Personal help for anyone thinking about becoming Muslim

What it is

Many people who learn about Islam, whether through a free Qur'an, one of our videos or a Muslim friend, reach a point where they would like to talk to someone. They may want to ask a question they have been carrying for a while, or they may already believe and want to know how to become Muslim.

BecomeMuslim.com is the website we run for these people. It explains the beliefs of Islam, the Qur'an and the history of Islam in plain language, and has a guide on how to become Muslim. Its questions page answers the things people ask most, such as whether you need to change your name, whether you need to learn Arabic, what happens if you do not yet know how to pray, and whether you will lose your family or culture.

Most importantly, the site lets people ask for personal guidance. A member of our team gets in touch, answers their questions and helps them with whatever step they are ready for.

Who it is for

The site is for anyone who is thinking about becoming Muslim, at any stage. Some people are simply curious. Others have been reading and learning seriously for some time. Some have already decided and want help to take their shahada. As the site puts it, there is no set timeline and no pressure.

How it works

The site describes three steps.

1. Listen to your heart. Think about the questions you already have about God and the purpose of life.
2. Learn and decide. Take your time. Read, ask questions and speak to Muslims.
3. Say the shahada. When you are ready, declare that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger.

When you would like personal help, go to the Take Your Shahada page. The form asks for your name, gender, age, country, email address, phone number and current religion or belief, and gives you space to tell your story. A member of the team will then be in touch. You can also chat to the team through the live chat on the site.

The shahada

A person becomes Muslim by sincerely declaring the shahada: that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His messenger. It can be said anywhere and does not need a ceremony, but many people find it helps to have someone with them who can explain it and answer their questions.

After the shahada

Learning to pray and settling into a new faith takes time. Our Welcome to Islam project is built for that stage, with prayer lessons, a plan for the first thirty days and volunteer mentors. People who are not yet Muslim can also request a free English Qur'an through FreeQurans and read it before taking any step.