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How to Become a Muslim

Who can become a Muslim?

Some people may feel uncertain or worried about whether they will be allowed to embrace Islām due to various reasons. It’s important to reassure you from the outset that anyone can become a Muslim. Islam is the religion that Allah, the Most High, has revealed as the final guidance for all of humanity, and it welcomes people from every background.

Islām: A Religion for All of Mankind

Islām is not limited to any one group of people; it is for the entirety of humanity. Regardless of your race, nationality, or language, Islām unites everyone under the worship of Allah alone. It does not discriminate based on color, language, or culture. Rather, it brings people of different backgrounds together into one brotherhood.

Allah says in the Qur’ān:

“Indeed, the believers are but brothers.”
(Surah Al-Hujuraat: 10)

When you embrace Islām, you will be our brother or sister in faith. This unity is built upon a shared belief in that Allah alone is deserving to be worshipped alone,and the following of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), as practiced by the early generations of Muslims.

No Permission Needed to Accept Islām

Islām is open to anyone. You do not need anyone’s permission to accept the truth. You can become a Muslim at any age, from any race or background, and no external authority has the right to deny you entry into Islām. Every day, people from all walks of life—American, British, European, Indian, children, and adults alike—are embracing Islām.

Clearing Misunderstandings About Embracing Islām

 

Unfortunately, due to a lack of correct knowledge, some Muslims may provide incorrect advice about embracing Islām. Let us clarify:

  • No Course or Certificate Is Required:
    Some might say you need to complete a course or get a certificate before becoming Muslim. This is not true. In Islām, there is no need to complete formal training or receive certification to enter the faith. All you need is a sincere belief in Allah as the only One worthy of worship, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as His Messenger.

  • Do Not Delay Embracing Islām:
    If you recognize that Islām is the truth, then there is no reason to delay. You should embrace Islām as soon as possible. Delaying your acceptance of the truth is incorrect and dangerous. Allah has given each person a limited lifespan, and none of us knows when our time will come to an end.

But more than simply the fear of death, if you believe in the message of Islām—that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Disposer of all affairs—then it becomes obligatory upon you to accept Islām immediately. Every moment spent outside of this belief is a lost opportunity to worship your Creator as He deserves.

How to Become a Muslim

To enter into Islām, a person must sincerely and with conviction pronounce the Shahaadatayn (the two testimonies of faith). The Shahadah is the dividing line between disbelief (kufr) and Islām, and it must be declared with full belief in the heart, as it is the foundational step for any person who wishes to become Muslim.

The Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) is as follows:

Arabic:
“Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasool Allāh.”

English translation:
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allāh, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”

This simple, yet powerful declaration is the essence of Islām. By saying it with sincerity, a person accepts the Oneness of Allah in all of its aspects (tawheed) and acknowledges that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His final messenger. This belief enters one into Islām and makes them a Muslim.

The Weight of the Shahadah

The Shahadah is a concise statement, light on the tongue but heavy in its meaning and reward. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has borne witness to this truth, as have the angels and those who possess knowledge. Allah says:

“Allāh bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Him, as do the angels and those who possess knowledge. He maintains His creation upon justice. None has the right to be worshipped except Him, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”
(Surah Aal-Imraan: 3:18)

Saying the Shahadah Earns Paradise

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that whoever sincerely declares the Shahadah will be admitted to Jannah (Paradise). This is a promise from Allah for those who sincerely worship Him alone and follow His Messenger.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever says: ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allāh’ with sincerity will enter Paradise.”
(Reported by Al-Bukhari)

The Great Testimony on the Day of Judgment

The magnitude of the Shahadah will be evident on the Day of Judgment. In a lengthy hadith reported by at-Tirmidhi, it was narrated that a man from the Ummah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will be brought forward on the Day of Resurrection with ninety-nine scrolls of bad deeds, each stretching as far as the eye can see. When asked if he denies any of these, the man will reply, “No, O Lord.” Then he will be asked if he has any excuse or good deeds, to which he will respond, “No.”

Then it will be said: “But indeed, you have a good deed with Us, and no injustice shall befall you today.” A parchment will then be brought forth with the testimony: “Laa ilaaha ill-Allāh, Muhammadan Rasool Allāh.” The man will wonder what this parchment is worth compared to his scrolls of bad deeds. However, when the scrolls are placed on one side of the scale and the parchment on the other, the scrolls will become light, and the testimony of faith will outweigh them.

This narration illustrates the incredible weight and significance of sincerely declaring the Shahadah:

“Laa ilaaha ill-Allāh outweighs everything.”
(Reported by at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2641. Declared Saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 135)

 

The Meaning of the Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)

The Shahadah is the foundation of Islām and has two distinct parts. The first part is “laa ilaaha illAllāh” (none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh). This phrase has two essential pillars: negation (nafee) and affirmation (ithbaat).

