What do the words of the Shahada actually mean?

The Shahada has two parts. 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah' means 'I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah.' It says two things at once: you turn away from worshipping anything else, and you give your worship to Allah alone. 'Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah' means 'and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' He was a human being, not divine, and you accept him as the final messenger whose example shows you how to live and worship. You do not need to understand every detail on day one. Knowing this core meaning is enough to start.

I said the Shahada on my own, with nobody there. Am I really Muslim?

Yes. Scholars explain that witnesses are not needed for your Shahada to be valid between you and Allah. If you believed it and said it sincerely, you are Muslim, even if you were alone. Witnesses and a certificate are about the community recognising you, for example for a marriage at a masjid or for Hajj later. If you would like that, you can say the Shahada again at a local masjid whenever you are ready. There is no rush.

Do I need a Shahada certificate?

You do not need a certificate to be Muslim. Some people ask for one later because it can be needed for a marriage at a masjid, for Umrah or Hajj applications, or other paperwork. Some masjids issue a certificate signed by their imam on request. Ask your local masjid office whether they do this and what they need from you.

What are the five pillars of Islam?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Islam is built on five things. They are: the Shahada (declaring your faith), Salah (the five daily prayers), Zakat (a yearly charity paid by those with enough savings), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), and Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime, for those who are able). Think of them as the pillars that hold up a building. You have already stood up the first one by saying the Shahada. Prayer is the next one to work on. Zakat and Hajj only apply when your circumstances require them.

Do I have to do all five pillars straight away?

No. The Shahada is done. Prayer is the pillar to start learning now, one step at a time. Fasting comes when Ramadan arrives. Zakat only applies once your savings are above a set minimum, and our zakat guide explains how that works. Hajj is only required once in a lifetime, and only if you are physically and financially able. So for most new Muslims, the real focus in the first weeks is faith and prayer.

What do Muslims believe? What are the six articles of faith?

When the angel Jibril (Gabriel) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) what faith is, he answered with six things: belief in Allah, His angels, His revealed books, His messengers, the Last Day, and Allah's decree of good and bad. Many of these will already feel familiar if you grew up Christian or Jewish, such as angels, prophets and a day of judgement. You can learn each one slowly. Our Core beliefs page walks through them.

Will the good things I did before Islam count for anything?

Yes. A companion named Hakim ibn Hizam asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the charity and kindness to family he had done before becoming Muslim. The Prophet told him, 'You became Muslim with all those good deeds.' So your past kindness is not lost.

I have made mistakes since becoming Muslim. How do I repent?

Tawbah (repentance) means turning back to Allah. It has three simple parts: feel sorry for what you did, stop doing it, and sincerely intend not to return to it. If you wronged a person, try to put it right with them. You can repent at any time, in your own words and in any language. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told us Allah is more pleased with a servant's repentance than a traveller who finds his lost camel in the desert. Slipping again does not close the door; keep coming back. If you have been away for a while, the guide on coming back after a break can help.

Do I have to change my name?

No. Most companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) kept their names. You only need to change a name if its meaning goes against Islam, for example a name meaning 'servant of the Messiah' or a name that belongs only to God, or if it has a bad meaning. You should keep your family name, as Islam values staying connected to your father's lineage. Some people like to take an Arabic name as a nickname or a legal change, and that is fine too, but it is your choice.

Do I have to tell people that I am Muslim?

No. Announcing your conversion is not a condition of being Muslim. You can take your time and decide who to tell, when, and how. Many converts start with one person they trust. If you think telling someone could put you at risk, your safety comes first; our family guide has safety resources.

Do I have to know Arabic to be Muslim?

No. Not knowing Arabic does not make you any less Muslim, and most Muslims in the world are not Arabic speakers. Your dua (personal prayers) can be in English or any language. The five daily prayers include a few short Arabic passages, mainly Surah al-Fatiha, and you can learn these a little at a time. Until you know them, scholars describe ways to pray while you learn; see the next question.

Is saying the Shahada enough, or do I need to do something else to become Muslim?

Sincerely believing and saying the Shahada is what makes you Muslim. There is no baptism-like ceremony, no fee, and no requirement to have a certificate, change your name, or learn Arabic first. Everything else, like prayer and learning the Quran, is part of living as a Muslim and comes step by step after that.

There is so much to learn. Where do I even start?

You do not have to learn everything at once. In your first days, the basics are your belief in one God, the Shahada, and learning to pray. After that, add one thing at a time: Al-Fatihah and a few short chapters, then the meaning of what you recite, then fasting and daily life. The Prophet said the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it is small. Five focused minutes a day is a real start. Self-paced courses such as New Muslim Academy let you start when you are ready and go at your own speed, and they have forums where you can ask questions. If someone hands you a long list of rules on your first day, it is fine to say you are taking it step by step. You have a lifetime to keep learning.

How can I tell if an online source about Islam is reliable?

Ask three questions. Who wrote it, and are they a named scholar or an established organisation? Does it give its evidence, such as a Quran verse with chapter and verse, or a hadith with its collection and number? And does it say how strong that hadith is? Scholars sort hadith by their chain of narrators into grades such as sahih (authentic) and da'if (weak). Be careful with quote images, anonymous posts, videos that tell you to reject all teachers except one, and anything that makes you feel afraid or rushed. When in doubt, take the question to a qualified local imam. The same checks apply to AI chatbots and short videos. An AI tool can invent a reference or ignore the differences between the schools, so open any verse on Quran.com and any hadith on Sunnah.com and look for its grade, and treat anything you cannot find as unverified. A short clip is not a fatwa, so ask who is speaking and what was left out. The Quran tells believers to check news before acting on it (49:6).

Should I sign up for a course? Which one?

You do not need a course in your first week. Once you are praying and feel a little settled, a free structured course can give you a clear order to follow. New Muslim Academy is free and made for people who have just become Muslim, starting with wudu and prayer. You need a free account to use it. SeekersGuidance runs free Level One live classes. Pick one course at a time and finish it before starting another. If a course asks for money up front, pushes you to cut off other teachers, or wants personal details that seem unnecessary, pause and ask someone you trust.

How do I tell what is Islam and what is someone's culture?

When you hear a new rule, ask where it comes from: the Quran, the Sunnah, or one community's custom. Many customs are good, and you are free to enjoy them, but a custom is not an obligation. A teacher can show you the difference and the source. The Prophet told his companions to make things easy for people and not to drive them away (Sahih al-Bukhari 69). Not every fatwa you find online was written for your situation, so bring the question to someone who knows you.

What do SAW, PBUH, SWT, RA and AS mean?

They are short forms of blessings Muslims say after certain names. SAW and PBUH both stand for sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, "peace and blessings be upon him", said after the Prophet Muhammad's name because the Quran tells believers to send blessings on him. SWT stands for subhanahu wa ta'ala, "glorified and exalted is He", said after Allah's name. AS stands for alayhis-salam, "peace be upon him", which Muslims usually say after other prophets such as Jesus, Moses and Abraham, and after angels such as Gabriel. RA stands for radiyallahu anhu (anha for a woman), "may Allah be pleased with him", said after the Companions, and its wording comes from Quran 9:100. You may also hear rahimahullah, "may Allah have mercy on him", said about a Muslim who has died.

Who counts as a shaykh or a mufti, and who should I ask about my own life?

Titles are not regulated, and each seminary sets its own standards. Qalam Institute in the US, for example, uses shaykh for a graduate of higher Islamic study with years of teaching, mufti for someone licensed to give rulings (fatwas), and ustadh for a graduate starting to teach, and it says other institutes may use the words differently. Some people call an older man shaykh out of respect, and some give themselves a title. An imam leads the prayer and often teaches, but there is no go-between in Islam, so you do not need an imam to pray or to repent. For a ruling about your own life, ask an imam or scholar linked to an established masjid or institute, and it is fine to ask where they studied. If you are unsure what to call someone, "brother" or "sister" is always fine.

Why do Muslims pray five times a day?

Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and a direct, daily connection with Allah. The Quran says prayer is set at fixed times and that it keeps a person away from wrongdoing. It also tells believers to seek help through patience and prayer. Many converts find that five short meetings with Allah give the day a calm structure.

I slept through Fajr again. What now?

Pray it as soon as you wake up. The Prophet said there is no negligence in sleep, and that the person should pray when they become aware of it (Sahih Muslim 681). A forgotten prayer is prayed when you remember it, with nothing else owed (Sahih Muslim 684a). Oversleeping does not make you a hypocrite. A few tips, not rulings: go to bed earlier, put the alarm on the other side of the room, or ask a friend to call you.

Which English translation of the Quran should I read?

Any English version is a translation of the meaning, not the Quran itself, which is the Arabic. For a first read, Yaqeen Institute's reading list includes The Clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, a Canadian-Egyptian scholar, and the Oxford translation by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem. Both use plain modern English and both can be read free on Quran.com. You will also see Saheeh International, which is common on websites; words in square brackets there are the translators' additions to make the meaning clear. It can help to compare two translations when a verse feels confusing, and then ask a teacher.

How do I learn to read Arabic from zero?

Most people learn in three stages: the letters and their sounds, then joining letters with short vowel marks, then reading short chapters slowly with a teacher who can hear you. A traditional primer called a Qaida (for example the Qaida Nooraniyah) teaches exactly this order. Doing it with a live teacher helps most, because pronunciation is easier to correct out loud. New Muslim Academy runs free live small-group classes, held separately for men and women, for people who cannot yet read Arabic, and your local masjid may run classes too. Remember the Prophet said the person who struggles with the Quran gets a double reward.

Is it okay to read or listen to the Quran in English only for now?

Yes, reading a translation to understand the message is a good thing, as long as you know it is a translation of the meaning and not the Quran itself. Listening to the Arabic recitation alongside the English helps you get used to the sounds you will later recite in prayer. Many new Muslims read a short passage in English each day and listen to the same passage in Arabic. Allah describes the Quran as made easy to remember and take lessons from (Quran 54:17).

What is tafsir, and do I need it?

Tafsir means explanation of the Quran by scholars: what a verse meant when it was revealed, how the Prophet and his companions understood it, and how it connects to other verses. You do not need a big tafsir book in your first months. A good translation with short notes is enough at first. When a verse puzzles or troubles you, a short explanation from a trusted teacher, or a free resource like Yaqeen Institute's Qur'an 30 for 30, can help. Classical works like Tafsir Ibn Kathir are valuable later, when you have more background.

This is my first Ramadan and my family does not fast. How do I cope?

Start small and be gentle with yourself. Prepare a simple suhoor (the pre-dawn meal, which the Prophet said has blessing in it) and plan where you will break your fast. Tell your family what you are doing in a calm way and invite them to iftar if that feels right. Some masjids host community iftars, so ask yours. If you feel lonely or discouraged, remember how far you have come and talk to someone you trust.

What is Laylat al-Qadr and what should I do on it?

Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) is a night in the last ten nights of Ramadan that the Quran calls better than a thousand months. Its exact date is hidden, so people make extra effort on the odd nights. You do not need to do anything complicated: pray what you can, read or listen to the Quran, and make dua. Aisha asked the Prophet what to say, and he taught: 'Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni' (O Allah, You are pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me).

Where should I give my zakat, and how do I avoid charity scams?

Zakat goes to eight groups named in the Quran (9:60), starting with the poor and the needy. Give through your local masjid or a registered Canadian charity that explains its zakat policy. Before giving, ask for the charity's registration number and check it with the Canada Revenue Agency. Be wary of high-pressure requests, crypto-only payments, or crowdfunding pages you cannot verify.

Can I claim my zakat on my Canadian tax return?

Often, yes, if you give it to a registered charity and get an official donation receipt. The Canada Revenue Agency's line 34900 covers federal and provincial tax credits for gifts to registered charities and other qualified donees. Money you hand straight to a person, or to a group that is not a qualified donee, does not count. Whether a charity issues a receipt for zakat al-fitr or fidyah depends on the charity, so ask. Keep your receipts with your tax papers, not in this app, and ask a tax preparer if you are unsure. This is general tax information, not tax advice.

How do I book Hajj or Umrah safely from Canada?

Start with the official sources. Read the Government of Canada travel advice for Saudi Arabia, which currently advises against non-essential travel, and check it again close to your trip. Hajj needs a Hajj visa and is arranged through the Saudi Ministry's official Nusuk platform or its authorized providers. Umrah can be done on other visa types. Be careful with anyone offering cheap or guaranteed Hajj places, asking for cash deposits, or pressuring you to decide fast, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

As a woman, can I go on Umrah alone, and what if my period starts?

Saudi rules now let women of any age travel for Hajj or Umrah without a male guardian (mahram), according to the Government of Canada. Whether a woman should travel for pilgrimage without a mahram is a separate religious question on which scholars differ, so ask a scholar you trust. If your period starts, you can do everything except the tawaf around the Kaaba, which you do once you are clean, as the Prophet told Aisha.

Do I still have to respect my parents if they are not Muslim?

Yes, very much. The Quran tells believers to honour their parents and, even if parents push them to worship other than Allah, not to obey in that but still to 'keep their company in this world courteously' (31:15). When Asma bint Abi Bakr asked the Prophet whether she should keep good relations with her non-Muslim mother, he said, 'Yes, keep good relation with her' (Sahih al-Bukhari 2620). The Quran also says Allah does not forbid kindness and fairness toward people who have not fought you (60:8). Being a kinder, more patient son or daughter is often the strongest thing a new Muslim can show their family.

How can I tell if food in a Canadian store is really halal?

In Canada, a label that says or suggests 'halal' must also name the person or organisation that certified it. That is a federal labelling rule enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The government does not decide what counts as halal, so the next step is yours: look for the certifier's name, then check whether your local masjid trusts that certifier. Common names you will see in Ontario include the Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA) and ISNA Canada Halal, and their standards are not identical. If a shop or restaurant says 'halal' with no certifier, you can politely ask to see the certificate.

What food is actually forbidden for Muslims?

The Quran names a short list: animals that died on their own, blood, pork, and meat dedicated to anything other than Allah. Alcohol and other intoxicants are also forbidden. Vegetables, fruit, grains, eggs and fish are generally fine. Some cheeses and other dairy products use animal enzymes, so check those. Many new Muslims start with simple foods like these while they learn the rest. The Quran also says that if you are truly forced by need, you are not sinful, so there is no need to panic.

Is vanilla extract or food with a little alcohol in the ingredients okay?

Drinking alcohol is clearly forbidden. Tiny amounts of alcohol used as a solvent in flavourings such as vanilla extract are a real difference of opinion among scholars. In the Hanafi school, as explained by SeekersGuidance, non-wine alcohol in something like vanilla is allowed if it is not used to get intoxicated and the amount cannot intoxicate, though choosing alcohol-free vanilla is the more careful option. Other scholars are stricter and avoid any added alcohol, and certifiers set their own rules. While you are new, it is fine to pick alcohol-free versions where they are easy to find, and to ask your local imam which view your community follows.

Do I need to avoid gelatin?

Gelatin is often made from pork or from animals not slaughtered Islamically, so many Muslims avoid it unless it is marked halal or is plant-based. Scholars differ on whether the manufacturing process changes gelatin into a completely new substance (called istihala, meaning full transformation). The Shafi'i school says pork gelatin stays forbidden, while some scholars from other schools and an AMJA scholar accept the transformation argument. A simple beginner approach is to choose halal-certified or plant-based products (agar, pectin) when you can, and not to panic over something you ate before you knew. Medicines are different from sweets: an AMJA answer says a medicine or vaccine containing gelatin may be taken when there is no alternative, so ask your pharmacist about options and do not refuse a medicine you need.

My family serves regular supermarket meat. Can I eat it?

This is one of the biggest differences of opinion among Muslims in North America. Some scholars say the meat of Christians and Jews (People of the Book) is allowed under Quran 5:5. An AMJA scholar holds that you need not ask how it was slaughtered when you do not know, but that this does not apply when you know it was not properly slaughtered. Many other scholars and Canadian certifiers only accept zabiha (Islamically slaughtered) meat. You do not need to settle this debate at the dinner table. Many converts simply take the vegetarian dishes, fish or sides at family meals, or bring a halal dish to share, and ask their local imam which view to follow at home.

We share a kitchen and the family cooks pork. Are the dishes and pans okay for me?

Yes, in general. A SeekersGuidance answer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains that washing, even once, removes the impurity, whether by hand or in a dishwasher, with or without soap. Over-checking this is described as baseless misgivings (waswasa), which the religion discourages. If you can, keep one pan and a set of utensils of your own for cooking, which also avoids tension. The food itself is what matters: the cook being non-Muslim does not make permissible food forbidden.

Can I ask my employer or school for time to pray?

Yes. Human rights law in Canada protects religious practice at work and at school, and which law applies depends on who your employer is, not only on where you live. In Ontario, the Human Rights Code requires employers and schools to accommodate sincerely held religious practices unless it causes undue hardship, which is a high bar limited to cost, outside funding, and health and safety. You do not have to prove that prayer is 'mandatory' in Islam. Sincerity is the test. If you work for a federally regulated employer such as a bank, airline, Canada Post or a federal department, the Canadian Human Rights Act applies instead, and other provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia also protect religion at work. Quebec is different for some public-sector jobs: its laicity law bars people in the roles it lists from wearing religious symbols at work and limits prayer in places run by the public bodies it lists, so check the current law before you rely on this. Most prayers fit into a normal day because each one has a window, and a prayer break, including washing before prayer (wudu), usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Ask early, in writing if you can, and be specific: which prayers fall in your hours, how long each takes, what space you need, and whether you need time for Friday prayer. Offer options such as using part of a break or staying a little later. The Ontario Human Rights Commission says the person asking should explain their needs, answer reasonable questions and help find a solution. You can also share a guide written for managers, such as the one from the Muslim Federal Employees Network. This is general information, not legal advice.

What about Friday prayer and fasting in Ramadan at work?

The Ontario Human Rights Commission gives examples of both. For Friday prayer, options include a longer lunch, staggered hours or making the time up. For Ramadan, it mentions schedule changes such as working through lunch to leave early for breaking the fast, without loss of pay. You can also ask for religious holidays like Eid off without being forced to use vacation days, for example by using lieu time or swapping shifts. Start with a friendly conversation and offer a solution; many managers are glad to help when they can see how the work still gets done.

I live in Quebec. Are the rules different?

Partly. Quebec's Act respecting the laicity of the State (often called Bill 21) bans people in certain public-sector roles listed in the law from wearing religious symbols, such as a hijab, while working. The law was expanded in 2025 and 2026, including rules about prayer in school buildings during class hours, and the law now also covers subsidised daycare workers and limits religious practice in public institutions. A Supreme Court of Canada challenge was heard in 2026. Because this is changing fast, check the current law or a legal clinic before making a job decision.

My team socials are always at a bar. What do I do?

You do not have to drink, and you can still be part of the team. Many scholars advise not sitting at a table where alcohol is being served, based on a hadith in Tirmidhi, and SeekersGuidance advises politely declining gatherings centred on alcohol and suggesting alternatives. At work, try offering a different plan (a lunch, a coffee, a board game night) or join for the first part of an event held somewhere other than a bar. If someone asks, a short answer works: 'I don't drink, but I'd love to come to the lunch.' Scholars differ on events where alcohol is present but not the focus, so ask your imam about your specific situation.

I have tattoos from before Islam. Do I need to remove them?

