Islam is one of the major religions of the world and is followed by Muslims in many different countries and cultures. The word Islam refers to submission and surrender to the will of Allah. A person who follows Islam is called a Muslim.
Islam teaches people to believe in one God, worship Him alone, live according to His guidance, treat others with kindness and justice, and prepare for the life after death. It provides guidance for many aspects of life, including worship, family relationships, education, business, personal character, social responsibilities, and care for others.
At AL RIESALAH EDUCATION, we believe that understanding the basic teachings of Islam can help students develop knowledge, good character, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of their purpose in life.
The Meaning of Islam
The word Islam comes from the Arabic root related to peace, safety, and submission. In an Islamic context, Islam means submitting oneself to Allah and following His guidance.
Islam teaches that true success comes through faith in Allah, obedience to Him, righteous actions, good character, and seeking His forgiveness.
A Muslim does not worship human beings, prophets, angels, animals, nature, or any created thing. Muslims believe that Allah alone is worthy of worship.
Who Is Allah
Allah is the Arabic word for God. Muslims believe that Allah is the One true God and the Creator of everything.
Islam teaches that Allah is unique and has no partner, equal, parent, child, or rival. He created the heavens and the earth, human beings, animals, plants, and everything that exists.
The Quran describes Allah as the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate. Muslims believe that Allah has perfect knowledge, perfect power, and perfect wisdom.
The belief in the oneness of Allah is called Tawhid. Tawhid is the central foundation of Islamic belief.
The Prophets of Islam
Islam teaches that Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity.
Muslims believe in many prophets mentioned in the Quran, including Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, Yusuf, Musa, Dawud, Sulaiman, Yunus, Zakariya, Yahya, Isa, and Muhammad, peace be upon them.
Muslims believe that all prophets taught the essential message of worshipping Allah alone and living righteous lives.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is considered the final prophet and messenger of Allah. Muslims believe that his message completed the chain of prophetic guidance.
The Quran
The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that it is the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, through the Angel Jibril.
The Quran provides guidance about faith, worship, morality, family life, justice, responsibility, patience, forgiveness, and many other aspects of human life.
The Quran was revealed in the Arabic language. Muslims around the world read it, memorize it, study its meaning, and try to apply its teachings to their lives.
The Quran also encourages people to think, reflect, learn, observe the world, and recognize the signs of Allah’s creation.
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars are five fundamental acts of worship that form an important part of a Muslim’s religious life.
Shahadah
Shahadah is the declaration of faith. It means believing and declaring that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Shahadah expresses the central belief of Islam.
Salah
Salah is the five daily prayers performed by Muslims.
Muslims pray at specific times throughout the day. Prayer provides an opportunity to remember Allah, seek His guidance, express gratitude, and strengthen one’s relationship with Him.
Salah also teaches discipline and regularity.
Zakat
Zakat is an obligatory form of charity for Muslims who meet the required conditions.
It involves giving a specified portion of eligible wealth to people who are entitled to receive it.
Zakat helps support people in need and encourages Muslims to avoid greed and remember their social responsibilities.
Sawm
Sawm means fasting. During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims who are able are required to fast from dawn until sunset.
Fasting includes avoiding food and drink during the fasting hours and encourages self discipline, patience, gratitude, worship, and concern for people who experience hunger.
Ramadan is also an important month for reading and reflecting on the Quran and increasing acts of worship and charity.
Hajj
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah. It is required once in a person’s lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey and whose circumstances permit it.
Hajj brings Muslims from different countries and backgrounds together in worship.
It demonstrates equality, unity, sacrifice, patience, and devotion to Allah.
The Six Articles of Faith
Islamic belief also includes six fundamental articles of faith.
Muslims believe in Allah, His angels, His revealed books, His messengers, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree.
Belief in Allah means recognizing Him as the one true Creator and the only One worthy of worship.
Belief in angels means accepting that Allah created angels who carry out duties assigned to them.
Belief in the revealed books means believing that Allah sent revelation to His messengers. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final revealed scripture.
Belief in the messengers means accepting the prophets and messengers sent by Allah.
Belief in the Day of Judgment means believing that human beings will be resurrected and held accountable for their actions.
Belief in divine decree means believing that everything occurs according to Allah’s knowledge and wisdom while human beings remain responsible for their choices and actions.
Islam and Good Character
Islam places great importance on good character.
A Muslim is encouraged to be honest, trustworthy, respectful, patient, forgiving, humble, generous, and compassionate.
Islam teaches Muslims to treat parents with respect, care for children, help people in need, respect neighbors, keep promises, speak truthfully, and avoid injustice.
The teachings of Islam emphasize that religious practice should influence a person’s behavior and character.
A person who worships Allah is also expected to demonstrate good manners and ethical behavior in daily life.
