Frequently asked questions

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: Say the Shahada

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: Say the Shahada

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

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

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 bath (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

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

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

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

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

This is one of the most common questions from new Muslims, and scholars answer it differently. 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 attending family gatherings but advise against attending the church service itself. Others take a stricter view. All of these answers fit the Quran's call to keep treating your family with kindness, and none of them has you join in worship directed to anyone other than Allah. Because your situation matters, please 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: Family and friends guide

Many converts keep spending time with family over the holidays, and staying close to your family is part of Islam. Some scholars say you may join the family gathering and meal while quietly not taking part in the religious parts, such as church services or prayers. Others are stricter about attending religious celebrations. Some converts choose to visit, help, share the meal if the food is halal for you, and politely step out of any worship. Where alcohol is served, views differ, and the stricter view says not to attend. Talk to a local imam if you are unsure, and see our family guide for ideas.

Where scholars differ: Views range from joining the family gathering while skipping religious rites (SeekersGuidance) to a stricter view (IslamQA).

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

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

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

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.

Read more: Dua and dhikr

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

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

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.

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

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

Start anyway. Scholars describe ways for a new Muslim to pray while still learning, and the schools differ on the details. A cautious approach, valid in the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools according to SeekersGuidance, is to say short Arabic phrases you already know, such as 'SubhanAllah' (glory be to Allah) and 'Alhamdulillah' (praise be to Allah), in place of the recitation you have not memorised yet. In the Hanafi school, reciting the meaning in your own language is also allowed for someone who cannot yet recite Arabic. Keep learning al-Fatiha a line at a time, and ask a local imam which approach to follow.

Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school allows reciting a translation for someone who cannot yet recite Arabic. The Shafi'i school uses Arabic remembrance instead. The Maliki and Hanbali schools hold that non-Arabic recitation 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

This depends on your situation, and scholars have different views, so please do not make any sudden decision based on something you read online. The answer can differ depending on whether you are the husband or the wife and on your spouse's religion. Speak privately with a qualified scholar or imam you trust, who can listen to your full situation. Nobody should pressure you to leave your home or your marriage quickly. If you ever feel unsafe at home, see our safety resources.

Where scholars differ: Most of the four schools hold that the marriage ends after a waiting period if the husband does not accept Islam. The European Council for Fatwa and Research allows a wife to stay if he does not obstruct her practice. A husband who converts while married to a Christian or Jewish wife is generally treated differently.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Relationships and marriage basics

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: Say the Shahada

Start small, and let the order do the work for you. 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. You have a lifetime to keep learning, and nobody expects you to know everything in your first month.

Read more: New Muslim basics

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.

Read more: Questions and doubts

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

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)

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. Shortening prayers while travelling is a separate topic.

Read more: Salah companion

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

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

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.

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

Yes. The scholars in the sources we checked say a new Muslim keeps praying while they learn, and they describe ways to do it. One widely taught option is to say simple Arabic phrases of remembrance in place of recitation, 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. Meanwhile, learn Al-Fatiha one phrase at a time. Schools of law differ on the details, so ask a local imam which option to follow.

Where scholars differ: The Hanafi school also accepts a translation for someone who cannot yet recite Arabic. The Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools do not accept recitation in another language. The Shafi'i school allows remembrance phrases and, failing that, standing silently.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Salah companion

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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: Start praying five times a day

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

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

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)

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 differences, and these are 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

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)

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

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). 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. 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, 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: Wudu and ghusl guide

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: an ordinary shower with the intention of purifying yourself, where 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)

Yes. Scholars state that saying the two testimonies of faith with conviction is what makes a person Muslim, and that the bath 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 bath itself is required.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Say the Shahada

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

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: Purification in Islam

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

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

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

Wash the parts you can. Some schools say wiping over the dressing with a wet hand is enough, and the Shafi'i school also requires tayammum for the covered part. If water would harm you, or you truly cannot find any, dry purification called tayammum takes its place: strike clean earth with your hands, wipe your face, then wipe your hands. The Quran gives this permission. Schools differ on extra steps for casts and on whether prayers are repeated, so ask your imam about your situation.