No, not if removal is costly or harmful. Scholars at AMJA explain that what you did before Islam is forgiven, and that the Prophet told a new Muslim, 'You became Muslim with all those good deeds' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1436). You do not have to cover them when you pray. You may cover them in the masjid if you like, but do not be hard on yourself, and uncovering them in hot weather is fine.

I already have a dog. Do I have to give it up?

Scholars generally discourage keeping dogs as indoor pets, while allowing working dogs such as guard dogs, and some advise keeping a dog outside or rehoming it; this is where AMJA and a SeekersGuidance Hanafi answer both land. The Maliki school is known for a more lenient view on dogs. Please do not make a sudden decision that hurts your family or the animal. Talk to a scholar about your situation, especially if the dog belongs to other family members, is a service dog, or is part of a shared home.

Are lottery tickets, sports betting or office pools okay?

Gambling is forbidden in the Quran, which lists it with intoxicants as something to avoid (5:90). That includes lottery tickets, casino games, sports betting and paid office pools where everyone puts money in and one person wins. Free prize draws where you pay nothing are a separate question that scholars discuss. If a co-worker asks you to join a pool, a light answer works: 'I'll sit this one out, but good luck!'

Do I have to take off my hijab for my passport, licence or health card photo?

No. Canada's passport photo rules accept a head covering worn daily for religious reasons, as long as your full face is clearly visible, the edges of your face show and there are no shadows on it. At an IRCC biometrics appointment your whole face must be visible, and you can ask for an operator of the same gender and a privacy curtain. In Ontario, the driver's handbook and the health card page both say you can wear religious headwear as long as it does not cover any part of your face. Pin your scarf so your forehead and cheeks stay clear, and check your own province's page if you live outside Ontario. Face coverings (niqab) come under different identity-check rules that this answer does not cover.

I feel really lonely since I became Muslim. Is that normal?

Yes. Many new Muslims feel lonely, especially in the first months. Old friendships can change, and a new community can take time to feel like home. A Yaqeen Institute survey of American converts found that masjids, imams and Muslim friendships matter a lot, and that converts need support long after the day they say the Shahada. Start small: one class, one friendly face, one regular visit. If the loneliness turns into hopelessness, please talk to someone now. In Canada, call 911 in an emergency, or call or text 9-8-8.

How do I know who I can trust for help?

Start with organisations, not individuals you just met. A good sign is an organisation that has a public program page, an office phone or email, and is happy for you to ask other teachers too. Be careful with anyone who asks for money, wants to rush you into marriage, tells you to keep things secret, or tries to cut you off from family or other Muslims. For non-religious needs such as housing, food or counselling in Ontario, 211 is confidential and answered 24/7 (call or text 2-1-1). For religious rulings about your own situation, ask a qualified local imam.

Is there a program for new Muslims in Ottawa?

Yes. Islam Care Centre in downtown Ottawa (currently at 375 Somerset St. W) runs a free weekly program called Convert Care, which it describes as covering the basics new Muslims need to know. Its page says it meets every Wednesday at 6:00 pm. Schedules change, so call the centre at (613) 232-0210 before your first visit. You are welcome to go just to listen.

I went to the masjid and nobody talked to me. Did I do something wrong?

Almost certainly not. Communities are made of ordinary people, and sometimes they are busy, shy, or do not realise you are new. New Muslim Academy puts it simply: communities are imperfect, and your faith does not depend on how one group received you. Try again at a quieter time, introduce yourself to the office or the imam, or ask whether the masjid has a new Muslim program. If one place does not feel right, it is fine to try another.

Can I talk to a Muslim counsellor?

Yes. Several Canadian organisations offer faith-aware support. Naseeha runs a Muslim youth helpline at 1 (866) 627-3342. Nisa Helpline offers free peer support for women and girls 14 and up at +1 888 711 6472, 8 am to midnight Eastern. For ongoing therapy, Khalil Center (online, 416-901-2244) and Muslim Family Services of Ottawa (613-562-2273) have professional counsellors; ask about fees and insurance. None of these replace 911 or 9-8-8 in an emergency. Before you book, ask for the counsellor's registration number and check it with your provincial college.

There is so much to learn. How do I keep from feeling overwhelmed?

You do not have to learn everything at once. Pick one thing at a time, usually prayer first, and let the rest wait. Self-paced courses such as New Muslim Academy let you start when you are ready and go at your own speed, and they have forums where you can ask questions. If someone hands you a long list of rules on your first day, it is fine to say you are taking it step by step. Going slowly and steadily is better than burning out. On a week when it all feels like too much, the New Muslim basics page has a plan for hard weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to the questions new Muslims ask most. Each answer lists its sources, and many link to a fuller page.

General answers, not personal rulings

Where scholars differ, we say so without choosing for you. For your own situation, a qualified teacher or imam who knows you is the right person to ask.

Belief and becoming Muslim

38 questions

What do the words of the Shahada actually mean?
The Shahada has two parts. 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah' means 'I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah.' It says two things at once: you turn away from worshipping anything else, and you give your worship to Allah alone. 'Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah' means 'and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' He was a human being, not divine, and you accept him as the final messenger whose example shows you how to live and worship. You do not need to understand every detail on day one. Knowing this core meaning is enough to start.
Read more: Declare your faith (Shahada)
Sources
Official organization Beginner guide Beginner education Hadith reference
I said the Shahada on my own, with nobody there. Am I really Muslim?
Yes. Scholars explain that witnesses are not needed for your Shahada to be valid between you and Allah. If you believed it and said it sincerely, you are Muslim, even if you were alone. Witnesses and a certificate are about the community recognising you, for example for a marriage at a masjid or for Hajj later. If you would like that, you can say the Shahada again at a local masjid whenever you are ready. There is no rush.
Read more: Declare your faith (Shahada)
Sources
Scholar answer Official organization
Do I need a Shahada certificate?
You do not need a certificate to be Muslim. Some people ask for one later because it can be needed for a marriage at a masjid, for Umrah or Hajj applications, or other paperwork. Some masjids issue a certificate signed by their imam on request. Ask your local masjid office whether they do this and what they need from you.
Read more: Find a masjid
Sources
Scholar answer Official masjid source
What are the five pillars of Islam?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Islam is built on five things. They are: the Shahada (declaring your faith), Salah (the five daily prayers), Zakat (a yearly charity paid by those with enough savings), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), and Hajj (the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime, for those who are able). Think of them as the pillars that hold up a building. You have already stood up the first one by saying the Shahada. Prayer is the next one to work on. Zakat and Hajj only apply when your circumstances require them.
Where scholars differ: How zakat is calculated differs between the schools. Our zakat guide covers the details.
Read more: The five pillars
Sources
Hadith reference Official organization Beginner guide Hadith reference Hadith reference
I have said the Shahada. What comes next?Awaiting scholar review
The step after the Shahada is prayer. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent a companion to teach people, he told him to teach the Shahada first, and once they accepted it, to teach the five daily prayers. Prayer needs a simple wash first (wudu), and many scholars also advise a full-body wash (ghusl) after becoming Muslim. So a gentle order is: understand your Shahada, learn wudu, then learn one short prayer and build from there. You do not need to learn everything this week.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on whether ghusl after becoming Muslim is required or recommended.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ease into prayer
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Beginner guide Hadith reference
Do I have to do all five pillars straight away?
No. The Shahada is done. Prayer is the pillar to start learning now, one step at a time. Fasting comes when Ramadan arrives. Zakat only applies once your savings are above a set minimum, and our zakat guide explains how that works. Hajj is only required once in a lifetime, and only if you are physically and financially able. So for most new Muslims, the real focus in the first weeks is faith and prayer.
Where scholars differ: The way the zakat minimum (nisab) is worked out differs. Our zakat guide covers the details.
Read more: New Muslim basics
Sources
Official organization Scholar answer Hadith reference
What do Muslims believe? What are the six articles of faith?
When the angel Jibril (Gabriel) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) what faith is, he answered with six things: belief in Allah, His angels, His revealed books, His messengers, the Last Day, and Allah's decree of good and bad. Many of these will already feel familiar if you grew up Christian or Jewish, such as angels, prophets and a day of judgement. You can learn each one slowly. Our Core beliefs page walks through them.
Read more: Core beliefs
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Hadith reference Beginner guide
What is shirk, and why do Muslims take it so seriously?Awaiting scholar review
Shirk means giving any part of worship, or any quality that belongs only to God, to someone or something else. Worship includes prayer, calling on someone for help beyond human ability, and devotion. Islam's central message, and the message of all the prophets, is that worship belongs to Allah alone. The Quran calls shirk the gravest wrong. It also makes clear that Allah forgives anyone who turns away from it, so this is about where you are heading, not about punishing yourself over the past.
Where scholars differ: Scholars agree on the core meaning. They describe the lesser forms in different ways.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Core beliefs: worshipping Allah alone
Sources
Research education Beginner guide Hadith reference Quran source Quran source Quran source
I used to pray to Jesus. Was that wrong, and will I be punished for it?Awaiting scholar review
Many people who come to Islam from Christianity ask this. Muslims love and honour Jesus (peace be upon him) as one of the greatest prophets, and the Quran describes him saying, 'I am the servant of Allah.' From now on, Muslims direct prayer to Allah alone, not to Jesus, Mary or the saints, and not 'in Jesus's name.' What you did before Islam is forgiven: the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Islam wipes out what came before it, and the Quran says past wrongs are forgiven for those who stop. You do not need to carry guilt about the past. Just turn to Allah directly now.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Core beliefs: worshipping Allah alone
Sources
Beginner education Research education Hadith reference Beginner guide Quran source Quran source Quran source
What happens to the sins I committed before I became Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
They are wiped away. When the companion Amr ibn al-As hesitated to accept Islam because of his past, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked him, 'Are you not aware that Islam wipes out all the previous misdeeds?' The Quran also says that for those who repent, believe and do good, Allah replaces their bad deeds with good ones. You are starting with a clean page. If someone you wronged is still owed something, such as money, it is good to make that right when you can.
Where scholars differ: Scholars discuss whether rights owed to other people, such as debts, are cancelled. The last sentence follows the cautious view.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Your first day as a Muslim
Sources
Hadith reference Official organization Quran source Quran source
Will the good things I did before Islam count for anything?
Yes. A companion named Hakim ibn Hizam asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the charity and kindness to family he had done before becoming Muslim. The Prophet told him, 'You became Muslim with all those good deeds.' So your past kindness is not lost.
Read more: Your first day as a Muslim
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference
I have made mistakes since becoming Muslim. How do I repent?
Tawbah (repentance) means turning back to Allah. It has three simple parts: feel sorry for what you did, stop doing it, and sincerely intend not to return to it. If you wronged a person, try to put it right with them. You can repent at any time, in your own words and in any language. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told us Allah is more pleased with a servant's repentance than a traveller who finds his lost camel in the desert. Slipping again does not close the door; keep coming back. If you have been away for a while, the guide on coming back after a break can help.
Read more: Supplication and remembrance (dua and dhikr)
Sources
Research education Hadith reference Hadith reference Official organization
I believe, but I am not praying five times a day yet. Am I still a Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. You became Muslim through your belief and your Shahada. Islam then asks you to put that belief into practice, and prayer is the most important practice, so it is worth working towards steadily. Scholars who guide converts advise doing what you can now, without deliberately neglecting prayer, and adding more as you learn. Pray the prayers you can, learn the rest step by step, and ask for help when you need it. Growth is expected, not instant perfection.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on the legal status of someone who stops praying altogether. This answer is about a learner who is working towards prayer, and gives no ruling on that question.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ease into prayer
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference Beginner education Quran source
Do I have to change my name?
No. Most companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) kept their names. You only need to change a name if its meaning goes against Islam, for example a name meaning 'servant of the Messiah' or a name that belongs only to God, or if it has a bad meaning. You should keep your family name, as Islam values staying connected to your father's lineage. Some people like to take an Arabic name as a nickname or a legal change, and that is fine too, but it is your choice.
Read more: Identity and culture guide
Sources
Official organization Hadith reference Beginner education
Do I have to be circumcised? (for men)Awaiting scholar review
You do not need to be circumcised to become Muslim, and your Shahada is valid either way. After that, schools of Islamic law differ: some consider male circumcision strongly recommended, others consider it required. For an adult, health matters too, so talk to a doctor as well as a qualified scholar before deciding anything. Please do not let this worry stop you from praying or coming to the masjid.
Where scholars differ: The Maliki school treats it as a sunnah, and other sources treat it as required.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: How to ask for help
Sources
Scholar answer Beginner education Hadith reference
Do I have to tell people that I am Muslim?
No. Announcing your conversion is not a condition of being Muslim. You can take your time and decide who to tell, when, and how. Many converts start with one person they trust. If you think telling someone could put you at risk, your safety comes first; our family guide has safety resources.
Read more: Family and friends guide
Sources
Beginner education Scholar answer
Do I have to know Arabic to be Muslim?
No. Not knowing Arabic does not make you any less Muslim, and most Muslims in the world are not Arabic speakers. Your dua (personal prayers) can be in English or any language. The five daily prayers include a few short Arabic passages, mainly Surah al-Fatiha, and you can learn these a little at a time. Until you know them, scholars describe ways to pray while you learn; see the next question.
Read more: Ease into prayer
Sources
Scholar answer Official organization Quran source
Is saying the Shahada enough, or do I need to do something else to become Muslim?
Sincerely believing and saying the Shahada is what makes you Muslim. There is no baptism-like ceremony, no fee, and no requirement to have a certificate, change your name, or learn Arabic first. Everything else, like prayer and learning the Quran, is part of living as a Muslim and comes step by step after that.
Read more: Declare your faith (Shahada)
Sources
Official organization Scholar answer Official organization Scholar answer Hadith reference
There is so much to learn. Where do I even start?
You do not have to learn everything at once. In your first days, the basics are your belief in one God, the Shahada, and learning to pray. After that, add one thing at a time: Al-Fatihah and a few short chapters, then the meaning of what you recite, then fasting and daily life. The Prophet said the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it is small. Five focused minutes a day is a real start. Self-paced courses such as New Muslim Academy let you start when you are ready and go at your own speed, and they have forums where you can ask questions. If someone hands you a long list of rules on your first day, it is fine to say you are taking it step by step. You have a lifetime to keep learning.
Read more: New Muslim basics
Sources
Hadith reference Beginner education Beginner education Beginner education
How can I tell if an online source about Islam is reliable?
Ask three questions. Who wrote it, and are they a named scholar or an established organisation? Does it give its evidence, such as a Quran verse with chapter and verse, or a hadith with its collection and number? And does it say how strong that hadith is? Scholars sort hadith by their chain of narrators into grades such as sahih (authentic) and da'if (weak). Be careful with quote images, anonymous posts, videos that tell you to reject all teachers except one, and anything that makes you feel afraid or rushed. When in doubt, take the question to a qualified local imam. The same checks apply to AI chatbots and short videos. An AI tool can invent a reference or ignore the differences between the schools, so open any verse on Quran.com and any hadith on Sunnah.com and look for its grade, and treat anything you cannot find as unverified. A short clip is not a fatwa, so ask who is speaking and what was left out. The Quran tells believers to check news before acting on it (49:6).
Read more: Questions and doubts
Sources
Beginner education Beginner education Quran source Quran source Research preprint
Should I sign up for a course? Which one?
You do not need a course in your first week. Once you are praying and feel a little settled, a free structured course can give you a clear order to follow. New Muslim Academy is free and made for people who have just become Muslim, starting with wudu and prayer. You need a free account to use it. SeekersGuidance runs free Level One live classes. Pick one course at a time and finish it before starting another. If a course asks for money up front, pushes you to cut off other teachers, or wants personal details that seem unnecessary, pause and ask someone you trust.
Read more: Keep learning
Sources
Beginner education Scholar answer Beginner education
I had a terrible thought about Allah. Am I still Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. When companions of the Prophet told him about thoughts too awful to say, he answered, 'That is the faith manifest' (Sahih Muslim 132a). Allah forgives what passes through the mind as long as it is not acted on or spoken (Sahih al-Bukhari 2528). Seek refuge with Allah, say 'Amantu billah' (I believe in Allah), and turn to something else (Sahih al-Bukhari 3276). You do not need to say the Shahada again. If these thoughts take up hours of your day, talk to a doctor or therapist as well as an imam, because this can be a form of OCD.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Questions and doubts: Am I still Muslim?
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Hadith reference Hadith reference Hadith reference Scholar answer Scholar answer Clinical information
I said the Shahada online or on a video call. Does it count?Awaiting scholar review
A SeekersGuidance answer by Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan says a Shahada said through an online service is valid. Saying it again with a local imam is not required, although the answer calls it 'undoubtedly desired'. It also advises you to connect with a local community and introduce yourself to someone who leads it. If you later need a certificate, for example for a marriage at a masjid, the masjid can witness your Shahada then.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Say the Shahada
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
I became Muslim while planning to marry a Muslim. Does my Shahada count?Awaiting scholar review
What counts is that you believe. In a SeekersGuidance answer, Ustadha Shazia Ahmad writes, 'Marriage being the motivating factor is not a problem.' She is just as clear that belief has to be real: 'If she doesn't fundamentally believe in it, she should not say she does.' In the Prophet's time, Abu Talhah became Muslim when he proposed to Umm Sulaym, and she accepted his Islam as her dowry (Sunan an-Nasa'i 3341, graded hasan). Ask yourself honestly whether you believe there is one God and that Muhammad is His messenger. Questions about whether a particular marriage is valid belong with a local imam or scholar.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Relationships and marriage basics
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference Scholar answer
My partner or their family is pushing me to convert. What should I do?Awaiting scholar review
Nobody can be made to believe. The Quran says there is no compulsion in religion (2:256). Ustadha Shazia Ahmad (SeekersGuidance) says someone who does not truly believe should not say they do, and suggests taking time, around a year, to learn before marrying. Take the time you need, and learn before a wedding date is set. Talk privately to someone outside the relationship, such as an imam who is not connected to the family. If you feel controlled or unsafe, read the red flags guide, and if you are in danger, call 911.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer
I have a Bible, a cross or statues from before. What do I do with them?Awaiting scholar review
Books are the part with a clear answer. A SeekersGuidance answer by Ustadh Farid Dingle says owning books of other religions is not sinful in itself; the concern is only if reading them is likely to pull you away from faith. Anything borrowed, such as a church's copy, goes back to its owner. For crosses, rosaries, statues and family heirlooms we did not find a scholarly answer, so ask a teacher before you decide. Until then there is no need to break, burn or throw out anything, and you can ask a relative whether they would like a family item. The Quran tells Muslims not to insult what others worship (6:108).
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Core beliefs: worshipping Allah alone
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
How do I tell what is Islam and what is someone's culture?
When you hear a new rule, ask where it comes from: the Quran, the Sunnah, or one community's custom. Many customs are good, and you are free to enjoy them, but a custom is not an obligation. A teacher can show you the difference and the source. The Prophet told his companions to make things easy for people and not to drive them away (Sahih al-Bukhari 69). Not every fatwa you find online was written for your situation, so bring the question to someone who knows you.
Read more: New Muslim basics: what can wait
Sources
Hadith reference
Are all sins equally serious?Awaiting scholar review
No. The Quran says that if you avoid the major sins you are forbidden, Allah will remove your lesser misdeeds (4:31). The Prophet named seven destructive sins, among them associating partners with Allah, practising magic and killing someone unlawfully (Sahih al-Bukhari 6857). Scholars' lists of major sins differ in length, so this answer uses only that hadith. Treating a missed recommended (Sunnah) act as if it were a major sin is a common early worry. Any sin, even a serious one, is a reason to repent, not proof that you have left Islam.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: How do I repent?
Sources
Quran source Hadith reference Scholar answer
Talks about punishment frighten me. How do I hold hope and fear together?Awaiting scholar review
Hold both, and do not let fear crowd out hope. Allah says, 'My mercy encompasses all things' (7:156), and He tells those who have wronged themselves not to despair of His mercy (39:53). In a hadith qudsi Allah says, 'I am just as My slave thinks I am' (Sahih al-Bukhari 7405). In another, He says that if you came to Him with sins nearly as great as the earth, without associating anything with Him, He would meet you with forgiveness nearly as great (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3540, graded hasan). For every talk you hear about punishment, listen to one about mercy. Bring anxious questions to a teacher rather than a search engine late at night.
Read more: Core beliefs: the afterlife and accountability
Sources
Quran source Hadith reference Hadith reference Quran source
Do I have to follow one school of law (madhhab)?Awaiting scholar review
Not as a first step. A beginner does well to learn one reliable method from one teacher and stay with it, and most people end up following the school of their teacher or local masjid. The four Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali) agree on the foundations and differ on details. What causes trouble is picking the easiest opinion from each school to suit yourself.
Where scholars differ: Scholars phrase the duty to follow a school in different ways. Some present following one recognised school as the norm for a layperson. Following one teacher consistently fits either view.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Why Muslims differ
Sources
Scholarly source Scholarly source
People at my masjid use labels like Salafi or Sufi. Which one is right?Awaiting scholar review
These are movements or tendencies among Sunni Muslims, not separate religions, and you do not need to join any of them. The Amman Message, a 2005 declaration signed by scholars from many countries, says followers of true Salafi thought and genuine Sufism may not be declared outside Islam. Keep to the basics with one trusted teacher. If a group tells you most other Muslims are not real Muslims, or asks you to cut people off, step back.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Why Muslims differ
Sources
Scholarly source Scholarly source
Two websites give different answers. Can I pick the one I like?Awaiting scholar review
Not by preference. Where scholars differ, the difference comes from careful reasoning, and the answer that suits your mood is not the test. Always choosing the strictest answer is not the test either. Note who wrote each answer and which school it follows, then ask your teacher which applies to you. A fatwa answers one person's situation and may not fit yours.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Why Muslims differ
Sources
Scholarly source Scholarly source
A relative who was not Muslim has died. What do I say to my family, and is it wrong to grieve?Awaiting scholar review
Grieving is not wrong. The Prophet wept when his son died and said the heart grieves (Sahih al-Bukhari 1303). With your family, ordinary words of comfort are fine, and a SeekersGuidance Hanafi answer says customary condolences are allowed. You could say, "I am so sorry. She loved all of us, and I will miss her." Never tell grieving relatives where their loved one will end up. Stay close to your family after the funeral, too.
Read more: Grief and loss
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Hadith reference Scholar answer
Can I pray for my parent who died without being Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars answer this differently. The Quran says believers should not ask forgiveness for polytheists once it is clear they are bound for the Fire (Quran 9:113), and scholars explain what that covers. Many scholars, for example in SeekersGuidance answers, say you do not formally ask forgiveness for a relative who died outside Islam, but you may hope that Allah put faith in their heart and ask that they receive what is best. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta says the verse applies only where a person's fate is certain, and allows a child to ask forgiveness for a parent who may never have received the message properly. Allah alone judges, and He knows your parent better than anyone.
Where scholars differ: SeekersGuidance answers: no formal prayer for forgiveness, but hope and a prayer that they receive what is best are allowed. Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (fatwa 5934): a child may ask forgiveness for a parent who may not have received the message properly.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Grief and loss
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
Will my family who are not Muslim go to Hell? What can I pray for them?Awaiting scholar review
Muslims do not declare where any individual will end up. The Quran says Allah does not punish a people until a messenger has reached them (Quran 17:15). Dr. Jonathan Brown explains for Yaqeen Institute that scholars such as al-Ghazali asked whether a person heard about Islam reliably and accurately, and that the tradition teaches restraint in judging anyone. For living family, pray for their guidance and wellbeing: when a tribe refused Islam and people asked the Prophet to curse them, he prayed for their guidance instead (Sahih al-Bukhari 2937). Leave the fate of those who have died to Allah, and talk to an imam, or a counsellor if the worry is heavy.
Where scholars differ: Brown describes the Maturidi view that reason alone makes a person responsible for believing in a Creator, and the view of other schools that no one is held responsible without revelation. Views also differ on how people who never truly heard the message are judged.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Core beliefs
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer Hadith reference
What do SAW, PBUH, SWT, RA and AS mean?
They are short forms of blessings Muslims say after certain names. SAW and PBUH both stand for sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, "peace and blessings be upon him", said after the Prophet Muhammad's name because the Quran tells believers to send blessings on him. SWT stands for subhanahu wa ta'ala, "glorified and exalted is He", said after Allah's name. AS stands for alayhis-salam, "peace be upon him", which Muslims usually say after other prophets such as Jesus, Moses and Abraham, and after angels such as Gabriel. RA stands for radiyallahu anhu (anha for a woman), "may Allah be pleased with him", said after the Companions, and its wording comes from Quran 9:100. You may also hear rahimahullah, "may Allah have mercy on him", said about a Muslim who has died.
Read more: Everyday phrases
Sources
Quran source Quran source
Do I have to say "peace be upon him" every time, and is writing PBUH wrong?Awaiting scholar review
When you hear or read the Prophet's name, say sallallahu alayhi wa sallam or "peace be upon him", quietly or in your heart. A hadith in at-Tirmidhi calls the person who hears his name and sends no blessing stingy. The phrase is a blessing, not part of his name, and SAW is not the English word "saw". In writing, Imam al-Nawawi recommended writing the blessing in full, and a Hanafi mufti on SeekersGuidance advises against short forms such as SAW. Write it out when you can, but nobody should shame you for PBUH in a quick message. This site writes "peace be upon him" in English because it puts plain English first.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: The Prophet Muhammad
Sources
Quran source Hadith reference Scholar answer
Who counts as a shaykh or a mufti, and who should I ask about my own life?
Titles are not regulated, and each seminary sets its own standards. Qalam Institute in the US, for example, uses shaykh for a graduate of higher Islamic study with years of teaching, mufti for someone licensed to give rulings (fatwas), and ustadh for a graduate starting to teach, and it says other institutes may use the words differently. Some people call an older man shaykh out of respect, and some give themselves a title. An imam leads the prayer and often teaches, but there is no go-between in Islam, so you do not need an imam to pray or to repent. For a ruling about your own life, ask an imam or scholar linked to an established masjid or institute, and it is fine to ask where they studied. If you are unsure what to call someone, "brother" or "sister" is always fine.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
Sources
Seminary page Article Beginner guide

