Question

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Answer

Thank you very much for your interest in practicing Islam. May Allah guide you to the right path, Ameen!

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1) What should I be studying to convert?
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As you have decided to practice Islam without any compulsion, the first step is to recite the Shahadah (testimony of faith). It is recommended to take a bath or ablution to achieve purity. Here are the statements in arabic, transliteration and translation you could recite:
------------------------------------------------------------LA ILAHA ILLAL LAHU MUHAMMADUR RASOOL ULLAH

Translation: There is no one worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.'

ASH HADU A(N) LLA ILAHA ILLAL LAHU WA ASH HADU AN-NA MUHAMMADAN AB DUHOO WA RASOO LUH

Translation: I testify that none is worthy of worship but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is
His servant and His Messenger.

'AAMANTU BILLAHI KAMA HUWA BI ASMAA' IHEE WA SIFATIHEE WA QABILTU JAMEEA ' AHKAMIHEE'

Translation: I believe in Allah as HE is with all His Names and Attributes and I accept all His Commands.

'AAMANTU BILLAHI WA MALAA I-KA TIHEE WA KUTUBIHEE WA RUSULIHEE WAL YAUMIL AAKHIRI WAL QADRI KHAIRIHEE WA SHARRIHEE MINAL- LAHI TA'ALA WAL BA'THI BA'DAL MAUT '

Translation: I believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Prophets, the Day of Judgment, and in the fact that fate,
good or bad, is from Allah, and in the resurrection after death.

Learning the basics of Islam:
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Kindly learn the first few expressions on this page
http://islameasy.org/pdf/Expressions1.pdf

What is said in the Muslim Prayer? (English Translation)
http://islameasy.org/What-Muslim-Prayer.php

Purity:
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Before prayer, a new Muslim should take a complete bath with intention to be clean from all impurities. The bath
will include thorough gargling (passing water into and out of the mouth) and putting water into the nostrils.

Basic Duties (Five Pillars of Islam):
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1. Emaan (To firmly believe in the heart and declare as described above)
2. Salat (To pray five times a day)
3. Zakat (Paying charity if financially capable)
4. Fasting (during the month of Ramadan)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime if one can afford it)

A person who accepts Islam is called a Muslim. It means one who surrenders'. A Muslim is required to do all that
Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have asked to do, and to keep from doing things which Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have told not to do.

This is a quick booklet you may start reading to learn the basics
Gift for New Muslims http://islameasy.org/pdf/Gift_NewMuslims_Print.pdf

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2) Since I can not read Arabic, How do I learn the prays Arabic? (in Phonetic version?)
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Initially, first few prayers, you may pray by reciting short Arabic words given in the beginning of this page:

Islamic Manners and Expressions
http://islameasy.org/pdf/Expressions1.pdf

Slowly, you may learn a few more items from the Salah book:
http://islameasy.org/pdf/salaah.pdf

This page is your Prayer resource, with audio, hand-out and additional material:
http://islameasy.org/prayers-salaat.php

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3) How do I learn about Female Muslims dress, cooking & clture?
------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Women's Dress
http://islameasy.org/pdf/Muslim%20Women's%20Dress%20Brochure.pdf

For Cooking, make sure the food and ingredients are Halal.
http://islameasy.org/Guide-to-Muslim-Food.php

Do you have a nearby Islamic Center which is easy for you to visit? Usually, they have sisters-area where you can
meet and learn from sisters.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional questions.

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