09-09-2004, 11:21 AM
as salam alykom brother
ok I take it that u already did pronounce your shahada
which is here:
ash-hadu an laa ilaahah illallaah (I bear witness and attest that there is no god worthy of worship but the One God Allaah)
ash-hadu anna muhammad-ar-rasool ullaah (I bear witness and attest that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah
last night Alhamdulelah, Insh a Allah I will still look for an audio one, till then Allah Shall accept the way u pronounce for being a non Arabic speaker. He Understands dont worry
Allah u Akbar
let me talk to u from heart to heart.
1. After taking Shahada u must take a full shower in an indication of purifying yourself from being a non believer.
http://www.islamiska.org/e/a12.htm
This link is how to perform ghusl (full shower) step by step.
2. As a male, u must be circumcised. This u may refer to Dan to see how he handled it. I understand that any hospital in the UK can perform it, specially if u seek a Muslim doctor. They know what to do Insh aAllah. U may even want to discuss it with him and other brothers in Sakifah I will give u access it is a brother only room
3. Focus on learning how to make ablution and pray. As soon as u pronounce shadah u will be fully resonsible with it. Another improtant point is what to do after using the toillet. I m not sure if u r aware of this smearing issue. When u use the toillet (for either issues) u must clean yourself with water using the left hand as the right hand we use for eating food. I think also brothers can help on that more. I am trying to identify the important points at the beginning which are a change to u.
At the beginning u will need to print out the prayer steps including readings like Fatiha and other supplications made during each movemnet in your hand and read from them. I ve seen new Muslims do this, and it works Mash a Allah. By time u will learn it by heart. Just give yourself time. Insh a Allah
This is for ablution:
http://www.qss.org/articles/wudoo/wudoo_ToC.html
This is how to pray:
http://www.islamway.com/english/images/p...ntents.htm
U may print this and hold it in your hand while praying. I think I have a file on that with full texts, Insh a Allah I will look for it.
4. As an advise, focus on the above mentioned first. Hold on on reading more articles. Focus on prayer, prayer, prayer. Learn it and Insh a Allah perform it. Be at ease with and insert it into your schedule.
5. Ramadan is also coming soon (only one month to go) so it will be a good chance to prepare for fasting to.
6. As for now u really need to slow down and focus on those points.
7. Insh a Allah by time other things will come along.
8. Of course u will need to refrain from eating pork, drinking alchol, I am not where exactly in England u r but as far as I know many shops sell Halal food (Islamic legitimate meat and chicken) u will need to identify them and start using them.
I think that is all I can think of now, Insh a Allah I might come back again for more