Where scholars differ: The schools differ on whether tayammum is added alongside wiping the cast, and on whether prayers are repeated.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Purification in Islam

Yes. Many people start praying before they can read a single Arabic letter. The opening chapter of the Quran (Al-Fatihah) is recited in Arabic in prayer in all four schools, though they differ on its exact legal status, so it is the first thing worth learning, a line at a time, by listening and repeating. While you learn, the Prophet taught a man who said he could not memorise any Quran to say simple words of praise instead: 'Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, Allah is most great, and there is no might and no strength except with Allah.' How this applies to you while you are learning is a question for a local imam, and scholars from the four schools of law give slightly different details. Allah does not ask a soul for more than it can bear (Quran 2:286).

Where scholars differ: The four schools differ on exactly what someone who cannot yet recite Al-Fatihah should say, and on whether a translation may be used while learning.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Salah companion

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

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

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

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

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

From dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) you avoid eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Doing any of these on purpose breaks the fast. Medicines, injections, inhalers and similar questions have detailed rulings, so ask your imam or a scholar. 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 certain medical procedures, 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: Ramadan guide

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

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 chronic illness, give fidyah instead. 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

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

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

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

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

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: Eid al-Fitr guide

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. 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: Zakat guide for beginners

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: Zakat guide for beginners

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: Zakat guide for beginners

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: Zakat guide for beginners

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: Zakat guide for beginners

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: Dhul Hijjah, Hajj and Umrah guide

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: Dhul Hijjah, Hajj and Umrah guide

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: Dhul Hijjah, Hajj and Umrah guide

Bleeding outside your usual period, or bleeding that goes past the longest period length, is called istihadah (irregular bleeding). In the Hanafi school, if bleeding runs past ten days, the days beyond your usual period length count as istihadah. It is not a period, so in the Hanafi school 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.

Where scholars differ: The Shafi'i and other schools differ on wudu for each prayer or each prayer time, and on the longest period length.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Menstruation and worship

No. Women do not pray during menstruation or bleeding after childbirth, and they do not make those prayers up afterwards. This is a mercy, not a punishment. When the bleeding ends, you take a ghusl and start praying again. The details of when it ends are a common question, so ask a knowledgeable woman teacher or imam if you are unsure.

Where scholars differ: Details such as the shortest and longest period lengths, and irregular bleeding, differ by school.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Purification in Islam

No. During your period (called hayd in Arabic) 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 your period ends and you have taken the purification bath (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 teacher how your school handles this.

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.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Menstruation and worship

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

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

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

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: Dua and dhikr

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

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 take the purification bath (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

Not all bleeding counts as a period. Bleeding outside your period, often called istihadah, 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. Working out which days are your period can be complicated, and the schools use different day limits. Keep a simple record of your days and ask a teacher you trust. 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.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Menstruation and worship

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

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

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

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

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

This is a serious question with real differences of opinion, and the answer can depend on whether you are a man or a woman and on your spouse's faith. Please do not make any sudden decision based on something you read online, including this page. Speak privately with a qualified scholar you trust, and if separation or immigration questions are involved, a family lawyer as well. You are not alone: in one large survey of American converts, 13% of married women and nearly 30% of married men had a spouse who was not Muslim. If you feel unsafe at home, contact Canadian safety resources first.

Where scholars differ: Scholars hold very different views here, and family law is involved, so this answer gives no ruling.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Relationships and marriage basics

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

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

Many scholars say yes, as long as you are there for your family and not taking part in religious rituals. 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 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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 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.' Questions about whether attending a church service in any capacity (a funeral, a wedding) is okay should go to a scholar, since they depend on the situation.

Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on attending weddings or funerals in churches.

