Bismillaah
Dear brother/sister in Islaam,
As-Salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Maasha Allaah! I am so happy that you have accepted Islaam. May Allah, forgive you, have mercy on you, guide you aright and grant you sustenance. [Ameen] I hope this will inshaa Allaah (God willing) find you well, in good wealth and in much taqwa (fear, revering) of Allaah.
I hope that you are doing your best to offer your prayers in their right times daily. Attending prayers at their affixed times is the most important obligatory act upon Muslims. And I hope that Allaah blesses your adjustments into Islaam to be easy, happy and full of blessings. Please, be careful and try to find adherents to the Sunnah in your location. Look for daleel (evidences) from trusted sources like Quraan and Sahih (authentic) hadith. Get to know your community and in praying with them and mixing with them that makes it easier to see how the guidance of Allaah is to be implemented.
In the absence of Muslims who can teach you and guide you to more knowledgeable people, the internet can be a good source of Islaamic information if you keep to the sites that promote the proper understanding of Islaam, the way of the Messenger of Allaah
(sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all). All Praise is to Allaah He, has granted us a perfect religion however this does not mean the adherents are all very well mannered and even knowledable of their own religion.
~IMPORTANT NOTE~
Traditionally, your teacher would teach you issues related to faith and belief before moving on to other issues. With the internet, you do not have a teacher. You are the one who chooses what to learn. Therefore I strongly urge you to focus on articles on the following topics for now:
Eemaan / Faith
Manhaj / Methodology
Ikhlaas / Sincerity
Khushoo' / Submissiveness
Tazkiyah / Purification of the soul
Principles of Islamic Faith (EL)
Shaykh Al-Islaami Muhammad ibn 'Abdil-Wahhaab
The Effects of Sins (EL)
Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim
An Introduction to the Foundations of Islaam (EL)
Shaykh Ibn Al-'Uthaymeen
A collection of elemantary aspects of Islam
You may also want to read about fiqh (jurispridence) issues related to your basic duties, like articles about prayer or fasting, so that your basic acts of worship are fulfilled properly. I would recommend the following:
Worshipping Allaah Out of Love, Fear, and Hope (EL)
Khushoo' and Beautification of the Prayer (EL)
Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim
If you come accross articles that you do not understand, then do not feel that you must understand them now. Simply leave them for later, and return your focus to the topics mentioned. There is so much to learn about Islaam and there is no need to be hasty. And it is always a good idea to go over the knowledge more then once to refresh your memory and allow you to learn things you may have missed the first time.
After getting a firm grasp on these basic issues, then you may move on to other topics of interest. By taking this approach, you will remain firm in Islaam, as newer issues open up to you in time, you will understand them in their proper context, in shaa' Allaah (If Allaah wills it).
"And my guidance cannot come except from Allah, in Him I trust and unto Him I repent." (Quran 11:88)
May Allaah grant us firmness in His Religion, guide you to the straight path, knowledge, provision and conviction. [Amiin]
Thank You So Much for your time. I am so honored to have your presence here. Please take care and do your best to fear Allaah in all that you do. Sisters, please feel free to contact me anytime for advise and help. I will do my best to advise you according to the Quraan and Sunnah and help you through any hard times that befall you, inshaa Allaah.
Sincerely & Gratefully
Halimah bint David
