Shahadah (Declaration of Faith in Islam)
The procedure towards becoming a Muslim is very simple. Once you believe that Islam and the Quran are the truth, all one has to do is to pronounce the Declaration of Islamic Faith. This, however, must be done with sincere belief and conviction from one’s own willingness and must not be via coercion or force for it to be a valid acceptance of the faith.
Upon taking this decision purely for the pleasure of Almighty Allah, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new beginning of piety and righteousness.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to a person whose desire was to accept Islam that Almighty Allah would forgive all his past sins:
“Do you not know that accepting Islam forgives all sins which come before it?”
[Muslim]
The Declaration of the Testimony [Shahadah] – First Pillar of Islam.
The testimony can be declared by saying the following statement with conviction and understanding its meaning:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
“Ashhadu anna Laa ilaaha illaa Allah, wa anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah.”
The translation of which is:
“I testify that there is no true god [deity] but God [Allah], and Muhammad is the Messenger and servant of God.”
The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth that God revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of worship except Almighty God.
God states in the Qur’an:
“We did not send the Messenger before you without revealing to him: ‘None has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.'”
[Al-Quran 21:25]
What happens during the Shahadah process?
It’s natural to feel nervous about taking this significant step in your spiritual journey. At Green Dome Mosque, we aim to make the process of embracing Islam as welcoming and straightforward as possible. When you arrive for your Shahadah, you will typically be met by our head imam and two members of our management team.
What to Expect
During your meeting, the imam and management team will explain the basic tenets of belief in Islam. They will guide you through the recitation of the Shahadah, the testimony of faith, which can be done in English. This declaration is a simple yet profound affirmation of your new faith:
“I testify that there is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
After the Shahadah
Upon reciting the Shahadah, you will officially become a Muslim, marking the beginning of your new spiritual journey. To support you in this transition, we have prepared gift packs that include essential resources and information about practicing Islam. These packs are designed to help you understand and perform your religious duties with confidence.
Certificate of Conversion
A Certificate of Conversion will also be issued to formally acknowledge your new faith. This certificate, along with the gift pack, will be sent out to you within 28 days of your conversion. The certificate serves as a significant memento of this important milestone in your life and can be used as an official document when needed.
Continuous Support
At Green Dome Mosque, our commitment to your spiritual growth doesn’t end with the Shahadah. We offer ongoing support and resources to help you integrate into the Muslim community and deepen your understanding of Islam. Whether through educational classes, social events, or one-on-one mentoring, we are here to support you every step of the way.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Green Dome Mosque community and supporting you on this beautiful journey of faith.