1. Negation (Nafee):

The first pillar is the negation of divinity and worship for anything or anyone other than Allah. This means denying that any created being, object, or false deity has the right to be worshipped. Only Allah, the Most High, is worthy of worship.

2. Affirmation (Ithbaat):

The second pillar affirms that divinity and worship belong to Allah alone. He is the only true Deity, and all other false gods that people may worship are futile and false. Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and the One deserving of worship, as He says in the Qur’ān:

“That is because Allāh is the true Deity to be worshipped, and whatever else they invoke besides Him is vain falsehood.”
(Surah al-Hajj: 22:62)

This understanding of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) was the message brought by all the Prophets, from the time of Adam to the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Every Prophet delivered the same message: to worship Allah alone.

Allah, the Most High, says:

“We did not send any Messenger before you, except that We revealed to him that none has the right to be worshipped except Me, so worship Me.”
(Surah al-Anbiyaa: 21:25)

And Allah also says:

“He sends down the angels with the revelation of His commands to whomever of His slaves He wills, saying: Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped except Me, so fear Me.”
(Surah an-Nahl: 16:2)

Tattoos Do Not Prevent You From Becoming Muslim

While tattoos are not permitted in Islām, having them does not prevent you from embracing the truth of Islām. If you have tattoos, you are still fully able to become a Muslim. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Islam wipes out whatever (sins) came before it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)

This means that once you accept Islām, all previous sins—including any actions like getting tattoos—are forgiven, as Islām erases all that came before. If you are able, it is encouraged to remove your tattoos after becoming Muslim, as this aligns with Islamic teachings. However, if you cannot afford it or are unable to do so, there is no sin upon you for what occurred before embracing Islām. The key is to sincerely accept Islām and submit to Allah alone.

Your Past Sins Do Not Prevent You From Becoming Muslim

No matter what sins you have committed in the past or how distant you feel from righteousness, you can still embrace Islām. When someone accepts Islām, all of their previous sins are completely erased. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Islam wipes out whatever (sins) came before it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)

This means that as soon as you become a Muslim, Allah forgives all the sins you committed before entering Islām, and you begin with a clean record.

An example of this is found in the story of Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him). He narrated that when Allah guided him to Islām, he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said:

“Give me your right hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.”
The Prophet held out his hand, but Amr withdrew his.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “What is the matter, O Amr?”
Amr replied: “I want to make a condition: that I will be forgiven.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do you not know that Islām destroys what came before it?”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)

This hadith shows the mercy of Allah and the transformative power of Islām. No matter what a person has done in the past, embracing Islām wipes away all previous sins, allowing the person to start a new life in submission to Allah.

Muslim (121) narrated that Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allāh  be pleased with him) said: When Allāh  put Islām in my heart, I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh  be upon him) and said: Give me your right hand so that I may swear allegiance to you. He held out his hand and I withdrew my hand. He said, What is the matter, Oh Amr? I said, I want to stipulate a condition. He said, What do you want to stipulate? I said, That I will be forgiven. He said, Do you not know that Islām destroys that which came before it?

A Child Can Embrace Islām Without Parental Permission

If you are a child, you do not need your parents’ permission to become a Muslim. Embracing Islām is a personal decision between you and Allah. If you believe in the Oneness of Allah and the truth of His message, you can become a Muslim, even without informing your parents right away.

If you fear that your parents may react negatively or cause harm, you are allowed to accept Islām in secret. You can declare your faith (Shahadah) and start practicing Islām, informing them when you feel it is safe to do so. The most important thing is that you submit to Allah and follow the truth.

Becoming a Muslim Without a Mosque or Islamic Community Nearby

If there are no Muslims, mosques, or Islamic centers in your town, this is not an obstacle to embracing Islām. You do not need to be in a masjid or surrounded by Muslims to become a Muslim.

The process of accepting Islām is simple: you can say the declaration of faith (Shahadah) with sincerity on your own, and from that moment, you are a Muslim. It is a personal commitment between you and Allah, and no external formalities or witnesses are required to validate your conversion.

Who can become a Muslim?

Some people may feel uncertain or worried about whether they will be allowed to embrace Islām due to various reasons. It’s important to reassure you from the outset that anyone can become a Muslim. Islam is the religion that Allah, the Most High, has revealed as the final guidance for all of humanity, and it welcomes people from every background.

