What Is Islam? An Introductory Guide On The Basics Of Islam
Have you ever wondered about Islam’s true meaning? Beyond misconceptions and headlines lies a faith of profound beauty, peace, guidance, and submission to your Creator. Islam is more than just a religion; it is a complete way of life that provides spiritual, moral, and practical direction. But what is Islam at its core?
This guide offers an insightful introduction to the fundamental beliefs and principles that shape the Islamic faith. Whether you’re curious about the core tenets of Islam, who Muslims worship, the purpose of life, or the significance and teachings of the Quran, this article will unravel the essentials of Islam for beginners in a matter you’ll understand and appreciate.
In this Islamic Post, You’ll Learn:
- What is Islam?
- The Fundamental Beliefs of Islam
- Who Do Muslims Worship?
- Understanding Monotheism (Tawhid)
- What’s a Muslim?
- God’s Message Through His Prophets
- The Historical Context and Timeless Message of Islam
- The Importance of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- The Purpose of Life According to Islam
- Guidance for Daily Life: The Quran and Islam
- Answering Common Questions About Islam
- The Six Articles of Faith in Islam
- The Five Pillars of Islam
The Meaning and Origin of Islam
Islam is the voluntary submission to the will of God, a concept rooted in the Arabic word “aslama,” which means peace, purity, submission, and obedience. Islam teaches that true peace and contentment, both in this world and the next, can only be achieved by submitting and surrendering one’s will to our Creator. This submission leads to a harmonious relationship with Allah and the world around you.
By embracing the fundamentals of Islam—believing in Allah and following His guidance—you can experience a profound sense of security, harmony, and lasting fulfillment with your Creator and the world around you.
True peace or success cannot be found without a relationship with God. This relationship, which we call religion, must originate from God Himself and not be man-made.
The Core of Islamic Belief: Monotheism
Islam is a monotheistic religion centered on believing in one Supreme God who is Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowledgeable, and Most-Merciful. Islam emphasizes that there is only one deity worthy of worship, and the Name He chose for Himself is Allah. No other deity is worthy of worship: not the sun, the moon, a human, or an idol.
You may mistakenly believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews and that “Allah” is the “God of the Arabs” or ‘the “God of the Muslims”.
Allah: The Creator of the Heavens and Earth
“Allah” is the Arabic name for the Almighty God. Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use it in their books to refer to God. It’s important to note that while Muslims, Christians, and Jews use the same name in Arabic to refer to our Creator, their understanding of God’s nature differs. The Noble Quran gives us a description of Allah:
Say, ‘He is Allah, who is One. Allah—the Sustainer, needed by all. He
neither begets nor is born. And there is none comparable to Him.’ (Quran 112:1-4)
The concept of monotheism, the belief in one God, isn’t new; it’s a consistent message that all the prophets and messengers of God have delivered to humanity.
Definition of a Muslim
Throughout history, anyone who followed monotheism by submitting to God’s will and obeying His Prophet was considered a Muslim. By definition, a Muslim submits himself to God’s will.
The Continuity of the Divine Message through God’s Prophets
Islam has been practiced since the time of Prophet Adam (PBUH). Over the centuries, God sent prophets and messengers to guide and teach different nations, all delivering the same core message: to believe in God and follow His commandments.
Allah is the same God preached and worshipped by all past prophets and messengers like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad; peace be upon them all. Throughout history, Allah has sent prophets to guide humanity to their nation, with the same message of worshiping one God and following His commands. The messengers of Allah stated those who believe in Allah and obey His commandments will be rewarded Jannah (Paradise), and those who disbelieve in Allah will enter Jahanam (hellfire).
According to the Old Testament, Prophet Moses (PBUH) proclaimed to the people of Israel:
Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Fifteen hundred years later, according to the New Testament, Prophet Jesus (PBUH) echoed the same message:
The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord. (Mark 12:29)
Finally, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared six hundred years later:
And your God is one God. No deity is worthy of worship except Him, the Beneficent, the Especially Merciful. (Quran 2:163)
Islam Did Not Come After Judaism and Christianity
Contrary to popular misconception, Islam is not a new religion that emerged 1400 years ago. The essence of Islam–submission to the will of God–has existed since the creation of humanity.
Islam is the sole religion or way of life, commanded by God for humanity, making it the only faith acceptable to Him. The Quran emphasizes this:
Is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the Founder of Islam?
It’s important to note that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not the founder of Islam. Instead, he is the final Prophet sent by God to deliver His message to humanity. His role was to complete and perfect the Message of God, which had been revealed to earlier prophets to guide their people in living according to God’s will, as stated earlier.
Islam as a Comprehensive Way of Life
Islam isn’t about creeds, customs, and rituals; it’s a comprehensive way of life that guides every aspect of existence. It teaches you how to live a balanced and fulfilling life, distinguishing between what benefits and harms you.
