Becoming a Muslim
Chapter 3 of A Guide for the New Muslim: The Practical Questions Around Saying the Shahadah.
“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
A study-guide summary of a chapter of A Guide for the New Muslim by Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo.
The two-part testimony
A person becomes Muslim by sincerely testifying that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. The words do three jobs: they state a belief, commit you to it, and publicly mark you as a Muslim. They need not be in Arabic, but their meaning must be clear.
The conditions that give the words their weight
Scholars compare the shahadah to a key: it opens the door only if it has the right ridges. The conditions the author lists are
- Knowledge of what it means
- Certainty, without doubt
- Acceptance of what it requires
- Submission, shown in action
- Truthfulness, not hypocrisy
- Sincerity, for Allah alone
- Love of the testimony and what it stands for
- Rejecting every other object of worship
- Holding on to it until death
This does not mean believers never sin. It means the heart stays turned toward Allah.
What “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” involves
Believing what he told us, obeying what he commanded, avoiding what he forbade, loving him, and accepting that he is the last prophet. Muslims take guidance from his teaching, not from philosophy or other religions.
Bathing, hair, and circumcision
Ghusl (a full bath): scholars differ on whether it is required after the shahadah. The author argues it is not strictly obligatory but is a good, meaningful step, and you do need to be in a state of purity before you pray.
Removing pre-Islamic hair: the author notes the hadith behind this is questioned and that it was not a widespread practice.
Circumcision: an established practice of Islam. Scholars have made allowances for an adult who fears real harm, so ask a knowledgeable person.
A fresh start with real rewards
Authentic hadith indicate that good done before Islam is not wasted and that a sincere convert begins with a clean slate. The author calls this a great opportunity and warns against returning to the old ways. The book also mentions a hadith promising a double reward to those from the People of the Book who accept Islam.
Wealth and marriage from before Islam
Wealth: what you already hold at conversion stays yours. Going forward, avoid income from forbidden sources. Most scholars say money that was owed to you from such sources, but not yet received, should not be collected.
Marriage: Islam recognizes marriages made before you accepted Islam, except those within prohibited family degrees. If both spouses accept Islam, the marriage stands, and a Jewish or Christian wife remains a wife. If one spouse stays outside these categories, the rules differ. The book discusses the views of the scholars, and each situation has details, so speak to a trusted scholar about yours.
Do you have to change your name?
No. The scholars quoted in the book say a change is required only if the name implies worship of someone besides Allah, for example, “servant of” a person. A change is encouraged for names that clearly belong to another faith and is otherwise your choice.
In short: The shahadah is the door. Say it with understanding and sincerity, take the first steps in worship, and ask a scholar about your own family and money questions.
This page summarizes the chapter in our own words. For the author’s full text, download the complete PDF.