Questions about Islam

“Islam” literally means “submission to God” and “peace.” It is a monotheistic religion based on the belief in the one God (Allah). Islam was proclaimed in the 7th century through the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and today, with nearly 2 billion followers, it is the second largest religion in the world.

The Five Pillars are: 1) Shahada (Declaration of Faith) – bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger, 2) Salah (five daily prayers), 3) Zakat (obligatory charity to those in need), 4) Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), 5) Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if able).

Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born around 570 CE in Mecca. Muslims believe he is the last Prophet and Messenger of God. He received divine revelation over a period of 23 years. His teachings and exemplary life (Sunnah) are, alongside the Quran, the most important source of Islamic guidance.

The Quran is the holy scripture of Islam. Muslims believe it is the unaltered word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). It consists of 114 Surahs (chapters) and was revealed in the Arabic language.

The Six Articles of Faith (Arkan al-Iman) are: 1) Belief in Allah – the One, the Only God, 2) Belief in His Angels, 3) Belief in His Books (Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Quran), 4) Belief in His Messengers (from Adam to Muhammad), 5) Belief in the Day of Judgment (resurrection and reckoning), 6) Belief in Divine Predestination (Qadar).

Muslims believe in angels as beings created from light by God to carry out His will. Well-known angels include: Jibril (Gabriel) – the angel of revelation, Mikail (Michael) – responsible for sustenance, Israfil – who will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment, and Azrael – the angel of death.

The five obligatory prayers are: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night). Each prayer consists of a specific number of units (Rak’at) and is performed facing the direction of Mecca.

Wudu is the ritual purification required before prayer. It involves washing the hands (three times), rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face, washing the forearms up to the elbows, wiping over the head, and washing the feet up to the ankles.

The Friday Prayer (Salat al-Jumu’a) is a congregational prayer held every Friday at noon time (Zuhr time), replacing the regular Zuhr prayer. It includes a sermon (Khutbah) and a communal prayer. Attendance is obligatory for male Muslims.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest month for Muslims. It was during this month that the Quran was first revealed. Muslims fast from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib), abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs.

All healthy, adult Muslims are required to fast. Those exempt include: the sick, travelers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, children who have not reached puberty, and elderly persons who cannot endure fasting. Missed fasting days can be made up later or compensated by feeding those in need.

Iftar is the breaking of the fast at sunset. It traditionally begins with dates and water, following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In many communities – including ours at Darul Erkam – Iftar is shared as a communal meal.

Halal means “permissible” and Haram means “forbidden.” These concepts apply to all areas of life – nutrition, finances, and lifestyle. The basic principle in Islam is: everything is permitted unless explicitly forbidden. Regarding food, for example, pork and alcohol are forbidden, while properly slaughtered meat and plant-based foods are permitted.

The Quran teaches: “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah 2, Verse 256). The word “Islam” is related to the Arabic word “Salam” (peace). Islam promotes respect for all people regardless of religion, origin, or culture. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

Jihad literally means “striving” or “effort.” In Islam, it primarily refers to the inner struggle to become a better person and to draw closer to God. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described the fight against one’s own negative traits as the “greater jihad.”