What will I have to give up if I become Muslim?
Mostly just a short list of things. Becoming Muslim means leaving the worship of anything besides Allah and, step by step, a few clearly forbidden habits such as alcohol, pork, gambling and sex outside marriage. Your family, friends, name, culture, job and hobbies mostly stay with you.
What you do leave behind
The one essential change is belief. You worship Allah alone, with no partners, and you accept Muhammad ﷺ as His messenger. That is what the shahada (the declaration of faith) says. Beyond that, Islam asks you to stop a fairly short list of things:
- Alcohol and drugs: anything that intoxicates.
- Pork and meat that is not halal (permitted). Halal versions of most foods are easy to find.
- Gambling and charging or paying interest (riba) where you can avoid it.
- Sex outside marriage, including relationships that involve it.
- Worship practices of other faiths, such as praying to saints or taking part in religious rituals as an act of worship.
Pork is forbidden in the Quran too (Quran 2:173). If you drink or eat pork today, you don't need to fix everything the night before your shahada. See Do I have to quit drinking before I become Muslim?
What you can keep
This list is much longer than people expect:
- Your family and your love for them. Islam asks you to treat parents with kindness.
- Your friends. Pub nights may turn into coffee or dinner nights, but friendships can continue. See Can I keep my non-Muslim friends after becoming Muslim?
- Your name, language, sense of humour, favourite foods (in halal form) and national identity.
- Most jobs, studies, sports, travel and hobbies.
Culture is a separate question from religion, and most of it can stay. See Do I have to give up my culture to become Muslim?
You don't have to change everything at once
Most new Muslims learn the rules gradually. The Prophet ﷺ said that religion is easy, and that whoever overburdens himself will not be able to keep going, so we should aim for steady, reachable progress (Sahih al-Bukhari 39).
A common approach is to start with the basics, such as the five daily prayers and staying away from the clearest prohibitions, and then learn the rest over time with a patient teacher. Once you know something is forbidden, you try to leave it. If you slip, you repent and carry on.
Is it worth it?
Giving things up can feel heavy at first, especially a social life built around drinking. Many converts say what they gained, such as a clear purpose, a daily rhythm of prayer and a new community, outweighs what they left. Only you can judge that, and nobody should rush you into it.
- The core change is worshipping Allah alone.
- The main things to leave are alcohol, pork, gambling, interest and sex outside marriage.
- Family, friends, name, culture and most hobbies stay.
- You can learn and change step by step.
People also ask
Where do I start learning about Islam?
Usually start small: a short introduction, the Quran in translation, a short life of the Prophet ﷺ and one local contact. Go at your own pace.
Read the full answer →Where can I get a free Quran in English?
Yes, you can usually get a free English Quran from mosques, outreach tables, charities, libraries and apps. Here is where to ask and what to check.
Read the full answer →What should I expect at my first mosque visit?
Mostly a warm welcome and simple customs: shoes off, a greeting, a quiet prayer hall and polite questions. Learn what to expect on your first visit.
Read the full answer →What should I do right after taking my shahada?
Usually: take a ghusl, start learning to pray, tell someone you trust and find support. A simple first-days checklist for new Muslims after the shahada.
Read the full answer →What should I bring to the mosque to take my shahada?
Bring modest clean clothes, your questions and a friend if you like; ID only if asked. A practical checklist and what to expect when you take your shahada.
Read the full answer →