Two sentences, said sincerely
Converting to Islam: how to become Muslim
There is no ceremony, fee or exam. Here are the words, what they mean, and what most people do next.
The shahada: the words of converting to Islam
Two sentences, believed sincerely. To become Muslim, a person says the testimony of faith: “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.” Whoever bears witness to it sincerely from the heart, the Prophet ﷺ said, Allah keeps from the Fire (Sahih al-Bukhari 128). Hisn al-Muslim records the same words for after wudu (Sahih Muslim 234):
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Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah
(أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ..).
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.
Said after wudu. The Prophet ﷺ said that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for whoever makes wudu well and then says this, to enter by whichever he wishes.
What the words mean
Two sentences, two parts of one faith.
- Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. Nothing and no one deserves worship except the One God (Quran 47:19).
- Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh: and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, the last prophet, whose example Muslims follow (Quran 48:29).
Alone, or with witnesses
Either way is complete. You can say it at home, in Arabic or first in your own language so you know what you are saying. Many choose a mosque, so there are people to welcome them and a certificate, which some later need for Hajj or Umrah. Neither is a condition of becoming Muslim (Sahih al-Bukhari 128).
Straight afterwards
A bath, and a first dua. Many new Muslims take a full bath (ghusl), as the Sunnah teaches for someone entering Islam (Sunan Abi Dawud 355). The Prophet ﷺ would teach a new Muslim the prayer and this dua (Sahih Muslim 2697):
Allahummaghfir li warhamni wahdini wa ‘afini warzuqni
كَانَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا أَسْلَمَ عَلَّمَهُ النَّبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الصَّلاَةَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ بِهَؤُلاَءِ الْكَلِمَاتِ: ((اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرِ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَعَافِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي)).
Allahummaghfir li, warhamni, wahdini, wa ‘afini, warzuqni.
When someone became Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ would teach him the prayer and then tell him to make dua with these words: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, keep me well and provide for me.”
Learning to pray
A step at a time. Learn the movements and Al-Fatihah first, then the other words. The step-by-step guide to praying from Muslims Around the World shows every position and word, and Namaz Rakats shows how many rakats each prayer has.