Abdullah Oduro – 5 Pillars Made Plain – When Should We Make the Shahadah, Testimony of Faith

			Salam Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh me the Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all,
Abdullah oduro. And welcome back. There was a man that was walking on the beach on the seawall of a
beach. It was late at night. He was walking and the wind was blowing. And he was just thinking about
life. You see, a couple of days ago, he was thinking about Islam, and he was hearing about Islam
from his friends. And he felt a sense of contentment, but he wasn't sure. So when he was walking, he
finally said to himself internally, I think this is the right thing. I think this is what I want to
do. But let me finish having fun at this beach party. He started to look around and he saw that, you
		

			know, people were driving with their music blasting. You know, people were hanging outside of the
windows of their cars screaming, you know, people were acting immoral in certain times. You see,
this was a yearly beach party that happens every year. And he started to ask himself the question,
is this really what life is about?
		

			Is this really how I want to die? When should I do this? When should I take this Shahada?
		

			What about Mike, Mike is someone that when asked, after he acknowledged that he believes in Islam,
he believes in the Shahada, the oneness of God, and the Prophet Prophethood of Muhammad, peace and
blessings be upon him, but didn't yet want to take the Shahada. When they asked him why you're
ready. He said, you know, the people at the mosque down the street near my house. I never knew what
was a mosque until y'all told me they don't get involved in the community. I have no idea that they
believe what I believe now. The individuals that were talking to me about Islam and Hamdulillah,
they told him well look, embrace Islam, take the Shahada, we're proud Mike took the Shahada, and
		

			became a Muslim. When should one embrace Islam? When you ask the question, sincerely, what is the
purpose of life? Why am I created? How do I fulfill that purpose in my life, and when hearing about
Islam, that's when one should take the Shahada. I know that hesitation may be from coming into Islam
and taking the Shahada, the social construct in your area, whether it's the MSA or groups of Muslims
in your local area that you may not get along with. They may have some discrimination and
stereotypical practices within the local mosque in your area. But we want to remind you of one
thing, Islam came for the core of your character, your principles, that starts and ends with a
		

			personal relationship between you and Allah. Don't ever forget that, just as you came into this
world alone, you're living in this world alone, you're taking that Shahada. Remember, establishing
that relationship with Allah initially, will be alone. Do not let a community of people or one
person deter you from establishing that relationship. And the Shahada is that which ignites that
relationship, which starts that relationship with Allah subhanho wa Taala. So take the Shahada
first, and then try your level best to live up to that Shahada. Some of you may say, you know, I'm
too sinful, I'm not ready yet. I want to cleanse myself first. And then I will come into Islam we
		

			say no, start with the Shahada to establish that relationship. And that is where you start the
prevention and the cure. Whether you are drinking, whether you're someone that's a compulsive liar,
whether their sins that only you and Allah know about, start their relationship with the Shahada.
Allah says in chapter number 39, verse 53, when he tells the prophet to proclaim to the people, he
said, say, all my slaves who have transgressed against themselves do not have despair from the mercy
of Allah. Verily, Allah forgives all sins, for he is the Forgiving, the Most Merciful. So start with
the process of life, of fulfilling your purpose. By taking the Shahada and trying your level best,
		

			whether the social structure is not that compatible with you. Remember, you will go in front of
Allah alone, so establish that relationship. We ask Allah the Exalted to make you have those that
embrace your humanity, and understanding the trials and tribulations that you will go through. But
this process of learning who he is and making you a stronger Muslim will keep you firm in the
religion as salaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you.