Islām: A Religion for All of Mankind

Islām is not limited to any one group of people; it is for the entirety of humanity. Regardless of your race, nationality, or language, Islām unites everyone under the worship of Allah alone. It does not discriminate based on color, language, or culture. Rather, it brings people of different backgrounds together into one brotherhood.

Allah says in the Qur’ān:

“Indeed, the believers are but brothers.”
(Surah Al-Hujuraat: 10)

When you embrace Islām, you will be our brother or sister in faith. This unity is built upon a shared belief in that Allah alone is deserving to be worshipped alone,and the following of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), as practiced by the early generations of Muslims.

No Permission Needed to Accept Islām

Islām is open to anyone. You do not need anyone’s permission to accept the truth. You can become a Muslim at any age, from any race or background, and no external authority has the right to deny you entry into Islām. Every day, people from all walks of life—American, British, European, Indian, children, and adults alike—are embracing Islām.

Clearing Misunderstandings About Embracing Islām

 

Unfortunately, due to a lack of correct knowledge, some Muslims may provide incorrect advice about embracing Islām. Let us clarify:

  • No Course or Certificate Is Required:
    Some might say you need to complete a course or get a certificate before becoming Muslim. This is not true. In Islām, there is no need to complete formal training or receive certification to enter the faith. All you need is a sincere belief in Allah as the only One worthy of worship, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as His Messenger.

  • Do Not Delay Embracing Islām:
    If you recognize that Islām is the truth, then there is no reason to delay. You should embrace Islām as soon as possible. Delaying your acceptance of the truth is incorrect and dangerous. Allah has given each person a limited lifespan, and none of us knows when our time will come to an end.

But more than simply the fear of death, if you believe in the message of Islām—that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Disposer of all affairs—then it becomes obligatory upon you to accept Islām immediately. Every moment spent outside of this belief is a lost opportunity to worship your Creator as He deserves.

How to Become a Muslim

To enter into Islām, a person must sincerely and with conviction pronounce the Shahaadatayn (the two testimonies of faith). The Shahadah is the dividing line between disbelief (kufr) and Islām, and it must be declared with full belief in the heart, as it is the foundational step for any person who wishes to become Muslim.

The Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) is as follows:

Arabic:
“Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasool Allāh.”

English translation:
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allāh, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”

This simple, yet powerful declaration is the essence of Islām. By saying it with sincerity, a person accepts the Oneness of Allah in all of its aspects (tawheed) and acknowledges that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His final messenger. This belief enters one into Islām and makes them a Muslim.

The Weight of the Shahadah

The Shahadah is a concise statement, light on the tongue but heavy in its meaning and reward. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has borne witness to this truth, as have the angels and those who possess knowledge. Allah says:

“Allāh bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Him, as do the angels and those who possess knowledge. He maintains His creation upon justice. None has the right to be worshipped except Him, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”
(Surah Aal-Imraan: 3:18)

Saying the Shahadah Earns Paradise

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that whoever sincerely declares the Shahadah will be admitted to Jannah (Paradise). This is a promise from Allah for those who sincerely worship Him alone and follow His Messenger.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever says: ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allāh’ with sincerity will enter Paradise.”
(Reported by Al-Bukhari)

The Great Testimony on the Day of Judgment

The magnitude of the Shahadah will be evident on the Day of Judgment. In a lengthy hadith reported by at-Tirmidhi, it was narrated that a man from the Ummah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will be brought forward on the Day of Resurrection with ninety-nine scrolls of bad deeds, each stretching as far as the eye can see. When asked if he denies any of these, the man will reply, “No, O Lord.” Then he will be asked if he has any excuse or good deeds, to which he will respond, “No.”

Then it will be said: “But indeed, you have a good deed with Us, and no injustice shall befall you today.” A parchment will then be brought forth with the testimony: “Laa ilaaha ill-Allāh, Muhammadan Rasool Allāh.” The man will wonder what this parchment is worth compared to his scrolls of bad deeds. However, when the scrolls are placed on one side of the scale and the parchment on the other, the scrolls will become light, and the testimony of faith will outweigh them.

This narration illustrates the incredible weight and significance of sincerely declaring the Shahadah:

“Laa ilaaha ill-Allāh outweighs everything.”
(Reported by at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2641. Declared Saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 135)

 

The Meaning of the Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)

The Shahadah is the foundation of Islām and has two distinct parts. The first part is “laa ilaaha illAllāh” (none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh). This phrase has two essential pillars: negation (nafee) and affirmation (ithbaat).

1. Negation (Nafee):

The first pillar is the negation of divinity and worship for anything or anyone other than Allah. This means denying that any created being, object, or false deity has the right to be worshipped. Only Allah, the Most High, is worthy of worship.

