As for the steps that one can take to be a Muslim, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: “Regarding the precise steps involved in converting to Islam, let me state the following:
1. Before embracing Islam, it is recommended to take a bath and change to clean clothes.
2. It is important to acquire specific knowledge of the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam. It is recommended for the revert to enroll in a course or attend some sessions organized for new Muslims. Another alternative is to be in touch with a knowledgeable imam in the community.
3. Remember that there is nothing so hard and complicated in Islam in terms of fundamental beliefs or practices. Islam is a natural way, which appeals to common sense and basic human reasonableness.
4. Islam exhorts us to ask questions for the sake of understanding; we are ordered to ask whenever we are in doubt. So feel free to ask, for, as the Qur’an tells us, even angels asked God why He decided to create human beings who will sow corruption in the land.
5. Once you are ready to embrace Islam, you should recite the testimony of faith which is as follows: I testify there is no god but Allah; I testify that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.” You may further add: “I believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and the fact that both good and bad are decreed by Allah.” Once you have testified and affirmed your faith in the above articles of faith, you formally become a Muslim.
6. After embracing Islam, the first and foremost thing you should do is to perform the five daily Prayers, which must be preceded by short ablutions consisting of washing hands, mouth, face, arms, wiping ears and head and washing of feet. You will need to get help to learn the precise form of ablution and method of Prayer.
7. I suggest that you get one or both of the following books: A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Islam by Yahya Emerick; Islam In Focus by Dr. Hammudah Abdul Ati.”