What is Islam? Simple Guide to Beliefs and Practices
Hello! Have you ever wondered about the religion of Islam? It's much more than just a set of prayers. Islam is a complete way of life.
The word "Islam" in Arabic means submission and peace. It is the message that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ by God, whom Muslims call Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. A Muslim is someone who believes in this message and submits to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
Islam gives us a unique and full guide for every step of life. It helps us with three main relationships:
Your connection with your Creator, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
Your relationship with yourself (your personal life).
Your relationship with the society around you.
1. The Core Beliefs (Aqeedah)
The most important part of Islam is the core beliefs, called Aqeedah. This is the entry point into Islam. Without believing in this, a person cannot truly be a Muslim.
The Islamic creed gives clear answers about why we exist and where the universe came from. It tells us the beginning and the end of all things.
Key Ideas of Aqeedah:
One Creator: The world was made by one God, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. He is one, limitless, and has no beginning or end.
Prophets and Messengers: Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sent Prophets for humanity's guidance. Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is the final Prophet.
Holy Books: Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ revealed books. The Holy Quran is the final book, containing only God's words.
Angels: There are Angels created by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ who constantly worship Him and carry out specific tasks.
The Day of Judgment: Muslims believe that after this world ends, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will bring everyone back to life. He will judge our deeds.
Good deeds are rewarded with Heaven (Jannah).
Bad deeds are punished in Hell (Dozakh).
2. The Five Pillars of Islam (Arkan e Islam)
Once you accept the core beliefs, you start to build your relationship with Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ through worship. Just like pillars hold up a building, the Five Pillars hold up a Muslim's faith.
These are the five main acts of worship every Muslim must do:
Testimony of Faith (Shahada): Saying the words: "There is no God but Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, and Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is the Messenger of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ."
Prayer (Salah): Praying five times a day, following all the rules.
Charity (Zakat): Giving a set amount of your wealth to the poor and needy once a year.
Fasting (Sawm): Not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
Pilgrimage (Hajj): Traveling to Makkah once in a lifetime, if you are able to afford it and are physically healthy.
3. The Islamic System (Shariah)
The full system of rules and regulations for life is called Shariah. It comes from the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ (Sunnah).
Shariah guides us on how to pray, fast, live with our family, run a business, and everything else.
Acts done with good intentions according to Shariah are rewarded (Sawab).
Acts against Shariah are sins, but Muslims can seek forgiveness through repentance.
Important People: Prophet Isa (Jesus)
It's important to know that Muslims believe in Prophet Isa عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام (Jesus). We believe he was a great Prophet of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, but not God or the son of God. His mother, Lady Mary (Maryam) رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ, is greatly respected.
Holy Places in Islam
Muslims have three very holy cities:
Makkah: The birthplace of the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. It contains the Kaaba, the first house of worship on earth. Muslims pray facing the Kaaba.
Medina: The city where the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ moved his ministry and where he is buried.
Jerusalem: Home to Masjid Al-Aqsa. It was the first direction of prayer (Qibla) for Muslims.
4. Festivals and Important Nights
Muslims celebrate several major festivals and important nights throughout the year.
Major Festivals:
Eid-ul-Fitr: A big celebration on the first day after the month of Ramadan. It is a reward for fasting.
Eid-ul-Adha: The second major Eid. Muslims offer a sacrifice to remember the Prophet Ibrahim's عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام obedience to God.
Eid Milad Al-Nabi: Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ.
Important Nights:
Night of Power (Laila-tul-Qadr): Found in Ramadan, this night is better than a thousand months of worship.
Night of Ascension (Shab-e-Meraj): The night the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ was taken on a miraculous journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the heavens.
Conclusion
Islam is a complete guide to living a good and peaceful life. It gives us clear rules for our beliefs (Aqeedah), our worship (Five Pillars), and our daily actions (Shariah). By following these simple but deep teachings, Muslims aim to earn the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ help us all to learn and live by true Islamic teachings!
