First: Rejoice in the Blessing of Islam and Do Not Carry the Sins of the Past

Sincere Islam erases the disbelief and sins that came before it. Allah says:

{Say to those who disbelieved: if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them; but if they return, then the precedent of the former peoples has already taken place.} [al-Anfal: 38].

When Amr ibn al-As, may Allah be pleased with him, wanted to pledge allegiance to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he stipulated that he be forgiven. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him:

"Do you not know that Islam destroys what came before it, that hijrah destroys what came before it, and that Hajj destroys what came before it?"

Narrated by Muslim.

So the new Muslim does not have to make up the prayers or fasts that he missed before Islam, and he does not have to keep searching through his past and repenting again for every detail in it. He begins from the day of his Islam, returns people's rights that remain upon him if he is able, and learns how to become upright for the rest of his life.

Some rights related to people, contracts, or wealth may remain, so he should ask a trustworthy scholar about them according to their details, because the erasure of previous sin does not mean the erasure of established people's rights.

Good deeds he did before Islam are not lost if he embraces Islam and his Islam becomes good. Hakim ibn Hizam, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, what do you think of things I used to do in Jahiliyyah as acts of worship, such as charity, freeing slaves, and maintaining ties of kinship; is there reward for them? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"You have embraced Islam upon the good you did before."

Agreed upon.

Second: Understand the Meaning of the Two Testimonies and Act According to Them

The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah

Its meaning is: none has the right to be worshiped except Allah. So the Muslim singles out Allah alone with prayer, supplication, sacrifice, vows, reliance, and seeking rescue in what none can do except Allah, and he leaves worship of everything besides Him.

Allah says:

{Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and show excellence to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the distant neighbor, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not love whoever is arrogant and boastful.} [al-Nisa: 36].

It is not enough to believe that Allah is the Creator and Provider; worship must be made sincerely for Him alone. For detail, see: Meaning of Tawheed and Its Three Categories.

The Meaning of Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah

Its meaning is: believing him in what he informed, obeying him in what he commanded, avoiding what he forbade and warned against, and not worshiping Allah except through what the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, legislated.

Allah says:

{Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah; but whoever turns away, We have not sent you over them as a guardian.} [al-Nisa: 80].

So the Muslim does not give precedence to a custom, opinion, or teacher over the sound evidence, and he does not invent an act of worship that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them, did not do.

Third: Learn the Pillars of Islam and the Pillars of Faith

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Islam is built upon five: the testimony that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakah, Hajj, and fasting Ramadan."

Agreed upon.

In the hadith of Jibril, peace be upon him, he said to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: Tell me about faith. He said:

"That you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and that you believe in decree, its good and its bad."

He said: You have spoken the truth. Narrated by Muslim.

It is not enough for the Muslim to memorize the names of these pillars. He learns their meaning according to his need and acts according to what they require. The first of that is knowing Allah by His names and attributes, singling Him out in worship, believing in His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and following his Sunnah.

Fourth: Perform Ghusl and Learn Purification

It is prescribed for the one who enters Islam to perform a complete ghusl like the ghusl of janabah. Qays ibn Asim, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated "that he embraced Islam, so the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded him to wash with water and sidr." Narrated by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa'i; al-Tirmidhi said: hasan hadith.

The scholars differed about whether ghusl is obligatory merely for entering Islam. Many held that it is recommended, while others held that it is obligatory. Whoever performs ghusl has acted upon what is established and avoided the disagreement, but he does not delay entering Islam for the sake of ghusl and does not think that his Islam is invalid without it. As for the one who was in janabah when he entered Islam, the majority of scholars obligated ghusl from janabah before prayer. A woman whose menstruation or nifas has ended performs ghusl for purification before prayer.

Then he learns wudu because it is a condition for prayer. In the beginning, it is enough to learn its obligations and correct method, then he increases in knowledge of the Sunnahs and details. For a practical explanation, see: How to Make Wudu Correctly.

Fifth: Learn Prayer and Begin It from the First Day

Prayer is the first practical obligation the Muslim gives attention to after tawhid. It is five prayers every day and night: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.

Allah says:

{When you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on your sides. But when you are secure, establish prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times.} [al-Nisa: 103].

The Muslim should not delay prayer for days or weeks on the claim that he has not memorized all the sayings or has not mastered Arabic. Rather, he learns what he can and prays on time according to his ability, then completes his learning quickly and consistently.

Allah says:

{So fear Allah as much as you are able, listen and obey, and spend; it is better for yourselves. Whoever is protected from the greed of his soul, then those are the successful.} [al-Taghabun: 16].

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Leave me as long as I leave you. Those before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and their disagreement with their prophets. When I forbid you from something, avoid it; and when I command you with something, do of it as much as you are able."

Agreed upon.

What Should He Learn First for Prayer?

1. The times of the five prayers and the number of rak'ahs: Fajr is two, Dhuhr is four, Asr is four, Maghrib is three, and Isha is four for the resident.
2. Facing the qiblah, covering the awrah, and purification.
3. The opening takbir, standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting, and salams.
4. Surah al-Fatihah.
5. The basic obligatory adhkar according to his ability.
6. What invalidates prayer so he avoids it without waswas.

