The Highway to Heaven

Welcome to Highway to heaven (preface)

Dear honourable friend hank you for reading this bookelt. This is designed to provide information about Islam in its true form, in an easy and accessible manner for all those wishing to learn more about this religion.

Special emphasis has been made to create this for those who wish to seek the truth about Islam, and who wish to understand this beautiful religion and its principles in greater depth.

This is not intended to contest other religions or faiths, nor is it designed to challenge the beliefs of others. Our only aim is to provide clear and accurate knowledge, based on solid facts and evidence. Any reader can benefit from the information included on this , however it is aimed particularly at Non-Muslims interested in learning about Islam.

Here one will find information on the basic aspects of Islam, as well as a brief history of the faith. In addition, those areas of Islam which are often misunderstood or misrepresented, such as Islam’s views on contemporary issues are also covered.

We hope that you will find this both enlightening and beneficial and that it will open your eyes and hearts to the truth about this beautiful religion, perfected for all mankind.

May Almighty God shower your life with His Mercy and Blessings.

Introduction to Islam

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 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 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 scripture of the Islamic faith, to the Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace be upon him)}, God’s final Prophet, and regard the Qur’an and the Sunnah (words and deeds of the Prophet ^(PBUH)) as the fundamental sources of Islam.

Muslims do not regard Prophet Muhammad ^(PBUH) 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 therefore, unlike other religions that take their name from their religious leaders, are not referred to as ‘Mohammedans’. The name of the religion, ‘Islam’ was chosen by God Himself, as stated in the Qur’an:

“This day I have perfected for you your religion
and completed My favour upon you
and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Qur’an 5:3)

Islam includes a number of rituals and practices. Muslims observe the Five Pillars of Islam, believe in the Six Pillars of Faith and adhere to the rulings of Islamic Law, known as the Shari’ah in Arabic.

A simple Guide to Understanding Islam

In today’s world, where so much has been said about Islam, it would be hard to find any person who has not heard about this religion.

Yet, people are often surprised to learn that Islam in its true form is really quite different from their initial impressions and from the way it has been represented in the Western media. It does not follow many of the Western stereotypes that present it as an ‘Arab or Eastern’ religion.

Islam is not a religion for a particular sect, tribe or nationality. It is universal, and is applicable and available to all mankind. The religion calls for belief in one God only, Allah, the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and the acceptance of His last Messenger, Muhammad.

Who are The Muslims and What do they Believe?

Over 1.8 billion people from every race, culture and nationality across the entire world are Muslim, almost one in every four people is Muslim. Muslims believe in:

Allah, the One Unique, Incomparable, Merciful God
– the ONLY Creator and Sustainer of the Universe
The existence of Angels
The Holy Books revealed to Prophets by God
The Prophets through whom His revelations were brought to humankind
The Day of Judgement, Life after Death and individual accountability for actions
Belief in fate, that both the (seemingly) good and the (seemingly) not good come from Allah

Muslims believe that throughout history, God has sent His Messengers and Prophets (starting from Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus to mankind with His message. God’s final message to humanity, which is an affirmation of all previous messages in their original form, was revealed to the Last Prophet – Prophet Muhammad through the Archangel Gabriel.

THE CONCEPT OF GOD IN ISLAM

What do Muslims worship?

As we mentioned Islam means ‘submission’ to the one true God, known universally as ‘Allah’. To a Muslim this name has enormous significance. ‘Allah’ is not just a name to be called to obtain the attention of the Almighty God. ‘Allah’ is one of the strongest names that Almighty God chose for Himself and there are many reasons why He chose this name.

In the Arabic language, and other languages for that matter, a name has particular meaning. When one chooses a name for a child or a person, one chooses a name that one hopes shows the qualities and attributes of the person or child. 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 being 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 these limited capacities. Only Allah ^(SWT) can describe Himself the way His majestic name deserves.

Allah is not a new name that the Creator chose for Himself to introduce Islam. It is the same name that Adam our forefather used to call his Creator (Allah). It is the same name that all the Prophets including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad 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 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 the 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.

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 ^(AS) and Eve ^(AS). He communicated to people through many prophets or messengers; the last message was delivered to Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace be upon him)} in the form of the 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 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 try to be kind and gentle, humble and submissive to Allah. Muslims are grateful for all the things that are given on this earth, but aware that 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 a 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. This is shown in the use of the name Allah, 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 Muslim’s belief. In fact, many of Allah’s ^(SWT) attributes are connected to this.

3. The Everlasting Refuge.

Allah’s mercy encompasses all who repent to Him. Islam acknowledges our weakness and sins and encourages us through 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 is not, however, reliant on your worship of 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 sins, but our own souls.

4. He begets not, nor is He begotten.

Allah 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 simply says, “Be” and it is; as He did with Adam and Eve as with the Prophet Jesus. Muslims do not believe that Jesus was God’s son; God has no need of human children and can forgive us without an intercessor. Instead, we are all valued creations of God, but that does not mean we share His attributes.

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.

Although Allah 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. Allah 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 a 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.

Muhammad The Prophet of Islam

On the 20^th Day of April 571 of the Christian era a star was born in the desert of Arabia. They called him Muhammad (highly praised).

He was born to save mankind from destruction. He was born to be the last Messenger, the last agent between man and his Creator. He was born to save and deliver mankind to his destiny. His message was the truth, the truth that all mankind, knowingly or unknowingly were waiting for. At last it happened. All praise be to the Lord of the Universe.

When he was born, Arabia was a desert – a nothing. Out of nothing, a new world was fashioned by the mighty spirit of Muhammad – a new life, a new culture, a new civilisation, a new kingdom, which extended from Morocco to the Indies and influenced the thought and life of three continents – Asia, Africa and Europe.

