Basics of Islam

Islam is a faith of pure monotheism that builds on the messages of previous prophets sent to humankind throughout history.

Islam is a continuation of the same message preached by all of God's prophets, ending with the final prophet, Muhammad ﷺ, calling people to believe in and worship the one, true God alone. It is the original religion of Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus that clarifies the purpose of creation and guides us on how to live a godly, righteous life.

As the final message from God to humanity, Islam is a manifestation of the divine covenant made before the creation of the world, when every soul gathered to recognize God as their Lord. In the Islamic worldview, this knowledge is coded into our subconscious makeup. By testifying to our faith, we reaffirm our witness of God's Lordship and commit to living a life in line with His will. The Qur'an, God's final words revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and the prophetic teachings (Sunnah) offer guidance on how to adhere to the message.

The word "Islam" is an Arabic term encompassing the meanings of submission, surrender, and peace.

In Islam, faith is composed of six core articles of faith, commonly referred to as the pillars of faith.

They are:

1. Belief in God
2. Belief in angels
3. Belief in divinely revealed books
4. Belief in the messengers of God
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment
6. Belief in divine decree

Allah is simply the Arabic word for God.

Say [O Prophet], "He is Allah, One. God, the Eternal. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him." (Qur'an 112:1–4)

The word "Allah" does not have a gender or a plural form, indicating God's uniqueness from all creation and His absolute oneness. Allah is also the term for God used by non-Muslim Arabic speakers such as Arab Christians.

Muslims believe God is exalted above everything else in the universe, unrestricted by time and space, and distinct in His attributes. He is All-Powerful and All-Wise, with full control over the universe, as it was created by His will. As taught in the Qur'an, Allah is the Lord of all the worlds: humanity's Creator, Nourisher, and Sustainer, whom all should worship and love.

The ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God encapsulate the divine attributes through which God has described Himself. Allah is not restricted to these names alone; rather, they are a means by which someone can begin to know Him. God, above all else in the Islamic worldview, is the Most Merciful and the Most Kind (the names most often repeated in the Qur'an and in daily prayers), the Most Loving, and the Source of all peace, reliance, and refuge. The gift of worship is from His bounty to keep humankind forever connected to Him.

He is God: there is no god other than Him. It is He who knows what is hidden as well as what is in the open, He is the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. He is God: there is no god other than Him, the Controller, the Holy One, Source of Peace, Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Truly Great; God is far above anything they consider to be His partner. He is God: the Creator, the Originator, the Shaper. The best names belong to Him. Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Him: He is the Almighty, the Wise. (Qur'an 59:22–24)

The Qur'an is the speech of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril) over a period of twenty-three years.

The Qur'an constitutes the final revealed message from God through the last prophet and messenger sent to the world.

The Qur'an is both miraculously preserved and inimitable. In other words, the Qur'an we know today is the exact text that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur'an is also miraculous in that it is impossible for human beings to imitate, contains no errors or contradictions, accurately foretells future events, describes matters of the natural world unknown to human beings at the time of revelation, and contains benefit for all human beings.

See full infographic: A Miraculous Revelation

Muhammad ﷺ, the son of Abdullah, was the final prophet and messenger of God.

He was born in 570 CE in Mecca, where he eventually received the final revealed book sent to humanity, the Qur'an, and began calling people to the religion of Islam.

Despite facing many challenges and being met with rejection and persecution during his life and prophetic mission, he unfailingly exhibited beautiful character, rose above enmity and insult, and accomplished a stunning array of achievements. He is the most beloved of all creation to God, and is the greatest not only of all of God's prophets and messengers but of the entirety of creation.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is often described as the "founder of Islam," but this is not accurate. Islam did not begin with his prophetic mission. Instead, it is more accurate to say he was sent to confirm and restore the messages of previous prophets and scriptures in their original, uncorrupted forms. All of the messengers of God, from Adam to Jesus to Muhammad, conveyed the same fundamental message of monotheism and good works and are brothers in prophethood.

Check out the Meeting Muhammad video series with Imam Omar Suleiman.

Paper: An Ethical and Historical Necessity: The Proofs of Prophethood Series

The five pillars of Islam are the testimony of faith, prayer, zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing hajj.

Islam can be imagined as a building supported by five pillars. Each of these pillars is necessary for the building of Islam to stand. Without them, the structure collapses. These pillars are:

1. Shahada: testifying that there is no god but Allah (God), and that Muhammad ﷺ is the final Messenger of God
2. Salat: praying the five daily prayers
3. Zakat: giving an obligatory amount of charity
4. Sawm: fasting in Ramadan
5. Hajj: making the pilgrimage to the Kaʿba

Everything else in Islam is built upon these five foundational pillars.

The shahada is to believe in the message of Islam and declare: There is no god but Allah (God), and Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of God.

