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._001.jpg) Many
articles on this web explain how easy it is to convert to Islam. There are also
articles and videos that discuss the obstacles that can prevent one from
accepting Islam. Real converts tell their stories, and we can share their
elation and excitement. There is even an article that explains exactly how to
become Muslim. Converting to Islam is covered from many different angles and this
series of articles discuss the benefits that come from converting to Islam.
Many advantages are gained by converting
to Islam, the most obvious one being the sense of calmness and well being that
descends upon any person who realises they have discovered one of life’s most
basic truths. Establishing a relationship with God in the most pure and simple
way is liberating and exhilarating, and it results in serenity. However it is
not the only advantage of converting to Islam, there are other benefits that one
would experience and we will discuss them here one by one.
1. Converting to Islam liberates a person from slavery
to manmade systems and lifestyles.
Islam emancipates the mind from
superstitions and uncertainties; it liberates the soul from sin and corruption
and frees the conscience from oppression and fear. Submission to the will of
God, does not curtail freedom, on the contrary it gives a very high degree of
freedom by freeing the mind from superstitions and filling it with truth and
knowledge.
Once a person accepts Islam they are no
longer slaves to fashion, or consumerism, and they are free from the slavery
of a monetary system designed to subjugate the people. On a smaller but
equally as important scale Islam liberates a person from the superstitions that
rule the lives of those not truly submitted to God. A believer knows that good
and bad luck do not exist. Both the good and the bad aspects of our lives come
from God and as Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him,
explains all the affairs of a believer are good, “If he is granted ease then he
is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship,
he perseveres, and this is good for him”.
After a person is freed from manmade
systems and lifestyles he or she is free to worship God in the correct manner. A
believer is able to put his trust and hope in God and sincerely seek His mercy.
2. Converting to Islam allows a person to truly
experience God’s love.
Converting to Islam allows a person to
achieve God’s love by following His guide to life - the Quran, and the
authentic teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad. When God created the
world He did not abandon it to instability and insecurity. He sent a rope, firm
and steady, and by holding tightly to this rope an insignificant human being
can achieve greatness and eternal peace. In the words of Quran, God makes
His desires perfectly clear, however human beings have free will and are free
to either please or displease God.
Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you
(really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the
Qur'an and the Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah
is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 3:33)
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam,
it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.
(Quran 3:85)
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the
Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in
Taghut
and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that
will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Quran 2:256)
3. A benefit of converting to Islam is that God
promises Paradise to the believer.
Paradise, as described in many verses of
Quran, is a place of eternal bliss and it is promised to believers. God shows
his mercy to the believers by rewarding them with Paradise. Whoever denies God or
worships something with, or instead of Him, or claims that God has a son or
daughter or partner, will be doomed in the Hereafter to the hellfire. Converting
to Islam will save a person from the torment of the grave, suffering on the Day
of Judgement and eternal hellfire.
“And those who believe (in the Oneness of God)
and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in
Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is
the reward of the workers.” (Quran 29: 58)
4. Happiness, tranquillity and inner peace and can be
achieved by converting to Islam.
Islam itself is inherently associated with
inner peace and tranquillity. The words Islam, Muslim and salaam (peace) all
come from the root word “Sa - la – ma” denoting peace, security, and safety.
When one submits to the will of God he or she will experience an innate sense
of security and peacefulness.
Perfect happiness exists only in
Paradise. There we will find total peace, tranquillity and security and be
free from the fear, anxiety and pain that are part of the human condition.
However the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek
happiness in this world. The key to being happy in this world and the next is
seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners
with Him.
In the next article we continue our
discussion about the benefits of converting to Islam by mentioning forgiveness
and mercy, and trials and tribulations.
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