Muhammad was born an orphan and raised by his grandfather. When he was eight, he was entrusted to his uncle, who was generous in nature, but short of resources, therefore Muhammad started to earn his livelihood as a shepherd. At the age of ten he accompanied his uncle on a trading journey to Syria as a caravan leader and thereafter he continued in his trade. By the time he was twenty-five, Muhammad had become well known in and around the city of Makkah for his integrity, disposition and honesty of character. At twenty-five, Muhammad married a noble rich widow, who brought him joy and happiness.

Muhammad was illiterate, unable to read or write. Revelation came to Muhammad at the age of forty in the form of the Qur’an, the same Qur’an that Muslims still follow to this day.

Beginning of Religious Consciousness

Not much is known about the religious practises of Muhammad until he was thirty-five years old, except that he had never worshipped idols. This is substantiated by all his biographers. It may be stated that there were a few others in Makkah, who had likewise revolted against the senseless practice of paganism, although conserving their fidelity to the Ka’bah as the house dedicated to Allah ^(SWT). It is from this age that Muhammad became more and more absorbed in spiritual meditations and he used to retire for the whole month of Ramadhan to the cave in Jabel-an-Nur (Mountain of Light). The cave is called Hira’ or the Cave of Research. There he prayed, meditated and shared his meagre provisions with the travellers who happened to pass by.

Revelation

Up to the age of forty, Muhammad was not known as a salesman, preacher or orator. He was never seen discussing the principles of metaphysics, ethics, law, politics, economics or sociology. There was no doubt that he possessed an excellent character.

He was forty years old, and it was during his fifth annual retreat on a night towards the end of the month of Ramadhan that angel Gabriel came to visit Muhammad, and announced that God had chosen him to be His Messenger to all mankind. The angel taught him how to make ablution, the way of worshipping God and the conduct of prayer. He communicated to him the following Divine message:

In the name of God
The Most Merciful, the All Merciful.
Read: With the name of thy Lord who created,
Created man from what clings,
Read: And thy Lord is most bounteous.
Who taught by the pen,
Taught man what he knew not. (Qur’an 96:v1-5)

The Mission

The mission of Prophet Muhammad was to restore the worship of the One True God, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, as taught by Prophet Ibrahim and all the prophets of God. His mission was to demonstrate and to complete the laws of moral, ethical, legal, social and political conduct and all other matters of significance for humanity at large.

The Prophet began preaching his mission secretly at first among his intimate friends, then among the members of his own tribe and thereafter, publicly in the city and suburbs.

He invited men and women to charity and beneficence.

The necessary steps to preserve and record the revelations were taken by scribes and Muhammad also ordered his followers to learn the revelations by heart. This continued for the rest of his life, as the Qur’an was not revealed all at once, but in fragments as the occasion arose over a period of twenty-three years.

The Prophet Muhammad was instructed to call this religion “Islam” (submission to the will of God).

Islam has two distinctive features:

A harmonious equilibrium between the temporal and the spiritual (body and soul), permitting full enjoyment of the good that God has created, (Qur’an 7:v32), as well as enjoying al the same time duties towards God, such as worship, fasting, charity, etc. Islam was to be the religion of the masses and not merely of the elect.
A universality of the call – all believers becoming brothers and equals without any distinction between class, race or tongue. The only superiority is a personal one, based on the greater fear of God and greater piety (Qur’an 49:v24)

Proof of Muhammad’s ^(PBUH) Prophet-Hood

There are numerous statements that prove that Muhammad is a true Prophet and that he is the last Prophet of God.

Among these proofs:

Muhammad was illiterate. Amongst his people he had always been known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of religion or any previously send messages. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Qur’an, the same Qur’an that Muslims still follow to this day. This Qur’an mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in great detail as if he had witnessed them himself. These accounts are the same as can be found in the Torah send down to Moses and in the Gospel sent down to Jesus. Despite this accuracy and the fact that he was illiterate, the Jews and the Christians were unable to accept his teachings.
Muhammad brought an Arabic Qur’an that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Qur’an challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially believed in him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Qur’an. Those Arabs were unable to produce anything like it.

Indeed to this day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that are equal to or even approach the order, grace, beauty and splendour of the Glorious Qur’an.

All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Prophet Muhammad who is the most influential human in history. Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening and many times thereafter throughout the day, is remembered by those who believe in Allah and in Muhammad. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers will greet him and ask Allah to bless him.
Nor has there ever been a man on earth whose actions and sayings are so closely followed by those who believe in him. Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept, purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself, adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink and clothe themselves. Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the followers of Islam adhere to the teachings he spread amongst them and the path that he travelled upon during his life.
Since his day, in every region on the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet has been followed by individuals from all races, colours and backgrounds. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters or atheists. Among those who chose to follow him were those who were knows for their sound judgement, wisdom, reflection and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and evidence of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Muhammad ^(PBUH) out of compulsion or coercion, or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.
The legal and creedal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad brought, resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who sent down this great law and upright religion.

The degree of distinctiveness of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is the same as the distinctiveness of Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For, just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner, humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah’s law that He sent down upon His servant and Messenger, Muhammad.

The principles of universal brotherhood and the doctrine of equality of mankind which Muhammad proclaimed represent a very great contribution to the social uplift of humanity.

All great religions have preached the same doctrine, but the Prophet of Islam put this theory into actual practice and its values will be fully recognised, perhaps centuries later, when international consciousness is awakened. Racial prejudices may disappear and greater brotherhood of humanity will hopefully come into existence.

The Qur’an

Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the true word of Allah and that it was revealed directly from Him via Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad ^(PBUH). The Qur’an is the final message and confirms all messages that came before it.

The Qur’an is not a long book, considering the fact that it is God’s guide to mankind. It consists of 114 chapters, ranging in length from over to 200 verses, to some chapters with just 3 verses. It is divided into 30 parts, and was revealed over a course of 23 years to the Prophet Muhammad.

