Follow your reason, and your heart will follow.
Since this is the most crucial decision of your life, you can’t make it solely based on how you feel (only), regardless of the religion you are considering, because the same God you seek to reach is the one who has given you reason, science, and his revelation as powerful tools to distinguish him, his messengers, and his message.
When considering reverting to Islam, you should mainly use critical thinking and observation; the emotions come afterward when 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 mind of the disbelievers first,
When considering reverting to Islam, you should mainly use critical thinking and observation; the emotions come afterward when 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 mind 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, Abraham, David, Moses, and even Jesus…, a believer submits to God’s will, 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.
In the time of the last prophet, Mohamed ﷺ, this state can be achieved by saying the Testimony of Faith (Shahada) with conviction 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, the door that you open to enter Islam, by saying it, you are officially a Muslim; it can be performed alone, but it is much better to do it with the help of others so that they may help in pronouncing it right and help the new Muslim get started with their newfound faith.
It is important to note that becoming a Muslim is a personal direct relationship with God, without any need for intermediaries. It guides us from birth to death and offers many benefits, such as realizing the true purpose of life and finding true contentment, tranquility, inner peace, and a better understanding of the world and the events around us.
Upon converting to Islam, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts with a clean slate, a new life of piety and righteousness. But the most significant benefit is that God promises you salvation and eternal life in Paradise.
A learning journey
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.
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 is 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; concentrate on your intentions, knowledge and faith.
“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
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 your friend’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 the position from God and the good deeds you worked so hard to gain because of 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 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 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 and your mistakes as well, and you practice your faith in the form of 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.”
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
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.
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.