Islam is a major world religion and a complete way of life centered on the belief in one God (Allah) and submission to His will. In fact, the Arabic word Islam literally means “surrender” or submission, and it shares a root with the word for peace (salam). A follower of Islam is called a Muslim, meaning “one who submits” to God, striving to live in harmony with the Creator, with oneself, and with others. Islam was promulgated by the Prophet Muhammad in 7th-century Arabia, but Muslims believe its core message is timeless and universal – the same guidance delivered by earlier prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Today, Islam is the world’s second-largest religion, with over 1.9 billion Muslims across the globe. It remains one of the fastest-growing faiths, drawing people of all races and nationalities into a single spiritual community united by faith in God.
Core Beliefs of Islam
At the heart of Islam is an uncompromising monotheism – a bold proclamation that there is only One God, the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe. In Arabic, God is called Allah, but this is not a different deity; it is simply the Arabic name for the one true God worshipped by all the prophets of old. Muslims emphasize that God has no partner, no equal, and no offspring. He is utterly unique and merciful, “the Lord of the Universe”. The Qur’an – Islam’s holy scripture – declares,
“He is Allah, One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten” (Qur’an 112:1-3)
Worship and devotion are directed to God alone, without intermediaries.
Belief in prophets and revealed scriptures is another cornerstone of Islam. Muslims believe that throughout history God sent numerous messengers to guide humanity, all preaching the same fundamental truth: to worship the one God and live righteously. These messengers include figures revered in Judaism and Christianity – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and many others – and their messages were originally from God. Muhammad is believed to be the final prophet, “the seal of the prophets,” sent to confirm and complete the guidance of all previous messengers.
In Muslim understanding, Muhammad did not found a new religion; rather, he renewed the timeless call of pure monotheism. His coming was a culmination of progressive revelation – after many prophets to specific peoples, Muhammad brought God’s final message intended for all humankind. As one Islamic source explains, “Muhammad is the very last Prophet of God to mankind… the summation and culmination of all the prophets that came before him”, entrusted with a universal message for all people.
Central to that final message is the Holy Qur’an. Muslims believe the Qur’an is literally the word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad, a divine scripture that confirms the truth of previous scriptures while correcting human alterations. The Qur’an is written and recited in Arabic, and Muslims hold that its text has been preserved verbatim since the time of Muhammad – a living miracle and guidance for humanity. It is treated with utmost reverence as the direct speech of God. (Muslims also respect the earlier revelations – such as the Torah of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus – in their original form, but they believe the Qur’an supersedes previous scriptures as God’s final testament.)
In addition to God, prophets, and scriptures, Muslims believe in unseen beings and an afterlife. Islam teaches that God created angels – pure beings of light who faithfully carry out His commands – and jinn (spirits), though humans remain the focus of God’s moral plan. Muslims also believe this life is a test and that one day the present world will end. On the Day of Judgment, every individual will be resurrected and brought before God for accounting, reward, or punishment based on their deeds. Just as prophets promised before, the righteous will enter Paradise (a place of everlasting joy and peace), and those who reject God and do evil will face Hell (a state of suffering and loss). The certainty of an afterlife gives Muslims a profound sense of purpose: life is meaningful and our choices truly matter.
Ultimately, the purpose of life in Islam is to worship God, live ethically, and achieve salvation by His grace.
It’s worth noting that Islam also upholds the essential goodness and dignity of human beings. Everyone is born in a state of purity and innocence (there is no concept of original sin staining one’s soul at birth). Each person has the ability to seek God’s guidance and forgiveness. Moreover, Islam teaches the oneness of humanity: no race or ethnicity has any inherent superiority – what matters in God’s sight is one’s piety and good action. This universal brotherhood under one God is a powerful aspect of Islamic teaching, and it was exemplified by Muhammad in his final sermon, where he proclaimed that all humans are equal like the teeth of a comb. Such principles flow naturally from Islam’s core beliefs.
