What to teach a new Muslim first

Question #347:

A person is considering  accepting Islam  and wants to know how to pray.  Should they be taught  (the prayer ) before the testification (that none has the  right to be worshipped  except  Allah,  Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)  is the Messenger of Allah)?

Answer:

It has come in Saheeh Muslim from Tariq ibn Ashyam that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, when someone would accept islam,  the first (thing) that he used to teach him was salaah. (Sahih Muslim 7025).

So, there is no issue if you teach him salaah. But, saying the shahadah is easier than teaching (him)  salaah so he starts with it because it is easier. So he says – Say “La ilaha ill Allaah…” and then teach him the salaah. Yes…

Answered by : Shaykh Adnan Al Masqari hafidhahullah

Translated by : Abu Muhammad Nezam Uddin Al Hindi

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