Back to the topic list

Prayer (salah)

30 questions

What are the five daily prayers called, and when do I pray them?Awaiting scholar review
The five daily prayers are Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (just after midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset) and Isha (night). Each one has a window: Fajr runs from dawn until sunrise, Dhuhr until Asr starts, Asr until sunset, Maghrib until Isha starts, and Isha until the middle of the night for most purposes. You can pray any time inside the window, so you do not need to be exact to the minute. The times move every day with the sun, so use a timetable from your local masjid or the prayer times page on this site.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on when Asr begins (the Hanafi start is later) and on the latest time for Isha.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Understanding prayer (salah)
Sources
Beginner education Quran source Quran source
How many units (rak'ahs) does each prayer have?Awaiting scholar review
A rak'ah is one cycle of standing, bowing and two prostrations. Fajr has 2, Dhuhr has 4, Asr has 4, Maghrib has 3 and Isha has 4. That makes 17 obligatory units a day. Many Muslims also pray extra voluntary units around these, but those can wait while you learn.
Where scholars differ: Scholars agree on the obligatory counts. On a journey, Dhuhr, Asr and Isha can be shortened to two rak'ahs; the prayer topic explains the rules in each school.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Beginner education Beginner education Beginner education
Why do different apps and masjids show different prayer times?Awaiting scholar review
Fajr and Isha depend on how dark the sky is, and scholars and astronomers measure that in different ways. Apps use different settings, called calculation methods, such as ISNA (15 degrees) or Muslim World League (18 degrees for Fajr). The Fiqh Council of North America says no single method is exact for every place, and suggests that people who can observe dawn and dusk may add a few minutes of caution, as a recommendation, not a requirement. Differences between methods can be large, sometimes more than an hour in summer in Canada, and they are not a sign that you prayed wrongly. If you pray with a local masjid, following its timetable keeps things simple.
Where scholars differ: 13, 15 and 18 degree settings and seasonal methods are all in use.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Prayer times
Sources
Prayer times reference Prayer times reference Prayer times reference
Which prayer time method should I use in Canada?Awaiting scholar review
The Fiqh Council of North America published a recommendation of 13 degrees for Fajr and Isha in Canada, while its newer article describes 15 degrees as a good middle approximation. Some communities use the Moonsighting Committee method, which changes with the season. The simplest choice is to follow the timetable of the masjid you attend.
Where scholars differ: Methods differ, and the two Fiqh Council of North America articles do not agree on Canada.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Prayer times
Sources
Prayer times reference Prayer times reference Prayer times reference Prayer times reference
I live far north and in summer Isha is very late and Fajr is very early. What do I do?Awaiting scholar review
Above roughly 48.5 degrees of latitude (for the 18 degree setting), the summer sky may never get dark enough for the usual Fajr and Isha settings. Calculation methods handle this in different ways, for example by using seasonal estimates or a portion of the night. Ask your local masjid which timetable it follows. This is a question to take to your local imam, and it is a known situation, not a mistake on your part. For long summer fasts, see the question on fasting in the far north in the Ramadan section.
Where scholars differ: Several methods exist for high latitudes.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Prayer times
Sources
Prayer times reference Prayer times reference
I can't read or recite Arabic yet. Can I still pray?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. Many people start praying before they can read a single Arabic letter, and scholars describe ways to pray while you learn. One widely taught option is to say simple Arabic phrases of remembrance in place of the recitation you have not memorised yet, such as SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater). A hadith reports the Prophet teaching these words to a man who said he could not memorise any Quran, and SeekersGuidance says this approach is valid in the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools. Meanwhile, learn the opening chapter (Al-Fatiha) a line at a time by listening and repeating. All four schools recite it in Arabic in prayer, though they differ on its exact legal status. Allah does not ask a soul for more than it can bear (Quran 2:286). Ask a local imam which option to follow.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school also accepts reciting the meaning in your own language for someone who cannot yet recite Arabic. The Shafi'i school uses Arabic remembrance phrases instead and, failing that, standing silently. The Maliki and Hanbali schools hold that recitation in another language is not valid.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Beginner education Hadith reference Quran source Quran source Scholar answer
Can I say my prayer in English?Awaiting scholar review
The schools of law answer this differently. In the Hanafi school, someone who cannot yet recite Arabic, such as a new Muslim, may recite a translation of Quran verses. The Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools do not accept recitation in another language. A SeekersGuidance answer calls short Arabic phrases of remembrance, like SubhanAllah, the more cautious option because it is valid in both the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools. Whatever you do for now, keep learning the Arabic of Al-Fatiha gradually.
Where scholars differ: The schools answer this differently, as described above.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Scholar answer
Can I read the words from a card or my phone while I pray?Awaiting scholar review
You can practise with a printed card before and after prayer. Reading from a book or screen during the prayer itself is a point of difference: the Hanafi school counts holding a Quran and reading from it in prayer as strongly disliked, while some beginner courses suggest reading from paper for a short time while memorising. A safe middle path is to memorise the short phrases first and use a card only outside prayer. Ask your local imam what your school allows.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school dislikes reading from a mushaf in prayer. The Shafi'i school allows a learner to read al-Fatiha from a mushaf in prayer.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Scholar answer Beginner education
What is the simplest prayer I can start with this week?Awaiting scholar review
Start with the shape. Stand facing the qibla and say Allahu Akbar. Say what you know (a short phrase of remembrance if you do not know Al-Fatiha yet), bow, stand up, prostrate twice with a short sitting in between. That is one rak'ah. When the Prophet taught a man who prayed badly, he told him to recite what he knew of the Quran and to be calm and settled in each position. Calm and settled matters more than speed.
Where scholars differ: What to say while you learn depends on the view in the question about praying before you know any Arabic.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ease into prayer
Sources
Beginner education Hadith reference
How do I build up from one rak'ah to the full five prayers?Awaiting scholar review
Go in small steps. Pray all five daily prayers in the simple form while you learn. The steps below are about what you say and add, not which prayers you pray. First learn the positions and the phrases said in each. Then pray Fajr, which is two rak'ahs, with the phrases you know. Next add the sitting and the tashahhud after the second rak'ah, then learn how a three-unit prayer (Maghrib) and a four-unit prayer (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha) continue after that sitting. Replace the phrases of remembrance with Al-Fatiha and a short surah as you memorise them. Each step is a real prayer, not a rehearsal.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ease into prayer
Sources
Beginner education Beginner education Beginner education Beginner education
What do I say in each position of the prayer?Awaiting scholar review
Opening: Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater). Standing: Al-Fatiha, then a short surah. Bowing (ruku): Subhana Rabbiyal Azim (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great). Rising: Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears whoever praises Him), then Rabbana wa lakal hamd (Our Lord, to You is praise). Prostration (sujud): Subhana Rabbiyal A'la (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High). Sitting between prostrations: Rabbighfir li (My Lord, forgive me). Final sitting: the tashahhud, then blessings on the Prophet, then As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah to the right and left.
Where scholars differ: Wording varies slightly between narrations and schools, for example in the tashahhud. Several authentic wordings exist, so follow your teacher.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Beginner education Hadith reference Hadith reference Hadith reference
Do I have to make up the prayers from before I became Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
No. Prayers from before you became Muslim are not owed. Some scholars, for example in the Hanafi school, say a convert who had no idea yet that prayer was an obligation is not held to make up that time. Once you know, the aim is to start praying, even in a simple form, rather than waiting until you feel ready.
Where scholars differ: Scholars agree that prayers from before Islam are not owed. The point about not yet knowing prayer was an obligation is a Hanafi position, and schools may differ.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Understanding prayer (salah)
Sources
Scholar answer
I missed a prayer. What should I do now?Awaiting scholar review
Pray it as soon as you remember, then carry on with your day. The Prophet said that whoever forgets a prayer should pray it when they remember it. If you have missed many prayers since becoming Muslim, a teacher can help you set a small, steady make-up plan. Missing prayers is a reason to return, not a reason to give up.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on deliberately missed prayers and on praying sunnah prayers while making up.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Coming back after a break
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer
I made a mistake in my prayer. Do I have to start again?Awaiting scholar review
Usually not. For many mistakes, such as forgetting how many rak'ahs you prayed or adding or missing a part, there are two extra prostrations called sujud al-sahw (the prostration of forgetfulness). Authentic reports mention them both before and after the closing salam, and the schools teach slightly different methods. While you are new, finish calmly and ask a teacher about the specific mistake afterwards.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on whether these prostrations come before or after the salam, and on what calls for them.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Scholar answer Beginner education Hadith reference Hadith reference
I can't stand, bow or prostrate because of pain or disability. How do I pray?Awaiting scholar review
Pray in the way your body allows. The Prophet told a man with an illness to pray standing, and if he could not, sitting, and if he could not, lying on his side. If you cannot prostrate, you can lower your head a little for bowing and a bit more for prostration. Using a chair is allowed when you need it. Allah does not ask a soul for more than it can bear.
Where scholars differ: The details of using a chair differ between the schools.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
Do women pray differently from men?Awaiting scholar review
The prayer is the same prayer. Some schools teach small differences in posture for women, such as keeping the arms and body closer together in bowing and prostration. A SeekersGuidance scholar explains that these differences concern the best way, not whether the prayer counts. A woman who prays the way she was first shown has not prayed wrongly.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ, and some scholars teach no difference in form.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Understanding prayer (salah)
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Different videos show different hand positions. Who is right?Awaiting scholar review
Usually all of them. The four schools of law teach small differences, for example where the hands rest when standing and whether the hands are raised before bowing. These are well-established, recognised differences between the schools. Learn one reliable beginner method, stay with it, and ask a teacher before switching.
Where scholars differ: Hand positions differ by school.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Beginner education Scholar answer
Why do Muslims pray five times a day?
Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and a direct, daily connection with Allah. The Quran says prayer is set at fixed times and that it keeps a person away from wrongdoing. It also tells believers to seek help through patience and prayer. Many converts find that five short meetings with Allah give the day a calm structure.
Read more: Understanding prayer (salah)
Sources
Quran source Quran source Quran source Beginner education
Is there a good video to watch someone pray from start to finish?Awaiting scholar review
Watching someone pray helps a lot. New Muslim Academy has a short course with a video demonstration of wudu and prayer. Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem's official channel has a long lecture on the Prophet's prayer. Remember that teachers from different schools show small differences, and that is normal.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Salah companion
Sources
Beginner education Video
Someone said my prayer is wrong. What should I do?Awaiting scholar review
Thank them and stay calm. Then ask whether it is a difference between the schools or a real mistake. Many corrections, such as where your hands rest, are recognised differences between the schools. Take the point to your teacher before you change anything.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Why Muslims differ
Sources
Scholarly source Scholarly source
I am Deaf, blind, autistic or have an intellectual disability. What does Islam ask of me?Awaiting scholar review
Allah does not ask a soul for more than it can bear (Quran 2:286), so what is asked of you follows what you are able to do. You do not have to worship in exactly the same physical way as everyone else. Deaf Muslims of Canada helps organisers book ASL interpreters for events, and ISDHH, a US group, offers ASL classes and khutbah interpretation. For your own situation, or your child's, ask a qualified teacher, because the details depend on the person.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: First masjid visit guide
Sources
Quran source Community organisation Community organisation
Do women have to go to Friday prayer?Awaiting scholar review
No. A hadith names women, children, the sick and slaves as people Friday prayer is not obligatory on (Sunan Abi Dawud 1067, graded Sahih by al-Albani), and a Hanafi text we link adds travellers. Women are welcome to attend, and if they do, it takes the place of Dhuhr that day. Otherwise, pray Dhuhr as usual. Missing Jumu'ah is nothing to feel guilty about.
Where scholars differ: The sources we opened are the hadith and a Hanafi text. Who counts as a traveller differs between the schools.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Go to your first Friday prayer
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer
Friday prayer falls in my work hours. What should I do?Awaiting scholar review
Friday prayer is an obligation for adult men, and the Quran tells believers to leave trade and go when the Friday call is made (62:9). Start by asking your employer for the time: Canadian human rights law protects religion, and modified hours for religious practice are one example of accommodation (general information, not legal advice). The work and school guide explains how to ask. A Hanafi answer we link is strict: it says it is not permitted to take up a job where you regularly cannot attend Friday prayer. If you cannot get the time, speak to a scholar about your situation.
Where scholars differ: Scholars weigh work pressure differently, so get an answer for your own case.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Quran reference Scholar answer Public rights source
I'm driving a long way to see family. Do I shorten my prayers?Awaiting scholar review
Probably, once the trip is long enough. Allah allows shortening on a journey (Quran 4:101): Dhuhr, Asr and Isha become two rak'ahs, while Fajr and Maghrib stay the same. In the Hanafi answer we link, the trip must be at least about 77 km and the stay under 15 days, and shortening is then required. In the Shafi'i answer it is more than about 79 to 80 km past your city's limits and a stay of under four days, not counting travel days. Pick one school's rules with a teacher and keep to them.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on the distance, how long you can stay, whether shortening is required, and whether you can combine prayers. AMJA gives no fixed number of days.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Praying while travelling
Sources
Quran reference Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
How do I pray on a plane?Awaiting scholar review
Pray when the prayer time comes in during the flight. The Hanafi answer we link says to stand, bow and prostrate if there is space. If you can only pray seated, moving your head for bowing and prostration, it says to repeat that prayer when you land. Face the qibla as best you can. If the flight is long enough to count as travel, you can also shorten the four-rak'ah prayers.
Where scholars differ: This is the Hanafi answer. Some schools also allow combining prayers on a journey, which can help with timing.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Praying while travelling
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
I slept through Fajr again. What now?
Pray it as soon as you wake up. The Prophet said there is no negligence in sleep, and that the person should pray when they become aware of it (Sahih Muslim 681). A forgotten prayer is prayed when you remember it, with nothing else owed (Sahih Muslim 684a). Oversleeping does not make you a hypocrite. A few tips, not rulings: go to bed earlier, put the alarm on the other side of the room, or ask a friend to call you.
Read more: Start praying five times a day
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference
I work night shifts or long hospital shifts. Can I combine prayers?Awaiting scholar review
Start by asking for a short break at the right time; AMJA's answer on night shifts says to arrange to pray on time at work. Two AMJA answers allow combining for real hardship at work, citing the hadith in which the Prophet combined prayers in Madinah without fear or travel (Sahih Muslim 705a). They allow it as a temporary measure, not a daily habit. The Hanafi school does not allow two prayers in one time outside Hajj: a Hanafi can pray one prayer at the end of its time and the next at the start of its time, and may follow another school's combining only if every condition of that school is met. Ask a teacher which option your school gives before you start.
Where scholars differ: AMJA allows temporary combining for hardship. The Hanafi school allows only praying at the end of one time and the start of the next. We have not yet checked the Shafi'i and Maliki answers on work hardship.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference Scholar answer
Is it okay to pray at the very end of the prayer time?Awaiting scholar review
A prayer prayed anywhere inside its time counts. The Prophet named prayer at its time as the deed Allah loves most (Sahih al-Bukhari 527), so try not to leave it to the last minutes, and do not leave Asr until the sun turns yellow. A prayer prayed before its time has begun does not count, so wait for the time to come in.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on the best part of each window. The Hanafi school, for example, prefers praying Fajr once the sky has grown light and delaying Isha, so 'as early as possible' is not agreed by everyone.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Prayer times
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Quran reference
Do I need a prayer mat or special clothes to pray?Awaiting scholar review
No. Any clean surface works, and a towel or a jacket laid on the floor is fine. Your clothes need to be clean and cover what your school requires: for men at least from the navel to the knee, and for women the whole body except the face and hands, including the hair (Sunan Abi Dawud 641). Ordinary work clothes are fine if they do that. Many sisters keep a scarf or a one-piece prayer garment in their bag.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school also leaves a woman's feet uncovered in prayer, though covering them is advised as a precaution. The Hanbali school asks a man to cover a shoulder in the obligatory prayer (Sahih al-Bukhari 359).
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Your prayer kit
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
My compass was a few degrees off from the qibla. Do I need to pray again?Awaiting scholar review
No. Face the Ka'bah as best you can (Quran 2:144). When you cannot be exact, the general direction is enough: the Prophet said, while in Madinah, "What is between the east and the west is qibla" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 344, graded Sahih by Darussalam), and scholars apply this to anyone far from the Ka'bah. Use the qibla finder or a compass app, and do not worry about small differences.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Find the qibla
Sources
Quran reference Hadith reference

