Welcome, and congratulations on your life-changing decision to embrace Islam! 🌙✨
Your choice is a noble and blessed step towards truth, peace, and a purposeful life. As a new Muslim (convert or muallaf), it’s natural to have questions about where to begin. Islam is a beautiful journey that is meant to be walked with calmness, patience, and sincerity.
This guide outlines the essential first steps you can take, one by one, to live as a Muslim with confidence and peace of heart. Don’t worry — you are not expected to learn everything overnight. Let’s begin gently, together.
🌿 1. The Shahada: Declaration of Faith
This is the very foundation of Islam — the moment your heart and tongue affirm the truth:
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله
Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadur rasoolullah
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
By saying this with sincere belief, you officially become a Muslim. You may say it alone, but it is highly recommended to recite it in front of a witness (such as an imam or Muslim friend) at a mosque, which allows the community to support you.
🧴 2. Performing Ghusl: The Full Ritual Bath
After embracing Islam, it is recommended (Sunnah) to take a full-body purification bath (ghusl), symbolizing a fresh spiritual start.
How to perform ghusl:
- Intention in your heart: “I am performing this bath as part of becoming Muslim.”
- Wash your entire body thoroughly with water, ensuring no area is left dry — including armpits, hair, between fingers and toes.
- There are no special words to recite — just make sure to cleanse yourself completely and sincerely.
🧎 3. Learning to Pray (Salah)
Salah is the daily connection between you and your Creator. Muslims pray five times a day, but you can begin step-by-step, starting with the dawn prayer (Subh/Fajr).
Daily prayer times:
- Subh (Fajr) – Before sunrise (2 units)
- Zuhur – After midday (4 units)
- Asr – Afternoon (4 units)
- Maghrib – After sunset (3 units)
- Isha – Night (4 units)
📝 Tip: Start with learning the movements and basic recitations of the Subh prayer. There are many apps and beginner YouTube tutorials to help you.
📖 4. Start Reading the Qur’an
Don’t worry if you can’t read Arabic yet — the message of the Qur’an is universal, and translations are available in many languages.
How to start:
- Read the Indonesian or English translation to understand the meaning.
- Begin learning Hijaiyah (Arabic letters) slowly if you’d like to eventually read in Arabic.
- Use apps like “Quran Majeed”, “IslamicFinder”, or “Muslim Pro” to assist you with recitation and audio.
❤️ 5. Develop Good Character and Manners
Islam isn’t only about prayer — it’s a complete way of life. One of its core teachings is to develop excellent character (akhlaq). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The best among you are those who have the best manners.”
Start practicing:
- Honesty
- Keeping promises
- Respect for parents and elders
- Kindness to neighbors, animals, and the environment
- Helping others, even in small ways
🌙 6. Understanding Ramadan and Fasting
Every year, Muslims around the world fast during the holy month of Ramadan. This includes refraining from food, drink, and bad behavior from dawn to sunset.
If you become Muslim outside Ramadan, don’t worry — just intention (niyyah) to participate in the next Ramadan that comes. You can start by practicing self-discipline in small ways now.
🤝 7. Join the Muslim Community
One of the best supports for a convert is the community (ummah). You’re never alone in this journey.
How to connect:
- Visit your local mosque and introduce yourself as a new Muslim.
- Look for Muallaf support groups in your city or online (many have special classes or gatherings).
- Attend Islamic study circles (kajian), both in-person and via YouTube, Zoom, or Facebook.
Being part of the community helps you grow, feel supported, and practice Islam more easily.
📚 8. Keep Learning Gradually and Patiently
There is no pressure to become “perfect” overnight. Islam is a religion of growth, patience, and progress.
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.”
— [Qur’an 2:286]
Don’t rush. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Ask questions, and most importantly — enjoy your new journey. You are loved, accepted, and guided by the Most Merciful.
Week Plan to Start Your Journey in Islam
Congratulations on embracing Islam! 🌙 Your decision is a deeply spiritual and meaningful step toward a new chapter in life. As a new Muslim (convert/revert), you might feel a little overwhelmed by everything that needs to be learned and practiced. Don’t worry — Islam encourages learning gradually and sincerely.
