Islam means “submission to God” (Allah) in peace. This guide simply presents the essential basics for anyone who wishes to learn about this religion, with no prior knowledge.
1 What is Islam?
Islam is a monotheistic religion that calls to worship one God, Allah, and to follow the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is a path of faith, good deeds and good character.
2 Belief (Iman)
A Muslim believes in one God, His angels, His books (including the Quran), His prophets (including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad), the Last Day and divine decree.
3 The 5 Pillars of Islam
Practice rests on five pillars: the declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salat), obligatory charity (Zakat), fasting in Ramadan (Sawm) and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) for those able to do so.
4 Daily prayer
Muslims pray five times a day, facing Mecca. Prayer is a moment of direct connection with God. You can start by learning ablution, then the movements and words of prayer, gradually.
5 The Quran and the Sunnah
The Quran is the word of God revealed in Arabic; many translations exist to understand it. The Sunnah gathers the sayings and actions of the Prophet, which explain and complete the Quran.
6 Your first steps
Start by learning the Shahada, discovering prayer, reading a translation of the Quran, and surrounding yourself with a kind community. Move at your own pace: what matters is sincerity and consistency.