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Washing before prayer (wudu) and the full-body wash (ghusl)

14 questions

Do I have to do a full-body wash (ghusl) because I became Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Many scholars say it is recommended, and some say it is required. In the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools it is recommended, but it becomes required if you were in a state that needs ghusl anyway, such as after sexual intimacy. The Maliki and Hanbali schools are reported to treat it as required in all cases. A hadith reports the Prophet telling a man who accepted Islam to bathe. Either way, doing it when you can is simple: wash with the intention of purifying yourself, and make sure water reaches your whole body.
Where scholars differ: Sources differ on the Hanbali position.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: The full-body wash (ghusl)
Sources
Educational article Scholar answer Hadith reference Beginner education
Is my Shahada valid if I haven't done ghusl yet?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. Scholars state that saying the two testimonies of faith with conviction is what makes a person Muslim, and that the wash is not a condition for that. Take the ghusl when you can, and before your first prayer. The question on ghusl after becoming Muslim explains when it is required.
Where scholars differ: Scholars agree the Shahada is valid. They differ only on whether the wash itself is required.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Declare your faith (Shahada)
Sources
Scholar answer Educational article
What breaks my wudu?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars agree that using the toilet and passing wind break wudu. Sleep and losing consciousness also break it, with some differences in detail. A hadith says prayer is not accepted from someone who has broken their wudu until they renew it. Some other things, such as bleeding, vomiting, touching your private parts or touching someone of the opposite sex, are treated differently by the four schools. If one of these comes up often for you, ask a teacher which view you follow.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on bleeding, vomiting, touching private parts and touching the opposite sex.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wudu and ghusl guide
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference
What if I can't use water because of illness, injury or no access?Awaiting scholar review
Islam has a dry alternative called tayammum. The Quran mentions it for people who are ill, travelling or cannot find water. You strike clean earth or a dusty natural surface lightly with your palms, then wipe your face and hands. Schools differ on the details: one method uses one strike and wipes the hands to the wrists, while the Hanafi method uses two strikes and wipes the arms to the elbows. Once you can use water again, you go back to wudu or ghusl.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on the method, as described above.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: When you cannot use water (tayammum)
Sources
Quran source Beginner education Scholar answer Hadith reference
What is the minimum I need to do for ghusl?Awaiting scholar review
The minimum is for water to reach your whole body, including the hair roots, with the intention of purifying yourself. The complete way taught from the Prophet's practice adds more: saying Bismillah, washing the hands, washing the private parts, making wudu, pouring water over the head three times, then the right side and the left. Doing the minimum makes your ghusl valid, and you can add the rest as you learn.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on some details, such as rinsing the mouth and nose.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wudu and ghusl guide
Sources
Beginner education
Can I make wudu while wearing nail polish?Awaiting scholar review
Regular nail polish stops water reaching your nails, so wudu made over it does not count. If you made wudu first and then put polish on, you can pray with that wudu. Before your next wudu, remove the polish.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wudu and ghusl guide
Sources
Scholar answer
In winter, can I wipe over my socks instead of washing my feet?Awaiting scholar review
Many scholars allow wiping over leather footwear or suitable socks, with conditions. They need to go on after a full wudu, and the permission lasts one day and night at home, or three days and nights when travelling. Schools differ on which socks count. The Hanafi school requires thick socks you could walk in and that water does not soak through. Others allow ordinary socks. Ask your imam which view your community follows.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on whether ordinary socks or only thick socks count.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wudu and ghusl guide
Sources
Beginner guide Scholar answer
I have a cast, a bandage or a disability. How do I make wudu? What if I cannot use water at all?Awaiting scholar review
Islam does not ask more of you than you can do. The Quran says Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear (2:286). Wash the parts you can. If a part of your wudu (washing before prayer) cannot get wet, the Hanafi school says you wipe it with a wet hand, and if that would hurt, you wipe over the bandage or cast, and if even that would cause harm you leave that part. The Shafi'i school also wipes over the cast but adds tayammum (a dry wash using clean earth) for that limb, and in some cases the prayer is repeated later. If water would harm you, or you truly cannot find any, tayammum takes the place of wudu: strike clean earth with your hands, wipe your face, then wipe your hands. The Quran gives this permission (5:6). For ghusl (the full-body wash) with an injury, catheter or insulin pump, the Shafi'i school says you wash what you can, wipe over what you cannot, and add tayammum. If you cannot do wudu or tayammum at all, even with help, you pray as best you can. The Hanafi school says a person who cannot pray in any way is excused. The Shafi'i school says the prayer is still due while the mind is clear, even if it is only followed in the heart. Your doctor's advice counts when judging harm. Please ask a local imam about your own situation.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools differ on whether tayammum is added alongside wiping the cast, on when a prayer is repeated, and on when the duty to pray lapses.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: When you cannot use water (tayammum)
Sources
Quran source Beginner guide Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
A dog licked my hand, or my baby wet my shirt. Can I still pray?Awaiting scholar review
Yes, once the spot is clean. For most impurity you wash until the substance, its colour and its smell are gone as far as you reasonably can. For the urine of a milk-fed baby boy, the Prophet poured water over it and did not wash it further (Sahih al-Bukhari 223). A vessel a dog has licked is washed seven times (Sahih Muslim 279a), and the Shafi'i school treats a dog's saliva as a heavy impurity, washed seven times with one wash using earth.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on dogs, on a baby's urine and on how much impurity is excused.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Clean clothes and a clean place
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Scholar answer
My family does the laundry, and I found a spot after I prayed. Is my prayer okay?Awaiting scholar review
In the Hanafi answer we link, clothes that come out of the washing machine with no trace of filth can be taken as clean, so there is no need to rewash loads a relative has done. Another Hanafi answer covers a small mark found in underwear after the prayer that was not there at wudu: you do not repeat the prayer, because the mark is taken to have happened at the latest possible time. A doubt on its own does not make anything impure.
Where scholars differ: These are Hanafi answers. Other schools have their own details, so ask about a situation that does not fit.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Clean clothes and a clean place
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
My perfume, deodorant or hand sanitiser contains alcohol. Can I pray wearing it?Awaiting scholar review
The Hanafi answer we link says alcohol that is not made from wine is not ritually impure and can be used on the body. It adds that avoiding it is more cautious, because some scholars were stricter.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on alcohol, including within the Hanafi school. Ask your teacher what your school says.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Clean clothes and a clean place
Sources
Scholar answer
How do Muslims clean themselves after using the toilet? Is toilet paper enough?Awaiting scholar review
Wipe with toilet paper, then wash with water if you can, using your left hand. The Hanafi answers we link say paper then water is best, and paper alone meets the basic sunnah while the mess stays at the exit. If it has spread beyond the exit and the area right around it, washing with water is required. A small refillable bottle helps in washrooms without a bidet. Clean once properly, then ignore any doubts.
Where scholars differ: The rule on when paper alone is enough comes from Hanafi answers. The schools also differ on facing the qibla in the washroom inside a building.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Cleaning after the toilet (istinja)
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
I wear a headscarf. Do I have to take it off for wudu at work?Awaiting scholar review
In the Hanafi answer we link, you must wipe at least a quarter of the head itself, and wiping over the scarf does not count. One practical way is to loosen the front of the scarf in a private stall and slide a wet hand underneath. The Hanbali school allows wiping over a scarf that is wrapped under the chin, as long as you put it on while in wudu, for one day and night (three when travelling). A SeekersGuidance answer says you may follow the Hanbali view for this, provided your wudu and your prayer are both valid in that school. Making wudu at home and keeping it, and wiping over suitable socks for your feet, also cut down on washing at work. Ask your teacher which option suits you.
Where scholars differ: Hanafi: the head itself must be wiped. Hanbali: a scarf wrapped under the chin may be wiped, with conditions. We have not yet checked the Shafi'i and Maliki sources on this.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wudu and ghusl guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
I am not sure whether my wudu broke. Do I need to make it again?Awaiting scholar review
No. If you made wudu and are only unsure whether it broke, it still stands. The Prophet told a man who thought he had passed wind in prayer not to leave unless he heard a sound or noticed a smell (Sahih al-Bukhari 137), and scholars take from this that certainty is not removed by a doubt. If doubts like this come many times a day, read the section on doubts that will not stop.
Where scholars differ: The schools share the rule and differ on some details, such as a doubt that comes during wudu rather than after it.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: When doubts will not stop
Sources
Hadith reference Scholarly answer

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Reading the Quran

7 questions

Which English translation of the Quran should I read?
Any English version is a translation of the meaning, not the Quran itself, which is the Arabic. For a first read, Yaqeen Institute's reading list includes The Clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, a Canadian-Egyptian scholar, and the Oxford translation by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem. Both use plain modern English and both can be read free on Quran.com. You will also see Saheeh International, which is common on websites; words in square brackets there are the translators' additions to make the meaning clear. It can help to compare two translations when a verse feels confusing, and then ask a teacher.
Read more: Quran starter
Sources
Quran translation Research education News report
How do I learn to read Arabic from zero?
Most people learn in three stages: the letters and their sounds, then joining letters with short vowel marks, then reading short chapters slowly with a teacher who can hear you. A traditional primer called a Qaida (for example the Qaida Nooraniyah) teaches exactly this order. Doing it with a live teacher helps most, because pronunciation is easier to correct out loud. New Muslim Academy runs free live small-group classes, held separately for men and women, for people who cannot yet read Arabic, and your local masjid may run classes too. Remember the Prophet said the person who struggles with the Quran gets a double reward.
Read more: Quran starter
Sources
Beginner education Course provider Hadith reference Hadith reference
Do I have to learn tajweed before I read the Quran?Awaiting scholar review
No. Tajweed means the rules for pronouncing the Quran correctly, and it is learned step by step, usually alongside reading, not before it. For now, aim to say the letters and words of Al-Fatihah as clearly as you can by listening to a clear reciter and repeating. A teacher can then correct the few things that matter most. Please do not let worry about perfect pronunciation stop you from reading, listening or praying.
Where scholars differ: Scholars discuss which pronunciation mistakes affect the prayer. That is a detail to go through with a teacher.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Quran starter
Sources
Hadith reference Quran source
Is it okay to read or listen to the Quran in English only for now?
Yes, reading a translation to understand the message is a good thing, as long as you know it is a translation of the meaning and not the Quran itself. Listening to the Arabic recitation alongside the English helps you get used to the sounds you will later recite in prayer. Many new Muslims read a short passage in English each day and listen to the same passage in Arabic. Allah describes the Quran as made easy to remember and take lessons from (Quran 54:17).
Where scholars differ: Scholars discuss the etiquette of touching a printed Arabic Quran (mushaf) compared with a translation.
Read more: The Quran: a beginner's guide
Sources
Quran source Quran source
What is tafsir, and do I need it?
Tafsir means explanation of the Quran by scholars: what a verse meant when it was revealed, how the Prophet and his companions understood it, and how it connects to other verses. You do not need a big tafsir book in your first months. A good translation with short notes is enough at first. When a verse puzzles or troubles you, a short explanation from a trusted teacher, or a free resource like Yaqeen Institute's Qur'an 30 for 30, can help. Classical works like Tafsir Ibn Kathir are valuable later, when you have more background.
Read more: The Quran: a beginner's guide
Sources
Research education Publisher source
Is my prayer valid if I mispronounce words?Awaiting scholar review
For a learner who is trying, in most cases yes. Scholars expect learners to make mistakes, and the Prophet said the one who recites with difficulty gets a double reward. Correct a word once when you notice a slip, keep learning with a teacher, and do not restart the prayer over one uncertain letter.
Where scholars differ: The Shafi'i school says a letter mistake spoils that word, so it is said again once, and the prayer is only invalid when the mistake changes the meaning and was deliberate. A Hanafi answer citing Ibn Abidin says an accidental mix-up of letters such as saad and seen does not invalidate the prayer. Ask a teacher for the Maliki and Hanbali details.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Sounds to listen for
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
What do I do with an old or damaged Quran?Awaiting scholar review
If it can still be read, keep it, give it to a masjid, or pass it on to someone who will use it. A worn cover is no reason to get rid of it. For pages that can no longer be read, scholars allow burying them where people do not walk, shredding them, or burning them respectfully. Many masjids collect old copies, so ask at yours. Please do not put a Quran in the recycling bin.
Where scholars differ: The answers cited here are a Hanafi answer on SeekersGuidance (citing Ibn Abidin), which prefers burial and also allows shredding, and an Islamweb fatwa, which allows burial or burning and cites the Companion Uthman.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: The Quran topic
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference

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Fasting and Ramadan

11 questions

What actually breaks a fast?Awaiting scholar review
From dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) you avoid eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Doing any of these on purpose breaks the fast. Many medicines do not, and you should never skip a needed dose to protect your fast. The fasting topic lists what the International Islamic Fiqh Academy says about drops, injections and inhalers, and where the schools differ. Ask your imam or a scholar about your own treatment. Good character matters too: the Prophet warned that Allah has no need of someone giving up food while still lying and doing wrong.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on some things that break a fast, such as inhalers, nasal sprays and blood tests, and on which ones need expiation.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Medicines and fasting
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Research education Scholar answer Hadith reference
I forgot I was fasting and ate something. Is my fast ruined?Awaiting scholar review
No. If you eat or drink because you truly forgot, stop as soon as you remember and carry on fasting. The Prophet said Allah fed you and gave you drink. You do not need to make that day up.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference
Who does not have to fast?Awaiting scholar review
Allah does not want fasting to harm you. People who are ill or travelling may skip fasting and make up the days later. Women on their period or bleeding after childbirth do not fast and make the days up. Pregnant or breastfeeding women who fear harm may skip too. Children are not required to fast. People who can only fast with extreme difficulty for a lasting reason, such as old age or a long-term illness that will not allow fasting, give fidyah instead. Having a condition such as diabetes does not by itself mean this, since many people fast safely with a medical plan. If you have a medical condition, speak to your doctor and a scholar together.
Where scholars differ: For pregnancy and breastfeeding, the schools differ on make-up only or make-up plus fidyah. The distance and conditions for travel also differ.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Public health source Quran source Scholar answer Research education
How do I make up fasts I missed?Awaiting scholar review
Fast one day for each day you missed, on any normal day after Ramadan and before the next one. Days do not have to be in a row. Make the intention the night before. Avoid the two Eid days, when fasting is not allowed.
Where scholars differ: Making the intention the night before for a make-up fast is the Hanafi and Shafi'i position, and details vary.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer Research education
What is fidyah, and how much is it in Canada?Awaiting scholar review
Fidyah is feeding a person in need for each fast you cannot do and cannot make up later, for example because of a long-term illness or old age. It comes from Quran 2:184. It is different from kaffarah, the much heavier expiation for deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast. Canadian charities set a cash amount each year; Islamic Relief Canada lists CAD 15 per day for 2026. If you might be able to make the days up later, you usually make them up instead of paying.
Where scholars differ: Pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the exact food measure, differ between the schools.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Quran source Financial education
This is my first Ramadan and my family does not fast. How do I cope?
Start small and be gentle with yourself. Prepare a simple suhoor (the pre-dawn meal, which the Prophet said has blessing in it) and plan where you will break your fast. Tell your family what you are doing in a calm way and invite them to iftar if that feels right. Some masjids host community iftars, so ask yours. If you feel lonely or discouraged, remember how far you have come and talk to someone you trust.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Research education Hadith reference Research education
What is Laylat al-Qadr and what should I do on it?
Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) is a night in the last ten nights of Ramadan that the Quran calls better than a thousand months. Its exact date is hidden, so people make extra effort on the odd nights. You do not need to do anything complicated: pray what you can, read or listen to the Quran, and make dua. Aisha asked the Prophet what to say, and he taught: 'Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni' (O Allah, You are pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me).
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Hadith reference Research education Hadith reference
What is zakat al-fitr and do I have to pay it?Awaiting scholar review
Zakat al-fitr is a small charity given at the end of Ramadan so that people in need can also celebrate Eid. The Prophet made it due on every Muslim, young or old, and asked that it be given before the Eid prayer. It was set as one sa' of food (roughly 3 kg of a staple food). Most Canadian masjids and charities announce a cash amount each year.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on paying in cash or in food. Whether a new Muslim who converted near the end of Ramadan owes it depends on whether they were Muslim when it became due.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: The festival after Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr)
Sources
Hadith reference Research education
I became Muslim partway through Ramadan. Do I owe the days I missed?Awaiting scholar review
No. You do not owe the fasts from before your Shahada, so there is nothing to count or make up. A Shafi'i answer from SeekersGuidance says that making up the day you became Muslim is recommended (sunnah), not required. Start fasting from the next dawn if you are able. For zakat al-fitr at the end of the month, ask your masjid, because it depends on whether you were Muslim when it became due.
Where scholars differ: This answer follows the Shafi'i school. The other schools have their own details about the day of conversion itself, such as whether to stop eating for the rest of that day, so ask a teacher.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference
I broke a Ramadan fast on purpose. What do I owe?Awaiting scholar review
First, do not despair. Turn back to Allah in repentance (tawbah), and know that one broken day does not undo your Ramadan. You make the day up after Ramadan (qada). Some ways of breaking a fast on purpose also bring a heavier expiation (kaffarah). In Sahih al-Bukhari (1936), a man who had intercourse while fasting was told to free a slave, or else fast two months in a row, or else feed sixty poor people. Ask a scholar what you owe before you start sixty days or pay anything, and do not swap it for fidyah, which is something different.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school requires kaffarah for deliberately eating, drinking or having intercourse during a Ramadan fast. The Shafi'i school requires it only for intercourse, and a Shafi'i answer from SeekersGuidance says the woman does not owe it. This site has not yet sourced the Maliki and Hanbali positions, so ask a teacher of your school.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Fasting and Ramadan
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar education Scholar answer
I live in the far north and summer fasts are very long. What do I do?Awaiting scholar review
Most Muslims fast from their local dawn (Fajr) to their local sunset, however long the day is. If a long fast becomes more than you can bear, the rule for hardship applies: you break it and make the day up on a shorter day, since Allah wants ease for you (2:185). Ask your masjid which timetable it uses for Fajr in summer, because the sky may not get fully dark in the far north. Plan suhoor and plenty of water around the short night, and stop fasting if you show signs of serious dehydration. The Government of Canada expects Ramadan 2027 to start around 7 February, so for the next several years it falls in winter and spring.
Where scholars differ: Dr. Jasser Auda, writing on the Fiqh Council of North America site, surveys the views. Besides fasting local times, some scholars allow people in very northern places to follow the times of Makkah or Madinah, or of the nearest region with moderate days, and some propose a cap based on latitude. These are minority views, so ask your imam before following one.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Fasting and Ramadan
Sources
Scholar answer Quran source Official travel source

