Telling a parent gently
I've been learning about Islam and it matters to me. I'm not rejecting our family. I'd like to keep talking with you about it.
Practical guide
If you are under 18
Awaiting scholar review
If you are a teenager and you have become Muslim, or want to, your Shahada is valid. You do not need a masjid or a certificate for it to count. This page is for you, and for the adults who meet you.
Start here
- Your Shahada is valid. Do what you can quietly and learn at your own pace.
- Be kind and honest with your parents. Do not run away from home.
- An adult who wants you to keep secrets from your parents is a warning sign.
- If home is not safe, call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. In danger, call 911.
What to do for now
A SeekersGuidance teacher answered a 13-year-old who wanted to become Muslim (2023). She said the Shahada is all it takes. She also said, "For now, don't worry about being unable to cover, fast, or attend a mosque," and advised taking every chance to practise that you get.
So believe, make dua, pray where you can, and learn from a course or teacher you trust. Big changes can wait until you are older and your situation allows them.
- Start with the first steps on this site's roadmap.
- If you cannot pray yet, keep learning and keep making dua.
- When you have a question about a ruling, ask a qualified teacher.
Your parents
Islam asks you to treat your parents with love and good character, even when they are not Muslim. A SeekersGuidance teacher (2010) explains that you obey your parents in everything except what would mean disobeying God.
In practice, that means helping at home, not lying to them without a real need, and not starting arguments about religion. Give them time.
Your rights in Ontario
This is general information about Ontario law, not legal advice. Other provinces have different rules. It comes from Justice for Children and Youth, a legal clinic for young people in Ontario, not a government page.
If you are 15 or younger, your parents or caregivers decide where you live. If you are not safe at home, a Children's Aid Society can help.
If you are 16 or 17, you can leave your parents' control without a court order. That is a serious step with legal, money and housing consequences, so talk to Justice for Children and Youth or Kids Help Phone before you decide anything.
An adult who helps a young person leave home can face criminal charges. So no masjid, mentor or online friend should ever offer to help you leave home.
Warning signs
Good teachers and masjids do not ask you to hide things. If someone does any of these, stop talking to them and tell a trusted adult or call Kids Help Phone.
- An adult asks you to keep your chats or meetings secret from your parents.
- Someone talks about marrying you, or offers to arrange a secret nikah.
- Someone offers you a place to live, or money, so you can leave home.
- Private messages make you uncomfortable, or someone asks you for photos.
For mentors and masjids
If you meet a young convert, involve the parents where it is safe, meet in public spaces with other adults around, and never encourage a minor to leave home. If you are worried about a young person's safety, contact a Children's Aid Society, or call 911 in an emergency.
Things you can say
Saying no to a secret
I don't keep secrets from my parents about who I talk to. If you want to help me, it has to be out in the open.
Common situations
Do not go. Stop replying and tell a trusted adult. If home is not safe, call Kids Help Phone or 911, not a stranger from a chat group.
Stay calm and kind. Make dua, pray quietly where you can, and take the chances you get. If you ever feel unsafe, call Kids Help Phone, or 911 in danger.
Where to go next
When to ask someone qualified
This guide is general education. If the question touches safety, marriage, family pressure, your rights at work or school, mental health, money, or a personal religious ruling, speak with a qualified local imam, scholar, clinician, legal professional, or safety service.
Sources used
These sources back the general framing of this guide. They do not replace personal advice from someone qualified and local to you.
- Can you advise me on how to convert as a 13-year-old?Scholar answer
SeekersGuidance - Scholar answer
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad, checked by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, 28 April 2023. Supports: a teenager's Shahada is valid and is all it takes; 'For now, don't worry about being unable to cover, fast, or attend a mosque'; take every chance to practise you get; learn online and make dua.
- Dealing with non-Muslim parents (II)Scholar answer
SeekersGuidance - Scholar answer
Ustadh Faraz A. Khan, 11 August 2010. Supports: love and excellent conduct toward parents who are not Muslim; obedience is limited only by 'There is no obedience to creation if it entails disobedience to the Creator' (Tabarani).
- Leaving homePublic rights source
Justice for Children and Youth - Legal clinic information
A Legal Aid Ontario-funded legal clinic for young people, not a government page. Supports, for Ontario: at 15 and under, parents or caregivers decide where a young person lives; at 16 or 17 a young person may withdraw from parental control without a court order; routes through a Children's Aid Society; a person a youth lives with will not be charged with a criminal offence as long as they do not help the youth leave home.
- Kids Help PhoneCrisis support
Kids Help Phone - Crisis support
Free 24/7 support for young people aged 5 to 29 (age range from the Government of Canada page). Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. Calls are confidential and anonymous. Texting is confidential but not anonymous, and staff may contact emergency services if someone's safety is at risk. Checked on 23 September 2026.
- Get help with mental healthPublic health source
Public Health Agency of Canada - Public health information
The Government of Canada page that says to call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical help. It also lists 9-8-8, Kids Help Phone, Hope for Wellness and each province's services. Page modified 2026-01-14. Numbers checked on 23 September 2026.