Are We Born Muslims? Revert, Convert and the Meaning of Fitrah

The Primordial Covenant: Humanity’s Promise to Allah Before Birth

Quran 7:172 describes the children of Adam being made to testify to ALLAH’s Lordship. Many classical scholars understand this as a real primordial covenant before earthly life, while other explanations emphasise its connection with fitrah. The testimony is Quranic; the exact mechanics of the unseen event are a matter of interpretation.

“And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying], ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we have testified.’” (Quran 7:172)

The verse establishes a testimony to ALLAH’s Lordship. Classical tafsir also connects the verse with fitrah. Phrases such as “spiritual DNA” are metaphors, not terms from the Quran or Sunnah, so the article should not use them as though they describe a mechanism we know.

Research in developmental psychology and cognitive science has explored early moral preferences, agency detection and children’s tendency to reason about purpose. These findings are interesting, but they do not scientifically prove the primordial covenant, tawhid or the Islamic concept of fitrah. Metaphysical teachings should stand on revelation rather than be presented as discoveries of neuroscience.

The Fitrah: Born in a State of Pure Submission

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every child is born upon fitrah (the natural state of Islam), but his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Zoroastrian.” (Sahih Muslim 2658)

The hadith establishes that every child is born upon fitrah before family and environment shape religious identity. Scholars explain fitrah in closely related ways, including a natural disposition toward truth and recognition of ALLAH. It does not mean every child consciously holds a complete set of Islamic beliefs from birth.

1. The Islamic Concept of Fitrah – Are We Born Muslims?

The Quranic and Hadith Evidence

Allah says in the Quran:

“So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah.” (Quran 30:30)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“No child is born except upon fitrah (the natural state of Islam), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” (Sahih Muslim 2658)

What is Fitrah?

• Natural disposition: Fitrah refers to the innate disposition upon which ALLAH created human beings.
• Capacity for recognition: Classical scholars connect fitrah with receptivity to tawhid and truth.
• Influence matters: Family, society, desires and personal choices can shape how that disposition develops.

Why Do Some Deviate from Fitrah?

• Parental & Societal Influence: External factors shape religious identity.
• Nafs (Lower Self) & Shaytan: Worldly desires and Satanic whispers lead people astray (Quran 12:53).

 References:

• Quran 30:30
• Hadith on Fitrah (Muslim 2658)

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2. Revert or convert? The Linguistic & Theological Debate

The Case for “Revert”

The preference for the term “revert” in Islamic discourse stems from a profound theological foundation. In the Quran, Allah describes how every human soul, before earthly existence, testified to His Lordship:

“And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam their descendants and made them testify of themselves, [saying], ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we have testified.'” (Quran 7:172)

This primordial covenant (Mithaq) establishes that every human is born with an innate recognition of Allah (fitrah). Therefore, when someone embraces Islam later in life, they are not adopting a new religion but returning to their original, natural state of submission to Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ reinforced this concept when he said:
“Every child is born upon fitrah (the natural state of Islam)…” (Sahih Muslim 2658)

Thus, “revert” carries deeper meaning—it signifies a spiritual homecoming rather than a mere change in belief.

The Validity of “Convert”

While “revert” holds theological significance, the term “convert” is not incorrect. Linguistically, it means “to change from one belief system to another,” which accurately describes the process of accepting Islam.

Some scholars argue that:

• “Convert” is more universally understood, especially in non-Muslim societies.
• The Quran itself uses terms like “entering Islam” (e.g., Quran 49:14), which aligns with the idea of conversion.
• The essence lies not in the word used, but in the sincerity of the heart.

Scholarly Perspectives & Practical Considerations

1. Preference for “Revert” – Many contemporary scholars and da’wah workers favor this term because it reflects Islamic theology more precisely.
2. Validity of “convert”: Convert is a normal English word describing a change of religious affiliation and is not religiously wrong. No Muslim needs to be corrected simply for using it.
3. Avoiding Excessive Debate – The Prophet ﷺ focused on guiding people to Tawheed rather than linguistic technicalities.

Verdict: Which Term Should We Use?

• Theologically: Some Muslims prefer “revert” because they connect accepting Islam with returning to fitrah.
• Practically, “convert” is acceptable, especially when explaining Islam to non-Muslims.
• Most importantly, the heart’s submission to Allah matters more than the label.

As Allah says:
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Quran 3:19)

Whether someone calls themselves a revert or convert, what truly matters is that they have answered the call of their fitrah and returned to the truth.

 Reference:

• Quran 7:172

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3. The Great Paradox: Why Do We Forget Our Covenant with Allah?

The Pre-Existence of Souls

Quran 7:172 describes the testimony to ALLAH’s Lordship. Human beings do not consciously remember the event, so the practical issue is how fitrah, revelation, upbringing and personal choice interact during earthly life.

• Dunya (Worldly Life): Wealth, power, and desires consume us.
• Shaytan’s Deception: Satan vowed to mislead humanity (Quran 7:16-17).

The Prophet’s ﷺ Warning

“By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but I fear that this world will be spread out for you as it was for those before you, and you will compete for it as they did, and it will destroy you as it did them.” (Sahih Bukhari 6425)

How Environment Can Shape Faith

Childhood

Example:

• Children often ask deep questions about origins, meaning and purpose. Those questions can become opportunities for thoughtful religious teaching.
• Scientific explanation and belief in ALLAH are not opposites. Parents can answer honestly about natural processes while also teaching the Islamic belief that ALLAH is the Creator.

Quranic Reminder:
“So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah…” (Quran 30:30)

Solution:

• Answer children’s spiritual questions with Tawheed-based explanations (“Allah made the sky because He loves us”).
• Build faith through Quran, prayer, character, conversation and a home where questions are welcomed rather than feared.

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Growing Social Awareness

Example:

• A 10-year-old stops saying “Alhamdulillah” at school when classmates mock him.
• He prioritizes fitting in over Islamic identity, planting seeds of doubt.

Prophetic Warning:
“Whoever imitates a people becomes one of them.” (Abu Dawud 4031)

Solution:

• Build Islamic pride through stories of young Sahaba (e.g., Ali RA accepting Islam at 10).
• Encourage Muslim friendships via weekend schools or Islamic camps.

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Teenage Years

Example:

• A 16-year-old Muslimah removes her hijab for prom, thinking “It’s just one night.”
• Shaytan exploits this compromise—soon, she abandons it entirely for university.

Quranic Insight:
“Satan promises you poverty and commands you to immorality…” (Quran 2:268)

Solution:

• Teach teens that small compromises lead to big deviations.
• Replace haram socializing with halal alternatives (e.g., Muslim youth groups).

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Adulthood

Example:

• A 30-year-old delays marriage to focus on career, then struggles with zina.
• He justifies riba (interest) for a mortgage: “Everyone does it.”

Hadith Reality Check:
“A time will come when one will not care how one gains money, legally or illegally.” (Bukhari 2059)

Solution:

• Weekly self-audit: “Am I trading my akhirah for dunya?”
• Attend Islamic finance workshops to find halal alternatives.

 Reference:

• Quran 29:64

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Conclusion: Returning to Our True Nature

Islam is not a new religion—it is the original way (Deen al-Fitrah). Whether called “revert” or “convert,” the key is sincere submission to Allah.

“O you who have believed, respond to Allah and the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” (Quran 8:24)

May Allah keep us steadfast on the straight path. Ameen.

• What is the fault of children born in a kaafir environment?