Can You Advise Me on How to Convert as a 13-Year-Old?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I’m a 13-year-old girl whose parents disapprove of Islam, so I want to revert to Islam privately. Can I get some guidance on how to revert and get taught basic beliefs of the religion?
I don’t have any Muslim friends and can’t go to a mosque, and while I wouldn’t be able to wear a hijab or cover up parts of my legs and arms (school uniform) or fast (parents), I would be able to enter the religion and pray and put it into practice.
Is there a place or website where I could learn the basics and how to pray, what to say at different times, when to do different things, etc.?
Answer
Thank you for your question. Despite all the obstacles around you and your young age, I am absolutely awe-stricken at your will, faith, purity, and determination to follow the truth. May Allah increase you in all that you do and make you one of the best of our umma!
How to Convert
A Muslim is anyone who believes in One God (Allah); believes in the Prophet Muhammad as the Messenger of God; and accepts the guidance that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came with as true.
To enter Islam, one says the testification of faith, which is to say:
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).”
That is all it takes.
Practice
For now, don’t worry about being unable to cover, fast, or attend a mosque. You have already taken the greatest step, and you can build your knowledge and practice slowly with the help of Allah. A path for practicing the religion will open; take every inch that you get. Not a single one of your good deeds will be lost on Allah.
Resources
You can learn all that you need at our website, seekersguidance.org. Start with taking the following classes for converts and the basic knowledge of worship and reading these articles.
- Introduction to Islam: What It Means to Be Muslim
- Which Islamic Science Should I Study First?
- New to Islam Reader: A Trusted Collection of Resources for Converts
- Getting Started with Your Belief and Practice
Dua
Supplication is one thing you can start now, and no one can prevent you. Simply put your hands up, bless the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and ask Allah for anything and everything that you want and need: freedom, knowledge, good company, guidance, health, prosperity, well-being, correct practice, piety, faith, love, trust in God, the conversion of your loved ones, and salvation from the Hellfire.
Tariq ibn al-Ashyam reported: Whenever a man embraced Islam, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would teach him the prayer. Then, the Prophet instructed him to supplicate with these words, “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, grant me wellness, and grant me provision.”
In another narration, the Prophet said, “Verily, these words summarize your worldly life and your Hereafter.” [Muslim]
Please see these links on etiquettes of supplication: Adab of Dua Series: Introduction and Etiquette.
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
