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New Muslim Guide
Welcome to your new journey. Whatever brought you here — a recent Shahada, months of quiet study, or just curiosity — you're in the right place. Nothing here assumes prior knowledge. ICNA Calgary's Dawah team and sisters'/brothers' committees are here in person whenever you want to talk.
Today's prayer times — Calgary
Sunrise
6:23 AMAzan
Fajr
4:53 AMAzan
5:20 AMIqamah
Dhuhr
1:41 PMAzan
2:00 pmIqamah
Asr
5:41 PMAzan
6:00 pmIqamah
Maghrib
8:59 PMAzan
9:09 pmIqamah
Isha
10:29 PMAzan
10:32 PMIqamah
Times for 2026-08-14. Last refreshed 3 hours ago. Source: Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre.
The Five Pillars (overview)
Shahada (declaration of faith), Salah (five daily prayers), Zakat (obligatory charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), Hajj (pilgrimage, once in a lifetime if able).
Pillar 1 — Shahada
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّٰهِ
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah.
"I bear witness there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." If you've said this with sincere belief, you're a Muslim — everything else in this guide is growth, not a missing prerequisite.
Pillar 2 — Salah (overview)
The five daily prayers, Islam's central act of worship, a direct conversation with God at set times. Full how-to in sections 14–19.
Pillar 3 — Zakat
2.5% of savings above a minimum threshold (nisab), given yearly to those in need — a right the poor have, not a suggestion. If you don't yet have savings above the threshold, it's not due on you — but voluntary charity (sadaqah), in any amount, is always encouraged.
Pillar 4 — Sawm (fasting)
Fasting dawn to sunset through Ramadan — no food, drink, or intimacy during fasting hours — paired with extra prayer, Quran reading, and charity. Children, the sick, elderly, travelers, and menstruating/pregnant/nursing women have specific allowances — ask your Imam if any apply to you.
Pillar 5 — Hajj
Pilgrimage to Mecca, once in a lifetime if physically and financially able, re-enacting the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. Something to plan toward, not an immediate requirement.
What is Islam?
Islam means "submission" to God out of love and trust, not fear. A Muslim is "one who submits." One God, a long line of prophets, and the Quran as His final revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — the same core message taught by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all), in its final form.
The Six Articles of Faith (Iman)
Belief in: (1) Allah — one God, without partners or form; (2) the Angels — unseen beings of light who carry out God's commands; (3) the Revealed Books — Torah, Psalms, Gospel in original form, and the Quran as final and preserved; (4) the Prophets — over 124,000 messengers, Adam to Muhammad ﷺ; (5) the Day of Judgment — every soul held accountable; (6) Divine Decree (Qadar) — God's plan encompasses everything, while people remain genuinely responsible for their choices.
Understanding Purity (Taharah)
Before Salah, a purification ritual — a spiritual reset, not about literal dirt. Two levels: Wudu (everyday ablution, before every prayer unless still valid) and Ghusl (full-body ritual bath, after specific events — see below). Both apply equally to men and women; specific triggers differ slightly.
How to perform Wudu
When: before every Salah, unless your wudu is still valid.
- Intend it in your heart.
- Say "Bismillah."
- Wash both hands to the wrists, 3x.
- Rinse mouth, 3x.
- Sniff water and blow out, 3x.
- Wash face hairline-to-chin, ear-to-ear, 3x.
- Wash right then left arm to the elbow, 3x each.
- Wipe head once, front to back.
- Wipe inside/outside of both ears once.
- Wash right then left foot to the ankle, 3x each.
After: "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh."
Breaks wudu: using the bathroom, passing gas, deep sleep, and (per some schools) bleeding or touching one's spouse with desire. It stays valid across multiple prayers until something breaks it.
How to perform Ghusl
Required for both: after intimacy, after a wet dream, before Jumu'ah (recommended).
Additionally for women: end of menstrual cycle, end of postpartum bleeding (nifas).
- Intend it.
- "Bismillah."
- Wash hands.
- Wash private areas thoroughly.
- Full wudu (foot-washing can wait if standing in water).
- Pour water over the head 3x to the scalp.
- Pour over right side then left, water reaching every part of skin — underarms, navel, and (for women) scalp through hair unless tightly braided enough to block water.
- Wash feet if not done.
Braids don't need undoing if water genuinely reaches the scalp — a common unnecessary worry; ask your Imam if unsure.
Tayammum (dry ablution)
If water is unavailable or would harm your health: strike clean earth/sand/stone with both hands, wipe face once, wipe each arm once. Stands in for wudu or ghusl until water is available again.
How to offer Salah (Namaz)
Each unit is a rakah: (1) Standing (Qiyam) — face Qibla, say "Allahu Akbar" to begin, recite Al-Fatiha plus a short surah in the first two rakahs; (2) Bowing (Ruku) — back flat, hands on knees, "Subhana rabbiyal adheem" x3; (3) Rise — "Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana lakal hamd"; (4) First prostration (Sujud) — forehead, nose, palms, knees, toes touch the ground, "Subhana rabbiyal a'la" x3; (5) brief sitting; (6) second prostration, repeat step 4. After every two rakahs, sit for the Tashahhud. End by turning the head right then left: "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah."
