About Islam
What is Islam
Islam is the religion of God. It was the religion of all the prophets, including Prophet Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the final Prophet Muhammad — Allah's peace and blessings be upon all of them.
Islam is a monotheist religion. The Islamic belief is that there is no God but Allah. Allah is the Creator of the universe and He is the only One Who deserves to be worshipped. He has no partner or spouse or children or helper. He is Single and Unique. He is the Sole Creator and controller of the universe.
Other necessary Islamic beliefs include the following:
- To believe in all the Prophets sent by God for the guidance of mankind.
- To believe in all the Holy Books.
- To believe that Prophet Muhammad is the last and final Prophet and Messenger of God.
- To believe in the Angels, a special being made of light.
- To believe in the divine destiny.
- To believe in the Day of Judgment when all mankind and Jinn will be resurrected and accounted for their deeds and beliefs.
- To believe in the everlasting Hell where the wrongdoers will be punished and the everlasting Paradise where the righteous believers will be rewarded.
To become Muslim, one simply has to pronounce the shahadah — the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
The five pillars of Islam
Shahadah
The testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Salat
Praying five times a day.
Sawm
Fasting in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Zakat
Paying the obligatory charity. The zakat rate is 2.5% on all savings held for one whole year. There is also zakat on farm produce and farm animals.
Hajj
Performing pilgrimage to the House of Allah, the Holy Ka'bah in Mecca, once in one's lifetime if one is financially and physically able.
Continue with some basic information about Islam.