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

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

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: Dhul Hijjah, Hajj and Umrah guide

Scholars disagree on this. Most scholars of the four schools say a man and a woman who are not close family should not shake hands, and some people politely put a hand on their heart and smile instead. 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. Because it is a real difference of opinion, nobody should shame you for either choice. You can ask your local imam which view to follow, and take it one step at a time.

Where scholars differ: Most scholars of the four schools say it is not permitted (the Hanafi and Hanbali schools allow it with elderly women). 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

Scholars have disagreed about music for centuries. 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, while 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. You do not need to make a sudden change on day one. Learn the views, talk to a teacher you trust, and grow at your own pace.

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

Islam forbids riba (interest on loans), and the Quran tells believers to give up outstanding interest (2:278-279). 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. If you already have a loan from before Islam, do not panic or make a sudden financial decision. Keep paying what you owe, and ask a qualified scholar and a financial adviser about moving to an Islamic financing option. Some scholars say this is strongly advised or even required.

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: everyday situations

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

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 this is a religion of mercy, not 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

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

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.

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

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

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

Yes. 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. Give reasonable notice, explain what you need (for example, about 10 minutes around a prayer time and a quiet spot), and suggest options like using a break or staying a little later. 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. This is general information, not legal advice.

Read more: Work and school guide

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

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

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

Most scholars say Muslims should avoid shaking hands with non-related people of the opposite sex, based on reports such as Aisha's statement in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet never touched a woman's hand when taking the pledge. An AMJA scholar advises explaining that you avoid it out of respect, not disdain, and that if you get caught in a moment where you could not avoid it, 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.' Some scholars are more lenient in unavoidable work situations; ask a scholar if your job makes this hard.

Where scholars differ: Some scholars are more lenient in unavoidable work situations.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Halal living: everyday situations

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

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

Muslims disagree on this, and it is not something you need to settle in your first weeks. Many scholars restrict musical instruments, citing a report in Sahih al-Bukhari (5590), while others permit wholesome music; the report's chain is itself discussed by scholars. One helpful point from an AMJA scholar: 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 about this with a teacher you trust.

Where scholars differ: Many scholars restrict musical instruments, and others permit wholesome music.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Halal living: everyday situations

The Quran forbids interest (riba) and permits trade (2:275). Many new Muslims already have loans with interest, and you do not need to panic or break contracts overnight. Take simple steps: pay off credit cards in full each month so you do not pay interest, avoid new interest-based debt where you can, and ask a qualified scholar about your existing mortgage or loans before changing anything. Islamic finance options in Canada exist but vary, so get advice before signing anything new.

Where scholars differ: Scholars differ on mortgages for a family home in Western countries.

This touches on a ruling. Ask a qualified teacher or imam you trust how it applies to you.

Read more: Halal living

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

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

Many prayers can be fitted into a normal day because each one has a window. In Canada you can ask for religious accommodation, such as a short prayer break, a clean quiet space, time for wudu, and time for Friday prayer. Employers have a duty to consider the request, and in Ontario inconvenience alone is not a reason to refuse. A prayer break usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Plan which prayers fall in your working hours and ask early.

Where scholars differ: Legal details vary by province, and this is not legal advice.

Read more: Work and school guide

Ask early, in writing if you can, and be specific: which prayers fall in your hours, how long each takes, and what space you need. Offer ideas, such as using part of your lunch break or a quiet room. The Ontario Human Rights Commission says the person asking should explain their needs, answer reasonable questions and take part in finding a solution. You can share a guide written for managers, such as the one from the Muslim Federal Employees Network.

Read more: Work and school guide

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 (call or text 9-8-8 in Canada).

Read more: Loneliness and belonging

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.

Read more: New Muslim basics

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

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

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

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.

Read more: Mental health support

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

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 Metis 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

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

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: Zakat guide for beginners

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

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

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.

Read more: Red flags and staying safe

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

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

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

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

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: Red flags and staying safe

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

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