Introduction to Islam
Key:
Jalّa Jalālahu – ﷻ
“Majestic is His Glory” — used after the name of Allah ﷻ
Sallallāhu ʿAlayhi Wasallam – ﷺ
“May Allah honour him and grant him peace” — used after the name of Muhammad ﷺ.
- What is Islam?
Islam is the religion revealed by Allah ﷻ to all of humanity through His final Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ. The word Islam means “submission” or “surrender” to the will of Allah ﷻ, and a Muslim is one who willingly submits to Him.
Islam is built upon the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah ﷻ (Tawḥīd) and teaches every aspect of life, including worship, character, family life, business, and interactions with others. It guides us towards everything that is beneficial and warns us against everything that is harmful.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 5, Verse 3:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion.”
Islam is not simply a set of beliefs or rituals; it is a complete way of life that helps a person worship Allah ﷻ and live with purpose, justice, and good character.
- The meaning of submission to Allah ﷻ
Submission to Allah ﷻ means willingly obeying His commands, avoiding what He has forbidden, and striving to live according to His guidance in every aspect of life. It is an act of love, faith, and trust, recognising that Allah ﷻ is the Creator, the All-Knowing, and the Most Wise. Through this submission, a Muslim seeks to attain the pleasure of Allah ﷻ, develop good character, and achieve success in both this life and the Hereafter.
- The Purpose of Life
In Islam, the purpose of life is to worship Allah ﷻ alone. Worship is not limited to prayer or other acts of devotion; rather, it includes every action performed sincerely for the sake of Allah ﷻ and in accordance with His guidance. Acts such as being truthful, showing kindness, caring for one’s family, earning an honest livelihood, and helping others can all become acts of worship when done with the correct intention.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 51, Verse 56:
“And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
By fulfilling this purpose, a person draws closer to Allah ﷻ, develops noble character, and prepares for the everlasting life of the Hereafter. Islam teaches that true success is not measured by wealth or status in this world, but by faith, righteous deeds, and attaining the pleasure of Allah ﷻ.
- Who is Allah?
Allah ﷻ is the one true God, the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and everything within them. He has no partner, no children, and no parents. He alone is worthy of worship, and nothing resembles Him.
Allah ﷻ is perfect in every way. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful, and the Most Wise. His knowledge encompasses all things, and nothing happens except by His will and permission.
Muslims know Allah ﷻ through His beautiful names and perfect attributes, which are mentioned throughout the Holy Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah. Learning about these names and attributes strengthens a person’s faith, love, hope, and trust in Allah ﷻ.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 112:
“Say, He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
- The Role of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Muhammad ﷺ is the final Prophet and Messenger sent by Allah ﷻ to all of humanity. He was chosen to convey Allah’s final revelation, the Holy Qur’an, and to teach people how to worship Allah ﷻ and live according to His guidance.
Although Muslims love, honour, and follow Muhammad ﷺ, they do not worship him. Worship belongs to Allah ﷻ alone. The Prophet ﷺ was chosen by Allah ﷻ to deliver His message and serve as the best example of faith, worship, mercy, justice, and good character.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 33, Verse 21:
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.”
By following the teachings and example of Muhammad ﷺ, Muslims strive to strengthen their relationship with Allah ﷻ and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
- The Holy Qur’an: Revelation, Preservation, and Guidance
The Holy Qur’an is the final revelation from Allah ﷻ, revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over a period of approximately twenty-three years through the Angel Jibrīl (Gabriel). It is the direct word of Allah ﷻ and confirms the truth of the previous revelations that were originally sent to the earlier prophets.
Allah ﷻ has promised to preserve the Qur’an from alteration, making it the only revealed scripture that has remained unchanged since its revelation. It has been preserved through memorisation by millions of Muslims throughout history, as well as through careful written transmission. The Qur’an that is recited and read today is the same Qur’an that was revealed to Muhammad ﷺ over 1,400 years ago.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 15, Verse 9:
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will surely preserve it.”
The Qur’an is a complete guidance for humanity. It teaches the correct beliefs about Allah ﷻ, provides guidance on worship, morality, family life, justice, and dealings with others, and reminds people of the purpose of life and the reality of the Hereafter. It is a source of mercy, wisdom, and direction for all who sincerely seek the truth.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 2:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who are mindful of Allah.”
- What Does It Mean to Be a Muslim?
A Muslim is a person who sincerely submits to the will of Allah ﷻ by believing in Him alone, following the guidance revealed in the Holy Qur’an, and striving to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Being a Muslim is more than simply belonging to a religion; it is a way of life. It means worshipping Allah ﷻ alone, seeking His pleasure in every action, and living according to the values He has taught. A Muslim strives to be truthful, honest, kind, patient, humble, forgiving, and just, recognising that every action is known by Allah ﷻ and that each person will ultimately return to Him.
Although no one is free from mistakes or sin, Islam teaches that Allah ﷻ is the Most Merciful and that the door to repentance is always open for those who sincerely turn back to Him. A Muslim continually seeks to improve their faith, increase in good deeds, and strengthen their relationship with Allah ﷻ throughout their life.
Allah ﷻ says in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 208:
“O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”
To be a Muslim is to live a life of faith, purpose, and hope—trusting in Allah ﷻ, following His guidance, and striving for success in both this life and the everlasting life of the Hereafter.
