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Can a Taoist Convert to Islam While Still Believing in Taoism?

10 November, 2016
Q Can a Taoist be converted into a Muslim while still believing in Taoism??

Answer

Salam (Peace) Dear Reader,

Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.

In accepting Islam, a person gives up any other religion he once had. The declaration of faith, known as the Shahadah, says that “I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except the One God in heaven, Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger.”

In other words, in accepting Islam, a person is saying that there is nothing else that will bring him happiness in this world and there is nothing else that can make sense in this world except belief in One God and in the Prophets that God has sent to mankind down through the centuries.

Taoism is a unique philosophy of life, but Taoist schools traditionally feature reverence for Laozi, immortals or ancestors, along with a variety of divination and exorcism rituals, and practices for achieving ecstasy, longevity or immortality.

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Such beliefs and practices, then, would have no place in Islam, since Muslims attribute all power and knowledge to Allah Alone, not to created beings.

As in all cases, though, in becoming a Muslim a person does not reject everything from his past and he still has a fondness and affection for everything that made him the person he is.

His family, for example, and his own country will always have a special place, no matter what they believe or what practices they follow.

A Muslim, though, can distinguish between what is part of the culture and tradition of his past and what is now part of his belief as a Muslim.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Salam and please keep in touch.

About Maen Khalifa
Maen has many years of experience in dawah work. He formerly worked as the Ask About Islam Editor and a consultant.