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Charity (zakat)

7 questions

Do I have to pay zakat as a new Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Zakat is 2.5 percent of certain savings and assets, paid once a year, and only if what you own stays above a minimum called the nisab for a full lunar year (about 354 days, called the hawl). Many new Muslims, especially students or people starting over, will not reach it yet. You owe nothing for the years before you became Muslim, and one Shafi'i answer counts your first zakat year from the day you became Muslim. The nisab is set by gold or silver value, and charities use different figures, so check a current value and ask a scholar if unsure.
Where scholars differ: Charities use a gold or a silver nisab, and their gram figures differ.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Yearly charity (zakat) for beginners
Sources
Scholar answer Financial education Hadith reference Hadith reference
Do I pay zakat on my RRSP or TFSA?Awaiting scholar review
This is a question to ask a scholar, because views differ. One common Canadian approach, used by the National Zakat Foundation Canada, counts funds you can access at their value on your zakat date, and for an RRSP subtracts the tax you would pay to withdraw. Other scholars treat retirement accounts differently. Write down your balances and ask a qualified person.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ: some count the value you can access, some count the assets underneath, and some wait until you withdraw.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Yearly charity (zakat) for beginners
Sources
Financial education Financial education
Do my debts, like a student loan or car loan, reduce my zakat?Awaiting scholar review
Often, debts you must pay soon can be subtracted before working out zakat, but the details depend on the scholar. Some Canadian calculators subtract only what is due in the coming year on long-term debts like a mortgage, not the whole balance. Keep it simple: list what you own, list what you owe in the next twelve months, and ask for help with the rest.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on deducting all debts, only what is due this year, or none.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Yearly charity (zakat) for beginners
Sources
Financial education
Where should I give my zakat, and how do I avoid charity scams?
Zakat goes to eight groups named in the Quran (9:60), starting with the poor and the needy. Give through your local masjid or a registered Canadian charity that explains its zakat policy. Before giving, ask for the charity's registration number and check it with the Canada Revenue Agency. Be wary of high-pressure requests, crypto-only payments, or crowdfunding pages you cannot verify.
Read more: Yearly charity (zakat) for beginners
Sources
Quran source Public safety source Financial education
I am a new Muslim struggling with money. Can I receive zakat?Awaiting scholar review
Possibly. The Quran lists the poor and needy among those who receive zakat, and also 'those whose hearts are attracted to the faith', which some Canadian charities read as including new Muslims. Some organisations, such as the National Zakat Foundation Canada, accept applications from Muslims in financial hardship. Asking for help is not shameful. Only share personal details through an organisation's official application, never through a stranger who contacts you.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on whether the category of 'those whose hearts are attracted to the faith' still applies today, and how.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Yearly charity (zakat) for beginners
Sources
Quran source Financial education Financial education
My parents are not Muslim and are struggling. Can my zakat go to them?Awaiting scholar review
Help them, but not from your zakat. A SeekersGuidance answer by a Shafi'i scholar, Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib, says zakat goes only to Muslims, and quotes the same view from Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad. Voluntary charity and gifts to family who are not Muslim are allowed and encouraged. The Quran does not forbid kindness and fairness to those who do not fight you over religion (60:8), and the Prophet told Asma to keep good relations with her mother, who was not Muslim (Sahih al-Bukhari 2620). Charity to relatives also counts twice, as charity and as keeping family ties (Jami at-Tirmidhi 658).
Where scholars differ: Some point to the zakat category of those whose hearts are to be reconciled (Quran 9:60) as a way to give zakat to non-Muslims. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani of SeekersGuidance says that route is disputed and that the Hanafi school holds it abrogated. Ask a scholar before giving any zakat to someone who is not Muslim.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Zakat guide for beginners
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source Hadith reference Hadith reference Quran source
Can I claim my zakat on my Canadian tax return?
Often, yes, if you give it to a registered charity and get an official donation receipt. The Canada Revenue Agency's line 34900 covers federal and provincial tax credits for gifts to registered charities and other qualified donees. Money you hand straight to a person, or to a group that is not a qualified donee, does not count. Whether a charity issues a receipt for zakat al-fitr or fidyah depends on the charity, so ask. Keep your receipts with your tax papers, not in this app, and ask a tax preparer if you are unsure. This is general tax information, not tax advice.
Read more: Zakat guide for beginners
Sources
Government of Canada Official source

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Pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah)

3 questions

Do I have to go on Hajj right away?Awaiting scholar review
No. Hajj is required once in a lifetime for those who are able, physically and financially, and the Quran ties it to ability. For a new Muslim, it is something to learn about and look forward to, not a pressure. Umrah, the smaller pilgrimage, is a separate act from Hajj.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on whether Hajj must be done as soon as you are able or may be delayed.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Pilgrimage season (Hajj and Dhul Hijjah)
Sources
Quran source Hadith reference Hadith reference Beginner guide
How do I book Hajj or Umrah safely from Canada?
Start with the official sources. Read the Government of Canada travel advice for Saudi Arabia, which currently advises against non-essential travel, and check it again close to your trip. Hajj needs a Hajj visa and is arranged through the Saudi Ministry's official Nusuk platform or its authorized providers. Umrah can be done on other visa types. Be careful with anyone offering cheap or guaranteed Hajj places, asking for cash deposits, or pressuring you to decide fast, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Read more: Pilgrimage season (Hajj and Dhul Hijjah)
Sources
Official travel source Official travel source Public safety source
As a woman, can I go on Umrah alone, and what if my period starts?
Saudi rules now let women of any age travel for Hajj or Umrah without a male guardian (mahram), according to the Government of Canada. Whether a woman should travel for pilgrimage without a mahram is a separate religious question on which scholars differ, so ask a scholar you trust. If your period starts, you can do everything except the tawaf around the Kaaba, which you do once you are clean, as the Prophet told Aisha.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on whether a woman needs a mahram for pilgrimage. What to do if you must leave before becoming clean for tawaf is a detailed question for a scholar.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Pilgrimage season (Hajj and Dhul Hijjah)
Sources
Official travel source Hadith reference Beginner guide Hadith reference

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Periods and worship

10 questions

Do I pray during my period, and do I have to make those prayers up later?Awaiting scholar review
No. During your period (called hayd in Arabic), or bleeding after childbirth, you do not perform the five daily prayers, and you do not make them up afterwards. This is a mercy, not a punishment. The wives of the Prophet said they were never told to make up prayers missed during their periods. Once the bleeding ends and you have done the full-body wash (ghusl), you start praying again from the next prayer. If a prayer time had already started before your bleeding began, or your period ends before a prayer time is over, scholars say you may owe that prayer. Ask a knowledgeable woman teacher or imam how your school handles this, or if you are unsure whether your period has ended.
Where scholars differ: Scholars agree on the basic rule. The schools differ on which prayers are owed when bleeding starts or stops partway through a prayer time, on the shortest and longest period lengths, and on irregular bleeding.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Scholar answer Beginner education Beginner education
If my period comes during Ramadan, do I still fast? Do I owe those days?Awaiting scholar review
You do not fast while you are on your period, and a fast you started becomes void if your period begins before sunset. You make up those days later, one day for each day missed, ideally before the next Ramadan. You can still enjoy Ramadan in other ways: dua, dhikr, charity, helping prepare iftar, and attending gatherings.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on what happens if the make-up is delayed past the next Ramadan without a reason. Some add fidyah, and the Hanafi school does not.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Ramadan guide
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I read or recite the Quran during my period?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars genuinely differ here, so you will hear different answers. The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools say a woman on her period should not recite the Quran aloud, though she may listen to it, look at it and think about its meaning, and say Quranic phrases as dua or dhikr. The Maliki school allows recitation, and some later scholars allow recitation from memory as long as you do not touch a printed Quran. Ask the imam or teacher you learn with which view to follow, and do not feel guilty for following a recognised scholarly view.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools say no recitation. The Maliki school allows recitation. Some contemporary scholars allow recitation from memory. The narration often quoted for the ban (Tirmidhi 131) is graded weak.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I touch the Quran, or use a Quran app on my phone, during my period?Awaiting scholar review
Most scholars say you should not touch a printed Arabic Quran (called a mushaf) while on your period. Many allow holding it with a separate cloth or cover, though schools differ on the details. Several scholars say a phone or tablet app is not a mushaf, so touching the screen is different, and AMJA gave this view for devices and tafsir books. The Hanafi school is stricter about touching printed translations and tafsir. If you are unsure, use an app or listen to recitation, and ask your teacher.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on touching printed translations and tafsir, on using a covering, and on treating devices as different from a mushaf. Some scholars (AMJA 86681) permit touching the mushaf when there is a need, and NewMuslims.com allows touching translations.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I still make dua and dhikr while I am on my period?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. Dua (asking Allah in your own words, in any language) and dhikr (remembering Allah with phrases like SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar) are open to you at any time. You can also send blessings on the Prophet, listen to the Quran, give charity, and help others. Your connection with Allah does not pause during your period.
Where scholars differ: Scholars agree on dua and dhikr in general. The schools checked allow Quranic verses said with the intention of dua.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Supplication and remembrance (dua and dhikr)
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I go to the masjid, a class, or Eid while on my period?Awaiting scholar review
You are welcome at Eid and community gatherings. The Prophet told women on their periods to come out for Eid and join the gathering, while staying away from the prayer rows themselves. Staying inside the main prayer hall of a masjid is where scholars differ: most schools say not to stay in it during your period, while some scholars allow it. Many Canadian centres have classrooms, halls and offices that are not part of the prayer hall, so ask the imam or office which rooms count as the masjid.
Where scholars differ: Most schools say not to stay in the masjid prayer area, with different details on passing through. The narration 'I do not make the mosque lawful for a menstruating woman' (Abu Dawud 232) is graded weak by al-Albani.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer Hadith reference
How do I know my period has ended, and what do I do then?Awaiting scholar review
Your period has ended when the bleeding stops. Many women check with a white cloth or pad for either a clear or white discharge or complete dryness. Then you do the full-body wash (ghusl): make the intention, wash, and make sure water reaches your whole body and hair roots. After that you pray and, in Ramadan, fast as normal. The steps are the same as the ghusl on the Wudu and ghusl tool.
Where scholars differ: The signs of purity, and how to treat brown or yellow discharge, differ between the schools.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wudu and ghusl guide
Sources
Hadith reference Beginner guide Quran source Scholar answer Beginner education
I keep bleeding outside my normal period. Do I still pray?Awaiting scholar review
Not all bleeding counts as a period. Bleeding outside your usual period, or bleeding that goes past the longest period length, is called istihadah (irregular bleeding), and it does not stop you from praying. The Prophet told a woman with ongoing bleeding to stop praying only during her actual period, then wash and pray. In the Hanafi school, if bleeding runs past ten days, the days beyond your usual period length count as istihadah, so you keep praying and fasting as normal, and you can read the Quran and go to the masjid. If the bleeding is so constant that you cannot make wudu and pray a short obligatory prayer before it returns, you count as 'excused'. You then make one wudu when each prayer time begins, and that wudu lasts until the time ends, even if bleeding continues. Other schools set the details differently. Keep a simple record of when bleeding starts and stops, see a doctor about the cause, and ask a knowledgeable woman teacher or local scholar about your own pattern. You can ask for a female teacher if you prefer.
Where scholars differ: The shortest and longest lengths of a period, and how to sort irregular bleeding, differ between the schools. The Shafi'i and other schools also differ from the Hanafi school on whether wudu is made for each prayer or for each prayer time.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer Beginner education Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
What about bleeding after giving birth?Awaiting scholar review
Bleeding after childbirth is called nifas. The rules are the same as for a period: you do not pray or fast while it continues, you make up missed Ramadan fasts later, and you do not make up the prayers. Many scholars give forty days as the usual maximum, but if the bleeding stops earlier, you take ghusl and start praying again. New mothers should also follow their doctor's or midwife's advice about their health.
Where scholars differ: The longest length of bleeding after birth differs between the schools.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Beginner education Beginner guide Hadith reference
Is my period a sign that I am spiritually impure or less of a Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
No. The Prophet told his wife Aisha, who was upset when her period came during Hajj, that it is something Allah has written for all the daughters of Adam. He would rest his head in her lap and recite the Quran while she was on her period. The break from prayer and fasting is a rule for a set time, not a judgement on you. You remain a full member of the community.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Hadith reference

