Islam 101: Core Beliefs and Practices

Core Beliefs

Monotheism (Tawhid): belief in one God, Allah, who is merciful, just, and all-powerful. Prophethood (Nabuwwa): belief in the prophets, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, who received revelations from Allah. Angels (Mala'ika): belief in angels, created by Allah, who perform various tasks, including guiding humans. Revelations (Kutub): belief in the holy books revealed by Allah, including the Quran, Torah, Gospel, and Psalms. Day of Judgment (Qiyamah): belief in the final judgment, where souls will be judged based on their deeds.

Five Pillars of Islam

1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): declaration that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
2. Salat (Prayer): performing the five daily prayers, facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
3. Zakat (Charity): giving a portion of one's wealth to the poor and needy.
4. Sawm (Fasting): fasting during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): making a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able.

Branches of Islam

• Sunni Islam: largest branch, following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.
• Shia Islam: second-largest branch, believing in the leadership of the Prophet's family, particularly Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Key Concepts

• Jihad: struggle or effort to follow Allah's path, including personal struggle, defense of Islam, and spreading the message.
• Halal and Haram: permissible and forbidden acts, foods, and behaviors, guided by Islamic law (Shariah).
• Ummah: global community of Muslims, united in faith and brotherhood.