How to Become a Muslim

All praises be to Allāh , the Lord of the Universe. May the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon Muhammad, His last Messenger

Dear reader on behalf of all the members of Free Qur’ān.org.uk, I welcome you to Islām. It always brings Muslims great joy when we hear of anyone wishing to convert to Islām. Muslims want to rush to tell their friends and family about this wonderful news. Muslims always love to hear how others converted to Islām. So for sure you will be greatly welcomed to Islām.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him welcomed even those people who had previously fought him and killed his loved ones. These people later on were to become the heroes of Islām. So no matter what your background and no matter what you may have done or said to Muslims or others in the past, you should rest assured that you will be welcomed with open arms.

Who can become a Muslim?

Some people are worried often worried if they will be allowed to become Muslim due to a variety of reasons. So before proceeding onto how to convert to Islām. I wish to reassure you that anyone can become a Muslim.

Islām is for the whole of humanity. Islām unites together people of different colours, languages, races. and nationalities into one brotherhood.

Allāh says: “Indeed the Believers are but brothers.”
[Qur’ān 49:10]

So you will be our brother or sisters in Islām when you convert to Islām

Any human being can embrace Islām. You do not need anyones permission to become Muslim. You can be any colour, race, age, speak any language and still become a Muslim. There are many American, British, European, Indian, children and Adults who accept Islām every day.

You may hear from some Muslims incorrect advice due to their lack of knowledge of Islām or due to lack of correct knowledge of Islām. So please note that:

You do not need to do a course or obtain a certificate to become a Muslim

Someone may say you have to do a course or obtain a certificate to be a Muslim. This is incorrect. You do not need to attend a course or obtain a certificate to become Muslim. You should not delay in becoming a Muslim

If someone advices you to delay your conversion to Islām. This is also incorrect. If you believe Islām is the truth then you should not delay your conversion to Islām. You should revert immediately because we are given a certain lifespan. Since we do not know when we are going to die. Not even a minute should be lost as your time to leave this life may be up the next minute.

If you have tattoos you can still become a Muslim

Tattoos are not allowed in Islām but they DO NOT prevent a person becoming Muslim. You should become Muslims and latter you can have the tattoos removed if you can afford it. If you can not afford it then do not worry there is no sin on you for what you did before becoming Muslim You are still a Muslim.

If you have committed many sins in past you can still become a Muslim

No matter what sins you have committed or how wild your past was. You can still become a Muslim.. Islām erases all sins committed prior to becoming a Muslim. Prophet (may the peace and blessings and mercy of Allāh be upon him) said, Islām annuls what came before it. (narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, no. 121).As soon as you become a Muslim all your previous sins are forgiven and you start a blank state. Or a complete clean record.

Muslim (121) narrated that Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allāh be pleased with him) said: When Allāh put Islām in my heart, I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and said: Give me your right hand so that I may swear allegiance to you. He held out his hand and I withdrew my hand. He said, What is the matter, Oh Amr? I said, I want to stipulate a condition. He said, What do you want to stipulate? I said, That I will be forgiven. He said, Do you not know that Islām destroys that which came before it?

A Small child can still become a Muslim without parents’ permission

If you are a child you do not need your parent’s permission to become a Muslim. If you fear they may harm, you can become Muslim in secret and tell them when you are ready.

What if their are no Muslims (or no Mosque or Islāmic center) in your town

Another common question is that there are no Muslims in the city. This too is not an obstacle in you becoming a Muslim. You do not have to go to a Masjid (Mosque) or Islāmic center or know any Muslims in order to be a Muslim. You can say the declaration of faith (called the Shahadah) to yourself and from then onwards you are a Muslim.

To become a Muslim one must simply pronounce the Shahaadatayn (Declaration of Faith) with sincerity and conviction. The Shahadah can be declared as follows:

“ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLĀH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLĀH .”

The English translation is:
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allāh , and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”

The Shahadah is the dividing line between unbelief (kufr) and Islām. It is also called the kalimah (word). Whoever says it with truthfulness will enter the Gardens of Paradise

It is [a kalimah] that Allāh Himself has testified to, as have the angels and those who possess knowledge from amongst His creation. Allāh the Most High said:

“Allāh bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Him; as do the angels and those who possess knowledge. He maintains His creation upon justice. None has the right to be worshiped except Him, the All-Mighty, All-Wise.”
[Qur’ān Aal-Imraan 3:18]

