ON BEING A MUSLIM
by Dr. Syed Haider Hussain Shamsi

TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF ALLAH
        Obedience to Divine Ordinances (the practice of Frua'at):
        Belief in Qdada and al Qadr
        Belief in the Doctrine of Bada'

BELIEF IN PROPHETS FROM ALLAH & THE LAST PROPHET:
        Belief in the Divine Books
        Belief in al Qur'an
        Belief in al Hadith and in al Sunna

LOVE FOR THE HOUSE-HOLD OF THE PROPHET:
        The Will of the Prophet
        Respect and follow ahadith relating to this love
        Benefits to Muslims from this love

NECESSITY TO SEEK KNOWLEDGE:
        Urgency in al Qur'an and al Hadith to seek     knowledge
        The role of Ijtihad
        The place of Taqlid

CALL FOR UNITY & BROTHERHOOD:
        Inculcation of Tolerance and Mutual Assistance
        Strengthening ties within the Community

PRACTICE PURITY OF MIND, BODY & SOUL:
        Obey what is ordained by Allah(swt), His Prophet, and The Book
        Attend to bodily appearance and practice physical cleanliness.
        Think with piety and refrain from deciet and conceit.
        Act with purity and refrain from cheating and usurping.
        Eat foods that are Halal and blessed by Him.
        Refrain from all those indulgences that cause wasting (including time).
        Diversion of mind and entertainment to be practiced, but within limits.

Excerpts from Dr. Haider Hussain Shamsi's paper, al-ISLAM  (A Monotheistic Faith) that he had presented at a Church congregation in New Jersey. It is available for reading in the Book section of this website. Please recite a sura fateha for the departed soul.