How do I convert to Islam?
You become Muslim by saying the shahada, the declaration of faith, sincerely and understanding what it means: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." There is no fee, no exam and no waiting period. After that, the first thing to learn is the prayer.
By Benjamin · Last updated
Step by step
- Understand what you are saying. The shahada has two parts: there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger. Take your time with the meaning before you say it.
- Say the shahada sincerely. Say it in Arabic, with its meaning in your heart. Many people also say the meaning in their own language. It can be said alone; Allah hears it.
- Tell a mosque, if you can. Many reverts say it again at a mosque with an imam and witnesses. This is not a condition, but it connects you to a community, and some mosques give a certificate that is useful later, for example for Hajj.
- Take a ghusl. A full ritual bath after becoming Muslim. The Hanbali school treats it as required, the other schools as recommended in most cases. In practice, do it.
- Learn wudu and your first prayer. Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and the first practice to learn. Start with wudu and the two-rakat Fajr prayer.
The words of the shahada
The shahada
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
What changes after you say it
You are Muslim from the moment you say it with sincerity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that Islam wipes away what came before it, so you begin with a clean page.
You do not need to know everything on the first day. Islam is learned over a lifetime, one practice at a time.
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Common questions
Do I need witnesses to become Muslim?
No. Witnesses are not a condition. Saying it at a mosque is still a good idea, because it connects you with people who can help you learn.
Do I need to know Arabic first?
No. You say the shahada in Arabic, and you can learn those few words in minutes. Everything else, including the prayer, you learn step by step.
Do I have to change my name?
No. Many reverts keep their name. Some choose an additional Muslim name, which is a personal choice.
What should I learn first?
Wudu, then the prayer. Start with the two-rakat Fajr prayer, then build to all five.
Practise it with audio
Revertly walks you through this with a recitation for every word, at your own pace. Can't afford the app? Ask for a free code.