It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “A person from my ummah will be summoned in front of everyone on the Day of Resurrection. Ninety-nine scrolls will be unfurled for him, each scroll extending as far as the eye can see. Then it will be said: Do you deny any of this [i.e. your bad deeds]? So the man will reply: No, 0 Lord. Then it will be said: Do you have any excuse or any good deed? The man, in a state of terror, will answer: No. It will then be said: Rather, you do have some good deeds and no injustice will befall you this Day. So a parchment will be taken out for him, upon which there will be the testification of laa ilaaha illAllāh and the testification that Muhammad is the Slave and Messenger of Allāh . The man will say: 0h Lord, what is this parchment in comparison to those scrolls! It will be said to him: No injustice shall befall you. The scrolls will then be placed in one of the scales and the parchment in the other; the scrolls will be light in weight, whereas the parchment will be heavy.” ( Reported by at-Tirmidhee (no.2641), from Abdullaah ibn Amr radi’Allaahu anhu. It was declared to be saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah (no.135).

Meaning of this Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)

The first part of the Shahadah is laa ilaaha illAllāh (none has the right to be worshiped except Allāh ) and the first part if the Shahadah has two pillars: The first pillar is the pillar of negation (nafee), whilst the second is the pillar of affirmation (ithbaat). What is meant by negation is to negate divinity and worship (ilaahiyyah) for anything except Allāh , the Most High. What is meant by affirmation is to affirm divinity and worship only for Allāh the Most Perfect; for it is He alone that is the true Deity. So whatever else is taken by the unbelievers as deities to be worshiped are in fact all false and futile: That is because Allāh is the true Deity to be worshiped, and whatever else they invoke besides Him is vain falsehood. [Soorah al-Hajj 22:62]

All the messengers of Allāh told their people none has the right to be worshiped except Allāh

Allāh said: “We did not send any Messenger before you, except that We revealed to him that none has the right to be worshiped except Me; so worship Me.” [Qur’ān Soorah al-Anbiyaa 21:25]

Allāh the Exalted also said: “He sends down the angels with the revelation of His commands to whosoever of His slaves that He wills, saying: Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshiped except Me. So fear Me [by keeping away from sin and disobedience].” [Qur’ān Soorah an-Nahl 16:2]

It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales.

Allāh ‘s Messenger Peace be upon him said: “Moses said: 0h my Lord! Teach me something by which I can remember You and supplicate to You. Allāh said: 0h Moses! say laa ilaaha ilAllāh. Moses said: 0h my Lord! All Your slaves say this. Allāh said: 0h Moses! If the seven heavens and all that they contain, other than Me, and the seven earths were placed in one scale, and laa ilaaha ilAllāh were put in the other, then laa ilaaha illAllāh would outweigh them all.” (Reported by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (no.2324) and al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (1/528).

The second part of the “Shahadah” i.e. “Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh” means that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allāh . No one should be in any doubt about this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), to believe in what he has said, to follow his Teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship A11ah alone according to the message revealed to him.

What is the meaning of worship?

It simply means rendering sincere service; showing reverence for Allāh . In a deeper shade of meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allāh ‘s Commandments both in utterances and actions, whether explicit or implicit and in private or public.

Worship falls into two categories:

Invisible (concealed or inward)

Invisible worship is to believe in Allāh , in the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allāh , in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allāh alone)
This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body but it surely has a bearing on one’s heart which, subsequently, affects one’s way of life (beliefs).
It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allāh alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or “shirk”, which amounts to apostasy, from the Islāmic point of view.

How to declare the Shahadah

A person does NOT need to do a course or obtain a certificate to become a Muslim.
If there are no Mosques or Muslims in your area; and you do not have a means of contacting any Muslims via phone or online then you can declare the Shahadah to yourself.

If you wish for us to go through it with you step by step. Please do no not hesitate to leave us a message and we can arrange an online meeting at a mutually convenient time.

However, it is not sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he or she should believe in it with a firm conviction and unshakable faith and then act upon it. Once you have said the Shahadah then you will be like a New Born Person. Free of any sins. Just like a child is born sinless.

Shahadah During Menstruation

It does not matter if a woman is menstruating. You can say your Shahadah even when you are menstruating. The women do not go inside the prayer area of the Masjid (Mosque) when menstruating. However if they want to say their Shahadah at the Masjid they can arrange to say it say just outside the Masjid or part of the Masjid complex which is not regarded as the place of prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the people would also give their Bai’a (pledge of allegiance ) and the Prophet peace be upon him would accept their pledge.
Pledge of allegiance being that they would obey his commands, Be on his, the Muslims and Islām side against the enemies of Islām even if the enemy was their own relatives and friends. That they would fight on the side of the Muslims. That they would not fight on the side of the non Muslims against the Muslims. That they would not give information to the non Muslims which they could used against the Muslims.

