becoming a muslim
Once you believe that Islam and the Quran are the truth, the only step is to declare that belief by saying, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This is called the “Testification of Faith (shahadah)” and is the first pillar of Islam. It is better to inform some Muslims of this and declare it in front of witnesses even if you are keeping it a secret. Simply declaring belief in Islam, the Quran, everything that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught, or declaring yourself as a Muslim is sufficient too.
Saying your shahadah can feel daunting, so we're here to put you at ease. It's free, takes just 5–10 minutes, and can be done online or in person at our office in Oldham, with two members of our team as your witnesses. Afterwards, we'll post you a free gift pack and certificate, and we'll be here to support you as you take your first steps.
what happens next
1
register
Fill in our short form and let us know whether you would like to meet online or in person.
2
book a time
We’ll email you a link so you can choose a day and time that suits you.
3
say your shahadah
Two members of our team will explain the basics of belief and guide you through the shahadah in English. You’re welcome to bring a friend or family member.
4
receive your gift pack
Your free gift pack and Certificate of Conversion are sent out within 21 working days.
you won’t be on your own
About a month after your shahadah, a member of our team (a female for women, a male for men) will get in touch to see how you’re getting on. You’ll also be invited to join our WhatsApp community and our Firm Foundations course, which covers how to pray, as well as our regular classes and socials. We’ll also send you a few helpful emails over your first few months.
Want to hear from others who’ve taken this step? Read their stories.
frequently asked
questions
How do I convert to Islam?
Simply declare your belief by saying the shahadah, as explained at the top of this page. Yes, it's that easy. If you'd like us to witness it and support you afterwards, we'd love to help.
Can I become Muslim on my own?
Yes. All you need to do is sincerely declare the shahadah, and you can do that by yourself. It's better to let some Muslims know and to say it in front of witnesses, even if you're keeping it private for now, and we're happy to be those witnesses for you.
Can I say my shahadah online?
Yes. You can say your shahadah with us by video call from home. Two members of our team will be your witnesses and guide you through it in English. It takes 5–10 minutes.
What happens during the shahadah process?
It's natural to feel nervous about this. You will usually be met by two members of our team, online or at our office in Oldham. They will explain the basic tenets of belief in Islam and take you through the recitation of the testimony of faith in English. There are no special dress requirements for this.
Your gift pack and Certificate of Conversion will then be sent out within 21 working days.
How long does it take?
Only 5–10 minutes. Our team will explain the basics of belief in Islam and then guide you through saying the shahadah in English.
Does it cost anything?
No. Saying your shahadah with us is completely free, and so are your Certificate of Conversion and gift pack.
Do I need to know Arabic, or how to pray, first?
No. We do the shahadah in English, and you don't need to know how to pray beforehand. After your shahadah you'll have access to our Firm Foundations course, which covers how to pray.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. You're welcome to bring a friend or family member, whether you meet us online or in person.
Do I need to bring ID?
No, you don't need ID to say your shahadah. Just make sure the name you give us on the form is as it appears on your passport, as this is the name we'll put on your certificate.
What if I'm under 18?
People of any age are welcome to register. Just let us know your age on the form, and at least two members of our team will always be present.
Will my details be kept confidential?
Yes. We understand that many people keep their conversion private at first. We treat your details as confidential and handle them in line with our Privacy Policy.
Do I need to change my name if I become a Muslim?
No. Absolutely not. However, the Prophet ﷺ changed some names of his companions that contained extremely negative meanings after they converted to Islam. Islam does not require a person to abandon their roots and culture as long as they do not contradict the principles of the religion. Thus, a person is free to choose what style of dress to wear, for example, and types of food to eat as long as they do not violate something that is prohibited such as exposing nakedness or the consumption of pork. See our article here for a more detailed discussion.
Do I need a certificate to convert?
No. However, a certificate adds a nice touch to the event and serves as a reminder to the person after converting. In addition, it acts as proof of the person’s Islam and can prevent complications from arising, especially after death. Sometimes, Muslim countries may require proof of the person’s Islam, e.g. if the person was getting married via Muslim courts in those countries.
Our certificates cannot be posted abroad nor issued digitally. For those who do not convert with us, a Certificate of Islamic Faith with the current date can be issued.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Conversion and a Certificate of Islamic Faith?
The Certificate of Conversion is only issued to people who convert with us (this will have the date of conversion on it and is provided for free with a gift pack) or who can provide witnesses for the date of their past conversion to Islam.
A Certificate of Islamic Faith with the current date can be issued for those who do not convert with us, once we have verified the identity and Islam of the applicant. Our staff can act as witnesses, or you can bring your own.
Do I need a certificate to perform umrah and hajj?
No. The rules in Saudi Arabia have changed a lot over the years. Some people have been asked in the past but this is no longer the case. However, some travel agents may ask for evidence to prove how long you have been a Muslim.
Can I get a certificate if I have already done my shahadah?
We can provide you with a "Certificate of Islamic Faith" that will have the current date on it, but not a backdated "Certificate of Conversion" because we did not witness your conversion.
However, if you have the witnesses who were present when you converted, you can add them on a Certificate of "Conversion" with the date you said your shahadah. We will need to verify the ID of all parties before processing this.
Which sect are you from?
We are adherents of mainstream orthodox Islam (Sunni Islam). Our team and volunteers may have their own specific beliefs and practices within Sunni Islam but our policy is one of complete non-partisanship. We recognise that converts come from various groups, schools of thought, and ideologies. We also believe that new converts should be given the space to explore various views and make their own decisions, which is inevitable anyway. Our role is merely to provide a nurturing environment without promoting any agendas and to adhere to the discussion of the areas that all Muslims agree upon and unite us as a community.
Any people from the Muslim community that may work with us or for us do not necessarily reflect our views as an organisation. Furthermore, New Beginnings does not endorse any of the personal views or behaviour of guests, volunteers, employees, or authors of articles on any platform whatsoever.
Have another question? See all our FAQs, or send us a message.
certificates & gift pack
conversion
For those who say their shahadah and convert with us.
✓ Free, online or in person, and comes with a free gift pack.
✓ Dated on the day of your shahadah and witnessed by our team.
islamic faith
For those who wish to declare or renew their faith after conversion.
✓ Costs £35 and is dated on the day it is issued.
✓ Our staff can witness it, or you can bring your own witnesses.
✓ Proof of identity and address will be required as well as a signature from all parties.
conversion gift pack
This will be issued for free for those who have converted with New Beginnings only.
All others will have to donate £95
What’s inside?
A bespoke shahadah certificate, custom-made prayer mat, English Qur'an, three books, prayer beads, natural oud oil, sweets and more.
Important note: If you cannot be present to provide a signature, then we can post the certificate to you which you will need to sign and post back to us to verify and stamp, charges will apply. We are unable to post gift packs outside of the UK. Certificates need to be signed physically and cannot be posted outside of the UK.