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Family and marriage

13 questions

Do I still have to respect my parents if they are not Muslim?
Yes, very much. The Quran tells believers to honour their parents and, even if parents push them to worship other than Allah, not to obey in that but still to 'keep their company in this world courteously' (31:15). When Asma bint Abi Bakr asked the Prophet whether she should keep good relations with her non-Muslim mother, he said, 'Yes, keep good relation with her' (Sahih al-Bukhari 2620). The Quran also says Allah does not forbid kindness and fairness toward people who have not fought you (60:8). Being a kinder, more patient son or daughter is often the strongest thing a new Muslim can show their family.
Read more: Family and friends guide
Sources
Quran source Hadith reference Quran source
I still live with my parents and they don't like my new practices. How do I handle it?Awaiting scholar review
Keep the non-negotiables small and firm, and be flexible about the rest. Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra, a convert from Toronto, advises being firm about prayer and fasting, avoiding debates, helping around the house, going out with the family, and not listing every rule, only the major ones like not drinking or eating unlawful meat. He also suggests being vegetarian at home if needed, and dressing neatly so your family sees you are still you. Keep your room feeling like home rather than, in his words, a different country, and give your parents time. If home is not safe, your safety comes first; see our red flags and staying safe guide and the Government of Canada safety planning page.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Family and friends guide
Sources
Scholar answer Quran source Public safety source
Someone told me I should cut off my non-Muslim family. Is that true?Awaiting scholar review
No. Keeping family ties is required whatever your relatives' religion, as SeekersGuidance explains, and the early Muslims were themselves converts with non-Muslim families. The Prophet told Asma bint Abi Bakr to keep good relations with her non-Muslim mother. If a relative is harmful, you may reduce contact and keep up the relationship in other ways, such as calls, small gifts and making dua for them. If anyone in a community pressures you to cut off your family, that is a warning sign worth talking about with a trusted imam or counsellor.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Family and friends guide
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference
I became Muslim but my husband or wife did not. What happens to my marriage?Awaiting scholar review
Please do not make a sudden decision, and nobody should pressure you to leave your home quickly. If you are a husband and your wife is Christian or Jewish, a 2019 Shafi'i answer from SeekersGuidance says your marriage stays valid, though its footnote adds a strict Shafi'i condition on who counts as Christian or Jewish. If you are a wife and your husband is not Muslim, AMJA's Family Code (article 42) says intimacy stops and the marriage is suspended during the waiting period (iddah): it continues if he becomes Muslim, and otherwise she may choose to end it. Your civil marriage is a legal marriage in Canada and ends only through a court. You are not alone: in a US survey of 618 converts (Yaqeen Institute, 2025), 29.6% of married men and 13% of married women had a spouse who was not Muslim.
Where scholars differ: The schools differ on when the waiting period starts, when the marriage ends and what role a judge has. The European Council for Fatwa and Research allows a wife to stay if her husband does not obstruct her practice. If you are a husband and your wife follows another religion or none, the rules are different. If your spouse later becomes Muslim, ask a scholar whether a new nikah is needed.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Relationships and marriage basics
Sources
Scholar answer Quran source Scholar answer Scholar answer Educational article Hadith reference Public rights source Research education
Can I keep my non-Muslim friends?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. SeekersGuidance explains that befriending non-Muslims is neither forbidden nor disliked, and that the verses sometimes quoted against it (such as 5:51) are about alliances that harm the Muslim community, not everyday friendship. The Quran encourages kindness and fairness to people who have not fought you (60:8). Good friends who respect your changes are a blessing. It is also healthy to add a few Muslim friends over time; in one survey, most converts made friends at their local masjid.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Identity and culture guide
Sources
Scholar answer Quran source Research education
People keep telling me I need to get married soon. Do I have to?Awaiting scholar review
No one has the right to rush you. Marriage is a big decision, and it is fine to take time to settle into your faith, learn, and get to know people properly first. If you feel pressured, say you are not ready, and talk to a qualified imam you trust about your own situation. If someone threatens you or tries to control who you see, that is not acceptable, and you can get help (in danger, call 9-1-1).
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Relationships and marriage basics
Sources
Public health source
I became Muslim and my boyfriend, girlfriend or partner is not. What do I do now?Awaiting scholar review
Your Shahada is valid, and you do not have to leave your home tonight. From now on, intimacy belongs inside marriage, so stop sexual intimacy and get private help quickly from a qualified teacher. Whether you can marry your partner depends on whether you are a man or a woman and on your partner's religion. If you share a home, children or money, plan with a lawyer and local services before anyone moves out.
Where scholars differ: Scholars state as consensus that a Muslim woman does not marry a man who is not Muslim. A Muslim man may marry a chaste Christian or Jewish woman, though AMJA advises against it in practice and the Shafi'i school sets stricter conditions.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Relationships and marriage basics
Sources
Quran source Quran source Quran source Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Public rights source
My father is not Muslim. Who is my wali?Awaiting scholar review
A father who is not Muslim does not act as your guardian (wali) in the nikah, and a 2025 SeekersGuidance answer says you do not need his permission. Keeping him informed and honouring him is still good character. AMJA's Family Code (article 19) says that when a new Muslim woman has no Muslim relatives on her father's side, the one who acts for her is an arbitrator or someone appointed by the community and licensed by the state to perform marriages, or else a Muslim man she delegates. Ask your masjid's imam who can do this, and choose someone who will actually meet the suitor and check on him. Be careful of a stranger, or the suitor's friend, who offers to be your wali in a hurry.
Where scholars differ: The Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools require a wali. The Hanafi school holds that an adult woman's own marriage contract is valid. AMJA (fatwa 87635) advises repeating a contract made without a wali, with the imam acting for her, and AMJA's Family Code (article 18) says such a marriage is not annulled, though redoing it is preferred.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: How Muslims marry
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
People say I must convert my family or it will be on me. Is that true?Awaiting scholar review
No. The Quran tells the Prophet himself that he does not guide whom he likes, but Allah guides whom He wills (28:56), and it says there is no compulsion in religion (2:256). Your part is to be kind, answer questions when asked, and make dua for your family. You can say no to debates and to bringing them to events. The outcome belongs to Allah.
Where scholars differ: Scholars describe the duty to invite others to Islam in different ways. This answer does not state a ruling on that duty.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Family and friends guide
Sources
Quran source Quran source Quran source
Can I inherit from my parents who are not Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
The four schools hold that fixed-share inheritance does not pass between a Muslim and a non-Muslim, based on the hadith "A Muslim cannot be the heir of a disbeliever" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6764). A minority of scholars, including Ibn Taymiyyah, allow a Muslim to inherit from a relative who is not hostile to Islam. A gift in a parent's will is treated differently: IslamWeb's fatwa centre counts a bequest from a non-Muslim to a Muslim as valid. If a parent dies, do not accept or refuse anything in the first days. Speak to a scholar, and to a lawyer if an estate is involved.
Where scholars differ: The four schools: no inheritance by fixed share across religion. A minority, including Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab and Ibn Taymiyyah: a Muslim may inherit from a non-Muslim who is not hostile. A bequest in a will is valid in both views.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wills and inheritance
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Scholar answer
Can I leave anything to my family who are not Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. You can give them gifts while you are alive, and you can leave them a bequest from the one-third portion of your will. The Prophet allowed a bequest of up to one third (Sahih al-Bukhari 2742), and the fixed shares are divided after bequests and debts (Quran 4:11). This is how many converts provide for non-Muslim parents, siblings or children. Have a lawyer check that the will is valid in your province, and ask a scholar about the rest of the shares.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wills and inheritance
Sources
Hadith reference Quran source Scholar answer
Can a Muslim foster or adopt a child in Canada?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. Caring for a child who needs a home is praised in Islam. Islam calls this care kafalah, and it keeps the child's link to their birth family. The Fiqh Council of North America and AMJA guideline says that if a legal name change is needed, the child's birth family name should stay as a last or middle name. Rules about who counts as close family (mahram) apply once the child reaches puberty, and a child in your care can receive up to one third of your estate by will. Talk to a scholar and a family lawyer before you start, because adoption law in your province may work differently.
Where scholars differ: The guideline says breastfeeding before the age of two makes the child a close relative (mahram) and calls five feedings the unanimous rule. In fact the schools differ: the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools count five feedings, while the Hanafi and Maliki schools count any feeding in the first two years.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wills and inheritance
Sources
Scholar answer
I adopted a child before I became Muslim. Do I need to change anything?Awaiting scholar review
Do not undo anything in a hurry. Your child is still your child to love and care for, and Islam praises that care. Some rules may apply over time, such as keeping the child's birth family name as a middle or last name where that is possible, the rules of close family (mahram) after puberty, and providing for the child through the one-third portion of your will. How this fits your family and Canadian law needs a scholar and a family lawyer together.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Wills and inheritance
Sources
Scholar answer

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Relationships and intimacy

14 questions

Who counts as close family (mahram) now that my family is not Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
A mahram is a relative you may never marry. For a woman that means her father, sons, brothers, uncles and nephews, her father-in-law and her husband's sons, and a stepfather once his marriage to her mother has been consummated (Quran 4:23 and 24:31). For a man it is the mirror list, from his mother and sisters to his mother-in-law. Religion does not change this: a non-Muslim father, brother, son or uncle is still your mahram. Cousins, brothers-in-law and step-siblings are not. Being mahram never obliges you to be alone with someone who is unsafe.
Where scholars differ: A Hanafi answer allows a woman to travel with, or be alone with, a non-Muslim mahram who is not morally corrupt. The other schools were not checked here. One Hanafi answer calls a stepfather mahram when he is married to your mother and raised you, while Quran 4:23 ties this to the marriage being consummated. Ask a qualified teacher privately about your own family.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Close family (mahram) in the modesty topic
Sources
Quran source Quran source Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
I am attracted to people of the same sex. Can I still be Muslim?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. You are welcome in Islam, and a feeling you did not choose is not a sin. A Yaqeen Institute paper, based on a presentation by Dr. Carl Sharif El-Tobgui, says people are not morally responsible for same-sex attraction to the extent that they did not choose it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the self wishing and desiring, and the body then acting on it or not (Sahih al-Bukhari 6243). What you are answerable for is what you do. Sexual acts outside marriage are prohibited for everyone, and same-sex acts are prohibited. You do not have to announce your feelings or take on a label. In a Yaqeen Institute podcast, a Muslim man living with this describes his desires as part of him, not the whole of who he is.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Mental health support
Sources
Research education Hadith reference Research education
Who can I talk to privately about same-sex attraction?Awaiting scholar review
Choose one person you trust who has real knowledge: a qualified scholar, or a Muslim counsellor such as the Khalil Center, which offers faith-sensitive clinical support. Naseeha, a Muslim youth helpline, answers 24 hours a day on 1 (866) 627-3342. If you are 29 or younger, Kids Help Phone is on 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868. If you are in danger, call 911. If you feel hopeless, call or text 9-8-8. Before you share anything in a public or online group, check who runs it and what it teaches.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
Sources
Clinical support Helpline source Crisis support Crisis support
I keep going back to pornography. Does that make my Islam fake?Awaiting scholar review
No. Your Shahada stands, and struggling with temptation is not proof that your faith is weak. Pornography is prohibited: the Quran tells believers to lower their gaze and guard their chastity (Quran 24:30), and SeekersGuidance explains that the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools prohibit it. When you slip, repent and start again the same day. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that if people did not sin, Allah would bring people who sin and ask forgiveness, and He would forgive them (Sahih Muslim 2749). Keep praying while you work on this. Prayer is part of the way out.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: How to repent
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer Hadith reference Research education
Is masturbation allowed if I cannot marry yet?Awaiting scholar review
The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools prohibit it, as SeekersGuidance explains. The Hanbali school, as reported by Islamweb (fatwa 82271), also forbids it in general, but allows it at a real necessity: when someone cannot marry and fears falling into zina (sex outside marriage), or fears illness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told those who cannot marry to fast, because it helps (Sahih al-Bukhari 5066). A slip does not end your Islam. If there was a discharge, make the full-body wash (ghusl), then pray and repent.
Where scholars differ: Islamweb gives two reports from Imam Ahmad himself: one that it is disliked, and one that it is forbidden even when zina is feared. A SeekersGuidance answer says the four schools agree it is forbidden, which does not match the Hanbali view Islamweb reports. The Maliki view was not checked for this answer. Ask a qualified teacher privately which view applies to you.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: When the full-body wash (ghusl) is needed
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference Scholar answer
How can I stop, and where can I get help?Awaiting scholar review
Change your surroundings first. Dr. Jibran Khokhar, writing for Yaqeen Institute, suggests accountability software, removing apps that trigger you, and keeping devices in shared spaces. Pick one trigger, such as late nights alone with your phone, and plan around it. Islamweb adds fasting, exercise, good company and staying away from explicit material. Khokhar also writes that marriage is not a cure, and a spouse should not be expected to act as a therapist. If it feels out of your control, talk to your family doctor or a registered psychotherapist, or to a Muslim counsellor such as the Khalil Center. Never send images or money to someone you met online.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
Sources
Research education Scholar answer Clinical support
What does Islam allow between a husband and wife in private?Awaiting scholar review
Lawful intimacy between spouses is good, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said there is reward in it (Sahih Muslim 1006). Two acts are clearly prohibited: anal intercourse (Sunan Abi Dawud 2162, graded hasan) and intercourse during her period (Quran 2:222). Beyond these, spouses may give each other pleasure in other ways, as a Hanafi answer from Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam on SeekersGuidance explains. Keep what happens between you private: the Prophet named a man who spreads his wife's secrets among the worst people on the Day of Judgment (Sahih Muslim 1437a). Afterwards, make the full-body wash (ghusl) before you pray.
Where scholars differ: During a period, the schools differ on touching between the navel and the knee. The Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i schools ask for a cloth barrier there, and the Hanbali school allows everything except intercourse (Sahih Muslim 302, Sunan Abi Dawud 212). On oral intimacy, the Hanafi answer says oral contact is permitted but disliked, and swallowing impure fluids is not allowed. Other schools were not checked for this answer, so ask a same-gender teacher privately.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Menstruation and worship
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Hadith reference Quran source Scholar answer Hadith reference Hadith reference Hadith reference Scholar answer
Does being married mean my spouse can insist on sex?Awaiting scholar review
Ask a qualified teacher privately about the rights spouses have to each other in Islam. Canadian law also applies inside marriage. Consent means voluntary agreement to the specific sexual activity, at the time it happens, and it can be withdrawn at any point (Criminal Code s. 273.1). A husband or wife can be charged with sexually assaulting their spouse (Criminal Code s. 278). This is general information, not legal advice. If you are in danger, call 911. If anything feels forced, talk to a counsellor, or find a sexual assault centre near you through ESVA Canada's Getting Help page.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
Sources
Canadian law Canadian law Support directory
Is birth control allowed in Islam?Awaiting scholar review
Temporary birth control is allowed when there is a valid reason, such as the mother's health or being unable to care for more children. Dr. Hatem al-Haj of AMJA (the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America) gives this view. It rests on the companions practising withdrawal ('azl) while the Quran was still being revealed (Sahih al-Bukhari 5208 and 5209). He also treats children as a blessing, and says birth control is allowed, not required. Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (fatwa 6101) adds that husband and wife should both agree. Which method suits you is a medical choice: talk to your family doctor, and the Sex and U site of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada explains the options.
Where scholars differ: A second AMJA answer says an IUD is permissible whenever birth control is indicated, however many years it lasts. Other scholarly bodies were not checked for this answer. Ask a qualified teacher privately about your own situation.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Relationships and marriage basics
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference Health information
What about sterilisation or abortion?Awaiting scholar review
Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah (fatwa 6101) says permanent birth control, which ends the possibility of having children, is not permitted. If you have a medical reason, ask a qualified scholar about your own case. Abortion raises serious religious questions, and this site does not give a ruling on it. If you are facing this, ask a qualified scholar privately and soon. As Canadian information only: abortion is legal in Canada and publicly funded, according to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Your doctor can explain the medical side.
Where scholars differ: Other scholarly bodies were not checked on sterilisation for this answer. No scholarly source on abortion was reviewed for this site.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Sources
Scholar answer Health information
Can a Muslim man have more than one wife in Canada?Awaiting scholar review
The Quran permits a man up to four wives on a strict condition of justice, and says that if he fears he cannot be just, then one (Quran 4:3). It also says a man will never manage full emotional fairness between wives, however hard he tries (Quran 4:129). In Canada, polygamy is a crime even when there is only a religious ceremony and no legal marriage, and anyone who performs or assists at such a ceremony can also be charged (Criminal Code s. 293). A religious-only marriage is not a legal marriage here, so it does not give you the protection a registered marriage does. If a suitor is vague about whether he is already married, ask directly, and treat secrecy as a red flag. This is general information, not legal advice: talk to a lawyer before any marriage that will not be registered.
Where scholars differ: Scholars discuss conditions, such as whether a wife may set monogamy as a condition in the marriage contract. That was not researched for this answer, so ask a qualified teacher.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
Sources
Quran source Quran source Canadian law
I had sexual relationships before Islam. Do I have to tell a future spouse, or get tested?Awaiting scholar review
Your past before Islam is forgiven: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said Islam wipes out what came before it (Sahih Muslim 121). Whether, and what, to tell a future spouse is a question we found no scholarly source for, so ask a qualified scholar privately before you decide. Testing for sexually transmitted infections is a health matter, separate from confessing sins. A family doctor or a sexual health clinic can test you confidentially, and the Public Health Agency of Canada explains when to test and where to go.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Sins from before Islam
Sources
Hadith reference Health information
Do I have to cover in front of my spouse, or when I am alone at home?Awaiting scholar review
Not in front of your spouse. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told a man to guard his awrah except from his wife (Sunan Ibn Majah 1920, graded hasan). In the same hadith he said that when you are alone, Allah is more deserving of your modesty. So covering when alone is the more modest choice, though it is not the same duty. For questions about children, such as privacy and ages at home, ask a qualified teacher privately.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Awrah in the glossary
Sources
Hadith reference
I have questions about my gender identity. Where do I stand?Awaiting scholar review
You are welcome to become Muslim and to bring this question with you. A Yaqeen Institute paper, based on a presentation by Dr. Carl Sharif El-Tobgui, says people are not morally responsible for gender dysphoria to the extent that they did not choose it. The same paper states the mainstream position that transitioning socially, with medication or with surgery is not permitted. Practical questions, such as which prayer row to use, need a private conversation with a qualified scholar who knows your situation. Keep medical decisions with your own doctor. If you are in danger, call 911. If you feel hopeless, call or text 9-8-8, and ESVA Canada's Getting Help page lists national lines, including Trans Lifeline.
Where scholars differ: The paper notes that scholars differed on natural gender-atypical mannerisms. Rulings for someone who has already transitioned were not researched for this answer, so ask a qualified scholar privately.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Mental health support
Sources
Research education Crisis support Support directory

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Holidays and family occasions

9 questions

Can I still spend Christmas with my family?Awaiting scholar review
Many scholars say yes, as long as you are there for your family and not taking part in religious rituals. Staying close to your family is part of Islam, and a SeekersGuidance answer says attending is part of keeping family ties, while quietly not joining religious activities such as prayers or a church service. Other scholars are stricter and advise visiting family at another time instead of joining the festivity itself. Some converts choose a middle path: come for the meal and the company, eat what is halal for you, skip the religious parts politely, and make the visit about your family. You can say, 'I'm so glad to be here with you all. I'll sit out the prayer, but I wouldn't miss dinner.' Where alcohol is served, views differ, and the stricter view says not to attend. Talk to a local imam if you are unsure.
Where scholars differ: Views range from attending the family meal while avoiding the rites (SeekersGuidance), to declining the festivity itself (AMJA 77225, about a friend's invitation), to visiting family at other times but not joining the festivities (Islamweb). IslamQA also takes a stricter view.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Research education Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source Quran source
Can I give or accept Christmas presents?Awaiting scholar review
Accepting gifts from family, neighbours and co-workers is widely considered fine because gift-giving is a social custom, and accepting gifts is a Sunnah practice. SeekersGuidance also allows giving presents to family in December to strengthen ties, in your own dignified way. An AMJA scholar adds that you may decline a gift tied directly to religious ritual, and suggests celebrating other occasions with family, such as birthdays and graduations, so they feel your love. Some scholars advise not having a Christmas tree in a Muslim's own home.
Where scholars differ: Some scholars discourage timing gifts to the holiday.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
Someone says 'Merry Christmas' to me. What should I say back?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars differ here. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta says congratulating non-Muslims on their occasions is allowed, especially with family and colleagues, as long as it does not mean agreeing with their beliefs. Other scholars, such as Shaykh Jamaal Zarabozo for AMJA, advise not saying 'Merry Christmas' and instead replying warmly in another way, like 'So how have you been?' or 'I hope to see you again soon.' Either way, a warm, kind reply matters more than the exact words. Ask your local imam which view to follow.
Where scholars differ: Some scholars allow the greeting and others advise a different warm reply.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
Is Thanksgiving okay?Awaiting scholar review
Some scholars, including teachers at SeekersGuidance, see Canadian Thanksgiving as a national and family occasion rather than a religious one. SeekersGuidance says attending a Thanksgiving dinner with family is permitted, especially when there is benefit in going and harm in staying away, and that national holidays are fine if you do not treat them as religiously sacred. Some AMJA scholars disagree and say Muslims should not celebrate it. If you go, the usual guidance applies: eat what is halal for you, and politely skip any alcohol.
Where scholars differ: SeekersGuidance teachers permit it. Some AMJA scholars say Muslims should not celebrate it.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
What about Halloween, especially for my kids?Awaiting scholar review
Most scholars whose answers we checked advise not joining Halloween because of its origins. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, answering a parent in Canada, suggests giving your children treats or taking them somewhere special instead, and checking with local scholars. An AMJA scholar, answering a convert mother who wanted to share her own childhood fun, suggests putting that energy into the two Eids with sweets, gifts and dressing up. It is okay to feel a little sad about letting go of a tradition you loved; building new family traditions around the Eids helps.
Where scholars differ: Some scholars treat handing out candy at the door as a separate question.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I celebrate birthdays?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars differ. Some, including an AMJA scholar, say birthdays are generally treated as social occasions and are not explicitly forbidden, so an occasional celebration, especially for children, is no harm. Others say to avoid birthday parties as an imitation of other traditions: one AMJA scholar says they are not permissible, and a SeekersGuidance teacher leans that way. If your family throws you a party, you do not need to cause a scene; you can enjoy the time with them and ask your imam about your own practice going forward.
Where scholars differ: This is a clear, documented difference between scholars.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I go to church with my family for a wedding, a funeral, Easter or Christmas?Awaiting scholar review
This is one of the most common questions from new Muslims. Joining in the worship of another religion is where scholars draw a clear line. SeekersGuidance says a Muslim should not actively celebrate another religion's religious festival, and that at family gatherings one should quietly not take part in religious activities. That is different from spending time with your family, eating with them, or learning about their traditions. Scholars answer differently about being present in a church. Some official fatwa bodies say you may attend a relative's funeral, even in a church, as part of keeping family ties. Some scholars allow the family gathering but advise against attending the church service itself, and others take a stricter view. All of these answers fit the Quran's call to keep treating your family with kindness. A kind way to say it: 'I love you and I'll be there for lunch. I won't join the service, because I pray differently now.' Because your situation matters, ask a local imam or scholar you trust before the event.
Where scholars differ: Views range widely. Some bodies, such as Egypt's Dar al-Ifta and an AMJA scholar, allow attending a funeral. SeekersGuidance Hanafi answers allow the family gathering but not the church service without strong need. IslamQA takes a strict view. The one wedding-specific source found (IslamQA) is strict.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source Quran source
There will be alcohol at the family party. Should I still go?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars generally advise against sitting where alcohol is being served, and SeekersGuidance says a gathering built around alcohol is not a place for a believer. They also stress staying kind and connected: offer to take the family out for a meal, visit before the party, or host something yourself. If you do go to a family event where some people drink, many converts sit with the non-drinkers, bring their own drinks, and leave before things get rowdy; ask your imam how this applies to your situation.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on how strictly to apply this to family events where alcohol is present but not central.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Holidays and family occasions guide
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference
Do I have to do qurbani for Eid al-Adha?Awaiting scholar review
Qurbani (also called udhiyah) is sacrificing an animal after the Eid al-Adha prayer, and the meat is shared, including with people in need. The Hanafi school says it is required for those above the zakat threshold. Most other scholars say it is strongly recommended. Canadian charities such as Islamic Relief Canada arrange it for donors. The Quran reminds us that it is our devotion, not the meat or blood, that reaches Allah.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school says qurbani is required for those above the zakat minimum, and most other scholars say it is strongly recommended. Not cutting hair and nails beforehand is recommended or required depending on the school.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Pilgrimage season (Hajj and Dhul Hijjah)
Sources
Financial education Quran source Hadith reference Hadith reference

