The most beautiful rebellion is surrender.
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars of Islam form the core of every Muslim's life. They are the essentials that define our faith and practice: a testimony of belief, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage. As a revert, I first came to know them not as rules to fear, but as guideposts - steadying me when I felt uncertain and reminding me that faith is built step by step. Through them, belief becomes action and intention becomes a way of life.
Shahada
The Shahada is the testimony of faith, the first and greatest of the Five Pillars. It is not just words spoken once, but a lifelong declaration that shapes the heart and guides the soul. To live the Shahada is to let every action, intention and choice bear witness.
Salah
Salah is the ssacred connection between a Muslim and Allah - a rhythm that anchours our days. In prayer, we bow in submission and find tranquility, praising and calling upon Allah while being reminded of life's true reality and guided closer to the Qur'an.
Sawm
Fasting (Sawm) in Ramadan becomes obligatory once a Muslim reaches maturity. It is more than abstaining from food, drink and intimacy - it is a sacred discipline of holding back from sin and striving towards good deeds, purifying both body and soul.
Zakat
Zakat is the charity that purifies wealth and heart alike. Each year, 2.5% of one's surplus wealth is given to those in need - a sacred obligation that reminds us that everything we own is a trust from Allah. Given freely and without condition, Zakat draws us closer to Allah's pleasure.
Hajj
Hajj is the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah, required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able. It is a journey of worship, unity and remembrance - walking in the footsteps of prophets, seeking only Allah's mercy and acceptance.
As-salamu alaykum
Welcome to REBEL REVERT. If you are curious about the name, the answer is quite simple. To me, choosing Islam was the most beautiful rebellion - against dunya, against my ego, against who I used to be. 🌿 For me, it's about finding peace in surrender, even if the world doesn't understand.
This website will be a collection of my thoughts and reflections, learning and lessons as I continue to grow in faith and spirituality on my journey of studying Arabic and Islamic Studies. It will be a tribute and declaration of love of Allah and of the Qur'an and, Insha'Allah, a place for other reverts and born Muslims alike to find kinship and reassurance on the days when faith might falter or confusion takes hold.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ
Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh,
wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlullāh.
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah,
and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Salah (prayer)
Salah is the very heartbeat of Islam, but it can be extremely daunting to a new revert who needs to get their head around prayer times, the steps and order of wudu (ablution), the different elements and movements in prayer itself and figuring out how to incorporate the obligatory five daily prayers in an already busy schedule - and that is before we even think about potentially having to learn and understand Arabic to a point where we can follow, understand and recite surahs correctly.
For me, I found Fajr the easiest to get my head around - I am an early riser and I soon found comfort in that beautiful quiet space when the world around me still slept and time was dedicated purely to Allah. It wasn't long before I naturally started waking earlier and Tahajjud and Witr have now become consistent parts of everyday prayer for me. On the note of voluntary prayers (Nafl), note that you would pray Tahajjud before Witr if you intend to stay up late or wake again before Fajr.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Make Witr your last prayer at night."
If you have already prayed Witr after Isha but wake up, you will still be able to pray Tahajjud, just don't repeat Witr.
I have also included a couple of other voluntary prayers below, but others might prefer to regularly add Salat al-Istikhara (2 rakʿāt when seeking Allah's guidance in a decision), Salat al-Tawbah (2 rakʿāt when repenting for a mistake) or Salat al-Awwabin (6 rakʿāt between Maghrib and Isha, known as the "prayer of the oft-returning").
Fajr* (Dawn Prayer)
Time: Begins at true dawn (when the sky lightens) and ends at sunrise.
Rakʿāt:
-
2 Sunnah (highly emphasised)
-
2 Fard (obligatory)
The Prophet ﷺ never missed the 2 Sunnah of Fajr - they're very strongly recommended.
Maghrib* (Sunset Prayer)
Time: Just after the sun sets until the red twilight disappears.
Rakʿāt:
-
3 Fard
-
2 Sunnah (after)
-
(Optional: 2 Nafl after that)
Stands out as the only prayer with 3 obligatory rakʿāt.
Duha (Morning Prayer)
Time: Begins about 15-20 minutes after sunrise (when the sun is high enough to not be mistaken for sunrise) and ends just before Dhur begins. Duha (or Ishraq when prayed earlier) is a prayer of gratitude and seeking barakah (blessings) in your day.
Rakʿāt:
-
Minimum 2 rakʿāt, usually 4-8 rak'ahs (prayed in sets of 2)
Isha* (Night Prayer)
Time: From the disappearance of twilight until midnight (although some scholars allow until Fajr).
Rakʿāt:
-
4 Fard
-
2 Sunnah (after)
-
(Optional: 2 Nafl)
-
Witr (3 rakʿāt) - highly emphasised, prayed after Isha before sleeping.
Often paired with long voluntary prayers (Tahajjud, if you wake in the last third of the night).
Dhur* (Midday Prayer)
Time: After the sun passes its zenith (midday) until the shadow of an object is equal to its length.
Rakʿāt:
-
4 Sunnah (before)
-
4 Fard
-
2 Sunnah (after)
-
(Optional: 2 Nafl after the Sunnah)
Prayed when the day is at its hottest/lightest - reminds us to pause for Allah in the middle of busy life.
Tahajjud (Voluntary Night Prayer)
It is not obligatory but it was highly beloved by the Prophet ﷺ, who prayed it regularly and the Qur'an praises those who 'rise from their beds' to worship (Surah As-Sajdah 32:16).
Rakʿāt:
-
Minimum 2, usually 8 (prayed in sets of 2) but some pray more - up to a total of 11 rakʿāt, including Witr.