After the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the believing men and women would give their pledge of allegiance to the Muslim nation (khalif) and the Khalif would accept their pledge of allegiance.

During the treaty of hudaybiyah believing women would migrate to the Muslim side in the city of Madina and give their pledge of allegiance to the Prophet peace be upon him. To check those who migrated to the Islāmic state in Madina were true believers and not just women who had run away from their non Muslim families. Allāh revealed the following verse.
Allāh said:

“O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai’a (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allāh , that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma’ruf (everything good according to Islām) then accept their Bai’a (pledge), and ask Allāh to forgive them, Verily, Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. (Qur’ān 60:12)

So the Prophet would say to them “Pledge to me in that you will not associate any with Allāh , nor steal, nor commit Zina, nor kill your children” Then he would recite the above verse (Qur’ān 60 verse 12) and when the women agreed to those conditions then he would say I have accepted your pledge and he would add “Those among you who fulfil this pledge, will receive their reward from Allāh . Those who deviate from any of it and receive the legal punishment (in this life), the punishment will be expiation for that sin. Whoever deviates from any of it and Allāh screens him, then it is up to Allāh to punish or forgive if He wills.”

The Prophet peace be upon him would shake the hands of the men who had give their pledge. In case of women he only took their pledge by word because in Islām a it is not allowed to shake hands with the opposite sex who are non mehrem.

Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit:

who took part in the battle of Badr and was a Naqib (a person heading a group of six persons), on the night of Al-‘Aqaba pledge: Allāh ‘s Apostle said while a group of his companions were around him, “Swear allegiance to me for:

Not to join anything in worship along with Allāh .
Not to steal.
Not to commit illegal sexual intercourse.
Not to kill your children.
Not to accuse an innocent person (to spread such an accusation among people).
Not to be disobedient (when ordered) to do good deed.”

The Prophet added: “Whoever among you fulfils his pledge will be rewarded by Allāh . And whoever indulges in any one of them (except the ascription of partners to Allāh ) and gets the punishment in this world, that punishment will be an expiation for that sin. And if one indulges in any of them, and Allāh conceals his sin, it is up to Him to forgive or punish him (in the Hereafter).” ‘Ubada bin As-Samit added: “So we swore allegiance for these.” (points to Allāh ‘s Apostle) (Bukhari Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 17)

Narrated Jarir bin Abdullah:

I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allāh ‘s Apostle for the following:

offer prayers perfectly
pay the Zakat (obligatory charity)
and be sincere and true to every Muslim.
(Bukhari Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 54)

Unfortunately the Islāmic state was destroyed in 1924 and since then we have had no khalif.
However we will have it one day and in the meantime those Muslims should take note of this pledge of Allegiance and the need for a khalif. Thus even in the absence of the Khalif a Muslim should sincerely adhere to the conditions that Muslims used to pledge to. So a persons loyalty should be with the true Muslims.

The Conditions of the Shahadah

Pronouncing the testimony of faith is sufficient to make one to revert to Islām. There are however, seven conditions that must be observed before it can effectively make one a Muslim. These are describe as follows:

1 Knowledge (Al-ilm)
Knowledge (al-ilm) of its meaning, what it negates and affirms. If a person says it without knowing its meaning, nor what its requirements are, then he will not benefit by it, because he has not believed in what it requires. Rather, he is like someone who speaks in a language that he does not understand.

2 Certainty (Al-Yaqeen)
The heart must be firmly certain of the meaning of Shahadah without a blemish of doubt.

Allāh the Exalted says: “Verily, the believers are only those who truly believe in Allāh and His Messenger, and then doubt not.” (Qur’ān 49:15).

The Messenger of Allāh , peace be upon him, said: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allāh , and I am the Messenger of Allāh . No slave meets Allāh with this testimony, having no doubt in it but shall enter Jannah.”( Muslim) :

3 Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas)
Exclusively worshiping Allāh , which is contrary to shirk. This is what laa ilaaha illAllāh points towards.

Allāh , the Exalted, said: “And they were not commanded but to worship Allāh , being sincere in devoting religion to Him.” (Qur’aan 98:5).