For the complete method, see: How to Pray Salah Correctly.

If he enters Islam during the time of an obligatory prayer, he purifies himself and hastens to pray the current obligation and does not delay it until the next day. If his Islam occurred at the end of the prayer time, he should ask a trustworthy scholar what is required according to the time he caught. The able man without an excuse preserves congregational prayer in the mosque. He also learns that Jumu'ah prayer replaces Dhuhr on Friday; it is two rak'ahs after the khutbah, and it is obligatory upon the adult resident able Muslim man. As for the woman, Jumu'ah is not obligatory upon her, but if she attends and prays with the imam, it suffices her instead of Dhuhr.

What Should He Do Before Memorizing al-Fatihah?

He must hasten to learn al-Fatihah, seeking help from a trustworthy teacher and a correct recording. If he has not memorized it by the time of prayer, he prays on time and does not leave prayer, and he says in the place of recitation what is established for the one temporarily unable to recite Quran.

Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that a man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said: I cannot take anything from the Quran, so teach me what will suffice me from it. He said:

"Say: Subhan Allah, wal-hamdu lillah, wa la ilaha illa Allah, wa Allahu akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah al-'Ali al-'Azim."

He said: O Messenger of Allah, this is for Allah, so what is for me? He said:

"Say: Allahumma irhamni, warzuqni, wa 'afini, wahdini."

When he stood up, he gestured with his hand, and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "As for this one, he has filled his hand with goodness." Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Nasa'i; graded hasan by a group of scholars.

This is a temporary substitute for the one who is unable; it is not a reason to delay learning al-Fatihah. He does not recite a translation of al-Fatihah as Quran inside the prayer, but he may read a translation of the meanings outside the prayer to understand the words of Allah.

Sixth: Learn the Remaining Obligations According to Their Time and Your Situation

Fasting Ramadan

When Ramadan comes, it becomes obligatory for the adult sane able Muslim to fast it. Before it enters, he learns the meaning of fasting, its time, its nullifiers, and the excuses that permit breaking the fast. He does not have to make up Ramadans that passed before his Islam.

Allah says:

{O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.} [al-Baqarah: 183].

Zakah

Zakah is not obligatory upon every Muslim merely because he entered Islam. Rather, it becomes obligatory on specific types of wealth when its conditions are fulfilled and the wealth reaches the nisab. Whoever owns money, gold, or trade goods should ask a trustworthy scholar about the beginning of the zakah year and the amount due according to the type of his wealth and his situation.

Hajj

Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime upon whoever is able to make the journey. The new Muslim is not required to travel to Hajj immediately if financial, physical, and safety ability are not available.

Allah says:

{In it are clear signs, the standing place of Ibrahim. Whoever enters it is safe. And due to Allah from the people is pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find a way to it. But whoever disbelieves, then indeed Allah is free from need of the worlds.} [Aal Imran: 97].

Seventh: Keep a Daily Portion of Quran and Dhikr

The Quran is the speech of Allah and guidance for people. The new Muslim begins with Surah al-Fatihah because it is required for prayer, then the short surahs, while reading a trustworthy translation of the meanings of the Quran if he does not know Arabic.

Allah says:

{Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives glad tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.} [al-Isra: 9].

He should not begin by trying to memorize many pages at the expense of prayer and understanding the foundations of faith. A little that is consistent is more beneficial than a large program that stops. For a memorization plan, see: How to Memorize the Quran.

He also learns the established adhkar gradually, the most important of which are the adhkar of prayer, sleep, morning, and evening, without burdening himself with dozens of daily litanies on the first day. He may begin with: Morning Adhkar, and: Evening Adhkar.

Eighth: Learn the Halal and Haram You Need Now

A Muslim cannot learn all chapters of fiqh at once, but he begins with what he needs in daily life, including:

1. The rulings of food and drink, and avoiding alcohol, pork, and what Allah has forbidden.
2. The rulings of earnings and transactions he practices, and avoiding riba, cheating, theft, and consuming people's wealth unjustly.
3. The rulings of marriage, chastity, and relationships between men and women.
4. The rights of parents, spouse, children, and neighbors.
5. Truthfulness, trustworthiness, fulfilling promises, and good character.
6. What is required of covering the awrah and lawful clothing.

Allah says:

{O you who believe, enter into Islam completely and do not follow the footsteps of Shaytan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.} [al-Baqarah: 208].

If the matter is connected to an existing contract, previous marriage, mixed wealth, or a job involving something forbidden, he should not act hastily in a way that causes new harm. Rather, he should explain the details of his situation to a trustworthy scholar and follow a Shariah-based plan for correction.

Ninth: Take Knowledge from the Quran and Sunnah According to the Understanding of the Companions

The new Muslim should beware of unknown accounts, clipped videos, and callers who quickly drag him into a group, conflict, or takfir. He takes his religion from the Quran, the authentic Sunnah, and what the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, were upon. He asks people of knowledge known for knowledge, Sunnah, and piety.

