Basics of Islam

**localboyz** · 03-19-2004, 03:28 PM

since this forum has mostly Christian topics in it, i thought it would be a good idea to post some basic beliefs about other religions.

1. Islam

Islam is the religion, the way of life of Muslims of the world. There are over one billion Muslims
spread across the globe in all nationalities, languages and ethnic backgrounds. Islam was the
religion of the first couple, Adam and Eve. It was also the religion of messengers of God like Noah,
Abraham, Moses and Jesus. The essence of their message was:

Believe and obey the One true God and obey His messengers.

Jesus (peace be on him) was the second-last prophet of God. He foretold the coming of the last
Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). While the message of the earlier messengers, including
Jesus was limited, prophet Muhammad's message and mission is universal and will remain so till
the end of this world. Belief in Islam means

Belief in One God

belief in all of God's messengers

belief in all the books sent down to His prophets. These books include Torah and Gospel

belief in the existence of angels

belief in the Day of Judgment and Life after Death, Heaven and Hell

Muslims are those who declare that there is no deity except Allah (Arabic for God) and that
Muhammad is His messenger. They submit fully in obedience to Allah and mould their lives
according to the teachings of the Holy Quran and prophet Muhammad.

Belief in one God, Allah in Arabic, constitutes the very foundation of Islam. There is no deity except Allah. He is indivisible and absolutely transcendent. God is the Almighty, the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe, Who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him. Worship and obedience belongs to Allah and Allah alone. Any one worshipping other deities commits an unforgivable sin.

The Holy Quran (also written as Koran) is the Divine Book revealed to Muhammad (peace be on him). The Holy Quran confirms what was revealed to earlier prophets, including Moses and Jesus (peace be on them) and serves as the Criterion of right and wrong. The Quran is the only Book extant in its original text and is the only source of Guidance for all mankind.

Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah, present-day Saudi Arabia in 570 C.E. He is the model for humanity of all walks of life to follow until the Last Hour. God sent him as a mercy for the worlds. Prophet Muhammad ( an Arab and a descendant of Abraham) received divine revelations (The Holy Quran) over a period of 23 years in the seventh century of the Christian Era. Muslims believe that he is the last Messenger sent by God for the guidance of mankind until the Day of Judgment.

www.islam101.com