Salam,

Congratulations on your shahadah! And thank you for trusting me with this important question. You are not alone. We get many questions here on About Islam from new Muslims wanting to know how they can tell their families, who are either anti-Islam or anti-religion altogether, that they have accepted Islam.

You can start by sending them this letter addressed to the families of new Muslims that explains that Islam is nothing to fear and that you are still you and you still love them.  This may take some of the pressure off and allow them time to think and reflect without a face to face conversation, which can often be tense and emotional.

Ask them to read it thoroughly. And maybe they can send you a list of questions in email or text, initially. This kind of communication is successful in neutralizing arguments or heated conversations.

But if you think your family will be insulted by this kind of communication, then try a different approach. You know them best. The letter can simply be a starting point to tell them in person if that is what you think is best.  

Also we have plenty of suggestions from our counselors on how to approach this topic with family members. Click these links to find out more:

How to Tell Your Family You Are Muslim?

How Can I Tell My Family I Want to Be Muslim?

How to Tell My Hindu Mom That I’m a Muslim?

I Converted to Islam, but How to Tell My Parents?

I personally understand how difficult it can be to tell one’s family about converting to Islam especially when all one’s family knows about Islam is misinformation, stereotypes, and myths. But I got passed this initial fear by thinking about the future.

I told myself that by knowing Islam through me, my family would eventually come to understand Islam better. And  they would eventually accept me as a Muslim. And it worked. This way of thinking helped with my fear of telling them about my conversion and here I am years later with a family who supports me and even defends Islam to others! Alhamdulillah.

I hope this helps. Please keep in touch.

Salam.