The Prophet Muhammad himself could not read or write, which made it impossible for him to have written the words himself. Upon receiving revelation, he would relate it to his companions who would then write it down and recite it back to him to ensure it was recorded correctly.

‘And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses other than Allah,
if you should be truthful.’ (Qur’an 2:23)

The Qur’an is a book for all mankind, providing guidance for humans on how to live according to Allah’s will. Unlike the Bible and the Torah, Muslims believe that the Qur’an remains unchanged since the time of its revelation. Qur’anic manuscripts have been found dating back to the 7th century, which contain the exact same words as modern copies.

The Qur’an is not a ‘book’ in the traditional sense; it does not follow a narrative from start to finish. Instead stories can be found in various parts of the Qur’an along with morals, rulings, descriptions of the After Life, verses of encouragement, information about God and even scientific facts.

The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, a language of incredible depth and beauty. Scholars spend many years attempting to understand various sections of the Qur’an as it is such a rich and complex text. Many translations exist in many languages to allow those who do not speak Arabic to gain some understanding of the sacred text. However, it would be more accurate to refer to these translations as ‘interpretations’ since other languages can only convey a sense of the meaning, and cannot often grasp the entire meaning the verses convey. When reading the Qur’an in English therefore, it is recommended to bear in mind that this is one person’s interpretation, and it is useful to read more than one translation in order to gain a greater sense of the true meaning. For this reason Muslims all over the world strive to learn Arabic in order to be able to fully understand the words of Almighty God.

The Revelation of the Qur’an

As we have mentioned, the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah through Angel Gabriel, known as Jibra‘il in Arabic.

On one night, now known as the Night of Power, or Laylatul Qadr, the Angel Jibrail appeared to the Prophet and commanded him to ‘Read!’ The Prophet, being illiterate, replied that he could not read. At this point the Angel embraced him and squeezed him so hard that Muhammad thought he would die. Upon releasing him, again the Angel commanded Muhammad to read, to which Muhammad again replied that he could not. Again the angel squeezed him. This sequence was repeated a final time until Muhammad asked ‘What shall I read?’

It was then that the Angel Jibrail revealed to the Prophet the first revelation of the Qur’an, the following five verses which are now part of Surah Al-Alaq, chapter 96:

‘Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),
Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,
Who has taught by the pen,
Has taught man that which he knew not.’

Salah – The Five Daily Prayers

‘Salah’ is the Arabic word which refers to the formal prayers that all Muslims must perform. As the Second Pillar of Islam, prayer in Islam holds a position of great importance in the life of a Muslim. It is the means by which a person shows their obedience to and love for God, and provides them with opportunities to beseech God and thank Him on a regular basis. By taking time out of our worldly lives five times a day, the prayer gives Muslims perspective and balance, ensuring that their spirits as well as their material bodies are cared for and nourished.

There are five daily prayers which Muslims perform at set times of the day. The prayers are said in Arabic language. However, if a new-comer to Islam is not able to say it in Arabic he or she could say in their language until, step by step they learn how to recite the Salah in Arabic.

Prayer Times:

Fajr: the Dawn prayer performed before the sun fully rises.
Dhuhr: the Lunchtime prayer performed after the sun has passed its highest point.
‘Asr: the Afternoon prayer performed in the late afternoon.
Maghrib: the Dusk prayer performed just after the sun has set.
‘Isha: the Night prayer performed at night.

It is important to remember that Muslims do not pray for the benefit of Allah, rather they pray for their own benefit. By doing this not only they are fulfilling Allah’s commands, but it also earning great spiritual benefit for themselves.

When praying, Muslims follow a strict set of movements. These movements were revealed to the Prophet by Allah via Angel Gabriel.

The words of the prayers are said in Arabic in order to ensure that all Muslims, all over the world, and all throughout history, recite the exact same words that were said by the Prophet Muhammad ^(PBUH). However, Muslims are highly encouraged to learn the meaning of these words in their native language as well in order to understand what they are saying, so that their prayer is meaningful to them.

In Islam there is no need of a priest or imam or any an intermediary when it comes to prayer. During or after the Salah, the worshipper can ask Allah directly for anything they need, or thank Him directly for what He has bestowed on them.

Sawm – Fasting

The word ‘Sawm’ refers to the obligation for Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadhan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. Muslims do not only abstain from physical things during Ramadan. They are also expected to do their best to avoid evil thoughts and deeds as well. During the days of Ramadan all adult Muslims abstain from the following things during the hours of daylight, from sunrise to sunset:

Eating or drinking of any sort
Smoking
Sexual activity
Any wrong doing which is prohibited in Islam

There are many reasons for fasting:

First and foremost is the fact that by fasting, Muslims are obeying the commands of Allah.

Fasting also reminds Muslims to remember the poor and needy who do not have food or provisions. The hunger that is felt during Ramadhan gives Muslims some indication of the suffering of others and acts as a persuasion to remember these people and to help them.

Fasting also helps Muslims to develop their character and faith. Fasting teaches believers self-control helping them to free themselves from the bonds of reliance on set meal times. Abstaining from food and drink also helps Muslims to focus on worship, giving them time to reflect on their faith and strengthen it.

Recently, scientists have discovered many physical benefits of fasting. The research shows, during the time that a person is not eating, the body’s digestive system can focus on its other functions, such as balancing the red and white blood cell count, repairing organs or any other of its fourteen important functions, rather than focusing constantly on the digestion of food. Therefore fasting can also improve a person’s health, as their organs are able to repair and work properly.

