If someone believes in Allah and is not Muslim because he or she doesn't practice Islam. Are they Muslim and he or she needs to convert to Islam?

Answer 1

The following Answers from our Contributors provide a range of opinions, ranging from: They are not Muslims - but this is not so important as long as they have faith; through to yes - he or she must become a Muslim.

Answers from our Contributors

• There is a Hadith somewhere that says that there are those who may have been seen as Non-Muslims in this world but will be ressurected on the Day of Judgement as believers and will be admitted to Paradise. This is because in their hearts they believed in the oneness of God, which is the basic message of Islam.

• And there are, certainly, among the People of Book, those who believe in Allah, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allah. They will not sell the Signs of Allah for miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord. And Allah is swift in account. (Quran (3:199) )

• I think that you enter Islam with: Ash hado la ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah), WA ash hadoe ana muhamad an rasoel Allah (and that Mohammed is God's prophet, messenger).

• And I think that you get out of Islam, when you break this (promise, convesion) of you.

• If she never prayed, then she has a big problem on the day of judgment, because she never talked to Allah in private... and some people say... she never worshipped him because she never prayed.

• Volume 1, Book 3, Number 131:

  Narrated Anas:

  I was informed that the Prophet had said to Mu'adh, "Whosoever will meet Allah without associating anything in worship with Him will go to Paradise." Mu'adh asked the Prophet, "Should I not inform the people of this good news?" The Prophet replied, "No, I am afraid, lest they should depend upon it (absolutely)."

  Volume 2, Book 23, Number 329:

  Narrated Abu Dhar:

  Allah's Apostle said, "Someone came to me from my Lord and gave me the news (or good tidings) that if any of my followers dies worshipping none (in any way) along with Allah, he will enter Paradise." I asked, "Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft?" He replied, "Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft."

  Volume 1, Book 2, Number 21:

  Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

  The Prophet said, "When the people of Paradise will enter Paradise and the people of Hell will go to Hell, Allah will order those who have had faith equal to the weight of a grain of Mustard Seed to be taken out from Hell. So they will be taken out but (by then) they will be blackened (charred). Then they will be put in the river of Haya' (rain) or Hayat (life) (the Narrator is in doubt as to which is the right term), and they will revive like a grain that grows near the bank of a flood channel. Don't you see that it comes out yellow and twisted"

• Believe from heart and practice what is instructed in Holy Quran is necessary for one to consider himself a Muslim. Name changing does not matter much.

• Yes he or she has to accept Islam

Adding to the above answer:

To be Muslim you should do the Islamic 5 pillars:

1. Bearing witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
2. Observance of Prayer
3. Paying Zakat
4. Fasting during Ramadhan
5. Pilgrimage to the house of Allah.