Learn About Islam
What is Islam?
With over 1.8 billion followers, Islam is one of the world major religions. The word “Islam” comes from the Arabic root word “Salam,” which means peace, purity, submission, and obedience.
The religion of Islam is based on a set of beliefs and practices that form the foundation of its creed. In this article, we will explore the fundamental beliefs and creed of Islam, to help you better understand the religion and its followers.
Meaning of Islam
Islam is a religion that believes in the oneness of God, or Allah in Arabic. Muslims believe that there is only one God, and he is the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Islam teaches that Allah is merciful and just, and he is the source of all goodness and guidance. Muslims believe that God communicates with human beings through revelations sent to prophets and messengers.
The Prophet of Islam
The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 CE. He received his first revelation from Allah through the angel Gabriel at the age of 40. He spent the next 23 years of his life spreading the message of Islam and building a community of believers.
The Prophet Muhammad is considered the final Prophet in Islam, and his teachings are recorded in the Sunnah, the second main source in Islam.
Section 1: The Beliefs of Islam
At the core of Islam are five fundamental beliefs, known as the Five Pillars of Islam. These are:
1) Shahada
Is the declaration of faith in Islam. It is the first and most important of the Five Pillars of Islam. The Shahada is a testimony of belief in Allah’s oneness and Muhammad’s prophet hood.
Muslims recite the Shahada to affirm their faith and become a Muslim. The Shahada in Arabic is “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasool Allah,” which means, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.” By reciting the Shahada, Muslims express their belief in the unity and supremacy of Allah and their commitment to following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
2) Salat - the five daily prayers
It is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam and refers to the daily prayers that Muslims perform. Muslims are required to perform five prayers a day at specific times: Fajr (before sunrise), Dhuhr (after midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (after sunset), and Isha (at night).
The prayer involves standing, bowing, and prostrating, while reciting verses from the Quran and other supplications.
The Salah (prayer) establishes a direct connection between the worshipper and Allah and serves as a reminder of one’s duty and commitment to God.
It also helps Muslims to develop a sense of discipline, focus, and humility in their daily lives. The Salah is an essential aspect of the Islamic faith, and Muslims strive to perform it regularly and sincerely.
3) Zakat - charitable giving
It refers to charity to the poor and needy. It considered a religious obligation for Muslims who have a certain amount of wealth or savings for a lunar year. The amount of zakat that a Muslim must give is 2.5% of their total wealth, including cash, savings, and other assets.
The collected funds are then distributed to the poor and needy. Paying zakat is a means of purifying one’s wealth and expressing gratitude to Allah for his blessings. It also serves as a way of promoting social justice and helping to alleviate poverty and inequality in society.
Zakat is an important aspect of Islamic finance and plays a vital role in the economic well-being of Muslim communities worldwide.
4) Sawm - fasting
It is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam and refers to the fasting observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset each day during Ramadan.
The fast is intended to purify the soul, strengthen one’s faith, and cultivate self-discipline and empathy towards less fortunate people.
It is also a means of showing gratitude to Allah for his blessings and a way of seeking forgiveness for past sins. The fast is broken each day with the iftar meal at sunset, and also Muslims gather for special night prayers during Ramadan called Taraweeh.
Sawm is an important aspect of Islamic faith and serves as a means of spiritual renewal and personal growth for Muslims. It also promotes social solidarity and emphasizes the importance of community and collective responsibility.
5) Hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca
Hajj is the fifth of the Five Pillars of Islam and refers to the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that Muslims are required to perform at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able to do so.
The Hajj takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and involves a series of rituals and acts of worship. These include circumambulating the Kaaba (a cube-shaped building in the center of the Great Mosque), walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa, standing in prayer at the plain of Arafat, and performing the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina.
The Hajj demonstrates the unity and equality of all Muslims and serves as a reminder of the story of Prophet Abraham and his family. It is also an opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness for past sins, make supplications to God, and strengthen their faith and commitment to Islam.
The Hajj is one of the largest and most diverse gatherings of people in the world, with millions of Muslims from all over the world converging on Mecca each year to perform the pilgrimage
These Five Pillars of Islam provide the framework for the religious practice of Muslims worldwide.
Section 2: The Creed of Islam
In addition to the Five Pillars, Islam is defined by a set of beliefs, known as the Creed of Islam. This creed outlines the fundamental beliefs of Muslims, and serves as a guide for their religious practice. The creed includes the following beliefs:
1- Belief in Allah
Belief in Allah is the central tenet of the Islamic faith. Muslims believe in the oneness of God, who is referred to as Allah in Arabic. Allah is believed to be the one and only God, who is eternal, omnipotent, and all knowing. Muslims believe that Allah is the creator of the universe and everything in it, and that he is merciful and just.
Muslims also believe in the prophets of God, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, who are believed to have been sent by Allah to guide humanity and teach them about his message. Muslims believe that Allah communicates with humanity through his revelation in the form of the Quran, considered Islam’s holy book.
