The Guidance
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Becoming Muslim

One sentence, said sincerely from the heart

The Shahadah is the declaration of faith. If you believe that God is One and that Muhammad ﷺ is His final messenger, you are ready.

You may say it on your own — or, if you wish, with an imam, in person or by video call. We will then help you with your first steps.

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ

Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā-llāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh

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

Arabic audio: Shahadah.ogg by iSurrender, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What it means, word by word

Ash-hadu
I bear witness — I know it in my heart and declare it openly.
an lā ilāha
that there is no god — nothing deserves worship…
illā-llāh
…except Allah, the One God.
wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan
and I bear witness that Muhammad…
rasūlu-llāh
…is the Messenger of Allah — so I follow his guidance.

After you say it

  1. Congratulations — you are a Muslim, and every past sin is forgiven.
  2. Take a ritual bath (ghusl) — your guide will show you how.
  3. Begin your first 30 days, one small step at a time.
  4. Let us know, so a mentor can walk with you. Only if you wish.