Islam is a monotheistic religion with 1.9 billion followers which makes it the second largest religion in the world. Islam is an Arabic word which means 'surrender', 'submission', 'commitment' and 'peace'. Thus Islam is defined as a path to attain complete peace through voluntary submission to the divine will. Followers of Islam is called 'Muslims'.
A Muslim is one who submits completely to God by living a life in accordance with the message revealed by the God to his prophets. In other words, unconditional acceptance of the guidances and teachings revealed by the creater God (Allah) to all his prophets from Adam (A) until Muhammad (SA) and the reflection of the same in one's life is all what is meant by Islam in it's practical sense.
Allah is the Arabic name for the Omnipotent God who controls the entire universe. The word Allah has no plural or feminine form.
Islam is not a new religion. It is the same message that God has revealed to all the prophets since the human genesis; that is, from Adam (a) to the last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Say, (O Prophet) “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us (the Qur'an) and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord—we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we fully submit.” (Holy Qur'an 03:84)
Holy Qur'an is the message revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and it is regarded as the most comprehensive, complete and final form of religion.
Faith is the most important thing in Islam. Deeds or rituals will be insignificant without proper faith.
Monotheism is the essence of Islam.The basic tenets of Islamic monotheism are to worship the Creator God (Allah) and to pray to Him alone, and not to expect benefits or harms of supernatural nature from anyone other than Allah.
Following are the five pillars of Islam
Declare with faith that none other than Allah is worthy of worship and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his servant and Prophet. Upon proclamation of faith one will become a Muslim and It will become his or her duty to emulate Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Prayer is a form of worship that must be performed before Allah 5 times a day in a certain form. It helps to purify the heart and keep the believer away from all evil thoughts and actions.
It is mandatory for the wealthy to give a certain share of his wealth to the categories of people prescribed in the Qur'an.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims should abstain from food and drink throughout the day. One who fasts should also refrain from evil thoughts and feelings until the fast is over. Fasting emphasizes the virtues of love, sincerity, dedication and self-sacrifice.
Hajj is a pilgrimage made to the Ka’aba, the "House of God", in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Hajj is a ritual that every Muslim, financially and physically able, should perform at least once in his life time.
In addition to the above, every good deed that Allah has ordained to mankind for pleasing him is worship. Faith should be demonstrated through action and should overcome the trials with patience.
The Holy Qur'an is the most recent message to mankind from God. It is the basic source of Islamic teachings and laws. The Holy Qur'an apprises the precise knowledge in the areas of human evolution, faith, morality, worship, natural science, the relationship between man and God, the relationship between fellow beings, and the relationship between man and nature etc..
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was illiterate. Yet he memorized the Holy Qur'an which he had received through revelation. It was recorded during his lifetime under his own supervision by his companions. The Holy Qur'an still exists in its original and complete form in the language in which it was revealed. The reports of the words, deeds and acceptance of the Prophet, known as the Hadith, were collected objectively by his companions. They gave explanations and interpretations to the Qur'anic concepts. Islam does not encourage rituals or customs which is not supported by Quran and Sunnah.
The rituals in Islam are purposefully designed. Every action has a purpose behind it. Such is the importance of purposeful action. Worship means loving God by knowing him. Following his rules in all areas of life, promoting good, preventing evil, enforcing justice and helping people are the manifestation of this love. The Holy Qur'an presents this idea in the most sublime way. “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.” (Qur'an 2: 177).
Islamic way of life
Islam gives clear guidelines that everyone should follow in all areas of life. They encompass social, economic, political, moral and spiritual areas. Islam reminds mankind of the purpose of life on earth and of his obligations to himself, his relatives, society, fellow human beings and the Creator. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah in Saudi Arabia. He was a member of a noble family. He was blessed with Prophethood at the age of forty and started receiving revelations from God. As he began to preach Islam, he and his followers had to face severe persecution from the natives of Makka. So, God commanded him to flee to Madinah. He completed his prophetic mission in 23 years and then died at the age of sixty-three. His life was a replica of the teachings of the holy Qur'an, thus he became the role model for all mankind in every area of their life. Islam unequivocally declares that human life does not end with death. Those who live a life of true faith and deeds will be liberated with death and will enter into paradise. But, those who live in evil and polytheism will fall into the eternal misery of hell fire up on death.
Learn more about Islam, not for anyone else; but for our own salvation.