Shaheed Williams

Raised as a Christian, I accepted Islam in 1996. For several years I have been active in the Muslim communities of various cities and as a volunteer in the Kansas Department of Corrections; delivering sermons, teaching classes and providing information to visiting groups and organizations that invite me. I hold a Diploma in Islamic Studies from the Islamic Online University and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Islamic Studies from the same institution. I was born and raised in Wichita, KS; and I recently relocated to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area with my wife and 7 children.

The fundamental beliefs of Islam are the following:

1. Belief in God (Allah)
2. Belief in Angels
3. Belief in Divinely Revealed Books
4. Belief in Prophets & Messengers
5. Belief in the Last Day
6. Belief in Divine Predestination & Decree

The fundamental practices of Islam are the following:

1. The Two Testimonies
2. Prayer
3. Charity
4. Fasting in Ramadaan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah)

I ascribe to Islam upon what is established in the Qur'an and found in authentic narrations of Prophet Muhammad, as was adhered to by the early generations of Muslims. The greatest thing in Islam is that we direct all forms of worship to God alone. Anyone who directs worship towards anyone or anything other than God (Allah), then he is in violation of Islam. It is incumbent for Muslims to follow the Prophet Muhammad in his statements and actions, commands and prohibitions and to implement Islam only in the manner that he did. Anyone who innovates an action or statement, seeking to make it part of Islam, then it is to be rejected.