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Food, work and everyday life

35 questions

How can I tell if food in a Canadian store is really halal?
In Canada, a label that says or suggests 'halal' must also name the person or organisation that certified it. That is a federal labelling rule enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The government does not decide what counts as halal, so the next step is yours: look for the certifier's name, then check whether your local masjid trusts that certifier. Common names you will see in Ontario include the Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA) and ISNA Canada Halal, and their standards are not identical. If a shop or restaurant says 'halal' with no certifier, you can politely ask to see the certificate.
Where scholars differ: Certifiers differ on machine slaughter and stunning.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Public rights source Halal certifier
What food is actually forbidden for Muslims?
The Quran names a short list: animals that died on their own, blood, pork, and meat dedicated to anything other than Allah. Alcohol and other intoxicants are also forbidden. Vegetables, fruit, grains, eggs and fish are generally fine. Some cheeses and other dairy products use animal enzymes, so check those. Many new Muslims start with simple foods like these while they learn the rest. The Quran also says that if you are truly forced by need, you are not sinful, so there is no need to panic.
Where scholars differ: Details about seafood and some animals differ between the schools.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Quran source Quran source Halal certifier
Is vanilla extract or food with a little alcohol in the ingredients okay?
Drinking alcohol is clearly forbidden. Tiny amounts of alcohol used as a solvent in flavourings such as vanilla extract are a real difference of opinion among scholars. In the Hanafi school, as explained by SeekersGuidance, non-wine alcohol in something like vanilla is allowed if it is not used to get intoxicated and the amount cannot intoxicate, though choosing alcohol-free vanilla is the more careful option. Other scholars are stricter and avoid any added alcohol, and certifiers set their own rules. While you are new, it is fine to pick alcohol-free versions where they are easy to find, and to ask your local imam which view your community follows.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school allows small amounts of non-wine alcohol used this way. Many other scholars do not.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference Halal certifier
Do I need to avoid gelatin?
Gelatin is often made from pork or from animals not slaughtered Islamically, so many Muslims avoid it unless it is marked halal or is plant-based. Scholars differ on whether the manufacturing process changes gelatin into a completely new substance (called istihala, meaning full transformation). The Shafi'i school says pork gelatin stays forbidden, while some scholars from other schools and an AMJA scholar accept the transformation argument. A simple beginner approach is to choose halal-certified or plant-based products (agar, pectin) when you can, and not to panic over something you ate before you knew. Medicines are different from sweets: an AMJA answer says a medicine or vaccine containing gelatin may be taken when there is no alternative, so ask your pharmacist about options and do not refuse a medicine you need.
Where scholars differ: The Shafi'i school does not accept that processing changes pork gelatin. The Hanafi and Maliki schools and one Hanbali view accept full transformation more broadly.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Halal certifier Scholar answer
My family serves regular supermarket meat. Can I eat it?
This is one of the biggest differences of opinion among Muslims in North America. Some scholars say the meat of Christians and Jews (People of the Book) is allowed under Quran 5:5. An AMJA scholar holds that you need not ask how it was slaughtered when you do not know, but that this does not apply when you know it was not properly slaughtered. Many other scholars and Canadian certifiers only accept zabiha (Islamically slaughtered) meat. You do not need to settle this debate at the dinner table. Many converts simply take the vegetarian dishes, fish or sides at family meals, or bring a halal dish to share, and ask their local imam which view to follow at home.
Where scholars differ: Some scholars accept the meat of Christians and Jews under Quran 5:5. Many others accept only zabiha meat.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer Halal certifier Scholar answer
We share a kitchen and the family cooks pork. Are the dishes and pans okay for me?
Yes, in general. A SeekersGuidance answer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains that washing, even once, removes the impurity, whether by hand or in a dishwasher, with or without soap. Over-checking this is described as baseless misgivings (waswasa), which the religion discourages. If you can, keep one pan and a set of utensils of your own for cooking, which also avoids tension. The food itself is what matters: the cook being non-Muslim does not make permissible food forbidden.
Where scholars differ: Details of purification differ by school. This answer follows the Hanafi school, and some schools are stricter about pork.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
Can I ask my employer or school for time to pray?
Yes. Human rights law in Canada protects religious practice at work and at school, and which law applies depends on who your employer is, not only on where you live. In Ontario, the Human Rights Code requires employers and schools to accommodate sincerely held religious practices unless it causes undue hardship, which is a high bar limited to cost, outside funding, and health and safety. You do not have to prove that prayer is 'mandatory' in Islam. Sincerity is the test. If you work for a federally regulated employer such as a bank, airline, Canada Post or a federal department, the Canadian Human Rights Act applies instead, and other provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia also protect religion at work. Quebec is different for some public-sector jobs: its laicity law bars people in the roles it lists from wearing religious symbols at work and limits prayer in places run by the public bodies it lists, so check the current law before you rely on this. Most prayers fit into a normal day because each one has a window, and a prayer break, including washing before prayer (wudu), usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Ask early, in writing if you can, and be specific: which prayers fall in your hours, how long each takes, what space you need, and whether you need time for Friday prayer. Offer options such as using part of a break or staying a little later. The Ontario Human Rights Commission says the person asking should explain their needs, answer reasonable questions and help find a solution. You can also share a guide written for managers, such as the one from the Muslim Federal Employees Network. This is general information, not legal advice.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Public rights source Public rights source Public rights source Public rights source Public rights source Public rights source Public rights source Public rights source News report
What about Friday prayer and fasting in Ramadan at work?
The Ontario Human Rights Commission gives examples of both. For Friday prayer, options include a longer lunch, staggered hours or making the time up. For Ramadan, it mentions schedule changes such as working through lunch to leave early for breaking the fast, without loss of pay. You can also ask for religious holidays like Eid off without being forced to use vacation days, for example by using lieu time or swapping shifts. Start with a friendly conversation and offer a solution; many managers are glad to help when they can see how the work still gets done.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Public rights source
I live in Quebec. Are the rules different?
Partly. Quebec's Act respecting the laicity of the State (often called Bill 21) bans people in certain public-sector roles listed in the law from wearing religious symbols, such as a hijab, while working. The law was expanded in 2025 and 2026, including rules about prayer in school buildings during class hours, and the law now also covers subsidised daycare workers and limits religious practice in public institutions. A Supreme Court of Canada challenge was heard in 2026. Because this is changing fast, check the current law or a legal clinic before making a job decision.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Public rights source News report
My team socials are always at a bar. What do I do?
You do not have to drink, and you can still be part of the team. Many scholars advise not sitting at a table where alcohol is being served, based on a hadith in Tirmidhi, and SeekersGuidance advises politely declining gatherings centred on alcohol and suggesting alternatives. At work, try offering a different plan (a lunch, a coffee, a board game night) or join for the first part of an event held somewhere other than a bar. If someone asks, a short answer works: 'I don't drink, but I'd love to come to the lunch.' Scholars differ on events where alcohol is present but not the focus, so ask your imam about your specific situation.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on how strict to be about events where alcohol is present but is not the focus.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Hadith reference Scholar answer
Do I have to stop shaking hands with people of the opposite sex?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars disagree on this, so nobody should shame you for either choice. Most scholars of the four schools say a man and a woman who are not close family should not shake hands, based on reports such as Aisha's statement in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet never touched a woman's hand when taking the pledge. Egypt's official fatwa body, Dar al-Ifta, says it is a disputed question and that a Muslim may follow the scholars who allow a handshake without desire, especially in non-Muslim countries to avoid embarrassing others. If you decide not to shake hands, an AMJA scholar advises explaining that you avoid it out of respect, not disdain, and if you get caught in a moment you could not avoid, you simply ask Allah's forgiveness. A friendly script: put your hand on your heart, smile, and say, 'I don't shake hands for religious reasons, but it's really nice to meet you.' Ask your local imam which view to follow, especially if your job makes this hard.
Where scholars differ: Most scholars of the four schools say it is not permitted (the Hanafi and Hanbali schools allow it with elderly women). Some scholars are more lenient in unavoidable work situations. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta says a Muslim may follow the scholars who permit a handshake without desire.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference Scholar answer
I have tattoos from before Islam. Do I need to remove them?
No, not if removal is costly or harmful. Scholars at AMJA explain that what you did before Islam is forgiven, and that the Prophet told a new Muslim, 'You became Muslim with all those good deeds' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1436). You do not have to cover them when you pray. You may cover them in the masjid if you like, but do not be hard on yourself, and uncovering them in hot weather is fine.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference
I already have a dog. Do I have to give it up?
Scholars generally discourage keeping dogs as indoor pets, while allowing working dogs such as guard dogs, and some advise keeping a dog outside or rehoming it; this is where AMJA and a SeekersGuidance Hanafi answer both land. The Maliki school is known for a more lenient view on dogs. Please do not make a sudden decision that hurts your family or the animal. Talk to a scholar about your situation, especially if the dog belongs to other family members, is a service dog, or is part of a shared home.
Where scholars differ: The Maliki school is known for a more lenient view on dogs.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Do I have to stop listening to music?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars have disagreed about music for centuries, and it is not something you need to settle in your first weeks. Most scholars of the four schools hold that musical instruments are not allowed, apart from the duff (a hand drum), which the Hanafi school and others allow. They cite a report in Sahih al-Bukhari (5590), whose chain scholars also discuss. Singing with good words is fine. Some scholars, such as Imam al-Ghazali, and today Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, allow music whose words and setting are clean, with no indecent lyrics, no alcohol and nothing that stirs up desire. Everyone agrees that lyrics promoting sin are a problem. An AMJA scholar adds that hearing music you did not choose, like in a store or on the news, is not held against you. Focus first on prayer and the basics, then learn the views with a teacher you trust.
Where scholars differ: Most scholars of the four schools restrict musical instruments. Some scholars, including Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, permit clean music with conditions.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference Scholar answer Scholar answer
I have a mortgage, credit card or car loan with interest. What now?Awaiting scholar review
The Quran forbids interest (riba) and permits trade (2:275), and it tells believers to give up outstanding interest (2:278-279). Many new Muslims already have loans with interest, and you do not need to panic or break contracts overnight. Keep paying what you owe, pay credit cards in full each month so you do not pay interest, and avoid new interest-based debt where you can. For a home, many scholars, including SeekersGuidance teachers, say a conventional interest mortgage should be avoided and an Islamic home-financing option chosen, ideally one checked by a board of qualified scholars. Such products differ in the contract (ownership, risk and a fixed known price) even when the monthly cost looks similar. A few official bodies, such as Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, allow a bank home loan as a form of sale. Before you change an existing mortgage or sign anything new, ask a qualified scholar and a financial adviser.
Where scholars differ: Many scholars say conventional interest mortgages are not permitted and advise a certified Islamic alternative. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta treats a bank home loan as a permitted sale (murabaha).
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
Are lottery tickets, sports betting or office pools okay?
Gambling is forbidden in the Quran, which lists it with intoxicants as something to avoid (5:90). That includes lottery tickets, casino games, sports betting and paid office pools where everyone puts money in and one person wins. Free prize draws where you pay nothing are a separate question that scholars discuss. If a co-worker asks you to join a pool, a light answer works: 'I'll sit this one out, but good luck!'
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on free promotional draws where you pay nothing.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Quran source Scholar answer
I smoke or vape. Do I have to quit right away?Awaiting scholar review
Many contemporary scholars consider smoking forbidden or strongly disliked because of its proven harm, while others call it disliked; SeekersGuidance summarises both views. Cannabis is treated like alcohol because it intoxicates. Quitting nicotine is hard, and Islam values steady progress. Health Canada and your doctor can help with quitting supports, and you can make it part of your new start without shame.
Where scholars differ: Some scholars say smoking is forbidden (haram) and others say it is disliked (makruh).
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer
My job involves serving alcohol, handling pork or interest. Do I have to quit right away?Awaiting scholar review
Not the day after your Shahada, and not before you have spoken to a scholar. Scholars separate direct roles, such as serving or selling alcohol or preparing pork, from indirect ones, such as cleaning or working a general till, which SeekersGuidance answers allow. One Hanafi answer says that if leaving at once would leave you unable to pay rent or basic costs, you may keep working while you actively look for a permissible job. You can also ask your employer whether a coworker could take over the specific tasks, and Ontario's human rights policy gives examples of this.
Where scholars differ: These answers come from Hanafi teachers and AMJA. How the other schools treat indirect work was not checked here, and casino and butcher counter jobs need a scholar's answer.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Public rights source
Can I have a one-to-one meeting with a colleague of the opposite sex?Awaiting scholar review
Usually yes, if the setting is not secluded. Scholars ask you to avoid khalwa, which a Hanafi answer on SeekersGuidance describes as being alone together in a closed place others cannot see into or enter. The same school's answer on offices says a room people routinely walk into, or one with a window, is not seclusion. For a late or quiet meeting, leave the door open, book a room with glass, or invite a third colleague. Emails and messages for work or study are fine. Flirting is not.
Where scholars differ: The schools define seclusion a little differently, for example whether one man with two women counts. These answers are mainly Hanafi.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Hadith reference
Can I keep chatting and gaming online with friends of the opposite sex?Awaiting scholar review
Kindness and ordinary respect stay. What scholars ask you to change is private closeness with someone of the opposite sex who is not a close relative. A Shafi'i teacher on SeekersGuidance calls unnecessary online activity with the opposite sex, such as gaming and chat, undoubtedly inappropriate, because online settings lower inhibitions. A gentle way to start is to move one-to-one chats into group settings and turn off voice chat with strangers. If an old friendship or a former partner is involved, talk it through with a teacher or mentor.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Work and school guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
Do I have to start wearing hijab straight away?Awaiting scholar review
The four Sunni schools hold hijab obligatory for adult Muslim women, so it is not optional, even if you cannot start today. One SeekersGuidance teacher advises starting right away with a simple style rather than in stages. Many converts start later: in a US survey by the Yaqeen Institute, of the women converts who wear hijab, 46% started when they converted, 30% months later and 24% a year or more later. If wearing it could put you in danger at home, make a safety plan with trusted support first, and talk to a teacher about your timeline.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Modesty and clothing guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source Research education
Do I have to take off my hijab for my passport, licence or health card photo?
No. Canada's passport photo rules accept a head covering worn daily for religious reasons, as long as your full face is clearly visible, the edges of your face show and there are no shadows on it. At an IRCC biometrics appointment your whole face must be visible, and you can ask for an operator of the same gender and a privacy curtain. In Ontario, the driver's handbook and the health card page both say you can wear religious headwear as long as it does not cover any part of your face. Pin your scarf so your forehead and cheeks stay clear, and check your own province's page if you live outside Ontario. Face coverings (niqab) come under different identity-check rules that this answer does not cover.
Read more: Modesty and clothing guide
Sources
Government of Canada Government of Canada Official source Official source
Can men wear a gold wedding band, a gold chain or a silk tie?Awaiting scholar review
Gold and silk are allowed for women and not for men, according to a hadith in Sunan an-Nasa'i (5148, graded sahih), and Sahih Muslim (2067a) also tells men not to wear silk. White gold is still gold, as a Hanafi answer by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari of Darul Iftaa Leicester, republished on SeekersGuidance, explains. If you wear a gold wedding band, talk to your spouse before you take it off, and think about swapping it for a silver one so the meaning stays. Check tie labels for silk.
Where scholars differ: The same Hanafi answer says a man may wear only a silver ring, under a set weight, and that rings of other metals such as steel or tungsten are not allowed in the Hanafi school. We have not checked the other schools on other metals, so ask your teacher.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Modesty topic
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Scholar answer
Is kosher meat halal?Awaiting scholar review
It depends on the school you follow. A Hanafi answer on SeekersGuidance explains that the Hanafi and Hanbali schools require God's name to be said over each animal, which kosher slaughter does not always include. The Shafi'i school treats saying the name as recommended, and some Malikis hold it is a condition only for Muslims. That answer concludes kosher meat can be eaten, as most contemporary scholars have ruled, and another SeekersGuidance answer for converts allows legitimate kosher meat where God's name is mentioned. Kosher is not the same as halal, and it is not always forbidden either, so ask your teacher whether it is an option for you.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi and Hanbali schools require God's name over each animal. The Shafi'i school treats it as recommended, and some Malikis make it a condition only for Muslims.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Quran source
Can I eat cheese made with rennet?Awaiting scholar review
Rennet is an enzyme used to make cheese. A Hanafi answer on SeekersGuidance says rennet from animals other than pigs is permissible in the Hanafi school, but because the schools differ, it advises avoiding rennet from an unknown source where you can. Labels that say microbial enzyme, vegetable rennet or vegetarian are the easy choice, and you can also ask the manufacturer. Do not worry about cheese you ate before you knew.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school permits rennet from animals other than pigs. Other schools are stricter.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer
Do I need to question every restaurant kitchen?Awaiting scholar review
No. A SeekersGuidance answer for new Muslims, checked by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat, says you do not need to investigate every possible cross-contamination. Ask when it is reasonably likely, and fried food is the main case, because fryer oil is often shared with bacon or battered meat. One question covers it: 'Are the fries cooked in the same oil as the chicken or bacon?' Fish and vegetarian dishes are a calm fallback when you cannot tell.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer
I hunt and fish. Can I keep doing it?Awaiting scholar review
Hunting for food or income is permitted, and hunting for sport is not, according to a SeekersGuidance answer by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat. A Hanafi answer on SeekersGuidance says catch-and-release fishing is impermissible, even when it is done to sharpen your skills, so keep and eat a legal catch instead. There are conditions for game to be halal to eat, so learn them from a qualified teacher before the next season.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living in daily life
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Can I keep going to a mixed gym?Awaiting scholar review
Scholars differ. A SeekersGuidance answer by Mawlana Ilyas Patel, checked by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat, says the more God-conscious choice is to avoid mixed gyms where you can, and suggests a home gym, a training partner or quieter hours in the meantime. An AMJA fatwa by Dr. Main Khalid Al-Qudah compares a gym to a supermarket: you can go, lower your gaze and keep interaction to what is necessary. Either way, do not stop exercising over this, and ask your teacher which view to follow.
Where scholars differ: The SeekersGuidance answer advises avoiding mixed gyms where possible. The AMJA fatwa allows them with a lowered gaze and minimal interaction.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Modesty and clothing guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
What can I wear to swim or play sport?Awaiting scholar review
Men cover from the navel to the knee, and a SeekersGuidance answer on swimming suggests going a little past the knee with three-quarter compression pants. For women, a SeekersGuidance answer by Shaykh Anas al-Musa says swimming is permissible with conditions: women-only places are preferred, clothing should be loose and not thin, and public changing rooms are best avoided. Ask your recreation centre whether it runs women-only times. For school phys-ed or a team, ask about modest kit. Ontario's creed policy quotes one school board's guidelines as examples.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Modesty and clothing guide
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer Public rights source
Can I still watch movies and play video games?Awaiting scholar review
Yes, with some care about what you watch and play and how much time it takes. A SeekersGuidance answer by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick says subscribing to streaming services is not direct help in sin, and lawful content within reasonable limits is fine unless it leads you to neglect your duties. For online games, a Shafi'i teacher on SeekersGuidance calls unnecessary activity with the opposite sex, such as gaming or chatting together, undoubtedly inappropriate. Turning off voice chat with strangers is a simple step.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer
Is it okay to take photos and post them online?Awaiting scholar review
Contemporary scholars differ. A SeekersGuidance answer reports that some scholars permit photography, while others forbid corrupting images and advise avoiding other photos, allowing educational and medical ones. An AMJA fatwa by Dr. Ibrahim Dremali prohibits camera photos except for necessity, need or a recognised interest, and another AMJA fatwa, by Dr. Salah Al-Sawy, says posting personal photos publicly, especially of women, is not permissible. You do not need to delete every photo in a panic. Ask your teacher which view to follow, and think about your privacy before posting about your conversion.
Where scholars differ: Some contemporary scholars permit ordinary photography. The AMJA fatwas cited here prohibit camera photos except for need and say posting personal photos publicly is not permissible.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer Scholar answer
My perfume and deodorant contain alcohol. Do I have to throw them out?Awaiting scholar review
No. A Hanafi answer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on SeekersGuidance says non-wine alcohol, the kind used in most toiletries, is not ritually impure, so deodorants, creams and perfumes that contain it are permitted on the body. The same answer says it is more cautious to avoid them because scholars differ. You can keep using what you have and switch to alcohol-free versions when they run out, if you prefer.
Where scholars differ: The Hanafi answer permits non-wine alcohol for external use. It notes a stricter view within the school, and other schools were not checked.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer
Can I keep my piercings?Awaiting scholar review
A Hanafi answer by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on SeekersGuidance says customary ear and nose piercings for women are permitted, while other piercings, including ear piercings for men, are not. If you have piercings from before Islam, you do not need to panic. Ask a teacher what to do about them, much as you would about a tattoo from before Islam.
Where scholars differ: This is a Hanafi answer. Other schools on piercings were not checked here.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer
Can I dye my hair, and does dye affect wudu?Awaiting scholar review
Hair dye does not stop wudu or ghusl, according to a Hanafi answer by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam on SeekersGuidance, which also says dyeing grey hair is recommended. Pure black dye for adornment is disputed: many Hanafi scholars say it is not allowed, Imam Abu Yusuf permits it, and Mufti Taqi Usmani calls it disliked. A hadith in Sahih Muslim (2102b) says to change grey hair with something but avoid black. Other colours are fine, and you can ask your teacher about black.
Where scholars differ: Within the Hanafi school, pure black dye is held impermissible by many, disliked by some and permitted by Imam Abu Yusuf. Other schools were not checked here.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living: everyday situations
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference
Can I buy car insurance and use my work health benefits?Awaiting scholar review
Yes, for what the law requires and what comes with your job. AMJA fatwa 86975 says scholars in the West seem to agree that the legal minimum of car insurance is permissible, so do not drive uninsured. A 2005 position approved by AMJA's third annual convention accepts health insurance out of need, insurance your employer provides as part of your pay, and government insurance such as provincial health coverage. Ask a scholar before you buy optional insurance, including life insurance, which this site has not yet sourced.
Where scholars differ: Scholars differ widely on commercial insurance and on life insurance. The AMJA position treats commercial insurance as invalid in principle and allows it by need.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Halal living
Sources
Scholar answer Scholar answer

