What is the reason of the moon and star being the symbol of Islam? What do the different actions of the prayer mean? What supplications are recited in the Supererogatory prayer of Tasabih (praises and glorification of Allah)? Is there any significance of men wearing coif (religious hat)? I live in Benoni close to Johannesburg in South Africa; can you guide me to a Mosque or an Islamic center close to me?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

· The crescent and the star were the symbols of Islam since the reign of the Ottoman Empire.  They might have done so because of the connection with lunar months, which are the months for Hajj (pilgrimage), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (alms) and so on.

· The movements that the Muslims perform in prayer, like prostrating, bowings, raising up from bowing, standing, sitting, are the actions of prayer.  Allah Ordered us to do so in many chapters of the Quran.  Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.} [Quran 22:77].  Allah also Says (what means): {…Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle [i.e. ‘asr] prayer and stand before Allaah, devoutly obedient.} [Quran 2:238]

 It is enough for a Muslim that he is fulfilling the commandments of Allah by performing these actions.

· There are many Islamic Centres in every country.  However, we do not know where they are in the country where you live.  If you ask there, you will certainly find someone who will inform you about them.

· You have to take the initiative to become a Muslim as soon as possible if you wish to do so, because you do not know when you will die.  If you die on disbelief, you will be in the worst state and a loser. Allah Says (what means): {And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.} [Quran 3:85]

It is not a condition when embracing Islam to do so in an Islamic centre.  If you bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, you become one of the Muslims.

Thereupon, it would be better if you go to any Islamic center to declare your Islam and to learn there the teachings of the religion of Islam.  By doing so, you will achieve success in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.

Allah knows best.