Fatwa ID: 07950

Answered by Alimah Maryam Badshah

Question:

Can you advise on the process of reverting to Islam? Should one take the shahada with an imam/sheikh and have a certain number of witnesses? Or is taking the shahada alone valid?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

When it comes to a person reverting to Islam it is not a requirement for a person to pronounce the Shahādah in public with an Imam or witnesses. However, it is recommended for a new revert to inform some members of the Muslim community in order to facilitate their Islamic learning and in acquiring access to any facilities that their area may offer.

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Maryam Badshah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

References:

وَإِسْلَامُهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِكَلِمَةِ الشَّهَادَةِ، وَيَتَبَرَّأَ عَنْ الْأَدْيَانِ كُلِّهَا سِوَى الْإِسْلَامِ،

Al-Fatāwa al-Hindiyyah (Vol.2, pg.253, Dār Al-Fiqr)