The Five Pillars of Islam: Core Practices
Islam is not just a set of beliefs; it is a lived faith. Every Muslim is expected to practice certain foundational acts of worship, often called the Five Pillars of Islam, which cultivate the relationship with God and shape the daily life of believers. These pillars are obligations for Muslims, but they are also seen as privileges – ways to remember God, purify one’s soul, and foster a just, caring community. The Five Pillars are:
- Shahāda (Declaration of Faith): To become a Muslim, one must pronounce the shahāda, testifying: “Ashhadu an lā ilāha illa-llāh, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh,” meaning “I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” This simple, profound statement is the bedrock of Islam. By sincerely declaring this creed, a person affirms the truth of God’s oneness and Muhammad’s prophethood. The shahāda is not a one-time ritual; Muslims repeat it in prayer and remember it in daily life as a constant reminder of their commitment to God.
- Ṣalāt (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers is a central practice in Islamislamicity.org. Muslims pray at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. Each prayer involves standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting while reciting verses from the Qur’an and glorifying God. Prayer can be done individually or in congregation, and it can take place anywhere clean – at home, in an office, or of course in a mosque. Facing toward the Ka’bah in Mecca, the holiest sanctuary, Muslims turn their bodies and hearts toward God. These prayers throughout the day weave worship into the rhythm of daily life, fostering discipline, God-consciousness, and a direct spiritual connection. As one of the pillars, the five daily ṣalāt are obligatory on every adult Muslim who is able, and they are performed in Arabic, uniting Muslims globally in a single act of devotion.
- Zakāt (Almsgiving/Charity): Islam requires believers who are financially able to purify their wealth by giving a portion of it each year to those in need. This obligatory charity, called zakāt (meaning “purification” and “growth”), is usually set at 2.5% of one’s surplus wealth. It is distributed to the poor, orphans, widows, debtors, and others who are struggling. The purpose of zakāt is both spiritual and social – it purifies the giver’s heart from greed and selfishness, while easing the suffering of the disadvantaged. In a broader sense, charity in Islam is not limited to the annual zakāt; Muslims are encouraged to give ṣadaqah (voluntary charity) regularly and to be generous, kind, and compassionate in all dealings. Caring for the less fortunate is seen as a duty and a privilege, and the Prophet Muhammad famously said that “charity is a proof of faith.” By institutionalizing almsgiving as a pillar, Islam builds social welfare and brotherhood into its very foundations.
- Ṣawm (Fasting during Ramadan): Every year in the lunar month of Ramadan, adult Muslims who are able to do so must fast from dawn until sunset each day. This means abstaining from all food, drink, and marital intimacy during the daylight hours. Fasting in Ramadan is much more than just refraining from eating and drinking – it is a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and increased devotion. Muslims are encouraged to read the Qur’an, engage in extra prayers, and purify their behavior and thoughts. The fast nurtures compassion (by experiencing hunger and empathizing with the poor), gratitude (by appreciating one’s blessings), and self-control. Ramadan is concluded with a joyous celebration known as Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. Importantly, fasting is not meant to harm; those who are sick, pregnant, elderly, traveling, etc., are exempted or allowed flexible measures, with the expectation to make up the fast or feed the poor in compensation. The Ramadan fast is a sacred annual retreat for the soul, renewing a Muslim’s faith and taqwā (consciousness of God).
- Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): The final pillar is the Hajj – a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Arabia, which every Muslim who has the physical and financial ability should perform at least once in their lifetimeislamicity.org. During the Hajj (which occurs in the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah), pilgrims from all corners of the world gather in Mecca, wearing simple white garments that strip away distinctions of class or culture. Over several days, they perform a series of rites dating back to the time of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) – circling the Ka’bah, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, standing in prayer on the plain of Arafat, and more. The Hajj commemorates the trials of Abraham, his wife Hagar, and their son Ishmael in devoting themselves to God’s will. It is an immense act of worship and unity – millions of believers crying out together, “Here I am, O Lord!” The pilgrimage culminates with the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha), celebrating Abraham’s devotion. Hajj is often a life-changing experience; it symbolizes the journey of life toward God, the equality of all believers, and the forgiveness of sins (as Muslims believe a sincere Hajj earns God’s pardon). Even those who cannot personally go feel connected to it, especially during the Hajj season. Through the Hajj, Islam’s global community (ummah) manifests vividly, as pilgrims of all colors and languages stand shoulder to shoulder in worship.
