What is Islam?
Islam is a purely monotheistic religion centered on the belief in one God (Allah*), who is the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe. In Islam, the final messenger is Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Religion in general refers to a system of beliefs, moral principles, and acts of worship that a believer follows and respects, while belief itself denotes an inner conviction—an acceptance of certain truths without requiring material proof.
*Allah is the name of God in Arabic and Aramaic.
What Do Muslims Believe?
Muslims believe in angels, all God’s revealed scriptures (The Qur’an, the Torah, and the Gospel), all the prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree. The Quran says: [The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, as did the believers. They all have believed in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers: “We do not differentiate between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and we obey. Your forgiveness, our Lord. To you is the destiny.'] [Quran 2:285]
What is the Message of Islam?
The message of Islam is the call to worship one God, Allah, without any partners, and to live in total submission to His will as taught by all prophets and as shown and completed by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It teaches that true peace, justice, and fulfillment in life come through obedience to Allah, who created and sustains the universe. Islam unites all humanity under one faith, transcending race and status, and guides mankind toward moral righteousness, compassion, and ultimate success in both this world and the Hereafter.
Allah is the name of God in Arabic and Aramaic, pronounced with an emphatic L.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
The Five Pillars of Islam are:
- declaring faith, that there is no Deity worth of worshiping other than God (Allah) and that Muhammad is his Servant and Last Messenger
- Performing the Five Daily Prayers,
- Paying Zakah (Alms Giving)
- Fasting the month of Ramadan, and
- Performing Hajj if one is able physically and financially.
What are the Five Pillars of Faith (Iman)?
The Six Pillars of Faith in Islam form the foundation of a Muslim’s belief system and are essential for true faith. They are: (1) belief in Allah as the one and only God, the Creator and Sustainer of all; (2) belief in the angels created by Allah who carry out His commands; (3) belief in the holy books revealed by Allah, including the Quran, Torah, Gospel, and Psalms; (4) belief in all messengers sent by Allah, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and lastly Muhammad (peace be upon them all); (5) belief in the Last Day when all humans will be resurrected and judged for their deeds; and (6) belief in the divine decree (Qadar), recognizing that everything good or bad happens by Allah’s knowledge and will.