Whilst fasting is obligatory upon all adult Muslims, there are exceptions and among those who may also be excused from fasting are:

The Sick
The elderly who find it very difficult to fast, or for whom it may be dangerous health-wise
Pregnant women (under certain conditions)
Breast-feeding women (under certain conditions)
Menstruating women
If traveling more than 45 miles away from his/her place of residence

Once the sun has set, Muslims are allowed to eat and drink again as normal. Although it is custom in many countries that the evening meal for breaking the fast, known as (Iftar), be a lavish affair, the Iftar meal should not resemble a banquet, since the Month of Ramadhan and the act of fasting is about abstention from eating and drinking, for physical and spiritual reasons. The breaking of the fast therefore, is not an excuse to eat excessively.

The breakfast meal, eaten before fasting starts again before the sun begins to rise the next morning is known as ‘Suhur’. Again this should be eaten in moderation.

At the end of month of Ramadhan, Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid al-Fitr. They attend special morning prayers, then celebrate with food and often gifts.

Muslims are reminded that the lessons learned from this holy month should not be forgotten; they should not indulge in food and waste it simply because they have the opportunity to eat during daylight hours again.

Zakat – Charity

Zakat is the term for the compulsory yearly charity that all Muslims must give to the poor and needy or those of any of the seven categories of people mentioned in the following verse:

‘Alms are for the poor and the needy,
and those employed to administer the (funds);
for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth);
for those in bondage and in debt;
in the cause of Allah and for the wayfarer:
(thus is it) ordained by Allah,
and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.’ (Qur’an 9:16)

This duty is regarded as an act of worship and self-purification as it requires sacrificing your own wealth for the benefit of others.

The figure set for Zakat is 2.5% of a person’s wealth each year. The giving of Zakat also helps to unite the Muslim community as it forms a bond between members and encourages individuals to help each other. It also reminds Muslims that all wealth belongs to Allah and that Muslims should not cling to worldly possessions.

For more information about Zakat please see the site below or other sites related to the topic.

Hajj – The Pilgrimage

Hajj is the name of the Pilgrimage to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia. It is duty incumbent upon any Muslim who is able and can afford to go there and perform the rituals included in the pilgrimage. This should be done at least once during a Muslim’s lifetime.

‘In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham.
And whoever enters it shall be safe.
And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House –
for whoever is able to find thereto a way.
But whoever disbelieves – then indeed,
Allah is free from need of the worlds.’ (Qur’an 3:97)

The origins of Hajj and its rituals date back to the time of the Prophet Abraham, over four thousand years ago.

The procedure of Hajj takes place in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.

‘And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage];
they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel;
they will come from every distant pass’ (Qur’an 22:27)

‘Hajj is [during] well-known months,
so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself
therein [by entering the state of ihram],
there is [to be for him] no sexual relations
and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj.
And whatever good you do – Allah knows it.
And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah.
And fear Me, O you of understanding.’ (Qur’an 2:197)

The procedure of performing Hajj unites Muslims from all over the world. People of every colour, race and ethnic background come together in the holy city of Makkah to perform the same actions, at the same time, wearing the same clothes and saying the same words.

This duty reminds all Muslims that everyone was created equal by Allah, and the only distinguishing factor between them is the strength of their faith and piety.

‘O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female
and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.
Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.’ (Qur’an 49:13)

In the year 2009 it is claimed that over 3 million Muslims made the pilgrimage. This number represents the largest annual gathering of any faith in the world.

The rituals of Hajj include the following:

Ihram: Putting on the ‘Ihram’, which is the two piece of unstitched white cloth that all men must wear whilst performing Hajj. This clothing reminds all Muslims that they are equal in the sight of Allah. Women do not face the same restrictions as men, however they are also encouraged to wear simple clothing.

Tawaf

The circling of the Ka’bah, the cubed building in Makkah (known as the House of God), towards which all Muslims face when praying five times a day.

Sa’ee

A fast walk or run between the two hills of Safa’ and Marwa near the Ka’bah, in the footsteps of Hajar the wife of Abraham (Ibrahim), when God ordered him to leave her and their infant son Isma’il in the desert. This lead to the formation of the city of Makkah.

‘Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah.
So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah –
there is no blame upon him for walking between them.
And whoever volunteers good –
then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.’ (Qur’an 2:158)

In desperation, Hajar ran several times between these two hills in search of water for her son to drink as the weather was extremely hot and their water was finished. As a result, Allah caused the well of Zam zam water to appear by Isma’il’s feet. This ritual thus commemorates Hajar’s struggle.

Visiting and staying at Mina, Arafat and Muzadalifah, three sacred places near Makkah.

Stoning the Jamaraat

Throwing pebbles at three pillars in Mina which represent Satan (Shaytaan).The stoning of these pillars represent Muslims’ rejection and defiance of the Shaytaan, or the devil. This ritual also dates back to the time of Abraham as when he was called by Allah to sacrifice his son, he was approached by Shaytaan several times who tried to encourage him against Allah’s Command.

Ibrahim threw stones at Shaytaan, showing his rejection if his temptation, and his submission to Allah’s command.

Sacrifice of an animal

Again, this tradition stems from the time of Prophet Ibrahim. Ibrahim was ordered by Allah to sacrifice his son. He and his son willingly set out to fulfill the command. However, as just Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Allah stopped him, saying that he had proven his loyalty. Allah then sent a ram for them to sacrifice instead.

‘And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice’ (Qur’an 37:107)

Pillars of Faith (Iman)

The Pillars of Iman are intrinsic to a Muslim’s life. Without believing in these pillars one cannot be called a Muslim, even if a he or she acts correctly in accordance with all aspect of Islamic jurisprudence.

Below are the Pillars of Iman, accompanied by a short explanation of each one:

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1: Belief in One Supreme God (Allah):

As Islam is a monotheistic religion, the first essential rule is to believe in the Oneness of God, who is known to Muslims by many names and attributes. One of His most supreme names is Allah.

