What Becoming a Muslim Means for Me

For me becoming a Muslim was a task that I decided to take when my brother was sent to prison. He would tell me certain things that caught my interest. However, becoming a Muslim meant that I had a lot of sacrifices to make. Friends that didn't agree with what I was doing, as well as how I grew up. While growing up, my mother to took me to a Pentecostal Church or C.O.G.I.C church and that was pretty much all I knew. So that is what was instilled in me. Then I hear about this Muslim which seems very interesting and intriguing all at once, and decide this is what I want. In order to become a Muslim I had to learn the basics. I am now on my way to becoming a Muslim nation of Islam.

Let me give you the basics. Islam is an Arabic word mostly standing for submission, surrender, and obedience. As a religion, Islam stands for complete submission and obedience to Allah (God). Let me go over with you the five articles of faith:

1. Belief in one God Who has absolutely no associate with Him in His divinity;

2. Belief in God's Angels;

3. Belief in God's Books, and in the Holy Qur'an as His Last Book;

4. Belief in God's Prophets, and in Muhammad (blessings of Allah and peace be upon him) as His Last and Final Messenger; and

5. Belief in life after death.

If you believe in these articles you are indeed a Muslim. However, one does not become a Muslim by sound profession alone. No you must live by these articles as well. So I can say that I am a Muslim as much as I want, but if I am not living by it then it really doesn't matter. The five articles that I mentioned above form the foundation for the Islamic faith.

Therefore, for me becoming a Muslim was very hard because I had to renounce my original faith as a Pentecostal. Someone who believes in the father the son and the Holy Spirit to someone who interns believes in Allah as Supreme Being. I love being a Muslim and I cherish each moment can't say that I would like to take any steps back only steps forward.