This testimony of faith, known in Arabic as the shahada, encapsulates the religion of Islam. It must be affirmed in the heart and uttered by the tongue.

The shahada is a declaration of monotheism (tawhid) stating that there is absolutely no deity except the one, true Creator: God. He has no partners in divinity, no children, and none is worthy of worship except Him.

It is also a statement of acceptance that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is God's final prophet and messenger.

Video: Intro to Pillar 1: Shahada (Testimony of Faith)

Muslims pray five times a day because God has commanded it, and prayer (salat) is the worship they owe Him.

God instructed Muslims to pray five daily prayers, each within its prescribed time. The Qur'an teaches that the purpose of human creation is to worship God, and these five prayers are the foundational way Muslims fulfill that purpose. A Muslim prays first and foremost because it is an act of obedience to their Lord.

Prayer also forges and sustains an essential connection between a person and their Creator. Returning to God at set points throughout the day keeps Him at the center of a believer's life.

Video: Pillar 2: Why do we pray?

Zakat refers to an obligatory portion of wealth a Muslim must give annually to the poor and needy.

Islamic law details the types of wealth that are zakat-eligible, how zakat is calculated, and the specific categories of people eligible to receive it.

Zakat is frequently mentioned alongside prayer (salat) throughout the Qur'an and was a ubiquitous feature of all prophetic calls. Among the five pillars of Islam, zakat is unique in that, in addition to being an act of devotion to God, it plays an important social function. While prayer and fasting are, on their face, individual acts of ritual devotion, zakat directly benefits one's community and, as an institution, wields immense economic and social transformative power.

Video: Pillar 3: What is Zakat (Almsgiving)?

Sadaqa refers to any act of charity or giving.

Charity is one of the most highly emphasized acts and virtues in Islam and bears a great deal of spiritual and societal benefit. The widespread practice of Muslims establishing charitable endowments across Muslim societies is just one example of how this emphasis on charitable giving manifests.

While sadaqa is often thought of as monetary, Islam outlines an expansive understanding of charity that extends to many non-monetary acts of giving, such as spreading joy, meeting people with a smile, or merely speaking a kind word. In fact, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Every good deed is charity. Verily, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a cheerful face, and to pour what is left from your bucket into the vessel of your brother."

See full infographic: Fruits of Charity

Muslims celebrate two major holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Muslim days of celebration occur at the conclusion of seasons of worship. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha is celebrated at the conclusion of Hajj. These days are intended to be days of festivity and joy for Muslims, and they are distinguished from other days in that fasting is not allowed on them.

Fridays are also weekly holy days for Muslims, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Allah has made this day of Friday a celebration for the Muslims."

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri, or Islamic lunar, calendar, during which Muslims are obligated to fast each day of the entire month.

Fasting entails abstaining from food, drink, and intimacy from dawn to sunset. All sane, mature Muslims are obligated to fast unless they have a legitimate excuse (due to travel, illness, etc.), in which case Islamic law details if and how they are to make up missed Ramadan fasts.

Ramadan is also the month in which the revelation of God's final message to humanity, the Qur'an, began. The Qur'an was first revealed on the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), which is described as the greatest night of the entire year.

Video: Pillar 4: Why Do Muslims Fast? | Convert Resources

Muslims fast for the entire month because God prescribed this to be the length of the fasting period.

During prayer five times a day, Muslims face the Kaʿba in Mecca. Rituals like this were prescribed by God and, thus, we follow them. Likewise, Muslims fast for the entire month because God prescribed that this be the length of the fast:

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as a guide for humanity, with clear proofs of guidance and the standard [to distinguish between right and wrong]. So whoever is present this month, let them fast… (Qur'an 2:185)

The aim and purpose of fasting is to develop a greater consciousness of God. Fasting also teaches Muslims self-restraint and enables people to experience hunger and, hopefully, a greater sense of empathy for those who are less fortunate.

Yes. Some fasts outside Ramadan are obligatory, and many others are voluntary.

Muslims must fast outside Ramadan in several cases. Days missed during Ramadan because of illness or another valid excuse, such as travel or menstruation, must be made up later in the year. Those who cannot fast at all because of old age or chronic illness feed a person in need for each missed day instead.

Fasting is also required as expiation (kaffara) for certain acts, such as breaking a sworn oath. A fast that someone vows to God also becomes binding.

Beyond these, voluntary fasting is a highly virtuous and richly rewarded practice that Muslims are encouraged to take up. It was the Prophet's regular practice to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, three days in the middle of each lunar month, and a number of other days throughout the year.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam.

All Muslims must perform Hajj once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially able to do so. Among other things, the pilgrimage is a commemoration of the legacy and sacrifices of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), peace be upon him, and his family.

The rituals of Hajj are full of powerful symbolism and lessons, and experiencing them can bring about profound spiritual change.