Allah says:

{Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers, We will turn him to what he has chosen and burn him in Hell, and evil it is as a destination.} [al-Nisa: 115].

Al-Irbad ibn Sariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us an admonition from which hearts trembled and eyes shed tears. We said: O Messenger of Allah, it is as if this is a farewell admonition, so advise us. He said:

"I advise you to have taqwa of Allah, and to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed over you. Whoever lives among you after me will see much disagreement, so upon you is my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs. Hold fast to it and bite onto it with your molar teeth. Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance."

Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi; authenticated by the scholars.

It is beneficial for him to have one teacher or trustworthy center with which he begins the basics, instead of moving between dozens of opinions before the foundations of knowledge have formed.

Tenth: Choose Righteous Companionship and a Mosque That Helps You

Righteous companionship helps the Muslim with prayer, learning, and firmness. But he should not surrender his judgment to anyone merely because that person preceded him in Islam. He chooses those who combine sound creed, following the Sunnah, gentleness, and good character.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"The example of a righteous companion and a bad companion is like the carrier of musk and the blower of the bellows. The carrier of musk may give you some, you may buy from him, or you may find a pleasant smell from him. The blower of the bellows may burn your clothes, or you may find a foul smell from him."

Agreed upon.

The able man without an excuse preserves congregational prayer in the mosque, and the woman benefits from women's lessons and righteous companionship while preserving Islamic boundaries, privacy, and safety.

Eleventh: Show Excellence to Your Non-Muslim Family

Islam does not command the Muslim to cut off his parents and relatives because they are not Muslims. Rather, he keeps good companionship with them, treats them well, calls them with wisdom, and does not obey anyone in shirk or disobedience.

Allah says:

{But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them; but accompany them in this world with kindness and follow the way of whoever turns back to Me. Then to Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.} [Luqman: 15].

One of the most beautiful forms of da'wah is that they see the effect of Islam in his truthfulness, mercy, dutifulness, and leaving oppression and foul speech. He should not enter constant arguments with them and should not insult their beliefs. Rather, he clarifies the truth with knowledge and gentleness.

Twelfth: Do Not Burden Yourself with What Allah Has Not Obligated Upon You

One of the mistakes that exhausts a new Muslim is thinking that the validity of his Islam depends on many immediate changes. The correct approach is that:

1. Mastering Arabic is not a condition for entering Islam.
2. Changing the name is not obligatory unless it contains servitude to other than Allah or a forbidden meaning; changing an ugly name is recommended.
3. A permissible non-Arabic name does not have to be changed merely because it is not Arabic.
4. Circumcision is not a condition for the validity of Islam, and no one should delay Islam because of it. After he becomes settled, the man refers in this matter to scholars and a trustworthy doctor, and he should not proceed if harm is feared.
5. A Muslim does not have to leave his language, permissible food, or permissible clothing of his people. Islam forbids what Allah forbade, not everything from a person's previous culture.
6. He does not have to become a scholar before he prays; rather, he learns and acts together.
7. He should not let Sunnahs and recommended matters distract him from obligations and foundations.

A Practical Program for the First Thirty Days

The First Three Days

1. Understand the meaning of the shahadah and make worship sincerely for Allah alone.
2. Perform ghusl if easy, and learn wudu.
3. Know the prayer times in your city and the direction of the qiblah.
4. Begin the five daily prayers in their times according to your ability.
5. Memorize the opening takbir and al-Fatihah gradually, and use the prescribed temporary dhikr when unable.
6. Connect with a trustworthy Muslim or a mosque known for Sunnah and gentleness.

The First Week

1. Master the basic method of wudu and prayer.
2. Learn the meaning of tawhid and the pillars of Islam and faith.
3. Memorize al-Fatihah and what is easy of the short surahs.
4. Read a small portion of a translation of the meanings of the Quran every day.
5. Learn the most important prohibitions that touch your current life.
6. Arrange a question with a trustworthy scholar if you have a marriage, contract, or wealth that needs a specific ruling.

The Rest of the First Month

1. Establish the five prayers before expanding into voluntary prayers.
2. Learn the tashahhud, basic adhkar, and the method of ghusl.
3. Study a short trustworthy book in creed and worship with a teacher.
4. Preserve a small consistent dhikr and daily Quran reading.
5. Build a good relationship with righteous Muslims without isolating yourself from your family.
6. Make a list of issues you need to learn and take them one by one.

Mistakes the New Muslim Should Avoid

1. Delaying prayer until he masters Arabic or memorizes all its details.
2. Becoming busy with political and sectarian disputes before learning tawhid and prayer.
3. Taking fatwa from short clips and unknown accounts.
4. Being strict in recommended matters while neglecting obligations.
5. Completely isolating from the non-Muslim family or mistreating them.
6. Announcing every detail of his life to people or quickly trusting everyone who offers help.
7. Leaving work, marriage, or wealth through sudden action before knowing the Islamic ruling of his situation.
8. Despairing because he falls into a sin or makes a mistake in worship while learning.
9. Comparing himself to someone who learned Islam from childhood.
10. Trying to learn everything at once and then stopping.