Abu Hurairah said: “I asked the Messenger of Allāh , peace be upon him: Messenger of Allāh ! Who will be most fortunate to enjoy your shafa’ah (intercession) on the Day of Resurrection? The Messenger of Allāh , peace be upon him, said: I was certain that no one else would ask me about this other than you, because I have noticed your keenness for hadeeth. The most fortunate of men who will enjoy my shafa’ah on the Day of Resurrection is the one who says: (La Ilaha Illa Allāh ) “None has the right to be worshiped except Allāh “, sincerely from his heart..”(Musnad al-Imam Ahmad.)

4 Truthfulness (As-Sidq)
Truthfulness (as-sidq), which prevents hypocrisy (nifaaq). Indeed, the hypocrites uttered it with their tongues, but did not inwardly believe in what it signified.

The Messenger of Allāh said: “Anyone testifies that there is no god but Allāh and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh , truthfully from his heart, Allāh would forbid his admittance to the Fire.”(Muslim)

5 Love and affection (Al-Mahabbah )

Love (al-mahabbah) for this kalimah and having love and pleasure for whatever it necessitates. This is contrary to the [state of the] hypocrites.

The Messenger of Allāh , peace be upon him, said: “There are three (qualities), whoever possesses them, will taste the sweetness of Iman (belief): to love Allāh and His Messenger more than anyone else, to love the Muslim only for the sake of Allāh , and to dread returning to kufr (apostasy) as he dreads being thrown in fire.” ( Bukhari and Muslim.)

Allāh says to His Messenger (peace be upon him)

Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind): “If you (really) love Allāh then follow me (i.e. accept Islāmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), Allāh will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (3:31)

Allāh says: “Allāh shall bring forth a people whom He loves and they love Him.”(Qur’aan 5:54)

The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: “None of you shall (really) believe until I become dearer to him than his own father, and son and all mankind.” ( Bukhari and Muslim.)

6 Submission (Al-Inqiyaad) internally and externally

Submissive compliance (al-inqiyaad), by fulfilling its rights – which are the obligatory actions – with sincerity to Allāh and seeking His good pleasure. This is its requirement. Allāh , the Exalted, says: “And he who submits himself to Allāh , and does good, he has surely grasped a strong handle.” ( Qur’aan 31:22).

Allāh also says: “And turn you to your Rabb, and submit yourselves to Him.”(:Qur’aan 39:54).

7 Acceptance and conformity (Al-Qubool)

Acceptance (al-qabool), which prevents rejection.

This is achieved by acting upon what Allāh has commanded and abandoning whatever He has prohibited.

Abu Musa al-Ash’aree reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him said: “The parable of guidance and knowledge which Allāh has sent me with is like a rain which fell on a land. A patch of that land received the water and produced much herbage and grass. And a patch which was barren. The latter retained water wherewith Allāh extended benefits to men: they drank from it, irrigated and planted their vegetation. And a patch which was a sandy plain, it neither retained water nor produced herbage. This is parallel to the person who conceived the religion of Allāh and benefited from the Message with which Allāh has sent me, whereby he learns and taught others. The other person turned away from it (from my Message), and rejected the guidance of Allāh with which I am sent..” Bukhari and Muslim.)

Allāh says “Indeed in the Messenger of Allāh (Muhammad peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allāh and the Last Day and remembers Allāh much.”(33:21)

And Allāh also says in Surah Al-Hashr

….And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allāh . Verily, Allāh is Severe in punishment. (59:7)

Again Allāh says:

O you who believe! Obey Allāh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allāh and His Messenger ( peace be upon him), if you believe in Allāh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.(4:59)

And Allāh says:

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.

In the next verse Allāh again tells his Messenger

Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): “Obey Allāh and the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him).” But if they turn away, then Allāh does not like the disbeliever’s” (3:32)

Islām unites together people of different colours, languages, races. and nationalities into one brotherhood.

Allāh says: “Indeed the Believers are but brothers.” [Qur’aan 4 9:10]

Before Islām people in Arabia were dived into different tribes. Some of them were at constant war with each other, Islām came and Allāh put peace and love in their hearts for each other.

Allāh the Most High said: “And remember the favor of Allāh upon you, for you were once enemies to one another but He joined your hearts together in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers.” [Soorah Aal-Imraan 3:103]

And Allāh the Most High said: “He it is that has strengthened you with His help and with the Believers. And moreover, He has united their hearts with love and affection. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts with love and affection. However, Allāh has united them. Indeed Allāh is the All-Mighty, All-Wise.” [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:62- 63].