Islam and Knowledge
Islam places great importance on seeking beneficial knowledge.
The first revealed verses of the Quran began with a command related to reading and learning.
Muslim scholars throughout history contributed to fields such as mathematics, medicine, astronomy, geography, philosophy, literature, and other areas of knowledge.
Islam encourages people to reflect upon creation and use their abilities responsibly.
Education can therefore be an important part of a Muslim’s personal and intellectual development.
Islam and Family Life
Family is an important institution in Islam.
Islam emphasizes kindness and responsibility between parents and children and encourages spouses to treat each other with respect, mercy, and fairness.
Parents have responsibilities toward their children, including care, education, protection, and moral development.
Children are taught to respect and care for their parents, especially when they become elderly.
Islam also provides guidance concerning marriage, inheritance, family responsibilities, and social relationships.
Islam and Social Justice
Islam teaches that justice is essential in society.
Muslims are instructed to deal fairly with others and avoid oppression, dishonesty, exploitation, and discrimination.
Islam encourages helping people who are poor, vulnerable, or facing difficulties.
Charity and community responsibility are important parts of Islamic teachings.
Muslims are encouraged to contribute positively to society and to protect the rights of others.
Islam and Peace
The word Islam is associated with peace and submission to Allah.
Islam teaches Muslims to seek peace and avoid injustice and aggression. It emphasizes forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy, and fair treatment.
The Islamic tradition also teaches that human life has great value and that injustice should not be accepted.
At the same time, Islamic teachings recognize the importance of defending people and communities against oppression within the principles established by Islamic law.
Understanding Islam therefore requires looking at its teachings as a complete system rather than judging it through isolated statements or individual actions.
Islam and Other Religions
Islam teaches Muslims to believe in many prophets who were also important figures in earlier religious traditions.
Prophets such as Ibrahim, Musa, and Isa, peace be upon them, are respected in Islam.
Islam teaches that Allah sent guidance to different communities through His messengers. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation and that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the final messenger.
Islam also teaches Muslims to communicate with others respectfully and to deal with people fairly.
The Purpose of Human Life
One of the central questions addressed by Islam is the purpose of human existence.
Islam teaches that human beings were created to worship Allah.
Worship in Islam is not limited to prayer and fasting. Acts that are normally considered part of everyday life can also become acts of worship when they are performed with sincere intentions and in accordance with Islamic principles.
Earning a lawful income, caring for parents, educating children, helping others, seeking beneficial knowledge, and performing other good actions can all have spiritual value.
Life as a Test
Islam teaches that worldly life is temporary and that human beings are being tested through their circumstances, choices, and actions.
People experience happiness and difficulty, wealth and poverty, success and failure.
Islam encourages believers to be grateful during times of ease and patient during times of difficulty.
Muslims believe that every person will ultimately return to Allah and be accountable for their actions.
The Hereafter
Belief in the Hereafter is an important part of Islamic faith.
Muslims believe that after death, human beings will be resurrected and brought before Allah for judgment.
People will be accountable for their beliefs and actions.
Islam teaches that Allah is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. Those who believe and live righteous lives are promised reward, while wrongdoing and rejection of truth have consequences.
The belief in the Hereafter encourages Muslims to think beyond temporary worldly interests and to live responsibly.
Islam as a Complete Way of Life
Islam is not limited to religious ceremonies.
It provides guidance concerning worship, personal character, family relationships, financial dealings, social responsibilities, justice, education, and many other aspects of life.
The purpose of Islamic guidance is to help people develop a relationship with Allah while living responsibly and ethically in the world.
For Muslims, faith is therefore connected with both belief and action.
Why Learn About Islam
Learning about Islam can help Muslims understand their faith more deeply and practice it with greater knowledge and confidence.
It can also help people from other backgrounds understand what Muslims believe and why they practice their religion in particular ways.
Learning about any religion is most beneficial when it is approached with honesty, respect, and a willingness to understand its teachings in their proper context.
Conclusion
Islam is a monotheistic faith centered on the belief in one God, Allah, and the guidance He provided through His prophets and messengers.
The Quran is the central scripture of Islam, and Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is regarded by Muslims as the final messenger of Allah.
The foundations of Islam include the Five Pillars and the fundamental articles of faith. Islam also emphasizes good character, knowledge, justice, compassion, family responsibility, charity, and accountability before Allah.
Understanding Islam is a lifelong journey of learning and reflection. For Muslims, learning about Islam can strengthen faith and improve daily life. For others, learning about Islam can provide a clearer and more accurate understanding of one of the world’s major religious traditions.
AL RIESALAH EDUCATION aims to provide accessible online education in Islamic studies as well as Math and Science. Through structured courses and qualified teaching, students can develop knowledge in both religious and academic subjects from wherever they are in the world.