2: Belief in Angels

Muslims are required to believe in the existence of angels (who are created from a form of light). Muslims believe that all angels are the servants of the God and do not obey anyone except Him, nor do they have free will or the ability to disobey. Angels are responsible for many things in the world, for example watching over humans.

3: Belief in the Books and Revelations

Another requirement of Islamic belief is to believe in the Holy Books that were revealed to Prophets throughout history. These include the Qur’an, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ^(PBUH), which Muslims believe is the last, complete and unchanged revelation, as well as the original text of the Torah, the Bible, the Scrolls of Abraham and the Psalms of David, which were all believed to have contained divine Truth.

The Qur’an

The Revelation of the Qur’an

As we have mentioned, the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah through Angel Gabriel, known as Jibra‘il in Arabic.

The first revelation took place when Muhammad was 40 years old. On a night in the last days of the month of Ramadhan, Muhammad was sat in a cave on Mount Hira, where he used to go to be alone and to meditate; away from the idol worshipping that took place in the city of Makkah below.

It was then that the Angel Jibrail revealed to the Prophet the first revelation of the Qur’an, the following five verses which are now part of Surah Al-Alaq, chapter 96:

Other Holy Books

Muslims also believe that Allah revealed several Holy Books to prophets before the Qur’an as instructions and guidance for the people of those times. These holy books include:

The Zabur – The Psalms Revealed to David
The Suhuf – The Scrolls Revealed to Abraham
The Tawrat – The Torah Revealed to Moses
The Injeel – The Gospel Revealed to Jesus

These books are mentioned several times in the Qur’an itself and share many of their stories and rulings.

‘He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth,
confirming what was before it.
And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.’ (Qur’an 3:3)

Although Muslims hold these books in high regard and believe they were originally revealed by Allah, over the course of history these books have either been lost or changed over the years and thus their original messages have become distorted. The Qur’an was sent to reaffirm the true messages of these previous books and shall not ever be changed. The Qur’an is thus a book for all mankind, rather than simply the people living at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

‘Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an
and indeed, We will be its guardian.’ (Qur’an 15:9)

4: Belief in the Prophets

Muslims are required to believe in all prophets and messengers who have been sent by Almighty God. They should truly respect them. Muslims believe that the first prophet was Adam and the last was Muhammad ^(PBUH).

Muslims believe that, throughout the course of history, Allah has chosen prophets from among humans to spread His message and call people to worship Him alone. There are 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Qur’an and many of their stories are similar to those told in the Bible. However, Muslims believe that many other prophets were sent, some estimating the figure to be around 124,000 in total.

These 25 prophets mentioned in the Qur’an are as follows; their Biblical and Islamic names have been given:

(Adam) Adam
(Enoch) Idris
(Noah) Nuh
(Eber) Hud
(Shaloh) Saleh
(Abraham)     Ibrahim
(Lot) Lut
(Ishmael)      Isma’il
(Isaac) Ishaq (Jacob) Yaqub
(Joseph) Yusuf
(Job) Ayoub
(Jethro) Shu‘aib
(Moses) Musa
(Aaron) Harun
(Ezekiel) Dhul-Kifl
(David) Dawud
(Solomon)     Sulayman      (Elijah)   Ilyas
(Elisha) Al-Yasa
(Jonah) Yunus
(Zechariah)   Zakariya
(John) Yahya
(Jesus) Isa

Muhammad

Unlike in other religions, Islam places great importance on the fact that these prophets were just human beings and do not have any divine qualities. They were chosen by Allah as exemplary humans to guide their communities back to the straight path of worshiping Allah and obeying His commands.

The majority of Prophets were chosen to spread the simple message of calling people to worship the one true God, Allah, and to abandon their lives of sin to follow Allah’s commands. However, some prophets were given specific revelations in the form of holy books. These prophets are known as a ‘rasul’, which means messenger.

The Prophets to whom holy books were revealed were:

(Abraham)        Ibrahim             who was given the Scrolls, known in Arabic as the ‘Suhuf’
(David) Dawud who was given the Psalms,   known in Arabic as the ‘Zabur’
(Moses)            Musa                who was given the Torah, known in Arabic as the ‘Tawraat’
(Jesus) Isa        who was given the Bible, known in Arabic as the ‘Injeel’
Muhammad                   who was given the Qur’an, the last and final revelation.

Although each prophet from Adam to Jesus was sent to their specific community, Muslims believe that Allah chose Muhammad to spread His message to all mankind. The revelation of the Qur’an was designed for all human beings to follow and therefore no further prophet after him is needed since the final message of the Qur’an is preserved by God.

5: Belief in the Day of Judgment:

No Muslim’s faith is complete without believing in the Day of Judgement. One could argue that without Judgement Day there is not much benefit in doing good or bad, being alive or dead. Life loses its meaning.

All Muslims should believe in these Pillars and act up on them. The Day of Judgement is the day when good will be separated from bad. Anyone who did good will get their reward, and anyone who committed sin will receive their punishment.

On this day, if God is at your side you are saved, if not… God help you!

‘What happens when I die?’ This question has been asked by humans throughout the ages. Islam holds that death is not the end of existence, rather a stage in a human’s life. This life is a test for humans to see whether or not they choose to follow God’s guidance and act in a way that will please Him, or ignore His signs and warnings and instead choose to disobey Him. Based on their decisions and actions in this temporary life, human beings will be judged and their fate, the way they spend the rest of their lives, will depend on whether their good deeds outweighed their bad ones.

Paradise is the reward for the righteous, and Hell the eternal abode for those who denied and transgressed God’s rulings. Although we should be aiming to do good so that God is pleased with us, not just for reward, God in His wisdom knows that human beings need incentives and deterrents, thus the promise of Paradise and the threat of Hell help humans to strive in the way of goodness and obedience.

