Should New Muslims Register Their Conversion?


Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I am a recent convert to Islam. I was just wondering whether I need any documentation or proof indicating this fact? Jazakum Allah khayran.




Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

You are recommended to get a certificate from a reputable Islamic centre or mosque in your city indicating that you are a Muslim.

In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

Strictly speaking, as far as your salvation in the next world is concerned, there is no need for any documentation, nevertheless, for the purpose of recognition and identification, it is highly recommended that your conversion is documented. In other words, you should obtain a certificate of conversion from a reputable Islamic centre, organization or mosque, which has been registered for this purpose. This procedure is not only expedient and convenient but might also be absolutely necessary for the purposes of pilgrimage, marriage, etc.

Therefore, I advise you to get a certificate from a reputable Islamic centre or mosque in your city indicating that you are a Muslim. It is worth remembering that efficiency and professionalism is recommended in Islam; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah loves everyone to do things as efficiently and professionally as possible.”

I ask Allah to help you remain steadfast in your faith and grant you success in all your righteous
endeavours, ameen.

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: www.muslims.ca