| November 21, 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prayer | Fajr | Sunrise | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
| Begins | 8:37 am | 10:20 am | 1:51 pm | 2:57 pm | 5:15 pm | 6:24 pm |
Taking your declaration of faith, the shahada, is perhaps the most important moment of your life, the beginning of a new chapter and a formal acknowledgement of your becoming a Muslim.
Whether you are ready to take the next step, have questions you need answers to, or just want to learn more about Islam, you’ve come to the right place!
Shahada ceremonies are usually intimate affairs. Typically, they are held in a private setting with just a handful of people serving as witnesses, alongside the Imam and some members of the Yukon Muslim Society.
But, you may wish to invite family, friends & colleagues to join you in celebrating this momentous and life-changing occasion! Whichever you choose, we provide a safe and welcoming environment for your shahada ceremony.
The amount of information available online regarding Islam can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing, with trustworthy and relevant resources hard to identify.
Whether you need to learn to pray, want to understand the Qur’an or would just like to learn more about Islamic spirituality and practice, we have collated a thematic list of helpful resources to help get you started.
Having a connection with the Qur’an is at the heart of being a Muslim. Listening to its verses, as they were revealed by Allah, is both spiritually nourishing and a meaningful act of worship. Just as important is understanding and contemplating on the meanings of those verses – the gateway to a deeper connection with Allah and His Message.
Follow along with the reciter as he recites the entire Qur’an in one-hour segments, with translations available in multiple languages
For translations of the Qur’an and to learn about more about its stories, themes and styles we recommend these books CLICK HERE
Every Friday, known as Jum’a, during the congregational prayers, the Imam delivers a sermon in English, which we encourage you to attend and listen. These short reminders cover a range of topics and are a great resource for all Muslims.
If you have specific questions about normative Islamic practice we recommend Seekers Guidance, an online resource with free courses and answers to common questions from qualified scholars CLICK HERE
We also recommend these books, which cover everything from being Muslim to spirituality and the Messenger of God to whom the Qur’an was revealed – the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. CLICK HERE
This visual guide covers how to physically perform the ritual prayer, also known as Salah. It covers exactly what to say and when during both the compulsory Fard prayers as well as the Sunnah prayers for all five daily prayers.
For more context around what Salah is, its importance and its requirements including ritual ablution or Wudu, see this comprehensive guide on learning to how to pray CLICK HERE
Whilst videos are more helpful when it comes to learning to pray, books are also very helpful. Here are some of books we recommend on Salah. CLICK HERE
The ‘shahada’ is the Islamic declaration of faith, which, when said freely and with conviction, (i.e. taking shahada), brings one into the fold of Islam, making them a Muslim. The declaration covers the most important beliefs: the oneness of God and the prophecy of Muhammad, God’s Blessings & Peace be upon him:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ
Ashadu ʾalā ʾilāha ʾilla -llāhu,
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah,
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
wa-ʾashadu ʾanna Muhammadan rasūlu-llāh.
and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Taking shahada could not be simpler. You just need to repeat the words in the shahada with conviction.
A) You can take shahada anywhere and at any time! This can be at home, at work, in a garden, beach or of course a Masjid! Prophet Muhammad, ﷺ* said ‘The whole earth has been made a Masjid for me.’
*God’s Blessings & Peace be upon him.
Our shahada ceremony provides a formal context for you to take your shahada and an opportunity to invite those closest to you whilst proclaiming your acceptance of Islam. However, there is certainly no requirement to have such a ceremony for someone simply wishing to make the declaration of faith, although many do choose to.
There is no need to memorise or correctly pronounce the shahada in advance! Our Imam will slowly guide you through the process on the day. If you want to know the correct pronunciation, here is a helpful guide.
A) Shahada ceremonies can take place anytime, usually in the Masjid. They take up to an hour, though the testimony of faith itself lasts only a few minutes.
Absolutely! We encourage you to invite any close family members or friends you wish to have present, regardless of their faith – Muslims, as well as those of other faiths and none are all welcome! Just let us know how many you’re expecting!
Should you or your guests wish to take pictures at your shahada ceremony you are welcome to do so.
Though there is no formal dress code, out of respect for this place of worship, adult visitors are requested to observe modest dress that covers their arms and legs.
We ask for your name, contact number and email address for our internal records and in order to communicate important information to you. We will not share your contact details without your express consent.
Absolutely! This is common and you may have a number of reasons for wishing to do this. We are happy to facilitate a formal ceremony for you here at the YMS Masjid.
Certainly. New Muslims are encouraged to visit us to learn about, and practice, Islam. Our website details our prayer times and events, both physical and virtual.
