Title: I Want to Convert, but I can't Pray Five Times a Day... Question: I was thinking of becoming a Muslim, but I do not think I can bring myself to pray five times a day, I mean I talk to God all of the time, so why do I have to get up so early to pray, and why do I have to worry about praying five times? If I do not do that can I be a Muslim anyway and just pray when I feel like I am being heard? Isn't talking to God in your head and when you are alone, like praying? Please help, I think I am becoming confused. Thank you for your time. Answer: You write: "I was thinking of becoming a Muslim, but I do not think I can bring myself to pray five times a day...". It is quite incomprehensible for me how a person can consider conversion to Islam, and yet be averse to praying five times a day. The reason is that, in my opinion, the beliefs and the practices of Islam are so deeply related to each other that no one can fully ascribe to these beliefs and yet be averse to the practices that are prescribed by Islam. I would therefore suggest that before I can give a meaningful answer to your question, you should help me out by telling me why are you considering conversion to Islam, at all? Have you fully considered the attributive introduction of God, according to Islam? Do you fully appreciate the position that Islam gives to the Prophet of God in religious matters? Do you understand the criteria of 'submission', of 'love' and of 'obedience' toward God, as propounded by Islam? Have you understood the basic values on which Islam has based all its teachings? If the answer to all these questions is 'yes', then I would ask you to give me a brief description of these answers, so that I can help you in correcting any of the concepts that might have been misunderstood. On the other hand, if the answer is 'no', then I would suggest that before considering conversion to Islam, you should first try to fully understand exactly what Islam is all about. I am extremely sorry if I disappointed you in any way with this answer. However, I honestly feel that conversion of religion is not something that should even be considered without deep thought and in-depth understanding. After all, our religious beliefs may (as we hold) play a deciding role in determining our eternal positions. 15 th January 2000