For new Muslims
Welcome. You have just come home.
مَرْحَبًا بِكَ فِي ٱلْإِسْلَام
Marḥaban bika fī al-Islām — welcome to Islam
If your heart has turned toward Allah, know that He has turned toward you first. This page is a soft, steady map for your first steps — no pressure, no rush, no shame.
"Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one of you who finds his lost camel in the desert."
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ · Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
Your first steps
Six gentle steps.
Take them in order, or in whatever order fits your life. You have a lifetime.
01
A single moment
Say the Shahādah
The Shahādah is the doorway to Islam — a sincere declaration from the heart, spoken with the tongue.
You don't need a mosque, an imam, or a witness (though witnesses are beautiful). Wherever you are, in any language you understand, declare it with belief.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
02
About 10 minutes
Take a full-body wash (ghusl)
A cleansing shower to mark a new beginning — the past is behind you, forgiven.
Make intention, wash your whole body once with water reaching every part. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Islam wipes out what came before it.' A truly fresh start.
03
5 minutes to learn
Learn wudu — the small ablution
Before each prayer, a light washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, and feet.
This is not just cleanliness — every drop washes away small mistakes. You'll do this five times a day; it becomes a quiet joy.
04
1–2 weeks, gently
Learn one prayer, well
Start with just one of the five daily prayers — most people begin with Maghrib (sunset).
Learn the movements first, then a short surah (Al-Fātihah + one small surah). Allah looks at sincerity, not perfection. Every stumble counts as effort, and effort is rewarded.
05
10 minutes daily
Read the Qur'an, a little each day
Begin with a good translation in your own language. Just one page or one passage — consistent and calm.
The Qur'an is not read like a novel. Sit with a verse. Let it sit with you. Let it speak before you speak of it.
06
Ongoing
Find gentle companions
One or two sincere Muslims who welcome your questions — patient, knowledgeable, not judgmental.
You don't need a scholar for everything. You need someone kind who reminds you of Allah, encourages you, and doesn't rush you.
Gentle reminders
Things you may be wondering.
You don't need to change your name.
Unless it means something contrary to Islam, your name stays. Your parents chose it — honor that.
Learning takes years — and that's the point.
Islam is not memorized in a weekend. Take one thing at a time. Consistency beats intensity.
Your past sins are forgiven.
The Prophet ﷺ said Islam wipes out what came before it. Do not look back with shame — walk forward.
You will make mistakes.
Every Muslim does. Repent, get up, and try again. Allah loves those who turn back to Him repeatedly.
Your first month
A small, kind checklist.
- How to make wudu
- The five daily prayers and their times
- Surah Al-Fātihah (the opening of the Qur'an)
- A short surah — Al-Ikhlāṣ is perfect
- How to make personal duʿāʾ (calling upon Allah)
- The names of the five daily prayers: Fajr, Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, Maghrib, ʿIshāʾ
- What breaks wudu and what doesn't
- The greeting: As-salāmu ʿalaykum