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New Muslims

New to Islam? Welcome.

This site is made for children ages 3 and up, and this page is a calm place to start for parents and for converts and reverts of any age. Here are the few things that matter first, in the order you'll need them.

1

The basics

Start with the shahada, then the pillars, then your first prayer.

Becoming Muslim: the shahada

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ

Ashhadu an lā ilāha illa-llāh, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh

“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.”

ﷺ after the Prophet Muhammad’s name means “may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.” See the glossary

  1. Understand itKnow what the words mean before you say them.
  2. Believe itHold them sincerely, in your heart.
  3. Say itSay the words aloud, meaning them.

Many people say their shahada at a local masjid, with an imam and a few people there to welcome them. Most masjids are glad to help. Call or visit and tell them you would like to take your shahada, or simply learn more first.

  1. The five pillars of IslamShahada, salah, zakat, sawm and hajj, and what each one means. Learn →
  2. The six pillars of faithWhat a Muslim believes: Allah, the angels, the books, the prophets, the Last Day and Allah's decree. Learn →
  3. How to make wuduThe washing before prayer, step by step, with video. Watch →
  4. How to prayEvery movement of salah, with the Arabic, how to say it, and what it means. Learn →
  5. Your first surah: Al-FatihaThe opening of the Quran, recited in every prayer. Listen, then learn it line by line. Listen →
  6. Practise the five daily prayersPray along with a guide until the order feels natural. Practise →
2

Everyday life

The words you'll hear, and the small habits that fill a Muslim day.

  1. Islamic terms for beginnersSalah, wudu, dua, rakat, inshaAllah: every word, in plain English. Read →
  2. Duas for daily lifeWhat to say before eating, sleeping, travelling and leaving home. Learn →
  3. Remembering Allah through the dayShort words of praise for the morning, the evening and in between. Learn →
  4. Reading Arabic, from the first letterAll 28 letters with their sounds, the first step toward reading the Quran. Start →
  5. The short surahs, with transliteration and translationRecitations from Juz Amma, each with the Arabic, a transliteration to read along with, and an English translation. Listen →

Questions to bring to your masjid

These come up for almost every new Muslim. They depend on your circumstances, so this site doesn't answer them. An imam can.

  • Is a particular food or ingredient halal?
  • Do I need to change my name?
  • How do I tell my family I've become Muslim?
3

You're not alone

If it feels like a lot, that's normal

Almost everyone who comes to Islam feels overwhelmed at some point. There is a lot to learn, and it can't all happen at once, so take one step from this page at a time. Many masjids run classes and circles especially for new Muslims, and they are a good place to meet people who remember exactly how the beginning felt.

  1. Learning alongside your childrenIf you have children, you can learn the same things together, at the same pace. For parents →
  2. Stories of the prophetsShort illustrated lessons from the Quran, gentle for any age. Read →

Common questions

How do I become Muslim?
By sincerely saying the shahada, understanding and believing its words. Many people do this at a local masjid with an imam present. See the shahada above.
What should I learn first as a new Muslim?
Follow the order on this page: the shahada, the pillars, wudu, then how to pray, starting with Al-Fatiha. Everything else can come later.
Why is a children's website helpful for adults?
Because it assumes nothing. Every step is explained plainly and in order, which is what anyone starting from the beginning needs, whatever their age.
Is this site a religious authority?
No. It teaches the practical how-to of worship. For rulings and questions about your own situation, please ask an imam at your local masjid.