Do I have to make up prayers from before I became Muslim?
No. You don't have to make up any prayers, fasts or other acts of worship from the time before you became Muslim. Islam wipes the slate clean, and your duties begin from the moment you say the shahada. What you do need is a simple plan for praying from now on.
Nothing from before your shahada is owed
Worship only becomes obligatory once a person is Muslim. So there is no "debt" of missed prayers, unpaid zakat or skipped Ramadan fasts from your earlier life. The Quran says:
When 'Amr ibn al-'As came to pledge his allegiance, he asked for a promise of forgiveness first. The Prophet ﷺ answered: "Are you not aware of the fact that Islam wipes out all the previous (misdeeds)?" (Sahih Muslim 121). Your past, including every prayer you never prayed, is covered. See Are all my sins forgiven when I become Muslim?
What starts after you say the shahada
From your shahada onward, the five daily prayers are required. That does not mean you must be perfect on day one. Scholars have long recognised that a new Muslim is still learning, so:
- Start with the prayer whose time you are in, or the next one, even if you only know a few words.
- Learn the full prayer step by step and keep practising.
- If you missed some prayers after your shahada because you did not yet know how to pray, do not panic. Talk to a trusted imam about whether any need to be made up.
For more on easing into the routine, see Do I have to pray five times a day right after becoming Muslim?
What about prayers I miss after becoming Muslim?
This is different. Once you are Muslim and know that prayer is obligatory, a prayer you miss should be made up, and you should repent if you left it without a reason. The details of how to do this are in How do I make up missed prayers?
Why this is such good news
Many converts feel guilty about years of "wasted" time. Islam does not ask you to carry that. Instead of counting what you missed, you are invited to look forward: learn, pray and grow at a pace you can keep up.
- You owe no prayers, fasts or zakat from before you became Muslim.
- Islam wipes out the previous misdeeds (Sahih Muslim 121).
- Your obligations start from your shahada, and you learn them step by step.
- Prayers missed after you know the rules should be made up.
- Ask a trusted imam if you are unsure about a specific situation.
People also ask
How do I explain my prayers to my non-Muslim family?
Keep it simple: prayer is your daily time with God, it takes five minutes, and you are happy to answer questions. Stay warm and patient with family.
Read the full answer →How can I stop my mind wandering during prayer?
You can't stop it fully, but you can reduce it: prepare first, understand what you recite, remove distractions and gently return when your mind drifts.
Read the full answer →Can my wife and I pray side by side at home?
It depends. If you pray together, your wife stands behind you; if you each pray alone, standing near each other is fine. Hanafis are stricter.
Read the full answer →Can men pray in shorts?
Yes, if the shorts cover from navel to knee in every position of prayer. Knee-length or longer is the safest choice; very short shorts are not enough.
Read the full answer →Can I use a multi-faith prayer room?
Yes. Multi-faith prayer rooms in hospitals, airports and universities are open to Muslims; use them quietly, keep them clean and share the space fairly.
Read the full answer →