Islamic Studies

If a muslim decided to leave the deen of Islam, became non-muslim and regretted

by Suhaib Webb
December 28, 2008
2 min read

The Question:

If a muslim decided to leave the deen of Islam and became non-muslim. But, then after a while he regretted what he did and decided to become muslim again, what does that person have to do, and what are the steps that he has to do inorder for him to become fully and truley a muslim again?

The Answer:

Asalamu alaykum,

He should simply repent, seek Allah’s mercy and try is best to practice the major acts of worship such as Salah and soon. In addition, he should try and find sources of knowledge that will supplement his spiritual ascent. Meaning, he should try and engage the issues, if they were doubts, that led him to leave Islam in the first place. He should also try and surround himself with sincere friends wholove him, will nurture him and are willing to understand him.

Keep in mind that the above should take place after the person has actually said the testimony of witness again. He can do that on his own, but it is recommended to do it in front of others.

It is important for him to realize that all is not lost. Faith is a delicate enterprise and at time, we all slip, make mistakes and go through different challenges. The Prophet {sa} said, “The believer is like a horse who strays from his master. After sometime, he returns.”

Allah bless you
Suhaib

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About the author

Suhaib Webb

Suhaib Webb is a contemporary American-Muslim educator, activist, and lecturer. His work bridges classical and contemporary Islamic thought, addressing issues of cultural, social and political relevance to Muslims in the West. After converting to Islam in 1992, Webb left his career in the music industry to pursue his passion in education. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and received intensive private training in the Islamic Sciences under a renowned Muslim Scholar of Senegalese descent. Webb was hired as the Imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, where he gave khutbas (sermons), taught religious classes, and provided counselling to families and young people; he also served as an Imam and resident scholar in communities across the U.S.

From 2004-2010, Suhaib Webb studied at the world’s preeminent Islamic institution of learning, Al-Azhar University, in the College of Shari`ah. During this time, after several years of studying the Arabic Language and the Islamic legal tradition, he also served as the head of the English Translation Department at Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah.

Outside of his studies at Al-Azhar, Suhaib Webb completed the memorization of the Quran in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He has been granted numerous traditional teaching licenses (ijazat), adhering to centuries-old Islamic scholarly practice of ensuring the highest standards of scholarship. Webb was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in 2010.

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  • I have good friend who recently left the deen. I’m not sure how to approach this. I believe it stemmed from him not feeling the presence of Allah during prayer and when he went for umrah. How should I attempt to bring him back to Islam?

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  • aaa,
    I think you should show him the beauty of Islam through your actions and manners, but not preach to him.
    Eg i used to email my non-practicing friends every week with islamic articles, literature, quran verses and hadiths. I did this non-stop for 2 years. Allhamdulillah, this proved much better than simply lecturing them. Allah has guided them.

    Reply

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