Why Should I Embrace Islaam…?

Allaah says:  Oh, you people! Worship your Lord Who created you and those before you that you may become pious, God-fearing  (Soorah 2:21)

Allaah has commanded us to worship Him. But some might ask: Why can`t I worship Him as a Jew, or a Christian, or Hindu or a Sikh? Why can`t I worship Him according to my own personal preference? Allaah answers:  Verily, the Religion with Allaah is Islaam: Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except due to envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allaah, Allaah is swift in calling them to account  (Soorah 3:85)

And He, Most High says:  Today, I have perfected for you your Religion, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion  (Soorah Soorah 5:3)

Thus, Allaah, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe has made it plain that the only religion acceptable to Him is Islaam. And it is the only way to achieve success and felicity in the Hereafter. Allaah says:  To those who reject Our Signs, and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be for them of the Gates of Paradise, nor will they enter Paradise until the camel can pass through the eye of a needle: Such is Our Reward for those who sin  (Soorah 7:40)

But weren`t Abraham, Ishmael, Isaaq, Jacob and the other Old Testament Prophets Jews? Wasn`t Jesus a Christian? Allaah says:  Or do you say that Ibraaheem, Ismaa`eel, Ishaaq, Y`aqoob and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: `Do you know better than Allaah?` And He, Most High says:  When `Eesaa found unbelief on their part, he said: `Who will be my helpers to [the work of] Allaah?` The Disciples said: `We are Allaah`s helpers. We believe in Allaah, so bear witness that we are Muslims  (Soorah 3:52)

“But,” it might be said, “I follow the religion of my parents. It would be a dishonour to them for me to adopt another religion.” Allaah says:  When it is said to them: “Follow what Allaah has revealed,” they say: “No! We shall follow the ways of our fathers.” What! Even though their fathers were devoid of wisdom or guidance?  (Soorah 2:170)

“But my family and friends will be angry with me.” Isn`t it better that they be angry with you, than that Allaah be angry with you? He, the Almighty, the All-powerful says:  In the name of Allaah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful: All praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Owner of the Day of the Judgement, it is You Whom we worship and Your Aid we seek, guide us to the Straight Path, the Path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not those upon whom is [Your] Wrath, nor those who are astray  (Soorah 1:1-7)

“You should realise that on the Day of Judgement, everyone will be held accountable for his deeds.”

Ibn Katheer, the great Muslim scholar of tafseer (explanation of the meanings of the Qur`aan), says: “Those upon whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace are those who worshipped and obeyed Him from amongst the angels, the Prophets, the Believers and the righteous ones.” And concerning those upon whom is Allaah`s Wrath, he said: “(They) are the Jews.” And concerning those who are astray, he said: “They are the Christians.”

You should realise that, on the Day of Judgement, everyone will be held accountable for his deeds. None will be excused and none will be able to blame others for leading him astray. Allaah says:  And behold! Allaah will say: “Oh, `Eesaa, son of Maryam! Did you say unto men: “Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allaah.”? He will say: “Glory be to You! Never could I say what I had no right [to say]. Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in myself, although I know not what is in Yours. For You know in full all that is hidden. Never did I say anything to them except what You did command me to say, to wit, “Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord.”  (Soorah 5:116-117)

And the Prophet  has informed us that on the Day of Judgement, when the Prophets are asked to intercede with Allaah, all of them will refuse, saying: “Myself! Myself!”, except Prophet Muhammad  who will intercede on behalf of the believers. (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari)

So clearly, on that Day, you will be alone: Neither your parents nor your friends nor those whom you worship beside Allaah will be able to help you at all. All of them will be in a state of fear and trembling. Allaah says:  That Day, shall a man flee from his own brother, from his mother and from his father and from his wife and children. Each of them that Day will have enough concern [of his own] to make him indifferent to others  (Soorah 80:34-37) So be prepared for that Day, for it may be nearer than you think; Allaah says:  Verily, they see it [the Day of Judgement] as far distant, but We see it as [very] near. The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, and the mountains will be like wool, and no friend will ask after a friend, though they may be put in sight of each other  (Soorah 70:6-11)


Taken from the pamphlet by Zayed Centre for New Muslims
Al-Ain, U.A.E.
Phone (9713) 829191
Fax (9713) 645816