‘Allah has promised the believing men and believing women
gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally,
and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence;
but approval from Allah is greater.
It is that which is the great attainment.’ (Qur’an 9:72)

Once a person has died they enter a stage known as the Barzakh, their body is no longer alive, but their soul lives on in another dimension, in the World of the Unseen. At the end of Time, God will give the command for the Trumpet to be blown signalling the Day of Resurrection, when all human beings will be raised to life again.

‘How can you disbelieve in Allah?
Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life.
Then He will give you death,
then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection)
and then unto Him you will return.’ (Qur’an 2:28)

Each person will be presented with a record of their life’s deeds, recorded by two angels who were sat on their shoulders (See the page on Belief in Angels for more information). Following this each person will be judged by God.

‘How (will it be) when We gather them together on the Day
about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).
And each person will be paid in full what he has earned?
And they will not be dealt with unjustly.’ (Qur’an 3:25)

God as the Judge is fair, and Forgiving. Over His Throne is written: ‘My Mercy outweighs my Anger.’ If a person repented for their sins, no matter how many, in this life God promises forgiveness.

Allah the Almighty has said:

“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me,
I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind.
O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky
and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.
O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth
and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me,
I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as its.” (Hadith)

Indeed there are many opportunities for a person to wipe away a lifetime’s worth of sins if they are truly sincere. When a person enters Islam, for example, in order to allow them a fresh start, God wipes away all previous sins they may have committed. It is then up to them to ensure they keep their record clean.

“O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.
Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds
and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow
[on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet
and those who believed with him.
Their light will proceed before them and on their right;
they will say, “Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us.
Indeed, You are over all things competent.” (Qur’an 66:8)

Life after Death lasts forever. A person may therefore either be destined for Heaven or Hell depending on their deeds. Some people are sent to Hell for eternity but these are the lowest of people. Others are sent to Hell for a period of time to cleanse them of their sins before they can enter Paradise, like gold ore is burned before it becomes pure.

Many descriptions of Heaven and Hell are given in the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet):

‘And will reward them for what they patiently endured
[with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].
[They will be] reclining therein on adorned couches.
They will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] cold.
And near above them are its shades,
and its [fruit] to be picked will be lowered in compliance.
And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver
and cups having been [created] clear [as glass],
Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.
And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger
[from] a fountain within Paradise named Salsabeel.
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal.
When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.
And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion.
Upon the inhabitants will be green garments of fine silk and brocade.
And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver,
and their Lord will give them a purifying drink.’ (Qur’an 76:12-21)

“And whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger,
then surely, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever.” (Qur’an 72:23)

6: Belief in Fate

Qadar means fate. Muslims believe that all things are meant to happen. Almighty God has written all things that happen to man. Therefore man should be patient, since everything happens for a reason.

Qadar is an Arabic word mentioned in the Qur’an, which means, amongst other things, ‘fate’ or ‘divine destiny’.

Allah has knowledge of everything in His creation and nothing occurs except by His will. This term, however, should not be confused with ‘predestination’ or ‘fatalism’ which implies that humans have no free will.

There are obviously certain things over which humans have no control:

Allah’s Messenger ^(PBUH) said:

“Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has ordained
for every servant amongst His creation five things:
his death, his action, his abode, the places of his moving about
and his means of sustenance.” [Tirmidhi]

However Muslims do believe that human beings are given free will, and it must be made clear that destiny does not have a cause-and-effect influence on the choices humans make. The choices that humans make are all within Allah’s knowledge, which is unlike and beyond the understanding of human knowledge.

Since Allah is Fair, He would not judge us for actions or events over which we have no control. Humans are free to choose their paths in life and God will judge each individual according to their choices and circumstances.

Halal and Haram in Islam

Muslims believe that Allah revealed rulings and guidance for mankind to follow through the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad ^(PBUH). The word Halal can be translated as ‘lawful’, whereas Haram, its opposite, means ‘prohibited’. These terms are applied to all aspects of a Muslim’s life and extend to include food, drink, clothing, behaviour and practices.

Food and Drink:

Muslims follow strict guidelines concerning the food and drink they consume.

There are a number of things which Muslims are not permitted to consume:

Alcohol or any other substance that may cause intoxication
The meat of pigs and any of its derivatives
The meat of any animal that has not been slaughtered according to Islamic Law
The meat of any animal that eats other animals and any of its derivatives.

In order for animal meat to be considered halal it must be killed according to Islamic teachings and Shariah Law, which include the following rulings:

An invocation or prayer should be said before the animal is killed.
The animal should be facing towards Makkah when it is killed.
The animal’s throat should be cut with a sharp knife to minimise the time it takes to slaughter.
The animal should be killed humanely, and should not be mistreated.
The blood should be drained from the animal after it has been killed to rid it of impurities.
Animals should only be killed for human consumption and not for fun, sport or any other reason

Note: This method of slaughtering has been scientifically proven to be far quicker and humane than those used in the majority of factories in the Western world, which often stun the animal with electric shocks before either cutting or breaking its neck.

Behaviour and Practices:

In terms of conduct in their daily lives, Muslims also adhere to guidelines on how to behave.

Some practices which are considered haram include:

Adultery
Murder
Gambling
Earning interest
Lying or cheating
Backbiting
Any other activities considered harmful to society at large.

Muslims believe that by adhering to these teachings they will be rewarded in the afterlife by Allah, particularly if it is difficult to stick to the rulings for example when living in a non-Muslim society.

Note: If a person gives in to temptation and commits wrong, they may face the consequence of being punished, thus Muslims must try their utmost to follow Allah’s commands.

A person should not give up, however if they have done wrong, as Allah tells us that He is the Forgiving and the Merciful in the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam. If a person repents sincerely after realising they have done wrong, Allah may choose to forgive him or her; however, they must not repeat the act again.