2. Affirmation (Ithbaat):

The second pillar affirms that divinity and worship belong to Allah alone. He is the only true Deity, and all other false gods that people may worship are futile and false. Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and the One deserving of worship, as He says in the Qur’ān:

“That is because Allāh is the true Deity to be worshipped, and whatever else they invoke besides Him is vain falsehood.”
(Surah al-Hajj: 22:62)

This understanding of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) was the message brought by all the Prophets, from the time of Adam to the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Every Prophet delivered the same message: to worship Allah alone.

Allah, the Most High, says:

“We did not send any Messenger before you, except that We revealed to him that none has the right to be worshipped except Me, so worship Me.”
(Surah al-Anbiyaa: 21:25)

And Allah also says:

“He sends down the angels with the revelation of His commands to whomever of His slaves He wills, saying: Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped except Me, so fear Me.”
(Surah an-Nahl: 16:2)

Tattoos Do Not Prevent You From Becoming Muslim

While tattoos are not permitted in Islām, having them does not prevent you from embracing the truth of Islām. If you have tattoos, you are still fully able to become a Muslim. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Islam wipes out whatever (sins) came before it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)

This means that once you accept Islām, all previous sins—including any actions like getting tattoos—are forgiven, as Islām erases all that came before. If you are able, it is encouraged to remove your tattoos after becoming Muslim, as this aligns with Islamic teachings. However, if you cannot afford it or are unable to do so, there is no sin upon you for what occurred before embracing Islām. The key is to sincerely accept Islām and submit to Allah alone.

Your Past Sins Do Not Prevent You From Becoming Muslim

No matter what sins you have committed in the past or how distant you feel from righteousness, you can still embrace Islām. When someone accepts Islām, all of their previous sins are completely erased. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Islam wipes out whatever (sins) came before it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)

This means that as soon as you become a Muslim, Allah forgives all the sins you committed before entering Islām, and you begin with a clean record.

An example of this is found in the story of Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him). He narrated that when Allah guided him to Islām, he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said:

“Give me your right hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.”
The Prophet held out his hand, but Amr withdrew his.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “What is the matter, O Amr?”
Amr replied: “I want to make a condition: that I will be forgiven.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do you not know that Islām destroys what came before it?”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)

This hadith shows the mercy of Allah and the transformative power of Islām. No matter what a person has done in the past, embracing Islām wipes away all previous sins, allowing the person to start a new life in submission to Allah.

Muslim (121) narrated that Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allāh  be pleased with him) said: When Allāh  put Islām in my heart, I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh  be upon him) and said: Give me your right hand so that I may swear allegiance to you. He held out his hand and I withdrew my hand. He said, What is the matter, Oh Amr? I said, I want to stipulate a condition. He said, What do you want to stipulate? I said, That I will be forgiven. He said, Do you not know that Islām destroys that which came before it?

A Child Can Embrace Islām Without Parental Permission

If you are a child, you do not need your parents’ permission to become a Muslim. Embracing Islām is a personal decision between you and Allah. If you believe in the Oneness of Allah and the truth of His message, you can become a Muslim, even without informing your parents right away.

If you fear that your parents may react negatively or cause harm, you are allowed to accept Islām in secret. You can declare your faith (Shahadah) and start practicing Islām, informing them when you feel it is safe to do so. The most important thing is that you submit to Allah and follow the truth.

Becoming a Muslim Without a Mosque or Islamic Community Nearby

If there are no Muslims, mosques, or Islamic centers in your town, this is not an obstacle to embracing Islām. You do not need to be in a masjid or surrounded by Muslims to become a Muslim.

The process of accepting Islām is simple: you can say the declaration of faith (Shahadah) with sincerity on your own, and from that moment, you are a Muslim. It is a personal commitment between you and Allah, and no external formalities or witnesses are required to validate your conversion.

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What is the meaning of worship?

Worship (‘ibādah) in Islām is, “a comprehensive term for everything that Allah loves and is pleased with, from statements and actions, both outward and inward.” It includes acts such as prayer, fasting, charity, and all forms of obedience to Allah.

Worship falls into two categories:

Visible (manifest or outward)

Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the “shahadah”, performing prayers, giving Zakat (obligatory charity), observing the fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation of the Holy Qur’ān , supplication, adoring Allāh by praising Him, purifying our bodies before prayers, etc. This type of worship is associated with the movement of the parts of human body, [actions].

Invisible (concealed or inward)

Invisible worship is to believe in Allāh , in the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allāh , in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allāh alone)
This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body but it surely has a bearing on one’s heart which, subsequently, affects one’s way of life (beliefs).
It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allāh alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or “shirk”, which amounts to apostasy, from the Islāmic point of view.

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