Hadiths
The Messenger of God - may God’s prayers and peace be upon him - said: (Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, God will make easy for him a path to Paradise).
The Messenger of God - may God’s prayers and peace be upon him - said: (Whoever God wants good for, He makes him understand the religion)
The Messenger of God - may God’s prayers and peace be upon him - said: (Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim).
The Messenger of God - may God’s prayers and peace be upon him - said: (If a person dies, his work is cut off except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who
Faith Faith in God 176 2026-08-06

What should an apostate say if they want to return to Islam?

Question
If a Muslim falls into apostasy or major disbelief, how do they return to Islam? Must they recite a specific wording of the two testimonies of faith (Shahada)? Is it necessary to say, "He alone, with no partner" for their repentance to be valid?
Answer

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

If a Muslim falls into apostasy and then wishes to return to Islam, they return by offering sincere repentance to Allah and pronouncing the two testimonies of faith (Shahada) while believing in their meaning and affirming them in the heart.

It is sufficient to say:

"I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

It is not a condition for the validity of one's return to Islam to add:

"He alone, with no partner."

However, if a person says it, it is good and virtuous, as this wording is authentically established in the Sunnah.

Is merely pronouncing the Shahada sufficient?

No.

The Shahada is not beneficial merely by pronouncing its words. It must be accompanied by faith in the heart, certainty, sincerity, acceptance of what it implies, and submission to Allah's law.

Therefore, the Shahada does not benefit someone who utters it with the tongue while denying it in the heart or rejecting the teachings of Islam.

Is it necessary to say: "He alone, with no partner"?

No.

The essential testimony by which a person enters Islam is:

"I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

The additional phrase:

"He alone, with no partner"

is authentically reported in the Sunnah and is among the virtuous remembrances (adhkar), but it is not a condition for entering Islam.

Is this additional phrase recited in the Tashahhud and after ablution?

This addition is authentically reported in certain remembrances, including the supplication after wudu (ablution).

As for the Tashahhud in prayer, a Muslim should adhere to the wording authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ and should not consider additional phrases obligatory when they are not established in the Tashahhud.

Conclusion

Whoever wishes to return to Islam after apostasy should sincerely repent to Allah and pronounce the Shahada while believing in its meaning. It is sufficient to say:

"I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

It is not necessary to add:

"He alone, with no partner."

However, if one does add it, it is better and more complete.

And Allah knows best.