the firm conviction and belief in one’s heart that Allah is One, and the final Prophet is Muhammad (SA). If the firm belief of this is not in the heart, then the mere recitation will not make a person a Muslim. Since this is a statement that makes a person a Muslim, then it will be acceptable if one utters it in the state of uncleanliness. It is unlike other acts of worship like Salaah, reciting the Quran, entering the masjid etc. where one is required under Islamic law to be in a state of purity.

The right way of taking the Shahadah is for one to say:

Ash hadu An laa ilaha illallah wa Ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasooluh.

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and messenger.

Then one should say:-

I believe in Allah as One.
I believe in His prophets, revealed scriptures and angels.
I believe and accept Prophet Muhammad as the last and final messenger.
I believe and accept the Holy Quran as the final revealed book of Allah.
I believe in life after death.
I believe in the Day of judgement and Resurrection.
I believe in Paradise and Hell
I believe in the decree of Allah and
I believe that all good and bad comes from Allah.

When these statements are uttered with firm belief and conviction from the heart, then one becomes a Muslim. It is also sufficient for one to recite only the kalmia of shahadah to become a Muslim. All the other beliefs will naturally follow since, a Muslim is required to believe in all of these. However, it is good that one confirms his beliefs in all these matters, seeing that one may have believed in different things in his former religion. By uttering these statements, one becomes immediately aware of what is required from him/her as a Muslim, in the matter of beliefs.

After this, one is required to take a bath in a manner that a person first of all rinses the mouth, then the nostrils and then washes the entire body (as in a normal bath). After this, one should find out about the timings for the 5 times Salaah of the day and perform them. If one does not know the different recitations to be made, then one should simply stand and do all the postures until one can learn the way of performing a proper Salaah.

One should continue to make an effort to learn about Islam, the basics being first.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Waseem Khan