These Five Pillars provide a framework for a Muslim’s worship and relationship with God. They are not mere rituals; they shape ethics and character. For example, the discipline of prayer and fasting cultivates patience and humility, while zakāt and the ethos of Ramadan foster generosity and social responsibility. Together, belief (īmān) and practice (‘amal) form the twin halves of the faith.
What Does It Mean to Be a Muslim?
Being a Muslim means far more than just subscribing to certain beliefs or performing a set of rituals – it is about embracing a complete way of life guided by faith. A Muslim submits to God not out of fear or compulsion, but out of deep love, trust, and recognition of God’s infinite mercy and wisdom. To be a Muslim is to constantly strive to remember God (Allah) in every aspect of daily living – to be honest in dealings, kind to neighbors, humble in spirit, and steadfast in moral principles, even when no one else is watching. The Prophet Muhammad (whom Muslims view as a role model of character) taught that faith and good conduct are inseparable: the best of people are those who have the most excellent character and who are most beneficial to God’s creation.
Islam places great emphasis on justice, compassion, and the sanctity of life. The Qur’an repeatedly calls believers to stand up for justice, to care for parents and orphans, to speak truth, to forgive others, and to maintain family and community ties. In Islam, worship (`ibādah) isn’t confined to mosques – every honorable action done with the intention of pleasing God becomes an act of worship. Working hard to provide for one’s family, treating others with courtesy, seeking knowledge, even smiling at someone – all these deeds can have spiritual value. Conversely, oppression, racism, and cruelty are seen as grave sins, for God has forbidden injustice upon Himself and upon people.
A vivid example of Islam’s spirit is the way it greets others: “As-salāmu ‘alaykum” – “Peace be upon you.” Peace (salām) is at the heart of Islam. By submitting to God, a Muslim seeks inner peace in this life and ultimate peace in the hereafter. The Qur’an teaches that God’s guidance leads to the “abode of peace” (10:25) and that truly, “in the remembrance of God do hearts find peace” (13:28). Despite the challenges and imperfections of human society, Islam offers a path to personal tranquility and social harmony through devotion to the Almighty and kindness to His creatures.
In essence, Islam is about balancing faith and action, devotion and everyday life. It calls one to worship the Creator with sincerity and to serve His creation with mercy. A Muslim is encouraged to seek knowledge, to appreciate the signs of God in the world, and to continually improve in goodness. There is a famous passage in the Qur’an that encapsulates this holistic vision of righteousness: “Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or west (in prayer) – but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets, and who gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, and those who ask, and who sets slaves free; who establishes prayer and gives zakat; who fulfills their promises…and is patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the God-fearing.” (Qur’an 2:177). This verse beautifully ties together belief in the articles of faith with living a life of charity, honesty, and perseverance. It shows that to be a Muslim is to have one’s heart, tongue, and limbs all aligned in the service of God’s guidance.
Finally, Islam teaches that God’s door is always open. No matter one’s past mistakes, one can turn to God in repentance and hope, trusting in His mercy. The Qur’an reassures the discouraged sinner: “O My servants who have transgressed against yourselves (by sinning), do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins…” (39:53). Thus, being a Muslim means living with hope and accountability – knowing that life has a sacred purpose. It means understanding that our time on earth, however long or short, is an opportunity to know and love our Creator and to spread goodness among His creation.
In summary, Islam is about believing in the One God with full conviction and loving Him, following the guidance He sent through prophets, and implementing that guidance through compassionate action and worship. It is a faith that calls to the surrender of our ego to God’s will – and in doing so, it promises not humiliation, but true freedom and peace. As the Qur’an states, “Truly, the religion in the sight of God is Islam (submission to Him)” (3:19). For countless people around the world, Islam provides clear answers about the purpose of life and a profound sense of brotherhood and direction. Any person, from any background, who declares faith in Allah and lives by these principles can be a Muslim – a believer who finds peace in the submission to the Most Merciful.
Islam’s message is one of hope, mercy, and guidance for all humanity. It invites everyone to reflect, “Who is your Lord? Why are you here? Where are you going?” – and it offers a path illuminated by revelation for those who seek the truth about God and the purpose of life. In the words of the Qur’an addressed to all people: “O mankind! Worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous” (2:21). This, in a nutshell, is what Islam is – a call to worship the One God and to live a life of meaning, morality, and peace.
