Short answer
Read a good translation of the Quran, visit a local mosque and talk to Muslims you trust. In the Hanafi school non-Muslims may enter any mosque, and most mosques welcome visitors and hold open days. You can ask questions, attend a talk or watch a prayer with no commitment and no pressure.
Non-Muslims may enter any mosque in the Hanafi school, including al-Masjid al-Haram, since the Prophet ﷺ received non-Muslim visitors and delegations in his mosque. Teaching a non-Muslim the Quran and the religion in the hope of guidance is permissible and good.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- A non-Muslim may enter mosques with a Muslim's permission, but never the sacred precinct (Haram) of Makkah.
- Hanbali
- Similar to the Shafi'i view: other mosques with permission, never the Haram of Makkah.
- Maliki
- A non-Muslim should not enter a mosque except for a need.
Explanation
The best first step is the Quran itself, in a clear English translation. Many people start with short surahs, Surah Maryam (on Mary and Jesus) or Surah Yusuf (the story of Joseph). See what is the Quran, what is Islam and read the Quran.
Visiting a mosque is the next. In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, a chief named Thumamah was held for three days in the mosque of Madinah, where he could see the Muslims at prayer, and after his release he chose Islam. Delegations of other faiths also met the Prophet ﷺ there. Most mosques today are happy to show visitors around.
- Dress modestly. Many mosques offer women a scarf, though covering is a courtesy for visitors, not a requirement.
- Take off your shoes before the prayer area.
- Do not walk directly in front of someone who is praying.
- Ask for a guide, or contact the mosque before your visit.
- Friday midday (Jumu'ah) is the busiest time; open days are calmer for questions.
Ask anything. The Quran tells Muslims to grant protection even to a polytheist who asks, "so that he may hear the words of Allah", and to explain with wisdom and good manners. There is no compulsion in religion, so a sincere visitor should never feel pressured. If you decide you believe, see how to convert to Islam, and if you just want to keep learning, the new Muslim guide is useful for anyone curious.
The evidence
Quran, Surah At-Tawba 9:6
وَإِنْ أَحَدٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ٱسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُۥ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌۭ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦﴾
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.
Non-Muslims who want to learn should be welcomed and given the message.
Quran, Surah An-Nahl 16:125
ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ ﴿١٢٥﴾
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.
Muslims explain their faith with wisdom and courtesy.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:256
لَآ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشْدُ مِنَ ٱلْغَىِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱلطَّٰغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسْتَمْسَكَ بِٱلْعُرْوَةِ ٱلْوُثْقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٥٦﴾
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Learning about Islam carries no pressure to convert.
Sahih al-Bukhari 462
Sahih... فربطوه بسارية من سواري المسجد ...
"They tied him to one of the pillars of the mosque."
Thumamah, a non-Muslim, stayed in the Prophet's ﷺ mosque, saw the Muslims and later accepted Islam.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, the section of miscellaneous issues. States there is no harm in non-Muslim citizens entering al-Masjid al-Haram.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Salah, the chapter on mosques. The Shafi'i view on non-Muslims entering mosques and the Haram.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.