In a powerful live moment captured on The Deen Show, James, a martial artist who had been watching the show and studying Islam, takes his testimony of faith in front of a community of believers. His shahada is a vivid reminder that accepting Islam is simple, transformative, and available to anyone at any time.
The Moment of Shahada
After watching episodes of The Deen Show and learning about Islam, James arrived at the conviction that there is only one God worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His final messenger. With the community gathered around him, he declared his faith in both English and Arabic, entering into Islam and having every past sin completely erased.
“All of his sins are forgiven. He is now like a newborn baby, sin-free. And the Creator of the heavens and earth, who is so merciful, takes those bad deeds and turns them into good deeds.”
What Happens After Shahada
- The new Muslim begins learning to establish the five daily prayers
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan becomes an obligation to embrace
- Paying zakat (charity) supports the less fortunate and purifies one’s wealth
- When physically and financially able, performing the Hajj pilgrimage completes the five pillars
A Message to the Muslim Community
Eddie emphasizes that the excitement of witnessing a shahada must not end at the event itself. New Muslims need ongoing support: invitations to homes, help learning to pray, companionship, and genuine brotherhood. Too many converts are celebrated on the day they accept Islam and then forgotten, left to navigate an entirely new way of life alone.
“These brothers are going to come up and introduce themselves. But I want you not to forget about the new Muslims. Invite them to your house, get to know them, support them, and do not forget about them.”
The Essence of Islam
- Islam is not a new religion founded by Muhammad; it is the way of life practiced by every messenger of God from Adam onward
- To become Muslim is to worship the Creator and not His creation
- The first step is the shahada; what follows is a lifelong journey of learning, growing, and striving for excellence
- Every person, regardless of background, is welcome to take this step at any time
