If one person decides to convert to Islam from another religion, can that person declare himself as Muslim, and be Muslim, or Is there specific rituals/ways when converting to Islam?


To become / convert a Muslim the person has to accept The Declaration of the Testimony also known as Shahada

For a Muslim, every action begins with your intention. You must put it in your heart that you want to strictly follow Islam and its rules.

It is not necessary to say in front of a crowd. You can quietly, to yourself, make the intention to embrace Islam as your faith.


Say: Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill Allah.


I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah.

Say: Wa ash-hadu ana Muhammad ar-rasullallah.


And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Also say La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah. أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله و أسهد أن محمد رسول الله




All a person has to do to convert is to say, with full belief he is saying the following,

أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله و أسهد أن محمد رسول الله
I witness that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger

This is preferred to be said in front of a group of Muslims so that they can be witnesses that you have taken the Shahadda and become Muslim, but you do not have to if you are not able to or something, you can do it at your home, after that you can declare yourself a Muslim.

  • Is it an absolute requirement to do this in front of witnesses, or is that optional? – ashes999 Jun 20 '12 at 9:54
  • it is not a requirement but it is liked. – مجاهد Jun 20 '12 at 9:55
  • *say and confirm/believe in what he is saying – user73 Jun 20 '12 at 10:00
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    @Al Ummat one might say the phrase, but don't agree with it. In that case, (s)he won't be a Muslim. – user73 Jun 20 '12 at 10:11
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    @AlUmmat: Ahmet point is, it's incomplete "to say" but one must believe in it. So you have to add it to the beginning of your answer. – user8749 Jun 21 '12 at 13:09

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