asSalaamu Alaykum waRahmatullahi waBarakaatuh! May Allah’s peace be upon you, and His mercy, and blessings. That is the greeting of Islam.
Many people ask us about becoming a Muslim. The process of converting is fairly simple, and that is to speak the shahaadah (testimony of faith) out loud:
ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa Allah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolu Allah
I testify that there is no deity [worthy of worship] except Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Before or after making this declaration of faith, it is advised to take a shower or bath, called ghusl, which symbolizes washing away the impurities of pre-Islamic ignorance. The most important act of Islam to then educate yourself on and strive to implement is the five daily prayers and its most important prerequisite called tahaarah or spiritual purification. Here are a couple of documents that walk you through the basics of purification and prayer.
Resources & Counsel for New Muslims
My favorite resource for learning about Islam is the New Muslim Guide. You can find a paperback version on Amazon, or an app on the Google Play Store or iTunes. Have other questions? Visit IslamReligion, which has a 24 hour chat service and a plethora of easy articles on every topic. If you’re missing community, join the New Muslim online Academy or Step by Step program, to benefit from their curriculum and community. A great "everything in one" app for Islamic reminders, prayer tracking, halal food guide, is Muslim Pocket (Google) or the Apple version. And if you are from Pittsburgh, message the imam for info on joining one of our convert-friendly whatsapp groups.
A word of advice for new Muslims…
Take it slow! If you feel overwhelmed by Islamic learning, you can take a step back. Stay away from online forums filled with wolves in sheep’s clothing—unless those forums are with scholars of Islam and specifically for converts. Keep company with practicing Muslims as much as possible. Be patient with their faults. Volunteer when you can.
You WILL be tested by Allah. Perhaps with hardship in health, finances, family, friends, doubts about your faith, etc. It could also be prosperity, healing, etc, testing your gratitude with Allah's gifts or being distracted. Islam always begins with a test. Ask Allah for strength and relief.
Never be shy to ask questions or make an appointment with your local imam. Don’t make life changing decisions hastily or without consulting others.
Regular learning activities
We occasionally have a special “Islam 101” session on the first Thursday of the month. Follow our newsletter to find out more or just our “About Islam” page.
We are also restarting the weekly “Muslim Reboot Class (Zoom registration)” on February 13th. The class will meet Sundays at 4pm via Zoom. The “Reboot class” is developed with the convert audience in mind, but many non-Muslims and ethnic Muslims attend and are welcome.
Imam Chris’ personal blog has several articles addressing common challenges unique to reverts.
In getting to know Islam itself, it is vital to have a rounded understanding of sin, forgiveness and repentance early on. This comes next to approaching the five pillars – how to understand our prayer, Ramadan fasting, and especially the hajj, and whether or not we, as converts, should perform the pilgrimage as soon as possible. And answers to common quandaries, like “should I change my name” or “is my destiny already determined”. Also, learn about a common mistake that overzealous converts often commit when understanding the boundaries of worship and livelihood. and finally, never forget to praise and thank Allah for the blessing of Islam, and take necessary steps to keep your faith rising.
When getting to know the Muslims, appreciate the diverse backgrounds of all those who ascribe to this faith. Always stick close to the Muslims, and never let your faith be determined by their actions – whether selfish or even saintly.
As soon as we accept Islam, we may feel the world watching, and be especially fazed by our parents response. While the greatest challenge for most is Islamifying opposite gender relationships, others choose to immediately begin inviting others to Islam after the truth and beauty they’ve witnessed.
Islam provides guidance for all our undertakings, including how to choose the best path when uncertain. After you have overcome the initial tests after taking shahadah, you may wonder how to begin living a truly Islamic lifestyle. Everything from transitioning to being publicly Muslim to visiting Muslim countries.