If you feel ready
This lesson is for anyone who feels ready, or is just wondering what it would involve. There is no pressure. You can close it and come back, or never come back.
What the shahada says
Becoming Muslim is done by saying one sentence, the shahada (testimony of faith).
Arabic: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ
How to say it: Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah
Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Two parts
One God
You worship the One God alone, the Creator.
His Messenger
You accept Muhammad as the last prophet, who brought the Quran.
What counts is that you mean it and understand it. Saying words you do not believe is not what Islam asks.
It is simple
What it does not need
No special place
You can say it anywhere, even alone.
No ceremony
No ritual, fee, paperwork or exam.
No required witness
Scholars say Islam is between a person and God, and it does not depend on someone hearing you.
Why people still say it in front of others
Many Muslims suggest saying it aloud with others present, because it helps with practical matters: being recorded as Muslim, marriage, and funeral arrangements. They say this is good advice, but not a condition for your Islam to be valid. It is also fine to talk it over with someone first.
A fresh start
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said this to Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him), who feared his past would count against him:
Are you not aware that Islam wipes out all (sins) that preceded it, and that Hijrah wipes out all (sins) that preceded it, and that Hajj wipes out all (sins) that preceded it?
Sahih Muslim 121
Muslims understand this to mean that sins committed before becoming Muslim are forgiven.
No rush
What to remember
Take your time
Many people read and think for months or years.
Questions are welcome
Nobody here will rush you or judge you.
You can talk to someone
Go to the "Contact us" page on this site, choose the topic "Ask a question", and a real person will reply.
What does the first half of the shahada say?
The shahada is one sentence you mean, with no ceremony required, and Islam does not need a witness to be valid. There is no rush.
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