Islamic Calendar

Unlike the Christian/Gregorian calendar used in the majority of countries in the West which is based on the movement of the Sun, the Islamic calendar follows a lunar structure, basing the length of is months on the movement of the Moon.

Similar to the Christian calendar, the Islamic calendar has 12 months, which are as follows:

Muharram
Safar
Rabbi Al-Awwal
Rabbi Al-Thani
Jumad Al-Ula
Jumad Al-Ukhra
Rajab
Sha’ban
Ramadhan
Shawwal
Dhul Qa’dah
Dhul Hijjah

Many of these months have special religious significance.

Ramadhan, for example, perhaps the most famous month of the calendar, is the month during which Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset.

Dhul Hijjah is also important as this is the month in which Muslims make the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, known as Hajj.

The Islamic calendar dates back not to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, as mistakenly believed by many, but to the year of the Hijrah, or migration to the city of Madinah from Makkah by the Prophet Muhammad ^(PBUH) and his followers in 622 CE.

As the Islamic calendar runs by the Moon, its year is consequently around 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, so the months drift backwards through the seasons each year.

Becoming a Muslim

In order to become a Muslim, a person must firstly be sincere in their belief in Almighty God. With this sincerity comes the acceptance that there is only one God, who is the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful towards mankind in all aspects of their lives. By submitting and surrendering to His will, you are accepting His glorious invitation to Heaven, which He has promised to all those who obey His commands. The second element is accepting that Muhammad ^(pbuh) is the last and final Prophet of God.

Almighty God cares for His creation and an appreciation of how much He has blessed them with is not much to ask. All He wants from you, is for you to accept His Oneness, acknowledge the blessings He has showered upon you and for you to simply say ‘thank you’.

Entering Islam

Islam opens its doors to all mankind. The route to Islam has been made extremely easy. One only needs to declare a single sentence with sincerity, and they have embraced the religion.

This sentence, which can be said in Arabic or English, known as the Shahadah, or Declaration of Faith, is as follows:

ASH-HADU AN LA ILAHA ILL ALLAH.
WA ASHH ADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASUL ALLAH

This is translated as:

I DECLARE THAT THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH,
AND I DECLARE THAT MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH

By believing and pronouncing these holy words a person becomes a Muslim and is welcomed into Islam.

(For more information or advice please contact publisher).

May the light of truth shine in our hearts and minds. May it lead us to peace, happiness and certitude in this life and eternal bliss in the Hereafter. Ameen

The Qur’an, Holy Book of Islam

A complete record of the exact words revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad are compiled in a unique and miraculous text – the Qur’an – the Holy Book for Mankind.

This is the principal source of every Muslim’s faith and practice and deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings. Its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creation. However, the Qur’an also provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and fair economic principles, it includes stories of previous civilisations, parables, scientific facts, descriptive passages, as well as rules on how to live life according to God’s wishes.

Apart from the Qur’an, Muslims also refer to the life of the Prophet Muhammad ^(pbuh) as a secondary source of guidance. His practice and example (the Sunnah) is an integral part of the Islamic faith.

Muhammad ^(Pbuh), The Messenger of Islam

Prophet Muhammad ^(pbuh) was the last Messenger of God and was the best example of humankind.

He was born in Makkah, Arabia, in the year 571 CE. His father passed away before his birth and when Muhammad was six years old his mother too passed away. When Muhammad ^(pbuh) was twenty-five years old he married a noble lady of Makkah named Khadijah.

Muhammad ^(pbuh) began to receive revelation from God at the age of forty; this was the beginning of his Prophethood. Muhammad ^(pbuh) started his work by inviting his family, then the people of Makkah to Islam, then expanded his work through all of Arabia and beyond. In the year 622 CE, Muhammad ^(pbuh) and the early Muslims migrated from Makkah to Madina in Arabia and there established the first Islamic State. The Islamic calendar begins from the date of this migration (the Hijrah).

Prophet Muhammad’s ^(pbuh) behaviour and character embodied the words of the Qur’an wherein he is described as a blessing for the whole world and excellent example for mankind to follow. He died in 632 CE at the age of 63. He left the Qur’an and his Sunnah as the sources of guidance for all mankind and for all generations to come.

Equality and Human Rights

Muslims believe in absolute equality and human rights under the law of God. The Qur’an prescribes freedom of conscience:

“There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the strongest rope that never breaks. And God is All-Hearing and All-Knowing”.
(Qur’an 2:256)

The life, honour and property of all citizens in a Muslim society are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or not. Racism, sexism and other forms of intolerance and prejudice are forbidden in Islam. In the Qur’an, Almighty God speaks of human equality:

“O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honoured of you in God’s sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware”.
(Qur’an 49:13)

According to the Qur’an, men and women are equal before God. Before the dawn of Islam, women were considered the property of men throughout the world. However, the religion of Islam established the rights of women and restored the respect and dignity which they deserve and are entitled to as individuals.

Prophet Muhammad ^(pbuh) – the Messenger of God said:

“The most perfect in faith, amongst believers, is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife”.

The roles of men and women in Islam are complimentary and collaborative. Rights and responsibilities of both sexes are equitable and balanced in their totality. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is simple, modest and dignified. Specific traditions of dress found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs rather than religious principle. Likewise, treatment of women in some areas of the Muslim world often reflects cultural practices, which may be inconsistent, if not contrary, to authentic Islamic teachings.

Muslim Countries & Their Populations

The total population of Muslims throughout the entire world is more than 1.6 billion. Below are some of the countries with majority Muslim populations:

Indonesia 205 million Uzbekistan 27 million

Pakistan 178 million Iraq 31 million

Bangladesh 148 million Malaysia 17 million

Nigeria 76 million Afghanistan 29 million

Turkey 74 million Kazakhstan 9 million

Iran 74 million Saudi Arabia 25 million

Egypt 80 million Syria 21 million

Morocco 32 million Yemen 24 million

Below are some of the countries with minority Muslim populations:

India 177 million China 23 million

USA 2.6 million UK 2.9 million

France 4.7 million Germany 4.1 million

Step 1 – Embracing Islam

Firstly, I shall demonstrate how easy it is to enter Islam and become a Muslim. All a person needs to do to become a Muslim is to believe sincerely that: “Almighty God is the God of the Universe and that the Prophet Muhammad was His last and final Prophet and Messenger”.

