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Introduction to Islam

Islam Made Easy for New Muslim

Five Pillars of Islam
What is Shahada
What is Salah (Prayer)
What is (Sawm) Fasting
What is Zakat (Charity)
What is Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Six Pillars of Faith

Belief in one God
Belief in Angels
Belief in all Prophets

Belief in Holy Books

Belief in Life After Death
Belief in Qadar (Destiny)

Halal and Haram in Islam
The Islamic Calendar

 

The name ‘Allah’ is the same, but it is a very complex name in which all His attributes that are known or unknown to humans are included.

Some Islamic scholars argued that Almighty God chose this name for a particular relation between Himself and His creation.
No one can claim to know the true meaning of this Holy name. The only thing that every creation should know is that when this Holy name is called, Almighty God will answer the caller’s request.

To describe this name (Allah) no matter how accurate they think they are, no one is able to justify the majesty of this name. This is because of the imperfection and incapability of the human mind; therefore it is impossible to describe an unlimited being with this limited capacities. Only Allah (SWT) can describe Himself the way His Majestic name deserves.

Allah (SWT) is not a new name that the Creator chose for Himself to introduce Islam. It is the same name that Adam (PBUH) our forefather used to call His Creator (Allah). It is the same name that all the Prophets including Noah, Abraham, Israiel, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (PBU them) used to refer to Him. Proof of that is everywhere in the Qur’an, the Holy book of Islam and in the books of Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Any book that that has come from Almighty God and which is in its original form and has not been translated is obviously the truth. Whereas a translation of a book is different from the original, no matter how accurate a translator tries to translate it. It is a product of a translator’s understanding and imagination, and therefore, it is not genuine. God introduced Himself to these messengers as Allah, the Supreme God of the universe.

In Islam, one who submits to Allah (SWT) is termed a Muslim. Thus God, and not any human, is central to the Muslim faith. To understand Islam we therefore, must first understand the nature of Allah (SWT). People have a natural inclination to question, and most people have turned to God at some point in their lives. We accept that no system, stage or family exists without a head and no beautiful piece of art exists ,which was not created by someone. It is natural to see that the best creation, the world and all that lives in it, must also have a Head and a Creator.

Muslims believe that this world has not come into existence because of a series of random coincidences. Instead Muslims believe that universe was created and is sustained by a supreme force, Allah (SWT). Life is not an accident, it has meaning and purpose, this amazing world and the power of a human mind and the human spirit cannot be chance.

Like most religious people, Muslims do not believe that our limited minds can either prove God’s existence or truly comprehend the nature or power of His Divine Being. However, Muslims believe they are given a unique way of understanding God’s nature. Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the unique word of Allah (SWT) where He defines His character and names His attributes.

In the name of Allah; the most Kind the most Merciful Say:
He is God, the One, the Everlasting refuge, He begets not, Nor is He begotten And there is none like unto Him.

These words come from the Holy Qur’an, the Holy book of Islam. They summarise some of the most important characteristics of Allah (SWT).In the Qur’an we are taught that Allah (SWT) is a universal God for all people and times, and has been worshipped by all those who believe in one God only, from the time of Adam and Eve (AS). He communicated to people through many prophets and messengers, the last message was delivered to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the form of Qur’an.

 

1. The Most Kind, the Most Merciful.

Each chapter of the Qur’an begins with these words; a constant reminder that God in Islam is a Compassionate, Merciful God.

In the Qur’an Allah (SWT) describes how He is the Loving, the Provider, the Generous and the Benevolent, the Forgiving, the Patient and the Appreciative. This is why Muslims, who wish to please Allah (SWT) try to be kind and gentle, humble and submissive to Allah (SWT). Muslims are grateful for all the things that are given on this earth, but aware of how we use our health and riches is a test for us. As Muslims, we do not believe that the rich, powerful, beautiful or popular person is better. It is only person’s hidden piety that makes them a better human being.

 

2. Say: He is God: The One.
Central to the belief is the Oneness of Allah (SWT). This is shown in the use of the name Allah (SWT) as it is a name, which cannot be pluralized or gendered. This may seem a very simple concept, yet it is also very complex. The Oneness of God is central to a Muslims belief. In fact, many of Allah’s (SWT) attributes are connected to this.

 

3. The Everlasting Refuge.

Allah (SWT) mercy encompasses all who repent to Him. Islam acknowledges our weaknesses and sins and encourages us trough our prayer and actions, like charity, to show our repentance to God and hopefully receive His forgiveness, while continually trying to improve ourselves.

The Qur’an says:
“O My Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the mercy of God, for God forgives all sins, for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Qur’an 39:53)

Allah (SWT) is not, however, reliant on our worship oh Him, He is independent of it and we cannot “pay back” the gifts he has given us. It is not Allah (SWT) we harm by our sin, but our own souls.

 

4. He begets not, nor is he begotten.
Allah (SWT) is beyond human understanding or explanation. We do not give Him human characteristics or attributes; this would diminish Him. Allah (SWT) is the only being who was not created; He exists out of time and is in control of the creation and maintenance of the universe.
To create, Allah (SWT) simply says, “Be” and it is; as He did with Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) and with the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God’s son; God has no need of human children and forgive us without an intercessor. Instead, we are all valued creations of God, but that does not men we share his attributes. He is not limited by human characteristics.

 

5. And there is none like unto Him.
Muslims believe the worst sin is to set up partners with Allah (SWT). Unless submission to God is absolute it will be flawed. People idealise other people, money, fame and beauty. These all lead people away from God.

Islam means to ‘submit’, to be a Muslim is to be someone who submits to God. It is the acknowledgement that we are not the most powerful or completely in control. Islam is to desire and seek a relationship with one’s Creator, Allah (SWT). Acceptance that Allah (SWT) is above all else means we cannot simply believe we must also act. It is clear in the Qur’an that we are responsible for acting out the laws that Allah (SWT) has given us.

Although Allah (SWT) is far removed from all He has created, He is still close to the believer. By living according to the Qur’an’s perfect system, one comes closer to Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) loves His servants for striving in His path.
Allah is not only the Most Merciful and the Most Kind, He is also the Judge.

“Do you think that We created you for nothing and that you would not be returned to Us.” Qur’an 23:115

Muslims believe that when we die we will be judged fairly according to our faith and actions. Faith without action leads to hypocrisy. It is through actions that our faith develops.

Allah gives us total way of life to be followed; if we submit to this way of life it will bring us closer to God and improve our characters. Muslims therefore, submit to God willingly, knowing it is through submission they will become better and more fulfilled people, pleasing their Creator and this is the true goal of life.