Islam guides every aspect of life. It emphasizes that faith in God empowers you to be more righteous, obedient, moral, and ethical, helping you reject all forms of evil. Through its teachings, Islam transforms your thoughts, actions, and perspective, enabling you to see the world as it is and prepare for the afterlife.
Taqwa: God-consciousness
Islam invites you to live with a constant awareness of the afterlife, recognizing its eternal significance and the immense blessings it offers. Remembering this perspective, you are reminded to fulfill your responsibilities and duties. By maintaining this balance, you find purpose, hope, and motivation, enabling you to prepare for the hereafter while fully embracing your role and obligations in this life.
As a Muslim, you are committed to doing what is right, standing for good, loving God, and resisting temptations rather than following your desires and impulses.
Seeking Contentment in Life
True contentment is not derived from accumulating possessions; instead, true contentment in your soul comes from knowing and loving God. Without a relationship with your Creator, you will always feel an emptiness that wealth and material possessions can never fill.
Real happiness and wealth come from the richness and contentment of the heart and soul, while true poverty is the poverty of spirit and heart.
Your Innate Desire to Seek Allah and Worship Him
God has instilled in you a natural desire to seek Him, recognize His existence, and understand Him, known as the fitrah.
Allah has also created you with an innate inclination to follow and worship. If this tendency isn’t directed toward Him, you will deviate to other entities or concepts, such as false deities, revered figures, material possessions, or misleading ideologies, leading to destruction.
Understanding Tawhid in Islam
The concept of Tawhid in Islam–God’s absolute oneness–is the foundational principle of Islamic theology. It ensures that devotion is directed toward the Creator rather than the creation.
Muslims do not worship the creations of God, such as the sun, the moon, idols, or humans; instead, they worship God Himself, the Creator of all, the only One worthy of worship.
Essential Questions in Life that Only Islam Can Answer
Islam addresses the profound questions that linger in the hearts of every human being that other religions fall short of providing a satisfying answer:
- Where did I come from?
- Why was I created?
- What is my purpose in life?
- Where am I headed?
Your Creator has implanted the need to answer these questions in your inner nature. More than your human intellect is needed to answer them. You need Divine guidance to discover these all-important spiritual answers.
Islam provides a clear and meaningful answer, offering guidance on fulfilling that purpose and living a life of significance.
Guidance in Islam
This guidance comes from the Glorious Quran–Allah’s speech–the only revelation that has remained pure and free from man-made modifications. Unlike other traditional revelations, which were lost or altered over time as they were meant for past nations, the Quran is intended for all humanity. Guidance from Allah also comes in the form of Hadith: the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who Allah chose to show how He wants you to live and serve as your role model.
The Purpose of Life in Islam
Islam teaches that God created you to worship him, as stated in His Book, the Quran:
I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me. (Quran 51:56)
While He does not need nor benefit from your worship, you need a relationship with Him for guidance and benefit. A Muslim continuously tries to increase his God-consciousness, known as Taqwa, which encompasses fearing God, loving Him, recognizing His greatness, following His commands, and demonstrating piety and loyalty.
Because Islam covers every aspect of life, being mindful of God is encouraged in all decisions and actions.
Worship in Islam
Islamic worship extends beyond religious rituals like praying and fasting. Everyday activities such as eating, drinking, interacting with others, learning, and even sleeping become acts of worship if done to please God and follow His guidance. These actions can earn you good deeds, draw you closer to Him, and ultimately lead you to Paradise.
No One Can Force You to Become a Muslim
In Islam, there is no compulsion in religion. Islam teaches that no one can force you to convert to Islam. God has provided a clear path, allowing you to choose between the straight path leading to Jannah (Paradise) and the wrong path leading to Jahannam (hell). The choice is yours.
Life is a Test
Your life is a test of faith. In His infinite mercy, God has not left you to wander in darkness. He has given you intellect, reason, and divine guidance through revelation. You are meant to use these gifts to recognize His signs, build a relationship with Him, and follow His path.
Signs of Allah’s Existence
The signs of God’s existence surround you, inviting you to contemplate and reflect on this marvelous creation. This leads you to the inevitable conclusion that the universe could not have arisen from anything and was created by a Designer with a will.
These signs communicate with you, eliminating the need for God to speak directly, as this would negate the purpose of life as a test, where effort and reflection are essential.
If you reject Allah and turn away from Him, you will face a life of hardship in this world and eternal punishment in the hereafter:
And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed
life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. (Quran 20:124)
The ultimate goal of a Muslim is to live a life of devotion and obedience to God, recognizing that this life is temporary and that we will all return to Him for judgment. The Quran reminds us:
…Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him, we will return. (Quran 2:156)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Islam offers a holistic way of life rooted in submission to the One God, Allah. By embracing its teachings and striving for a God-conscious life, you can find true purpose, inner peace, and eternal success. Islam is more than just a religion; it is a complete guide that answers life’s most profound questions and shows how to live a meaningful life in harmony with yourself, others, and your Creator. May this exploration serve as a stepping stone toward a deeper understanding of this beautiful faith.