This guide provides a step-by-step plan for your first 4 weeks, helping you establish a strong foundation in your new faith. It includes essential teachings, basic worship, and character-building practices. Let’s begin!
🌟 Week 1: Introduction and Foundation
🎯 Focus: Declaration of Faith, purification, basic knowledge
| Day | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Say the Shahada (Declaration of Faith) | Say it sincerely: “Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadur rasulullah” |
| Tuesday | Perform a Ghusl (full-body purification bath) | A symbolic act of physical and spiritual cleansing |
| Wednesday | Learn the 5 Pillars of Islam and 6 Articles of Faith | Core beliefs and practices every Muslim follows |
| Thursday | Learn how to perform Wudu (ablution) | Ritual washing before prayer |
| Friday | Learn about Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) | Simple introductions to the Creator and His Messenger |
| Saturday | Memorize 2 daily supplications (du’a) | Start with basic ones: before eating, entering bathroom |
| Sunday | Review: Shahada, Wudu practice | Repeat to strengthen memory and confidence |
🌟 Week 2: Start Learning the Prayer (Salah)
🎯 Focus: Daily prayer (starting with Subh/Fajr)
| Day | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Understand prayer times & intentions | When and how to pray with intention (niyyah) |
| Tuesday | Learn basic movements of prayer | Standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting, salutation |
| Wednesday | Start memorizing Takbir and Al-Fatihah | These are core parts of every prayer |
| Thursday | Learn bowing and prostration phrases | Like “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” |
| Friday | Practice a 2-rak’ah Subh prayer | Try with assistance from an app or video |
| Saturday | Learn a simple prayer after salah | Short du’a like “Astaghfirullah” |
| Sunday | Practice praying Subh on your own | Even if not perfect, your effort matters most |
🌟 Week 3: Good Character & Learning Dhuhr Prayer
🎯 Focus: Islamic values and next prayer (Dhuhr)
| Day | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Learn about Islamic ethics | Honesty, patience, kindness, trustworthiness |
| Tuesday | Learn intention & time for Dhuhr prayer | Afternoon prayer, 4 units (rak’ahs) |
| Wednesday | Review & reinforce Al-Fatihah | Improve fluency and pronunciation |
| Thursday | Practice 2 rak’ahs of Dhuhr | Learn gradually, step-by-step |
| Friday | Learn about respecting parents and neighbors | A big part of Islamic behavior |
| Saturday | Practice Subh + Dhuhr fully | Combine both for consistency |
| Sunday | Self-reflection: what you’ve learned | Write down questions and review struggles |
🌟 Week 4: Start Reading the Qur’an & Join the Community
🎯 Focus: Qur’an basics, Muslim community, memorizing short surahs
| Day | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | What is the Qur’an? | Understand its role and message |
| Tuesday | Start learning Arabic letters (Hijaiyah) | Just 5 letters a day is enough to begin |
| Wednesday | Find a convert-friendly community | Join a local mosque or online support group |
| Thursday | Learn 2 new daily supplications | E.g., waking up, leaving the house |
| Friday | Begin memorizing Surah Al-Ikhlas | A short, powerful chapter from the Qur’an |
| Saturday | Practice 3 prayers: Subh, Dhuhr, Maghrib | Build your habit slowly |
| Sunday | Reflect & plan the next month | What went well, what needs more attention |
Final Advice ❤️
- Go slowly — Islam is a lifelong journey.
- Ask questions — No question is too small.
- Be patient with yourself — Progress is better than perfection.
- Make du’a (pray) — Speak to Allah from your heart, even in your own language.
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.”
(Qur’an, 2:286)
🌟 Final Words
Dear brother or sister, your journey has just begun, and it’s a beautiful one. Islam isn’t just a religion — it’s a source of inner peace, discipline, love, and connection with the Creator.
If you ever feel lost or uncertain, remember this: you’re not alone, and every small step you take is seen and rewarded by Allah.