Video: Pillar 5: What is Hajj (Pilgrimage)?

See full infographic: Hajj: Abraham's Legacy

Jesus, the son of Mary, is considered a prophet and a messenger of God in Islam.

Muslims believe that Jesus, peace be upon him, was not only one of God's prophets and messengers but was among an elite category of them, distinguished for their extraordinary resolve and determination. This category includes Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Islam teaches that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth to the Virgin Mary, who is herself highly revered in Islam. He is the Messiah (al-Masih) and the Word and Spirit of God, who performed numerous miracles, including healing the blind and lepers, feeding multitudes, and resurrecting the dead.

Muslims also believe in the Second Coming and hold that Jesus will return to Earth shortly before the Day of Judgment to kill the False Messiah (al-Masih al-Dajjal, the Antichrist). He will rule the world justly and usher in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity.

Muslims further believe that Jesus enjoys a special connection and proximity to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his nation, that is, Muslims. He will return to lead and pass away among the Prophet's followers. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also declared that he is "the nearest of people to Jesus," that they both came with the same religion, and that "there was no prophet [sent] between us."

Muslims reject, however, that Jesus was crucified, that he is the son of God, and that he is a god himself.

See full infographic: The Beautiful Story of Jesus Son of Mary (peace be upon them)

No, Muslims do not believe that Jesus was crucified or killed.

While Muslims believe that Jesus and his followers were persecuted by the authorities of his time, and that Jesus suffered betrayal at the hands of some of his own people, Islam teaches that Jesus was miraculously saved from crucifixion and ascended to the heavens, where he remains alive.

Muslims believe in the Holy Spirit (al-Ruh al-Qudus) as a reference to the Angel Gabriel (Jibril), and not as part of a trinitarian godhead.

It was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to perform numerous miracles.

However, Muslims do not believe that the Holy Spirit is part of a trinitarian godhead, nor a separate god to be worshiped or prayed to. Rather, the Holy Spirit, Gabriel, is a creation of God and under His complete control.

Yes. Belief in Heaven and Hell is an essential aspect of Islamic belief.

Islam teaches that, after death, all of humanity will eventually be resurrected on the Day of Judgment, judged according to their individual actions, and sent to Paradise or the Hellfire.

Paradise is a place of eternal bliss, beauty, pleasure, and happiness, filled with delights that "no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no human mind has ever imagined." It is a place free of any pain, suffering, sadness, or death.

Hell is a terrifying place filled with pain, suffering, and misery. Some who enter it will eventually be taken out and placed in Paradise, while others will remain eternally.

Video: If God is Merciful, Why Does Hellfire Exist? | DoubleTake

Yes. Muslims are prohibited from consuming pork, alcohol, and substances that impair the mind, as well as those that do not meet proper standards (detailed below).

While an exhaustive treatment of Islamic dietary rules is beyond our scope here, it suffices to say that Islam's prohibitions regarding food, drink, and substances extend beyond pork and alcohol.

For instance, Muslims are not permitted to use or ingest any type of intoxicating substance for recreational purposes. Additionally, certain types of animals, such as animals of prey, are not permitted for consumption. Even animals whose meat is permissible become impermissible to eat if they are not slaughtered properly.

Halal refers to that which is permissible to Muslims.

Halal means what is allowed, in contrast to haram, what is not allowed for Muslims. However, it is commonly used to refer to foods, especially meat, that Muslims are permitted to consume.

There are many similarities between what is kosher (permissible for Jews to consume) and what is halal (permissible for Muslims to consume), but there are also significant differences.

The two dietary codes diverge on issues such as alcohol and food pairings. Kosher laws generally do not prohibit alcohol, whereas Islamic law strictly prohibits its consumption, even when used in cooking. Unlike Jews, Muslims do not require the separation of dairy and meat products.

However, both Islamic and Jewish dietary rules prohibit consuming pork and pork-derived products. They require similar ritual slaughtering procedures, including draining the slaughtered animal's blood, and both prohibit carrion (an animal found dead before slaughter). Many of the animals Muslims are allowed to slaughter are also permitted for Jews.

Divorce is allowed in Islam, and both husbands and wives have legal ways to end a marriage.

Reconciliation between spouses is strongly encouraged, and divorce is disliked even though it is permitted. Islamic law recognizes several forms of divorce, some initiated by the husband, some by the wife, and some granted by a judge, each with protections for the wife and children.

For more on women's rights in marriage and divorce:

• Nazir Khan, Tesneem Alkiek, and Safiah Chowdhury, Women in Islamic Law: Examining Five Prevalent Myths
• Tesneem Alkiek, Marriage and Gender Roles in Islam: Beyond Rights and Duties
• Tesneem Alkiek, Marital Harm through the Ages: Perspectives from Islamic Scholarship and Practice, Hashiya
• Infographic: Debunked! 5 Myths About Muslim Women