First steps after converting to Islam

In the first days

• Take your time with the basicsThere is no rush to learn everything. Start with what Muslims believe and the five daily prayers, and add the rest step by step.
• Take a bath (ghusl)A full bath on becoming Muslim is from the Sunnah (Sunan Abi Dawud 355). Many people do it before or soon after saying the shahada.
• Learn wuduThe washing before prayer: hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, ears and feet, with clean water.
• Learn the dua for new MuslimsThe Prophet ﷺ taught new Muslims to ask: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, keep me well and provide for me” (Sahih Muslim 2697).

In the first weeks

• Learn to prayBegin with the movements and Al-Fatihah; it is fine to pray from a card or a phone while you learn the words.
• Find a mosque near youVisit at a quiet time, say salam, and tell someone you are new. Many mosques have classes or a mentor for new Muslims.
• Find one or two Muslim friendsSomeone patient you can ask questions without feeling judged makes a huge difference.
• Keep good ties with your familyBe kind to your parents and relatives, whatever their faith. The Prophet ﷺ told Asma to keep good ties with her mother, who was not Muslim (Sahih al-Bukhari 2620).

In the first months

• Read the Quran in a translationA little at a time, with a good English translation and, if you can, someone to read with. The best of people are those who learn it and teach it (Sahih al-Bukhari 5027).
• Learn about your first RamadanFasting from dawn to sunset for a month: ask your mosque about iftars for new Muslims, which many hold.
• Be gentle with yourselfEveryone makes mistakes and has days of doubt. Keep coming back: the Prophet ﷺ himself asked Allah’s forgiveness more than seventy times a day (Sahih al-Bukhari 6307).