Introduction to Islam

By the grace of Almighty God (Allah), Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today with over 1.8 billion followers worldwide.

Islam (Arabic: الإسلام ; al-'islām ; pronounced: [Es.læ.m]) is a Monotheistic Abrahamic faith, based on the belief in one God, revealed through the holy Qur'an, the sacred scripture.

The word Islam can be interpreted as ‘submission', or the total surrender of oneself to God (in Arabic الله , ‘Allāh ') the one and the only God of the Universe. However, there are other interpretations of the word Islam, relating to concepts such as peace, obedience and purity.

An adherent of Islam is known as a Muslim, meaning "one who submits to [ The God ]" .One in every four people in the world is Muslim, making Islam the second largest religion in the world, after Christianity.

Muslims believe mankind should live according to the commandments of Almighty God without adding to or taking away from the basic principles revealed by Him.

Muslims believe that God revealed the Qur'an, the book of Islam, to Muhammad (P.B.U.H), God's final Prophet, and regard the Qur'an and the Sunnah (words and deeds of Prophet (P.B.U.H)) as the fundamental sources of Islam.

Muslims do not regard Prophet Muhammad as the founder of a new religion, rather as the restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all the other prophets. Muslims are therefore not referred to as ‘Mohammedans' unlike other religions which take their name from their religious leaders. The name of the religion, ‘Islam' was chosen by God Himself, as stated in the Qur'an:

“This day have I made perfect for you your religion, and have completed My favour towards you, and am satisfied with Islam for you as your religion.” Qur'an - Chapter 5: Verse 3