Belief in Allah is the foundation of the Islamic creed, and Muslims must affirm their faith in Allah through the declaration of the Shahada, the first of the Five Pillars of Islam. The belief in Allah is a means of seeking guidance and strength in life, and Muslims strive to live their lives in accordance with his teachings and commandments.
2- Belief in the Prophets
Muslims believe in the prophets of God and consider them the messengers who Allah sent to guide humanity and convey his message.
Muslims believe that God sent prophets to every nation and community throughout history, and that their mission was to call people to worship one God and guide them towards a righteous and just way of life. The prophets are believed to have been chosen by Allah for their exceptional qualities, including wisdom, courage, and righteousness.
Muslims believe in a long line of prophets, starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, among many others.
Muslims believe that these prophets were human beings and not divine, but they were given special knowledge and guidance from God.
They were also given miracles to help establish their credibility and demonstrate the truth of their message. The prophets are revered in Islam and are considered role models for Muslims to follow.
Muslims are encouraged to learn from the prophets’ examples and emulate their behaviour and character. Belief in the prophets is an essential part of Islamic faith and is mentioned in the Islamic creed, which Muslims recite as a declaration of their faith.
3- Belief in the Books
Muslims believe in the divine books revealed by Allah to his prophets, including the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran
- The Quran: Muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation and the most important holy book. It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of 23 years.
- The Torah: This is the holy book of the Jewish people and is also recognized by Muslims as a holy book. Muslims believe that it was revealed to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him).
- The Gospel: This is the holy book of the Christians and Muslims also recognize it as a holy book. Muslims believe that it was revealed to Prophet Essa (peace be upon him).
4- Belief in the Angels
In Islam, belief in angels is an essential part of the faith. Angels are created beings made of light, unseen by humans unless they are permitted to reveal themselves.
Muslims believe that Allah created angels to perform specific tasks and carry out His commands. Some of the tasks that angels are believed to perform include:
- recording the deeds of humans.
- carrying out punishments or rewards.
- conveying messages from Allah to His prophets.
- protecting and guiding individuals.
- and carrying the Throne of Allah.
Angel Jibril is believed to have brought the revelations of Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to other prophets before him.
Other important angels include Mika’il (Michael), who is responsible for providing sustenance and blessings to people. and the angel is responsible for blowing the trumpet to signal the world’s end.
Muslims believe that angels do not possess free will and always obey the commands of Allah. They also believe that angels are pure and sinless, and that they worship Allah constantly. Belief in angels is an important aspect of Islamic theology, as it helps Muslims understand the unseen world and reinforces their belief in the power and omnipotence of Allah
5- Belief in the Day of Judgment
Muslims believe that the Day of Judgment is when Allah will resurrect all people who have ever lived, judge them according to their deeds, and assign them to their final destinations of either paradise (Jannah) or hellfire (Jahannam).
Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, all individuals will stand before Allah and be held accountable for their actions in this world.
The good deeds that they have done will be weighed against the bad deeds that they have done, and their eternal destiny will be determined based on this balance. Those who have lived a righteous life and have followed the commandments of Allah will be rewarded with eternal bliss in paradise, while those who have rejected Allah’s guidance and have lived a life of sin will be punished with eternal suffering in hellfire.
Muslims believe that the Day of Judgment will be preceded by several signs that will indicate its approach, such as the appearance of the Antichrist (Dajjal), the rising of the sun from the west, and the emergence of a beast from the earth. The belief in the Day of Judgment serves as a reminder to Muslims to live a life of righteousness and to strive to please Allah in all that they do.
It also provides comfort and hope to those who have suffered in this life, as they believe that their struggles will be rewarded in the afterlife.
6- Belief in Destiny
Muslims believe that everything in the universe is under the control and will of Allah, and that He has decreed everything that will happen from the beginning of time to the end of time. This includes the fate of every individual, including their birth, their lifespan, and their eventual death.
Muslims believe that Allah’s knowledge and control of everything in the universe is absolute and complete, and that nothing happens without His permission. This belief is expressed in the Quran, which states, “Say: ‘Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector’…” (9:51)
Muslims also believe that Allah has given human beings free will to choose their actions, but Allah already knows their choices. The belief in destiny does not absolve individuals of their responsibility for their actions, but rather emphasizes the idea that Allah is in control of everything and that everything happens according to His will.
Muslims also believe that everything that happens to them, whether good or bad, is ultimately for their own benefit and that Allah’s wisdom and mercy are behind every event.
This belief gives Muslims a sense of peace and acceptance in times of difficulty and helps them to understand that everything happens for a reason.
Overall, the belief in destiny is an important aspect of Islamic theology, as it emphasizes the idea of surrendering to Allah’s will and trusting in His wisdom and mercy. It also comforts and guides Muslims in all aspects of their lives.
Conclusion
In summary, Islam is a religion that believes in the oneness of God, the prophethood of Muhammad, and the importance of following the Five Pillars of Islam and the Six Pillars of Faith.
Muslims believe in living a life of submission to God’s will and seeking to do good deeds. By following the principles of Islam, Muslims strive to attain inner peace, righteousness, and eternal salvation in the afterlife.
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