Can a teenager become Muslim without parents' consent?

Faith doesn't need permission

Islam is a choice of the heart, and the Quran is clear that belief can't be forced in either direction:

Young people have embraced Islam since the very beginning. Ali ibn Abi Talib was a boy when he became Muslim. The Prophet ﷺ also visited a sick Jewish boy who served him and invited him to Islam; the boy looked at his father, who told him to obey, and he accepted (Sahih al-Bukhari 1356).

Is a teenager's shahada valid?

Most scholars (Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali) say the Islam of a child old enough to understand what they are saying is valid. Some Shafi'i scholars held that the worldly legal rulings only apply from puberty, but they agree that Allah sees your sincerity. Religious duties like the five prayers become obligatory at puberty, as the Prophet ﷺ said the pen is lifted from a child until they reach it (Sunan Abi Dawud 4403). So if you are 13, 15 or 17 and truly believe, your shahada counts.

Be wise, not secretive in a harmful way

You don't have to announce it the same day. Many teens believe quietly at first, learn the basics, and tell their parents when the time is right. See Do I have to tell my family before I become Muslim?

• Don't lie about where you are going or put yourself in unsafe situations.
• Many mosques in the UK, Europe and the USA prefer a parent's knowledge for a public shahada under 18. You can still say it privately in your heart and words.
• Practise what you can at home without causing big fights; small steps are fine. See What if my parents won't let me wear hijab?

Keep honouring your parents

Becoming Muslim makes kindness to your parents more important, not less. You obey them in everything except what clearly goes against Allah, and even then you disagree politely. Help at home, keep your grades up and stay gentle. Often the best argument for Islam is how much better you treat your family. If you need time, waiting a little before a public ceremony is okay. See Is it okay to wait before taking my shahada?