Allāh has stated in the Holy Qur’aan:

“… whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allāh , hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that will never break…” (2:256)

The Invalidators of Islām

You should know, dear Muslim brother/sister , that Allāh made it obligatory upon all His slaves to enter Islām and hold on to it, and warned them against following other than Islām. He also sent His Prophet Muhammad to call mankind to it. Allāh has informed us in the Qur’ān that guided are those who follow the teachings of Islām, and misguided are those who reject them. He warned us in many Verses against the causes of apostasy and all forms of Shirk and disbelief Religious scholars have mentioned that there are a number of invalidators that are bound to take one out of the fold of Islām. For the sake of attaining salvation in the Hereafter, here are the ten most critical of these invalidators of Islām:

1 . To associate others with Allāh in worship.

The Qur’ān says:

“Allāh forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners with Him in worship, but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this.” (Soorah 4:116)

“Whoever sets up partners with Allāh in worship, Allāh will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. For the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” (Soorah 5:72)

Forms of worship include calling upon the dead, seeking their assistance, offering sacrifices to them, and taking vows in their names.

To set up intermediaries between oneself and Allāh , seeking their intercession and putting absolute trust in them. Those who do so are unanimously considered disbelievers.

Not to accuse polytheists and those who commit Shirk of disbelief, to be in doubt as to their being disbelievers, or to approve of their beliefs.

To believe that the Prophet’s guidance is not complete or perfect or that other people’s ruling and judgment is better than his. Those who prefer the rule of false gods are blatant.

5 . Those who hate anything that the Prophet came with are also disbelievers even if they act upon them. The Qur’ān says:

“That is because they hate that which Allāh sent down, so He has made their deeds fruitless.” (Soorah 47:9)

Those who ridicule anything that Islām came with, such as punishment and reward in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. The Qur’ān says:

“Say: ‘Was it at Allāh , and His Signs, and His Messenger, that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have rejected Faith after you had accepted it.”(9:65,66)

Magic in all its forms, including turning someone away from somebody that he or she loves, and making someone love someone or something he or she does not normally like. Whoever practices magic or approves of it is a disbeliever, as evidenced by the Qur’ānic Verse that says:

“But neither of these (two angels) taught anyone (such things) without saying, We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).”(Soorah 2:102)

Supporting the disbelievers against the believers, Allāh says what means: “And if any amongst you takes them (as supporters), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allāh guides not those people who are the Thaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”(Al-Maa’idah: 51).

Those who believe that it is in their power or authority to for sake the law of Islām are disbelievers. The Qur’ān says:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islām, it will never be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Soorah 3:85)

To turn away from Islām and to stubbornly refuse to learn its teachings or act upon them. The Qur’ān says:

“And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, then he turns away there from? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due) retribution.” (Soorah 32:22)

There is no excuse for committing any of the above mentioned nullifications, regardless of whether one did it seriously, jokingly or fearfully unless one was forced to say or do any of them. A believer must be careful not to commit any of them, so as not to be deserving of the punishment of Allāh.

Summary

It is easy to become a Muslim. All a person has to do is declare

Shahadah can be declared as follows:

“ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLĀH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLĀH .”

The English translation is:

“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allāh , and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”

We have to consider that when we declare from our hearts, “there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allāh .” It implies on our part of love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islāmic legislation which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a requirement of “there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allāh ,” to love for the sake of Allāh and to reject for the sake of Allāh . This is the finest anchor of belief.

When one truly believes that Islām is the true religion of God and that “there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allāh and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.” Then he or she should declare the Shahadah right away. He or she should not hesitate.

We are given a certain lifespan. We do not know when that life span will end. It may end this very minute even. Therefore a person should say the Shahadah and then work on becoming the best Muslim he or she can be.

Some of you will find some aspects of Islām difficult at first. For instance some new Muslim sisters find it difficult to wear Hijab at first. However with time they have eventually grown in their faith and are now wearing the full Islāmic dress and encouraging even sisters born into Muslim families to wear full Islāmic dress. Some were vegetarian before they became Muslim. Eating meat seemed impossible to them. Now after a few years they have started to even eat meat. Please do not worry about any barriers you may have. become Muslims and you will see those barriers crashing down as you grow in your religion.

However one should recognise that Islām requires a complete submission to the will of God. What Allāh has told us do we should try to do and what Allāh has told us not to do. We should not do.
Now that you have said the Shahadah you are a Muslim.

Who can become a Muslim?

If you have tattoos you can still become a Muslim

If you have committed many sins in past you can still become a Muslim

A Small child can still become a Muslim without parents’ permission

What if their are no Muslims (or no Mosque or Islāmic center) in your town