Introduction To Islam

Islam is a religion and it is derived from Arabic word 'silm' which means peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. As a religion Islam means complete acceptance and submission to One God and to live in peace with the Creator, with one self, with other people and with the environment.

Muslim is a person who submits his will to Almighty God and in common the followers of Islam are known as Muslims. A Muslim is any person living in any part of the world whose obedience and loyalty is to God , the Lord of the universe.

Muslims use the word Allah for the English word God.

The Message Of Islam:
Many people that Islam is a new religion, but it is a misconception. Instead Islam is not a new religion, it is actually the same message and guidance that God revealed to all His previous messengers. The message which was revealed to prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form. Some basic principles of islam are:

1. Oneness of God: Allah is One and Only God and he has no partner. He is the creator of all human beings as well as the whole universe and everything that it contains.

2. Mohammad (PBUH) is the last messenger and servant of God. He was chosen by God to deliver His final message to all human beings.The revelation that he received is the Holy Quran while the message is called islam.

3. The followers of islam believe that God sent different messengers throughout the history of mankind. All came with the same message and the same teachings. It was the people who misunderstood or misinterpreted them.

4. Muslims believe in all the previous prophets, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ismail, Jacob, David, Moses and Jesus ( peace be upon them all).

The Five pillars of Islam:
Every action that is done with the awareness that it fulfills the will of God is considered as act of worship. There are five basic pillars of Islam as given below;


1. The Declaration of Faith that I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Mohammad (pbuh)is the servant and messenger of God.

2. Establishing prayer or salat five times a day according to the teachings of prophet Mohammad (pbuh) at the prescribed timings.

3. Fasting that is abstaining from eating food or drinks and having sex from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan according to Lunar calender.

4. Zakat is paying of charity by every rich person to the poor and needy according to the savings and wealth collected.

5. Hajj or pilgrimage to Kaaba in Makkah once in life time provided one has means to undertake the journey.

The Holy Quran: is the last and final revelation and it is the true word of God. It is the basic source of islamic teachings. The authenticity and originality of Holy Quran are intact and it has no contradictions.

Hadith is the sayings and deeds of prophet Mohammad (pbuh)