Your path, roughly in order
The shahada — if you haven't yet
Entry into Islam is the sincere testimony: "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasul Allah" — there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger. No ceremony or witness is technically required, though saying it in front of others is common and meaningful. See the Shahada section on Practice for the full meaning.
Learn wudu, then your first prayer
Wudu (ablution) comes before prayer — the step-by-step Wudu guide walks through it. Then learn one rak'ah at a time with the Salah guide, which has the Arabic, transliteration, and meaning for every phrase. It's completely normal to start by praying alone with a translation nearby.
The basics of belief
Learn the Five Pillars and the six articles of faith — what Muslims believe about Allah, the angels, the books, the prophets, the Last Day, and divine decree. The Q&A page's Belief and New Muslim categories answer most of the questions that come up early.
Start reading the Quran, a little each day
Use the Quran reader — Arabic with translation and audio recitation, so you can follow along even before you can read Arabic yourself. Consistency matters more than pace.
Build a daily rhythm of dhikr and dua
The Duas & Dhikr page has a starter set of authentic supplications for daily situations, with when each is said.
Find a local community
A local mosque is the fastest way to learn correctly, pray in congregation, and meet other Muslims — most communities are genuinely glad to welcome and help a new Muslim get oriented.
Common early questions
Do I have to change my name?
No — only if your current name carries a meaning contrary to Islam. The Prophet ﷺ generally kept people's names as they were, changing only the objectionable ones (Sahih Muslim 2139a).
What if I make mistakes in prayer or don't know Arabic yet?
Learn gradually — start with the meaning in your own language while memorizing the Arabic a little at a time. Allah knows your sincerity; the goal is steady progress, not instant fluency.
My family or friends don't understand — what do I do?
This is common and difficult. Be patient, keep good character as your best example, and lean on your local Muslim community for support while relationships adjust.
What should I learn first if I only have a few minutes a day?
The shahada's meaning, wudu, and one prayer — everything else can wait. See the full answer on the Q&A page.