Is Islam inherited by birth?
The term Islam means submission. Another meaning of it is peace. That is, if one lives submitting to God, one can attain peace in this worldly life as well in the hereafter. This is the principle presented by this divine path.
The term Muslim means one who submits. For example, a student who behaves respectfully towards a teacher or a servant who obeys his master can be called a Muslim in terms of the Arabic word. Similarly, those who act according to God's commandments are called Muslims. Simply wearing a cap or beard, or having a name in Arabic or Urdu does not make one a Muslim. Even if one is born to Muslim parents, it does not automatically make one a Muslim. One can only be a Muslim through complete adherence.
In nature, all trees, shrubs, plants, the sun, moon, stars, fish, birds, and animals... all of these live according to the commands of God – that is, the rules set by God. Living in such a manner is Islam! The one who lives like this is called as Muslim! Yes, in this world, everything except for humans is indeed in a state of Islam.
how can a person become a Muslim?
So, when or how can a human become a Muslim? When a man accepts the God Who created him, understands His commandments, and begins to live accordingly, only then does he become a Muslim. In other words, a human becomes a Muslim when they make a covenant with the Creator saying, "O God, I accept You as the One and only worthy of my worship. I accept the messenger You have sent. From today onwards, I will live according to Your commands." This means he must accept the life plan given by God and begin to live accordingly.
What is this life plan?
It is called the pillars of Islam.
Declaration of faith: To sincerely accept and verbally affirm the statement “There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
Prayer five times a day: To systematically implement this life plan, we must maintain a connection with the Creator. Only then will the distractions that lead us to wrongdoing and the whispers of Satan not mislead us. For this, we perform prayers at dawn, noon, evening, after sunset, and before sleeping, fulfilling the prayers taught through His messenger.
Obligatory charity: All possessions and wealth belong to God. These are given to us as a means of testing. A specific portion of what is given to us is for the poor. Therefore, we must give these away as a duty.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan: Abstaining from eating, drinking, and physical relations during the daylight hours of the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.
The holy pilgrimage known as Hajj: Those who have the means and physical health should visit the Kaaba in the city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
If someone wishes to adhere to the aforementioned policy and life plan, there is no need for anyone's grace; it is between that person and God.
By sincerely affirming the mentioned doctrine in his heart and verbalizing it, he became a Muslim at that moment. There is no need for the presence of any religious guru, witness, or registration in a place of worship! There is no requirement for him to change his name there either!
Yes, apart from a change of heart and a change of character, no other changes matter in accepting this path. But you must be firm in the accepted belief. Calling anything other than the Creator as God, worshipping imaginary forms, or deviating from prayer should not be done! Understand that as long as you live according to this belief, that is how long you are a Muslim! If you embrace death in that state, then paradise is guaranteed for you! The Creator says in His holy scripture:
‘"O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims."’ (Qur'an 3:102)
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