What is Islam an Overview for a Non-Muslim

What is Islam?

Islam is a religion. If one wants to know the answer to the question “what is Islam?” in plain words we can define Islam as follows;

“The religion of Islam means the acceptance of and obedience to those teachings of God which He revealed to His Last Prophet, Muhammad
(صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ)”

How one can become a Muslim?

To be a Muslim one has to express his or her firm belief in Tawheed (the oneness of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and the Prophethood of Muhammad (صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ)

What is the Belief of Muslims about God?

Muslims call God by the name Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and they believe that Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) alone is worthy of worships. He is one. There is no partner for Him. He does not need anyone or anything for His existence but everyone and everything needs him for its existence. He is eternal and everlasting. There is no beginning for Him nor is there any end for Him. He is from ever and forever.

Who is the Prophet of Islam?

Muhammad (صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ) is the Prophet of Islam. He was born in Arabian Peninsula. He found his nation the most ignorant of their time and transfer them the most noble, learned and God-fearing. He was matchless in his character. A companion describing his character says, “He was never rough. He never raised his voice in public or used foul language. He did not repay evil with evil, he forgave and pardoned. He did not use his hand to hit a servant or woman. He would not become angry if he was offended, nor would he take revenge. He only became angry when people transgressed the limits and boundaries of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), in that case he reacted. The Prophet was not given a choice between two matters except that he chose the easier of the two, as long as it was not a sinful act. If that act was a sinful act he would be the furthest from it. He would clean his clothes, milk his goats, and serve himself.”

What is the Basic Worship in Islam?

Prayers are the most significant form of worship in Islam. Islam makes it compulsory for every adult Muslim. But it must be bear in mind that the Muslim prayer is different from the prayers of other religions.

What are the Teachings of Islam?

Islam equally focuses both the inner and outer being of a human. That is why it gives guidelines which, if observed and practiced properly, ensure the peace of mind body and soul. Here are few teachings of Islam:

1. God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others.

2. The best house among the Muslims houses is the one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is the one which contains an orphan who is badly treated.

3. None of you can truly be said to believe until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself.

Some Additional Information about Islam

There are five things which are called pillars of Islam; the very name given to them is enough to show their importance. They are as follows; Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Alms-giving, and Hajj i.e. pilgrimage to Makkah. All these pillars have their own distinct meaning which can only be properly understood either by sitting in the company of a true Muslim or by reading a book of an authentic scholar. In this regard I suggest Dawat-e-islami the worldwide organization of Islamic propagation which provides a best environment for learning and practicing Islam. You can learn more about it by visiting its website. Here is the link www.dawateislami.net.

For further information about Islam I suggest the book “Welcome to Islam”. The author has indeed collected every basic and necessary information in a very logical way. It is a must-read-book for new Muslims and Non-Muslims who want to understand Islam. It can also be downloaded from www.dawateislami.net.