Back to search

What is the first thing to be taught to someone who wants to embrace Islam, and how can they be taught if they do not know Arabic and the caller does not know their language, and are there books or websites for that?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

To teach a new Muslim the rulings of Islam, begin by instructing them on the meaning of the two Shahadas (declarations of faith) and Tawhid (monotheism). Then, guide them to the Noble Qur’an for reading and reflection, while teaching them a little about how it was revealed, its surahs, and its verses. After that, educate them about the biography (Sirah) of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Sunnah, utilizing authentic books of Sirah and Sunnah. Then, briefly explain to them the pillars of Islam and faith, avoiding delving into controversial details. Clarify the forbidden acts in Islam, emphasizing that the scope of what is unlawful is narrow. Reassure them that Islam is a religion of good dealings and noble character, and encourage them to embody these traits. Teach them about the chapters of spiritual refinement (Raqā'iq) and the actions of the heart to purify themselves. Finally, explain to them the invalidity of other religions to strengthen their conviction in Islam. The depth of these topics can be controlled according to the learner's circumstances, and translators, translated books, and materials can be utilized when needed.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy