Angels

A matter of concern for new converts to Islam is the decision to change their name after conversion. The practice is not one exclusive to Islam, and historically, converts to other faiths (including Christianity) have changed their first and/or last names in varying degrees of change.

Converting to Islam was the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I have come to accept that this one is the journey of a lifetime. It has also come with a lot of confusion, questions and isolation.

I was christened and brought up in Germany. My parents split up when I was 7 followed by the sad loss of my older stepbrother through suicide. It left me somewhat traumatised and yearning for security, love and stability but it also forced me to be fiercely independent and self-sufficient. I had been close to my mother who was primarily a non-practising Christian…

The fundamental belief in the oneness of Allah is the cornerstone of Islamic theology. Allah is considered the sole creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe. This belief entails that Allah has no partners, equals, or offspring, and He is incomparable to any of His creation in any way, shape, or form.

Muslims believe that God has knowledge of all that will happen, and everything happens according to His divine plan. While God’s knowledge is absolute, humans have free will to make choices…

Muslims believe that all humans will be resurrected from their graves and judged by Allah based on their deeds. Every individual will be held accountable for their actions in this life.

Muslims believe in a long line of prophets and messengers sent by Allah to guide humanity, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (may God’s peace and blessings be upon all of them). Each prophet conveyed God’s message in a way that was appropriate for their time.

A core belief of Islam is that God (exalted is He) has books that He revealed to His prophets wherein He clarified His command, prohibition, promise, and threat as well as informing of past, present, and future incidents.

Angels are ethereal bodies created from light, meaning that they are normally invisible to human beings. They can, however, be seen if they take on a corporeal form. They have no free will and carry out Allah’s commands in total obedience and without error.

The last of the core pillars of Islam is the obligation to perform pilgrimage to Mecca, known as hajj, once in a lifetime if one is financially and physically able to do so. The Quran says, “To Allah is an obligation on people to perform pilgrimage to the House, whoever is able to find a way to do so.”