Then you need to say the following words in Arabic, which confirm this:

“La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasool Allah”

which means:

“There is no God except Almighty God and Muhammad is His Messenger.”

This is the Declaration of Faith, known in Arabic as the Shahadah. This is the first pillar of Islam.

The Declaration of the Faith is said in Arabic but if a person finds it too difficult to pronounce, it can be said in any language. All are equally acceptable in the eyes of Almighty God, who made all languages and can perfectly understand your language and your intention. Therefore there is no need to worry about what language you use.

Note: It is important to remember that the intention is very important and without the sincere intention to become a Muslim, the Shahadah is not accepted. To ensure that you have the right intention, you need to truly believe in your heart that there is One God and to believe that the Prophet Muhammad was His last and final Prophet.

The Shahadah can be said at any time and in any place. It is a contract between you and your Creator and it has nothing to do with any other person. It is recommended to declare the Shahadah in front of two Muslims who can witness your declaration, though this is not obligatory, and your Shahadah is still valid if said alone.

If you wish to take your Shahadah in a mosque or with an Imam, this is of course encouraged, however it does not make one a better Muslim than one who has said their Shahadah, for example, over the internet, over the phone or by themselves.

Once you have taken your Shahadah, it is recommended to take a full shower with the intention to purify yourself, to symbolize a fresh start to your new faith.

Step 2 – After your Declaration

Now you have made the declaration of the faith with true sincerity, you have entered Islam. Congratulations! May Allah accept your faith and fill your heart with His light and guidance. You have now entered a new chapter of your life and are starting afresh.

Islam holds that all previous wrong doings are wiped clean and forgiven and any good deeds that you performed before becoming a Muslim will be brought forward to your new account. It is now up to you to keep this chapter and the chapters to come clean and pure.

Taking this first step guarantees you a place in paradise if you retain the sincerity and belief in Allah in your heart. (God knows best). No matter what you do from this point forward, the most important thing is to preserve your faith.

Remember this verse of the Quran in which Allah declares:

“Inna Allaha la yaghfiru an yushraka bihi wayaghfiru ma doona thalika liman yasha’u waman yushrikbi Allahi faqadi iftara ithman ‘atheema”

“I do not forgive anyone who associates partners with me,
but I forgive whoever I please after that” (Qur’an 4:48)

This verse above shows that Allah is prepared to forgive anyone who believes only in Him, no matter what they have done. The only sin He does not forgive is ascribing partners to Him.

When attempting to live your life as a Muslim, I would advise you to do what you can and do not over stretch yourself. Do not rush to learn everything at once. Islam a religion was revealed step by step and this is the approach you should take.

Always remember that everyone is different and everyone has their own requirements and limits. Although all Muslims are the same in that they all adhere to the religion of Islam, each travels along the path at a different pace.

The next step along the path as a Muslim is to learn to pray, since the prayer, Salah, is the second Pillar of Islam.

Pilgrimage (Hajj): The pilgrimage to Makkah, for those who are physically and financially able.

Belief in angels :

Who are angels; angels are other types of creation of God who are perhaps more superior to human being.

Angels are made of lights as human was made of dust.

There are several types of angels exist

Belief in angels

Angels Arabic: ملائكة , Malāʾikah are mentioned many times in the holy Qur’an and books of Hadith narrations.

Islam is clear on the nature of angels in that they are messengers of God. Angels can turn to any shape and sizes especially human figure.

Angels are the type of creature that been designed in the way that cannot disobey God like man can do. The angels has rank and some are very law and some are very high rank.

Some angels are designed to help human being and many have the affair of other thing like looking after earth heaven and that is between.

Some angels are gradients for human and protect him from all sorts of difficulty and trouble.

Believing in angels is one of the six Articles of Faith in Islam.

Some examples of angels in Islam:

archangel Gabriel Jibrail: the (Jibra’il or Jibril) is an archangel who serves as a messenger from God a very powerful.
(archangel) Michael : or Mikail, the angel of nature.
Israfil(Arabic: إسرافيل, Israfel or Seraphim, Meaning: The Burning One ^[61] ), is the angel of the trumpet inIslam,^[62] though unnamed in the Qur’an. Along with Mikhail, Jibrail and Izra’il, he is one of the four Islamic archangels.^[61] Israfil will blow the trumpet from a holy rock in Jerusalem to announce the Day of Resurrection.^[63] The trumpet is constantly poised at his lips, ready to be blown when God so orders.
Darda’il: the angels who travel in the earth searching out assemblies where people remember God’s name.
Azraelis Azraa-eel عزرائيل or Izrail: the Angel of Death
Kiraman Katibin: the two angels who record a person’s good and bad deeds.
Mu’aqqibat: a class of guardian angels who keep people from death until its decreed time. (Q.13:11)
Munkar and Nakir: the angels who test the faith of the dead in their graves. They ask the soul of the dead person questions. If the person fails the questions, the angels make the man suffer until the Day of Judgement. If the soul passes the questions, he will have a pleasant time in the grave until the Day of Judgement.
Ridwan: the angel in charge of maintaining Paradise.
Maalik: the angel who keepsor guards hellfire.
Harut and Marut(Arabic: هاروت وماروت‎) are two angels mentioned in the second Surah of the Qur’an, who were sent down to test the people at Babel or Babylon by performing deeds of magic. (Sura Al-Baqara, verse 102.)

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