Pronouncing the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, is the gateway to Islam. The “Shahada” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam. The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of his/her race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple process that requires no pre-requisites. When someone pronounces the testimony with conviction, that person becomes a Muslim. While the shahada can be pronounced alone, our masjid is happy to support you in the life-changing moment you become a Muslim. Please use this form to let us know of your interest and to schedule a time to visit the masjid for your shahada.
Entering Islam purely for the pleasure of God expiates all of one’s previous sins, allowing new Muslims to start a life of piety and righteousness. In an authenticated tradition narrated from the life of the Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings be Upon him, there came a man to the Prophet seeking assurances that the man’s sins would be forgiven if he accepted Islam. And the Prophet of Peace comforted him: “Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” New Muslims are called reverts, rather than converts, because accepting Islam returns a person to their natural affinity to God, as if the person’s record of deeds has been wiped clean.
In what follows, you can read more about what the shahada means, and what it means to be Muslim. The content on this page is based on the Quran and the authenticated traditions of the Messenger of God, Peace Be Upon him.

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim, a person pronounces the testimony of faith, with understanding and sincere belief in its meaning:

“I bear witness that there is no God except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”

The same testimony in Arabic reads as follows:

“Ash hadu anlla ilaha ilallah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan rasul ullah”

The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth that God revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God. God states in the Holy Quran:

We sent all messengers before you with this revelation: There is no deity save Me, so worship Me alone. [Quran 21:25]

This conveys that all forms of worship must be directed to God alone. Worshipping anyone or anything (for example to an angel, a messenger, Muhammad or any other Prophet (Peace be Upon them all), a saint, an idol, the sun, the moon, a tree) except God is a contradiction to the fundamental message of Islam. All forms of worship must be directed to God only and in the way that God has prescribed.

The Holy Quran and Hadeeth (prophetic sayings) both stress the importance of following Islam. God states:

“…The only religion in the sight of God is Islam…” [Quran 3:19]

In another verse of the Holy Quran, God states:

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the Hell-fire).” [Quran 3:85]

In another saying, Muhammad (Peace be Upon him), the Prophet of God, said:

“Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshiped but God, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Prophet, and that Jesus is the Slave of God, His Prophet, and His word[1] which He bestowed in Mary and a spirit created from Him; and that Paradise (Heaven) is true, and that the Hell-fire is true, God will eventually admit him into Paradise, according to his deeds.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Worship is the choice to intend and then to perform deeds that please God, things which He commanded or encouraged to be performed, either by direct textual proof or by analogy. Thus, worship is not restricted to the implementation of the five pillars of Islam, but also includes every aspect of life. Providing food for one’s family, and saying something pleasant to cheer a person up are also considered acts of worship, if such is done with the intention of pleasing God. This means that, to be accepted, all acts of worship must be carried out sincerely for the sake of God alone.

The second part of the testimony means that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) is the servant and chosen messenger of God. This implies that one obeys and follows the commands of the Prophet. One must believe in what he has said, practice his teachings and avoid what he has forbidden. One must therefore worship God only according to his teaching alone, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations conveyed to him by God. One must try to emulate the Prophet, as he was a living example for humans to follow. God says:

“And indeed you are upon a high standard of moral character.” [Quran 68:4]

God Almighty also said:

“And in deed you have a good and upright example in the Messenger of God, for those who hope in the meeting of God and the Hereafter, and mentions God much.” (Quran 33:21)

To truly adhere to the second part of the Shahada is to follow his example in all walks of life. God says:

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love God, then follow me.’” [Quran 3:31]

We welcome you to Islam, congratulate you for your decision. To learn more about Islam and to address more of the questions you may have, we encourage you to reach out to knowledgeable Muslims and scholars to support you. The Imam of the masjid is available to answer your questions via email or appointment. You may also find additional information and resources below:

• Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research