7 Guidelines on Returning to Islam After Apostasy

7 Sharʿī Guidelines on Returning to Islam After Apostasy
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 204

❖ Question​

A person became Muslim again after apostasy and recited the statement of faith:
“Āmantu biLlāhi wa Malāʾikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulihi wal-Yawm al-Ākhir wal-Qadari Khayrihi”,
but mispronounced the words “wal-Qadari Khayrihi”.
Is his return to Islam valid?

✦ The Response​

Wa ʿalaykum al-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

❖ ① The Required Words to Enter Islam After Apostasy​

When a murtad (apostate) returns to Islam, it is obligatory for him to say the following:


“Ashhadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluhu”


This is sufficient.
✘ Saying “Āmantu biLlāh…” is not obligatory.

❖ ② Components of Īmān (Faith)​

Authentic īmān comprises three essential elements:


➊ Tasdīq – Affirmation in the heart
➋ Iqrār – Declaration by the tongue
➌ ʿAmal – Manifestation through actions


✘ If someone recites the words “Āmantu biLlāh…” without understanding their meaning,
then such recitation does not establish īmān.

❖ ③ The Phrase “Āmantu biLlāh…” Has No Binding Scriptural Basis​

This exact phrase is not narrated fully in any single ḥadīth.
Rather, scholars have composed it to simplify core beliefs for general teaching purposes.


Hence, memorizing or reciting it is not a religious obligation.

❖ ④ Importance of Language and Comprehension​

When accepting Islam, it is essential for a person to declare faith in words they understand.


What matters is:
✔ Understanding the core Islamic beliefs
✔ Accepting them with the heart
✔ Acknowledging them with the tongue — even in one's own language

❖ ⑤ Mispronunciation in Non-Obligatory Statements Does Not Invalidate Islam​

If someone mispronounces “Āmantu biLlāh…”,
it does not affect the validity of his Islam,
so long as the person:


✔ Has true belief in the heart
✔ Understands and accepts the fundamental tenets of Islam

❖ ⑥ Warning Against Innovated Practices​

Some innovators (ahl al-bidʿah) have introduced the practice of requiring the “Āmantu biLlāh…” phrase during marriage contracts.
This is incorrect, especially since the person is already a Muslim at the time of nikāḥ.


There is no basis in Sharīʿah for making this phrase compulsory in such contexts.

❖ ⑦ Supporting Fatwā from Senior Scholars​

Fatāwā of Muftī Shafīʿ رحمه الله (Vol. 1, p. 69):


“Memorizing and reciting these particular words (‘Āmantu biLlāh…’) is not necessary.”

❖ Conclusion​

✔ To return to Islam after apostasy, it is sufficient to recite the shahādah (testimony of faith).
✔ Saying “Āmantu biLlāh…” is not required,
✘ and mispronouncing this non-obligatory phrase does not invalidate one’s return to Islam.


What matters is: true belief in the heart, correct understanding, and proper declaration of the core creed.


ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.