Simply by saying with conviction, “Ash-hadu-Allah-ilaha ill Allahu, Wa-Ash-hadu-Anna-Muhammadur rasoolu-llah”, one converts to Islam and becomes a Muslim. This saying means “I bear witness there is no true god but Allah, and I bear witness Mohammad (Sal-Allaho-Alay-hay-Wasal-lam) is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah”. The first part “There is no god but Allah”, means that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, and that Allah has neither partner nor son. To be a Muslim, one should also:
· Believe that the Holy Quran is the literal word of Allah, revealed by him.
· Believe that the Day of Judgement (the Day of Resurrection) is true and will come, as Allah promised in the Quran.
· Accept Islam as his or her religion.
· Not worship anything nor anyone except Allah.
The Prophet Mohammad (Sal-Allaho-Alay-hay-Wasal-lam) said: “Allah is more joyful at the repentance of someone when he turns to Him in repentance than one of you would be if he were riding his camel in the wilderness, and it runs away from him, carrying his food and drink, so that he loses all hope of getting it back. He comes to a tree and lies down in its shade (awaiting death), for he has lost all hope of finding his camel. Then, while he is in that state (of desperation), suddenly it is there before him! So he seizes its halter and cries out from the depth of his joy: “O God You are my servant and I am Your Lord!” His mistake comes from the intensity of joy.