ISLAM...The Basics

 Islam means "Peace" and "Submission". When we say Salam Alaikum we are saying "peace be upon you", and as muslims we believe in "Submission" to The most Merciful and most Glorious Allah.

The basic beliefs of a Muslim are the following 

- Belief in Oneness of Allah  

There is only Allah to whom we worship and believe, no other or thing is associated with the most Gracious Allah. 

- Belief in Angels

"The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. All believe in Allah, His Angels and His Messengers."

(Qur’an 2:285)

It is obligatory, and infact an essential part of faith to respect all of the Angels. Therefore, it is unthinkable for Muslims to have any animosity towards any of the Angels, let alone cursing them. Any such action is considered an act of Kaffir (disbelief).

- Faith in The Prophets

As Muslims we believe in ALL of the Prophets before the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). All the Prophets were spreading the word of Allah. 

- Belief in the Books of Revelation 

Muslims believe in The Psalms, The Torah, The Bible aswell as the final revelation The Quran which was sent down to Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w)

- Belief in the afterlife

 Islam teaches that after we die, we will be raised up again for judgment by Allah. On the Day of Judgment, all people will either be rewarded with eternity in Heaven, or punished with eternity in Hell

- Faith in Destiny

As Muslims we believe that everything is pre destined and written by Allah. Everything in this world happens for a reason, sometimes it may just be Allah testing us.

The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Shahada 

There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

•  Salaah (Prayer) 

As Muslims we are required to pray five times a day, Fajr, Zohar, Asr, Maghrib and Isha namaz.

•  Zakat (Charity)

Its compulsory for every Muslim to give Zakat and charity, and to help the less privileged. Its giving a set proportion of ones wealth to charity. Its the giving of 2.5% of ones wealth to help the poor.

• Sawm (Fasting)

Muslims fast in the ninth month of the Islamic Calender called Ramadhan, fasting from sunrise to sunset. Its very important for every muslim to fast in this month because the Quran was revealed in this month. The gates of Heaven are open during this holy month and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up in hell.

•  Hajj (Pilgrimage)

All Muslims who are physically able to do so, should perform Hajj once in their lifetime. Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy sites in Makkah and Medina in Saudia Arabia. Muslims stand before the Kaaba and pray to Allah. Hajj occurs in the twelfth month of the Islamic calender in the month Dhul Hijjah.