Becoming Muslim: A Journey of Faith, Growth, and Understanding

Follow your reason, and your heart will follow.

Since becoming a Muslim is one of the most important decisions of your life, you should not base it solely on your feelings. Regardless of the religion you are considering, the same God you seek to connect with has provided you with reason, science, and His revelation. These are powerful tools to help you understand Him, His messengers, and His message.

When considering reverting to Islam, you should primarily use critical thinking and observation; emotions come afterward, once you are confident and convinced that this is the truth and the authentic religion of God. Emotions can blind our eyes to the obvious and twist the truth to fit our current state and feelings, especially if the speaker or the argument presented nourishes that exact psychological state we’re in.

In the Quran, Allah addresses the minds of the disbelievers first,

“ ˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful. .”
Quran 38:28

Then, address the heart; if they reject all the logical proofs, it treats the corruption of the heart with purification, awards and warnings:

“And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call your helpers other than Allah, if what you say is true. But if you are unable to do so—and you will never be able to do so—then fear the Fire fuelled with people and stones, which is prepared for the disbelievers.”
Quran 2:23-24

First, what does it mean to be a Muslim?

Same God, same message.

According to all the messengers, from Abraham to David, Moses, and even Jesus, a believer submits to God’s will and therefore lives according to His Divine revelation. That state of faith is called Islam, which is not a proper name but a state of being.

During the time of the last prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ), one can achieve faith by sincerely reciting the Testimony of Faith (Shahada) and understanding its meaning, which is: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” The Shahada is the first and most important of the Five Pillars of Islam; it serves as the gateway to entering the Islamic faith. By saying it, one officially becomes a Muslim. While the Shahada can be recited alone, it is much better to do so with the assistance of others who can help ensure it is pronounced correctly and support the new Muslim in starting their journey in faith.

It is important to note that becoming a Muslim is a personal, direct relationship with God, without any need for intermediaries. a relation that will guide us to recognize the true purpose of life, finding genuine contentment, tranquility, and inner peace, as well as a deeper understanding of the world and the events around us.

Upon converting to Islam, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one begins with a clean slate, leading to a new life of piety and righteousness. But the most significant benefit is that God promises you salvation and eternal life in Paradise.

Group of men studying Islam in the mosque

A learning journey for all Muslims

Once a person has reverted to Islam, they are encouraged to start living as a Muslim and working towards prayer, reading the Quran, and other Islamic practices. It is recommended that you learn about those teachings before and after reverting, as becoming a Muslim is a lifelong commitment.

Reading the Qur’an, reading books, studying the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and seeking knowledge and guidance from an Imam or religious scholar can help you better understand and practice the religion. You can also reach out to local mosques or Islamic centers, where you can attend classes, lectures, or discussions about Islam, or find resources online, such as reputable websites, books, and videos.

Just take your time.
You can find more on that journey in “Self-improvement in Islam: a practical guide“.

Mistakes

I will make it short and simple: for every mistake you make with good and sincere intention, you are not punished or even blamed; you are rewarded as if it were a good deed.
God doesn’t need you or your work; God wants sincerity and hard work from you and wants you to evolve. Therefore, for every wrong spelling reading the Quran, you are rewarded; for every desire you battle to break your fasting, a good deed; for every struggle against your old habits and daemons, a good deed. So, don’t worry about perfection; focus on your intentions, knowledge, and faith.
And that’s what salvation in Islam is all about.

“And as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from ˹evil˺ desires, Paradise will certainly be ˹their˺ home.”
Quran 79:41

Two Muslim women learning and helping each other to understand Islam

Islam is not a religion of rituals

It is about you being a better version of you.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The strong one is not the one who overcomes people, but the strong one is he who controls himself when he is angry.”

— (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Islam is built upon two primary columns: worship (Vertical legislation) and relationship (Horizontal legislation).

The first challenge you will encounter as a new Muslim is the change in your manners and the persistent feeling of a shortcoming regarding how you treat others.
Just reflecting that looking the wrong way at your parents can put you in the same level of sin as a disbeliever; harming an animal can cause you hell; saying a bad word behind any person’s back is eating his flesh as dead, Allah hating those with vulgar language… and the list goes on and on. You will realize that it is not about sin itself; it is about losing your position with God and the erosion of good deeds you worked so hard to gain due to bad manners or a toxic mindset.
So, prepare yourself for the new, conscious challenge of controlling your anger, eliminating envy and lying, helping others and keeping a smile on your face…

Like a football team, you can use your worship, such as charity and prayer, as your offense and your manners and relationships as your defense.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“ There is nothing heavier in the scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than good moral character; Verily, Allah Hates the Vulgar, Obscene Person.”

Find a Muslim community

Engage with Muslims in your community to learn from their experiences, ask questions, and seek guidance. Building relationships with other Muslims can provide support and encouragement throughout your journey.

Community is the best remedy for times of weakness and doubt; therefore, it is your strongest weapon against Satan and desires. After all, Islam is about giving and receiving from society, so by being out there, you learn from your brothers and sisters, as well as from your mistakes, and you practice your faith through manners and relationships.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) says:
“There are no three people in a town or encampment among whom prayer is not established, but the Shaitan takes control of them. Therefore, stick to the congregation, for the wolf eats the sheep that strays off on its own.”

Muslim friends gathered by Islam's brotherhood.

Summary

“ Tas for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.”
Quran 29:69

Remember that becoming a Muslim is a profoundly personal decision. It’s essential to seek knowledge, listen to your objective examination and keep an open heart throughout the process. You may experience a range of emotions and challenges along the way, but just remember that you are rewarded for it, and know that you are not alone. The Muslim community is there to support you in your journey, with prayers and the Quran to guide you.

Practically, to become a Muslim, one must recite the Shahada with conviction and understanding of its meaning, but it is recommended to learn about Islam and its teachings before and after taking it.
The reversion can be done alone, but it is much better to do it with the help of others.