After some research into the religion of Islam, I have come to the conclusion that I truly believe the statement La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), but I have so much more to learn including the prayers, when should I give the Shahada?

The shahada should not be delayed; it should be given as soon as possible. The reason for this is we do not know when our time to die is. Therefore you do not want to die as a non-believer. This step is the one that will protect you from the everlasting punishment of Hell and opens to you the path to Heaven after death and will result in success and happiness in this life and the hereafter. We advise you to hasten with your decision and do not hesitate and don't postpone it. Everything else will follow inshaAllah (if Allah wills).

No, you are not required to change your name unless it embodies the worship of someone or something other than Allah. Thus, if one’s name is Abdul-Messiah (slave of messiah) or similar such names, then you are obliged to change it. If the original name does not compromise or imply anything forbidden in Islam, then you are permitted to retain it for example: George, Mary, Adam, David.

NOTE: If changing one’s name in official documents and records poses inconvenience, it would suffice to change it among the people. In this case you would be called by your new name by your family, friends and the general public.

Yes there is a lot of organizations that are set up to help and teach new reverts (non-Muslims who come back to Islam) about Islam, you can contact Islam-Australia by phone (0419953431) or E-mail alwazir@optusnet.com.au and they will put you in contact with the right people closest to you .

That is not true, we are encouraged in Islam to keep ties with our family and to be good to our parents. Allah states in the Qur’an:  {And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with me(in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do}(C29:V8)

Also Allah revealed another verse in the Qur’an,

But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to me in repentance and obedience. Then to me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.(C31:V15)

It is very important in Islam to be good to one’s parents and to remember that their disbelief does not justify disobedience by the son or daughter and that doing them good does not contradict with your innocence of them as non believers, on the contrary as it is stated in C31:V15 above, Allah has commanded us to treat the non believing parents kindly even if they strive to make their child a polytheist because of their rights as parents hoping that they will embrace Islam.

Everyone in Australia has the right to a fair go. This means no discrimination, harassment or vilification in many areas of public life. Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because they happen to belong to a particular group of people It is generally against the law to treat you unfairly, or harass you, because of:

*      your race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic or ethno-religious background, or

*      because of the race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic or ethno-religious background of any of your relatives, friends or work colleagues.

For further information you can contact the anti discrimination board at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adb

Allah has made it lawful for a man to marry up to four wives at any one time Allah states in the Qur’an:

"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one" (C4:V3).

You may write in your marriage contract as a condition that you would not want your future husband to take a second wife as long as you are married to him, but you should know that he still has the right to marry another wife (because we cannot change what Allah has made lawful) but he will be breaking the condition in the marriage contract and will be punished for that.

Women do have to cover their heads because Allah has commanded them to, Allah States in the Qur’an:

 “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

This Verse clearly states that it is obligatory to cover all of a woman’s beauty and adornments and not to display any part of that before non-mahram men (“strangers”) except for whatever appears unintentionally (hands and face), in which case there will be no sin on them if they hasten to cover it up. The clothing should be of loose fitting, it should not be an adornment in and of itself (bright colours or decorated) because if it is it will attract men’s attention to her, it should be thick and not transparent or see-through because it cannot cover properly otherwise It should be loose, not tight so that it describes any part of the body.

As for men they are not required to cover their heads but are required to dress modestly.

You have the right to ask your employer for time off for your Jumu’ah Prayer on Friday. The Jumu’ah Prayer usually lasts about 45minutes to 1 hour in which case you could use your lunch break.

It is permitted to eat the meat slaughtered by Jews and Christians, as long as it is not known to be killed in contradiction to the instructions of Islamic Law*. That is because the basic assumption is that the meat of animals they slaughter is lawful, just like that slaughtered by a Muslim in accordance with the statement of Allah:

"This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them.” (C5:V5)

* There are two major requirements in the method of slaughter:

The throat, including the windpipe, esophagus and at least one of the major arteries must be cut with a knife – the sharper, the better.

The name of Allah should be pronounced at the time of the slaughter.

I feel blessed that Allah has lead me to Islam but when I mentioned that I think I will become a Muslim to my friends they said that if I do become Muslim then I won't be anymore friend of theirs. I feel I will be very much  alone, is there any kind of support group available?

Don’t be pressured by your friends. Know that one of the rules of Islam is that you should love Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him), and that love for Allah should take priority over love for anyone else. Allah States in the Qur’an;

“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)” [C9:V24]

And know that you will not be alone, you can contact Islam-Australia and they will put you in contact with a support group in your area.

Islam is the religion for all of mankind, no matter what their colour, land, tribe or language etc. There is no superiority of anyone over anyone else in Islam, except in terms of taqwa (piety, consciousness of Allah). Allah states in the Qur’an;

 “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has al-taqwa (i.e., is one of the muttaqoon – the pious). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (C49:V13)

In His wisdom, Allah has made mankind into different peoples and tribes so that they may know one another, not so that they may despise one another. He tells us that the differences in colour and languages are a sign of His greatness and power in creation. Allah States in the Qur’an:

“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.” (C30:V22)

The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) affirmed the prohibition of racial discrimination and of despising coloured people, when he said in his famous speech: “O people, your Lord is One and your father (i.e., Adam) is one. There is no superiority of the Arab over the non-Arab or of the non-Arab over the Arab or of the red over the black, or of the black over the red – except with regard to taqwa.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 22391)

I truly wish to become a Muslim but I have lived a life filled with all kinds of self destructive behaviour and immorality, will God ever forgive me?

Your Lord is Most Merciful; He accepts repentance and forgives all sins. His Mercy encompasses all things. He calls you and all His slaves to repent and to become Muslim. He has promised you, through the words of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that all of your previous sins, major and minor, of whatever type, will be wiped out completely when you become Muslim, and you will start with a clean sheet, a new record of deeds that is free of bad deeds. Allah states in the Qur’an:

‘Say: “O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.

And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him (in Islam) before the torment comes upon you, (and) then you will not be helped.

And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur’aan, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!” (C39:V53-55)

Years ago I embraced Islam but later returned to the religion of my upbringing due to family pressure, can I say my Shahada again or am I a lost cause?

Every human makes mistakes and by saying the shahada again sincerely InshaAllah it will be accepted. Allah states in the Qur’an:

“The revelation of the Book (this Qur’aan) is from Allah, the All Mighty, the All Knower. The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours). Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return” (C40:V2-3)

We would like to avoid answering this question in general. If you are in this situation, email alwazir@optusnet.com.au the details regarding the industry and your involvement in it and Islam-Australia will organise a response to those details.