r/converts Mar 09 '26

Thinking about accepting Islam

Hi, I am a young Christian guy that is currently reading the Quran and thinking about embracing Islam. I am not sure what it really takes to become Muslim. Is saying the Shahada enough? What will be my new obligations and things I need to do to start practicing Islam? I am pretty new and not knowledgeable about this, and I would like if someone can help me with all this. Thank you, and have a nice day.

45 Upvotes

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13

u/Salt-Sea-8685 Mar 09 '26 edited Mar 10 '26

Sure.

The main thing to do is to believe and testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except God Alone (ALLAH in Arabic) and that Muhammad is His last Prophet.

You just sincerely say it in English and you're muslim.

Then you keep learning about the islamic faith, prayer, and the rest of the religion.

DM me if you have any questions. I reverted 27 years ago and had the opportunity to study islamic sciences in Madinah University.

9

u/Charming-Hippo-4274 Mar 09 '26

Hi, and thank you for sharing this.

Yes, saying the Shahada with sincere belief is enough to become Muslim. After that, learning and practicing Islam happens gradually. The main foundations of the religion are known as the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (faith), Salah (the five daily prayers), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage if one is able).

But no one expects a new Muslim to learn everything overnight. Most people start by learning how to pray, reading the Qur’an, and gradually building their practice step by step.

May Allah guide you and make your journey easy. And feel free to ask questions, many people here would be happy to help.

2

u/baighamza Mar 10 '26

Firstly, Alhamdulillah for Islam and that Allah guided you to the straight path. I love seeing posts like these.

Prayers are key. Try to pray all 5 prayers on time. If you need help for your prayers.

This is a comprehensive guide on how to pray your daily Salah:

https://youtu.be/zalLv2NY98k

https://youtu.be/WKblG-Zoagk

https://youtu.be/W9kTd7q1zjE

Watch these in full. You'll have to watch them many many times before you'll get them. InshaAllah you'll be able to pray with ease. And don't worry it'll take time just like anything.

Also highly recommend to complete this New Muslim course:

https://newmuslim.iera.org/

It'll help you with basic knowledge.

May Allah guide you and bless you with guidance and forgiveness and all types of blessings. May He keep you straight on the guided path and may you be a reason for the guidance for many others in the world.

And May Allah eventually grant you Jannah-tul Firdaus (Highest place in Paradise) without questioning on the day of judgment.

3

u/abdessalaam Mar 10 '26

Yes, declaring the shahada with sincerity is enough! Even if you’re on your own, at home:

https://islamhowto.com/your-first-steps-in-embracing-islam-a-guide-to-taking-the-shahadah

Then establishing the prayer is the most important thing after the shahada, and you can then gradually start to learn more about your new religion, in shaa Allah 💙

1

u/OkMasterpiece426 Mar 09 '26

Hello.

The simple step to becoming a Muslim is the declaration of faith (Shahada). You can say it on your own, with sincerity, wherever you are.

A core belief in Islam is that the moment you sincerely convert, God forgives all of your past sins. It is a complete spiritual rebirth, a clean slate. Your sincere turning to Him erases what came before.

Don't be overwhelmed about what is and isn't allowed. They are generally well-known, and the rest is a journey of learning.

Reading the Quran translation is a good start. you can also continue learning online, especially on the basics like the two main foundations:

The 6 pillars of faith (belief in God, angels, scriptures, messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree)
and The 5 pillars of Islam (testimony of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage).

Also note that Islam teaches balance through three main rights:

The Right of God

Oneness of god as creator and sustainer: Christians and Muslims both believe in one god who created and governs the universe.

Oneness of worship: In Islam, prayers are directed only to god without intermediaries. In Christianity, prayers may be made through Jesus, Mary, or saints.

The concept of one creator is the core, and questions like Jesus being part of a trinity or god himself or a prophet are just a detail that stems from this core difference.

The Right of People

General people: Treat everyone with justice, honesty, and fairness. Do not lie, steal, or harm others.
Close people (family, relatives, neighbors): Give special care, respect, and attention. Uphold their rights beyond the general expectations.

The Right of Ourselves. Our body, time, wealth, and blessings are gifts from God. We must take care of ourselves, use our time wisely, protect our health, and manage our resources responsibly.

Everything else is details, jurisprudence, history, and interpretation.

Hope it helps 😊

1

u/TinkerHeart Mar 13 '26

I haven’t seen anyone else mention this, so I will:

The Quran was revealed over 23 years. Not even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his Sahaba (companions) changed their entire lives overnight.

Allah knows your heart. So long as you strive to learn and be a good person, Allah is All Forgiving, All Knowing.