Back to the topic list

Community and belonging

10 questions

I feel really lonely since I became Muslim. Is that normal?
Yes. Many new Muslims feel lonely, especially in the first months. Old friendships can change, and a new community can take time to feel like home. A Yaqeen Institute survey of American converts found that masjids, imams and Muslim friendships matter a lot, and that converts need support long after the day they say the Shahada. Start small: one class, one friendly face, one regular visit. If the loneliness turns into hopelessness, please talk to someone now. In Canada, call 911 in an emergency, or call or text 9-8-8.
Read more: Loneliness and belonging
Sources
Research education Beginner education Crisis support
How do I know who I can trust for help?
Start with organisations, not individuals you just met. A good sign is an organisation that has a public program page, an office phone or email, and is happy for you to ask other teachers too. Be careful with anyone who asks for money, wants to rush you into marriage, tells you to keep things secret, or tries to cut you off from family or other Muslims. For non-religious needs such as housing, food or counselling in Ontario, 211 is confidential and answered 24/7 (call or text 2-1-1). For religious rulings about your own situation, ask a qualified local imam.
Read more: Signs of a healthy community
Sources
Service navigation Public safety source Public safety source
Is there a program for new Muslims in Ottawa?
Yes. Islam Care Centre in downtown Ottawa (currently at 375 Somerset St. W) runs a free weekly program called Convert Care, which it describes as covering the basics new Muslims need to know. Its page says it meets every Wednesday at 6:00 pm. Schedules change, so call the centre at (613) 232-0210 before your first visit. You are welcome to go just to listen.
Read more: Find a masjid
Sources
Official masjid source
I went to the masjid and nobody talked to me. Did I do something wrong?
Almost certainly not. Communities are made of ordinary people, and sometimes they are busy, shy, or do not realise you are new. New Muslim Academy puts it simply: communities are imperfect, and your faith does not depend on how one group received you. Try again at a quieter time, introduce yourself to the office or the imam, or ask whether the masjid has a new Muslim program. If one place does not feel right, it is fine to try another.
Read more: First masjid visit guide
Sources
Beginner education
Can I talk to a Muslim counsellor?
Yes. Several Canadian organisations offer faith-aware support. Naseeha runs a Muslim youth helpline at 1 (866) 627-3342. Nisa Helpline offers free peer support for women and girls 14 and up at +1 888 711 6472, 8 am to midnight Eastern. For ongoing therapy, Khalil Center (online, 416-901-2244) and Muslim Family Services of Ottawa (613-562-2273) have professional counsellors; ask about fees and insurance. None of these replace 911 or 9-8-8 in an emergency. Before you book, ask for the counsellor's registration number and check it with your provincial college.
Read more: Choosing a therapist
Sources
Helpline source Women's services Clinical support Faith-aware counselling Public health source Crisis support Clinical support
People at the masjid treat me as less of a Muslim because of my race or background. Is this Islam?Awaiting scholar review
No. The Quran says people were made into nations and tribes to know one another, and that the most noble in Allah's sight is the most righteous (49:13). Prejudice among some Muslims comes from culture, not from the religion. Write down what happened, talk to one trusted person, and try another masjid or a convert programme if you need to. If there are threats or harassment, report them.
Read more: Loneliness and belonging
Sources
Quran source Scholarly source
The first weeks felt amazing. Now I feel nothing when I pray. Was I ever sincere?Awaiting scholar review
Feeling flat after the first months is common, and it does not mean your conversion was fake. The companion Hanzala feared he was a hypocrite because his feeling of faith faded at home, and the Prophet reassured him (Sahih Muslim 2750a). The deeds most beloved to Allah are the regular ones, even if small (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464), so keep your prayers and one small habit going. If low mood lasts most of the day for more than two weeks, talk to a doctor.
Read more: When faith feels flat
Sources
Hadith reference Hadith reference Public health information
There is so much to learn. How do I keep from feeling overwhelmed?
You do not have to learn everything at once. Pick one thing at a time, usually prayer first, and let the rest wait. Self-paced courses such as New Muslim Academy let you start when you are ready and go at your own speed, and they have forums where you can ask questions. If someone hands you a long list of rules on your first day, it is fine to say you are taking it step by step. Going slowly and steadily is better than burning out. On a week when it all feels like too much, the New Muslim basics page has a plan for hard weeks.
Read more: New Muslim basics
Sources
Beginner education Hadith reference
I drifted away from Islam for a while. Can I come back?Awaiting scholar review
Yes. Allah says not to lose hope in His mercy, for He forgives all sins (Quran 39:53). Start with the next prayer and a short repentance in your own words; you do not need to feel ready first. If you missed prayers, ask a teacher to help you set a gentle make-up plan. Nobody at the masjid is owed an explanation for where you have been.
Where scholars differ: The relied-upon positions of the four schools require making up missed prayers; some scholars differed about prayers missed on purpose.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Coming back after a break
Sources
Quran source Hadith reference Scholarly answer Scholarly answer
My family and old friends pulled away after I converted. Why does it feel like grief?Awaiting scholar review
Because it is a kind of grief. The psychotherapists Najwa Awad and Sarah Sultan explain that grief follows many losses besides death, including a future you had hoped for, and that grief is not a sign of weak faith. The Prophet wept when his son Ibrahim died. Be gentle with yourself, keep safe contact with family where you can, and see a counsellor if the sadness stays heavy for months.
Read more: Family and friends guide
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Staying safe and getting help

18 questions

When should I get professional help instead of just talking to friends or an imam?Awaiting scholar review
Talking to friends and a good imam can help a lot, but some things need a trained professional. Get help if sadness or anxiety lasts for weeks, stops you from sleeping, eating, working or studying, or if you are thinking about hurting yourself. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time. In Ontario, ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600, or text CONNEX to 247247) can help you find counselling, and there are Muslim counsellors if you would like someone who understands your faith. Revert Guide is not a substitute for professional care.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Mental health support
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Public health source Service navigation
What number do I call in a mental health crisis in Canada?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone, call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time, in English or French. If you are under 30, you can also reach Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people can call the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. Note that '741741' is a US text number and is not the Canadian service.
Read more: Mental health support
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Public health source Crisis support Crisis support Crisis support
Someone I met at the masjid asked me for money. What should I do?
You never have to give money to anyone, and a good community will not pressure a new Muslim to pay. If you want to give charity, give to a registered organisation rather than an individual, and use a traceable payment, not cash or gift cards. Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre warns about people who ask for donations for a religious cause using pressure, and the Canada Revenue Agency says not to donate if you feel pushed to give right away. If something feels wrong, tell someone you trust at the masjid office, and report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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How can I check that a fundraiser or charity is real?
Ask for information in writing and ask for the charity's registration number. You can check it on the Canada Revenue Agency's list of charities, or call the CRA at 1-800-267-2384. Be careful with appeals that rush you, ask for cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency, use a name that looks like a well-known charity, or come from a free email address. Crowdfunding pages can be fake too.
Read more: Yearly charity (zakat) for beginners
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Someone online wants to marry me very quickly. Is that a red flag?Awaiting scholar review
It can be. Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre lists warning signs such as someone who says they love you before you have met, wants to move the chat somewhere private quickly, always has a reason not to meet, asks for money, or tells you not to talk to friends and family. A sincere person will be patient, meet in safe and public ways, and be happy for your family, friends or a trusted imam to be involved. Never send money or personal documents to someone you have not met. For the religious side of marriage, speak with a qualified local imam before any decision.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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Someone offered to help with my immigration or sponsorship. How do I know it is not a scam?
Be very careful. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says no one can guarantee approval or faster processing. IRCC will never ask you to pay into a personal bank account, send money through a private transfer service, contact you from Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo, ask for payment by phone, or start a conversation on social media. If you think you have been targeted, IRCC's reporting page explains how to report it, including to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the police. For your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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How do I report abuse by an imam, teacher or someone at a Muslim organisation?
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If a crime happened, such as assault, threats or theft, report it to the police. If a child may be at risk, in Ontario everyone is required by law to report it to a children's aid society. You can also tell the organisation's board or a leader who is not involved. Misuse of charity money can be reported to the Canada Revenue Agency. If the person is a mentor or group connected to Revert Guide, you can report them to us through our get help page. For everyday concerns that are not abuse, such as the women's space or the language of the khutbah, the masjid and community topic explains who runs a masjid and how to give feedback.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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A group says most Muslims are not real Muslims and wants me to cut off my family. Should I worry?Awaiting scholar review
Yes, that is a warning sign. Healthy teachers encourage you to keep good ties with family, ask other scholars, and take your time. Public Safety Canada describes online recruiters (its example is Daesh) who isolate people from positive influences and then move them to private chats. It also says violent extremism is not linked to any religion. If you are worried about a group, step back and talk to a trusted imam or friend. If someone talks about violence or you feel unsafe, call 9-1-1. In the GTA and Southern Ontario, ETA (416-617-4561) offers free, confidential support for people and families worried about isolation or extremism.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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I have not told my family I am Muslim yet. How can I keep safe?
Many people wait until the time is right, and that is your decision. If you worry about how someone at home might react, think about your phone and computer: installed apps, browser history and messages can be seen by others, and there is no sure way to erase everything. Use a strong, unique password and turn on two-step sign-in for your accounts. If you are afraid of violence, the Government of Canada has a safety planning guide, and in danger you should call 9-1-1.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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Public safety source Public safety source
I think I have been scammed. Who do I tell?
First, stop sending money or information. Then report it to your local police as soon as you can, and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online through its reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern, closed on holidays). The police investigate, and the Anti-Fraud Centre collects reports to help them. Being scammed is not your fault, and careful people are targeted every day.
Read more: Red flags and staying safe
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If I contact a helpline, will they tell my family?Awaiting scholar review
Helplines keep your conversations private, and they do not contact your family just because you called. Some services are anonymous and some are not. Kids Help Phone, for example, says its phone line is confidential and anonymous, while its text line is confidential but not anonymous, and explains that if your life or someone else's is in danger, staff may need to contact emergency services or child protection. You can ask the person you speak to how privacy works before you share details.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Mental health support
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Crisis support
I am under 18 and my parents do not know I am Muslim. What should I do?Awaiting scholar review
Your Shahada is valid, and for now you can practise quietly: believe, make dua, pray where you can and keep learning. Stay kind and honest with your parents, and do not run away from home. Never keep secrets with an adult who asks you to hide your chats or meetings from your parents. If you are not safe at home, call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868, and call 911 in danger.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: If you are under 18
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Scholar answer Scholar answer Public rights source Crisis support
I was sexually assaulted or abused. Is it my sin, and where can I get help?Awaiting scholar review
It is not your sin. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani of SeekersGuidance writes that a woman who is assaulted bears no sin whatsoever, because coercion lifts accountability. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said Allah has forgiven his community what they are forced to do (Sunan Ibn Majah 2045, graded sahih). Abuse is not a punishment from Allah, as Ustadha Shazia Ahmad writes to a survivor of childhood abuse. If you are in danger, call 911. ESVA Canada's Getting Help page lists sexual assault centres and crisis lines in every province, and you can call or text 9-8-8 at any time. You can ask for a same-gender counsellor, for example at the Khalil Center, and ask a trusted teacher any questions about washing or purity without shame.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Mental health support
Sources
Scholar answer Hadith reference Scholar answer Support directory Crisis support Clinical support
Someone harassed me because I am Muslim. What should I do?Awaiting scholar review
If you are hurt or still in danger, call 911. When you are safe, write down what happened and save screenshots or photos before you delete anything. You can report it to your local police, anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, and to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) through its incident form. Being targeted is not your fault, and feeling shaken afterwards is common.
Read more: Facing hate and harassment
Sources
Public health source Public safety information Public safety information Public rights information Public safety information
Is it worth reporting if it was only words and nobody was hurt?Awaiting scholar review
Yes, if you want to. The RCMP says a slur, or mocking someone's religion on social media, can be a hate incident even when it is not a crime, and that reporting incidents, no matter how minor, helps police prevent them. In a 2019 Statistics Canada survey, only 22% of incidents people saw as hate-motivated were reported to police. You can also report to NCCM, which does not share your information without your consent.
Read more: Facing hate and harassment
Sources
Public safety information Public safety information Public rights information
I drink or use drugs and keep slipping. Where can I get help?Awaiting scholar review
Tell your doctor honestly how much you use, and if you have been drinking heavily every day, ask them before you stop, because CAMH says alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Your provincial or territorial addiction line can tell you what help is near you; the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction lists them all. A slip does not end your Islam. The Prophet told people not to curse a companion who was brought to him again and again for drinking, because he loved Allah and His Messenger (Sahih al-Bukhari 6780). Repent and start again the same day.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Alcohol, drugs and recovery
Sources
Public health information Public health information Public health information Hadith reference
I keep repeating wudu and get thoughts about Allah that I hate. Am I losing my faith?Awaiting scholar review
No. When companions told the Prophet about thoughts too terrible to speak, he said, "That is the faith manifest" (Sahih Muslim 132a). Doubts and unwanted thoughts that will not stop can be a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which CAMH says can include fear of blasphemous thoughts and excessive washing. OCD is treatable, most often with cognitive behavioural therapy. If it takes over your day, see your doctor or a mental health professional, and ask one teacher for one simple standard to follow.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: When doubts will not stop
Sources
Hadith reference Clinical information Research education Research education
I have had thoughts of ending my life. What should I do?Awaiting scholar review
If you are in danger right now, call 911. To talk to someone, call or text 9-8-8 at any time, day or night, in English or French. Having these thoughts shows how much pain you are carrying, and you deserve care, not blame. Tell one person you trust today. Your faith and professional help can go together, and a doctor or counsellor can help with what you are going through.
Read more: Taking care of your mind
Sources
Public health source Crisis support Crisis support Public health information

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Mentors and teachers

1 question

A mentor or teacher is making me uncomfortable. What can I do?
Trust that feeling. A mentor should never ask for money, ask to meet alone in private places, pressure you about marriage, ask for photos, or tell you to keep things secret. You can stop meeting them at any time. Tell the program coordinator or another trusted person at the organisation, and if you are in danger or there has been a crime, call 9-1-1 or the police. If the person is connected to Revert Guide, you can report them to us through our get help page.
Read more: How mentoring works and our conduct standards
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Using this site

2 questions

Which Muslim apps are safe for my privacy?
Apps differ a lot. In 2020, reporters found that one very popular prayer app, Muslim Pro, had been sending users' location data to a data broker; the company says it never gave data to the military and ended those partnerships, but its current privacy policy still allows sharing some data with advertisers. If privacy matters to you, look for apps that say location stays on your phone, show no ads and do not need an account. Pillars says it keeps location on your phone and shows no ads. Quran.com says it does not sell personal information and you can use it without an account. It does use Google Analytics. You can also use the prayer times and qibla tools on this site.
Read more: Privacy policy
Sources
News report Official app Quran source
Can Revert Guide help me if I am struggling with my mental health?Awaiting scholar review
Revert Guide can point you to support, but it is not a counselling service and it is not a substitute for professional care. Nobody at Revert Guide monitors messages in real time. If you are in danger, call 9-1-1. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 at any time.
This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.
Read more: Mental health support
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