In Islam such an act is called REVERSION, and not conversion, for we in Islam have the conviction (and has been told to us by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) that "No child is born but upon Fitrah. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist." ("Fitra or fitrah (Arabic: فطرة) is an Arabic word that means 'original disposition', 'natural constitution' or 'innate nature'. In Islam, fitrah is the innate human nature that recognizes the oneness of God (tawhid). It may entail either the state of purity and innocence in which Muslims believe all humans to be born, or the ability to choose or reject God's guidance."
That is: When a child is born, external factors do come into play e.g. a different religion or even a lack of religion around the child has an impact. The child remains in a natural state until they make a decision and conscience choice with regard to religion.
So by the above explanation of the meaning of Fitrah, we Muslims believe that every child born is born as Muslim - it is only the external factors like the religion of one's parents that one assumes the religion adopted by them. But once a person grows and find the truth in Islam, he REVERTS to the Fitrah to become Muslim once again.
You may like to read our earlier post on Fitrah: Every child is born in a state of Fitrah (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)
And now we come to another Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which comes as a reassurance to all the reverts about a Divine promise that has been made for them:
Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al Khudri:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If a person embraces Islam sincerely, then Allah shall forgive all his past sins, and after that starts the settlement of accounts, the reward of his good deeds will be ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and one evil deed will be recorded as it is unless Allah forgives it."
Arabic Text:
قَالَ مَالِكٌ أَخْبَرَنِي زَيْدُ بْنُ أَسْلَمَ، أَنَّ عَطَاءَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِذَا أَسْلَمَ الْعَبْدُ فَحَسُنَ إِسْلاَمُهُ يُكَفِّرُ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُلَّ سَيِّئَةٍ كَانَ زَلَفَهَا، وَكَانَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ الْقِصَاصُ، الْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ، وَالسَّيِّئَةُ بِمِثْلِهَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَتَجَاوَزَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا ".
Since reversion is one of the ultimate and biggest decision of one's life, the reward for this decision is even bigger as mentioned in the above quoted Hadith which spells out:
- All pre-Islam sins are erased at the moment of sincere acceptance.
- All prior good deeds (even done as a non-Muslim) are preserved, and rewarded later—once Muslim.
- Future deeds get multiplied (good deeds tenfold to seven hundredfold by default).
- Future sins are only counted once—unless Allah grants forgiveness.
Divine Assurance as stated in the Qurʾān
It is in the context of the above Hadith, that we have chosen references from the Qurʾān in which Allah has promised great reward for the reverts:
- Islam wipes out all what preceded
- “Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them; but if they return [to hostility], then the precedent of the former peoples has already taken place.” - Qur’ān 8:38 (Surah Al‑Anfāl, verse 38)
- This verse clearly establishes the principle that embracing Islam—at the Prophet’s call—leads to the forgiveness of previous sins.
- Allah forgives all sins
- “Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves! Do not despair of Allah’s mercy, for Allah forgives all sins.” Surah Az‑Zumar 39:53
- Despair has no place in the heart of one who sincerely accepts Islam and turns to the Most Forgiving.
- Sins turned into good deeds
- “Except those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds—Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And Allah is Ever‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al‑Furqan 25:70)
- Although this verse addresses repentance, the same mercy extends to those who sincerely revert to Islam and seek Allah's mercy for the past sins.
- Multiplication of good deeds
- “Whoever comes with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof… and whoever comes with an evil deed will have only the recompense of the like thereof.” (Surah Al‑An‘âm 6:160; Qurʾān 2:261)
Corroborating Hadiths from Ṣaḥîḥ Collections
- Intention counts, even if deed left undone: “Whoever intends a good deed but does not do it… Allah writes it as a full good deed. If he does it, Allah writes 10–700 of it... Whoever intends evil but does not act, Allah writes a good deed; but if he does, it’s written as one evil deed.” Ṣaḥîḥ Bukhârî & Muslim (Ibn ‘Abbâs)
- Reversion to Islam and sincere repentance erase all past sins: “Didn’t you know that Islam erases what came before it? That hijrah erases what came before it? And that Hajj erases what came before it?” (Reported by ‘Amr ibn al‑‘Âs to Ibn Mas‘ûd; Ṣaḥîḥ Muslim)
Why This Ḥadīth Matters
- Full Mercy on Embracing Islam: One reverts to a zero-spiritual-balance state—sin-free.
- Past good deeds retained: Acts like truthfulness, kindness, charity done earlier count and will be rewarded.
- Higher Return on Future Good: Default 10×–700× multiplier avoids injustice; Allah may increase further.
- Accountability within limits: Sin is recorded but Allah’s mercy is prioritized unless He decrees otherwise.
- Motivation to repent and reform: Each day after conversion is a new opportunity to start afresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having described the immensely rewarding reassurance to the reverts, let us answer a few questions that usually crop in the minds of the reverts:
- Q: What if someone embraced Islam insincerely?
- Sincerity (niyyah) is the condition. If the Shahādah lacks full belief and resolve, the forgiveness may not apply.
- The hadith clearly states, “if a person embraces Islam sincerely…”
- Q: Are prior sins truly erased even if rights of others are involved?
- Rights owed to people remain.
- Allah will surely forgive offences between you and Allah
- But you may still need to restore rights to others (e.g. property).
- Q: Do new Muslims still need to repent after submitting?
- Yes. Embracing Islam wipes past sins not the future.
- Thus repentance (tawba) retains power to remove any future slip according to general Qurʾānic and Prophetic teaching (e.g., Qurʾān 25:70, 39:53; hadith about repeated seeking forgiveness).
- Sincerity in reversion to Islam is tantamount to a clean slate. You begin anew, no past sins.
- However, the former good actions remain eligible for reward.
- Future deeds are multiplied, adding immense opportunities for standing with Allah.
- While sins after conversion are recorded, if prevented by repentance, they may be forgiven.
This hadith reflects the vast generosity and merciful policy of Allah: guiding one to Islam, wiping past evil, honoring past good, and opening the path to righteousness and multiplied rewards henceforth.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Photo | Source of Hadith: Sahîḥ al‑Bukhârî, Book 2 No. 41 / in some editions Book 24 No. 4998‑99 | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imam of the masjid for more clarification.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
