Your first 30 days

Your Shahadah is a promise: to worship God alone and to follow the guidance He sent through His final messenger. Read the word-by-word meaning on the “Becoming Muslim” page and say it again slowly, thinking about each part.

Make the intention in your heart to purify yourself. Say “Bismillāh”. Wash both hands, then the private parts. Make wudu (see the next step). Then pour water over your head three times and over your whole body, right side then left, making sure water reaches every part of the skin and the roots of the hair. Rinse the mouth and nose as part of it. Ask your mentor if anything is unclear.

Say “Bismillāh”. Wash your hands three times, rinse your mouth three times, rinse your nose three times, wash your face three times, wash your arms up to and including the elbows three times (right first), wipe over your head once with wet hands, wipe your ears, then wash your feet up to and including the ankles three times (right first).

Send us a message and we will introduce you to a mentor of your own gender who will keep in touch every week during your first months.

Each prayer has a window of time. A free prayer-time app, or the times posted at a local mosque, will show you the exact times where you live.

Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm · Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn · Ar-raḥmāni r-raḥīm · Māliki yawmi d-dīn · Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn · Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa l-mustaqīm · Ṣirāṭa lladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim, ghayri l-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa la ḍ-ḍāllīn. — Learn it one line a day, listening and repeating.

The prayer is: standing and saying “Allāhu akbar”, reciting al-Fātiḥah, bowing, standing up again, two prostrations with a short sitting between them — that is one unit (rakʿah). Your mentor will show you what to say in each position while you are still learning the Arabic.

Begin with whichever prayers you can, and add one more each day until all five are part of your day. Missing one is not the end — simply make it up and keep going.

These short chapters are easy to memorise and can be recited after al-Fātiḥah in prayer. Al-Ikhlāṣ: Qul huwa llāhu aḥad · Allāhu ṣ-ṣamad · Lam yalid wa lam yūlad · Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan aḥad.

Before eating: “Bismillāh” (In the name of God). After eating: “Al-ḥamdu lillāh” (All praise is for God). When sneezing: “Al-ḥamdu lillāh”. Leaving home: “Bismillāh, tawakkaltu ʿala-llāh” (In the name of God, I rely on God).

Muslims do not eat pork or its by-products, or drink alcohol. Meat should be halal. Watch ingredient lists for gelatin, lard and alcohol in sauces and desserts. Fish, vegetables, fruit, grains and dairy are generally halal.

When you meet a Muslim, say “Assalāmu ʿalaykum” (Peace be upon you). The reply is “Wa ʿalaykumu s-salām” (And upon you be peace).

In the month of Ramadan, Muslims who are able abstain from food, drink and marital relations from dawn until sunset. It builds patience, gratitude and closeness to God. Ask us before your first Ramadan — we will help you prepare.

Every act of kindness is charity, even a smile. Zakat is an obligatory yearly payment of 2.5% of savings above a set minimum, given to those in need. Your mentor can explain whether and when it applies to you.

Islam asks you to be even kinder and more patient with your family now. Be honest, gentle and respectful. Good character is often the best way to show them what Islam is.

Every Friday at midday Muslims gather for a short sermon followed by a congregational prayer. Come with your mentor the first time — everyone was new once.

Send us a message and we will tell you about classes in person or online.