Your five daily prayers
| Prayer | Rakahs | Roughly when |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 | Dawn, before sunrise |
| Dhuhr | 4 | After the sun passes its highest point |
| Asr | 4 | Mid-to-late afternoon |
| Maghrib | 3 | Just after sunset |
| Isha | 4 | Once twilight fully fades |
Times follow the sun, not a fixed clock — the live widget above, sourced from Akram Jomaa, shows today's exact Calgary times.
Why prayer times move with the sun
Fajr: true dawn to sunrise. Dhuhr: once the sun passes overhead and starts to decline. Asr: mid-afternoon, once a shadow reaches a set length. Maghrib: right at sunset. Isha: once twilight fully disappears. Calgary's dramatic seasonal daylight swings are exactly why we pull live times instead of printing a fixed schedule.
Salah etiquette
Face the Qibla. Pray in a clean space and clean clothing. Dress modestly — men: at minimum navel to knee; women: full body except face and hands, loose and non-revealing. Pray promptly once the time enters. Congregational prayer at the mosque carries extra reward, especially for men — praying at home is always valid for everyone.
A note for sisters
During your monthly cycle, you're exempt from prayer and fasting — a mercy, not a punishment; missed prayers aren't made up, missed Ramadan fasts generally are. Same exemption during postpartum bleeding. Perform Ghusl once your cycle ends before resuming prayer. Praying at the mosque or at home are both fully valid — many sisters prefer praying at home, and that's a personal choice. Hijab and modest dress are worn during prayer regardless of everyday practice — this is specific to the prayer itself.
Jumu'ah (Friday prayer)
Dhuhr is replaced by a congregational prayer with a sermon (khutbah). Obligatory for able adult men; women, children, travelers, and the sick are exempt but always welcome. ICNA Calgary's schedule is on the main events calendar.
Surahs to Memorize
Surah to memorize: Al-Fatiha
Recited in every rakah of every prayer, the first to learn.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿١﴾ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴿٧﴾
Bismillahir rahmanir raheem. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil alameen. Ar-rahmanir raheem. Maliki yawmid deen. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem. Siratal ladheena an'amta alayhim ghayril maghdoobi alayhim wa lad daalleen.
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds..."
The Three Quls: Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas
Traditionally recited together for protection, after each prayer and before sleep.
Al-Ikhlas (112)
"Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there anything comparable to Him."
Al-Falaq (113)
"Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He created..."
An-Nas (114)
"Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the retreating whisperer..."
Al-Asr and Al-Kawthar
Al-Asr (103), three verses
"By time. Indeed mankind is in loss, except those who believe, do good deeds, and encourage one another to truth and to patience."
Al-Kawthar (108), the shortest surah
"Indeed, We have granted you abundance. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off."
Common daily duas
- Waking up: Alhamdu lillahil ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin nushoor. ("Praise be to Allah who gave us life after having taken it, and to Him is the return.")
- Before eating: Bismillah. ("In the name of Allah.")
- After eating: Alhamdu lillahil ladhi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana muslimeen. ("Praise be to Allah who fed us, gave us drink, and made us Muslims.")
- Leaving the house: Bismillahi tawakkaltu alallah. ("In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah.")
- Before sleeping: Bismika Allahumma amootu wa ahya. ("In Your name, O Allah, I die and I live.")
Glossary
- Allah — the Arabic word for God, used by Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews too; not a different deity.
- Salah — the five daily prayers.
- Wudu / Ghusl — the two levels of ritual purification.
- Halal / Haram — permissible / forbidden.
- Sunnah — the example and practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ; also used for recommended (non-obligatory) acts.
- Fard — obligatory.
- Dua — personal supplication, distinct from the formal Salah.
- Masjid — mosque.
- Qibla — the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, faced during prayer.
- Ummah — the global community of Muslims.
- Insha'Allah — "if God wills."
- Alhamdulillah — "praise be to God."
- Jazak Allahu Khayran — "may Allah reward you with good," a common thank-you.
FAQ
Do I have to change my name?
No. Only if your current name has a meaning that directly contradicts Islamic belief (e.g. references another deity) is a change encouraged — and even then it's not obligatory.
What if I can't pray five times a day right away?
Start where you are. Many people begin with one or two prayers and build up. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Do I need to know Arabic?
No. You'll memorize the short Arabic phrases needed for prayer, but reading, writing, and speaking Arabic fully is a separate, optional pursuit.
My family isn't supportive — what do I do?
This is one of the hardest parts of reverting for many people. You're not alone — the ICNA Calgary Dawah team and sisters'/brothers' committees have supported many people through exactly this; please reach out.
Can I still eat with non-Muslim friends and family?
Yes — sharing meals is encouraged. The main dietary rule is avoiding pork and alcohol, and preferring halal meat where reasonably available.
Your next steps
Come to Jumu'ah, ask about New Muslim classes/mentorship, reach out to [email protected], connect with the sisters'/brothers' committee, bookmark the page.