Any human being can embrace
Islam. You do not need anyone's permission. You simply say and believe that
there is No God except Allah and that Mohammad is his Messenger. Once you say
this sentence, you automatically become Muslim. From there, you start carrying
on with the duties of Islam. You must do what Allah and His messenger tell you
to, and stay away from what they tell you to. Islam does not tell you to do
anything unless it is good for you. It also does not tell you to stay away from
anything unless it is bad for you. You will notice the change in the way you
look at things, the minute you become a Muslim. You will feel more relieved and
secure only to think that you are fulfilling the orders of Allah. Doing this,
you will clearly see the benefits of it for yourself and for mankind. You can
embrace Islam in any Islamic center. This is only a formality. Once you say and
believe in the Oneness of Allah and in the message of his Prophet Mohammad, then
you are a Muslim.
To become a Muslim, simply say the following words:
Ash hadu alla ilaha illa Allah, wa ash hadu anna Mohammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.
This means I testify and witness that there is no god worthy of being worshipped
other than Allah and that Mohammad is His Messenger. You must say it and believe
in it.
What's Next?
Becoming a Muslim was the most important decision you made in your life. One
interesting fact about Islam is that it's not only a religion but a complete way
of life. Allah (God) has shown us how to live our 24 hours daily life through
the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The more you learn and
practice Islam, the more you will attain closeness to God and inner peace. So,
we advise you to learn the basics of Islam, such as, daily prayers, ablution,
etc and start practicing them as soon as possible.
It may seem a little difficult in the beginning but rest assured that it's quite
easy. A driving student who sits in the car for the first time gets really
nervous. But after he drives more and more, it becomes so easy to him that he
can drive with one finger (don't try this though).