What is Islam? Basic beliefs and practices

Islam is the second biggest religion in the world. According to the statistics, the total population of Muslims is about 1.8 billion. God created humans and sent messengers for the guidance of human beings. In this way, He filled the spiritual needs of human beings. A Prophet connects human beings with God by inviting them towards the message of God. God sent many messengers one after another. Every religion interprets this chain of messengers in its way. Islam is a monotheistic means believer of Islam believe in one God named Allah in Arabic. It is comparatively a new religion than other monotheistic religions i.e., Christianity, Judaism, etc.

Muslims do not consider Islam a new religion but completion of the message of God which He revealed to all the messengers from Adam to Jesus and completed this message by Holy Prophet Muhammad.

The word "Islam " means complete submission to the will of Allah. This meaning is justified in the practices, guidelines, and teachings of the religion. Submission to the will of Allah is the actual essence of Islam. According to Islam, Holy Prophet Muhammad is the last Prophet of Allah. The one who follows Islam is called Muslim. The Holy Scripture revealed by Allah is Quran.

Muslims believe that Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the last Prophet and Quran is the final book of Allah. There will be no more Prophet and Holy Book after Muhammad and Quran. Do Muslims believe in other Prophets and Holy books? Yes, Muslims believe that Allah sent one lac and twenty-four thousand Prophets on this Earth for the guidance of people and they preached the message of one God. He also revealed Holy books and scripture for guidance. The message that messengers preached and guidelines of Holy books were correct and practicable in the past. But now Quran is the only authentic book and the teachings of Muhammad (PBUH) are only guidelines.

Muslims believe in one Allah. This word "Allah" has no plural in Arabic and is specific for the Creator. Islam is the second name of submission to Allah. This submission is not for only one aspect of religion but all the aspects of life. Islam is a complete code of life and it provides guidelines from training and upbringing of children to socio-economic policies of the state. A follower of Islam means a person who submits to Allah and follows these principles in every phase of life.

Muhammad is the last Prophet of Allah and his words and deeds called Hadith and Sunnah respectively are the source of guidance after the Holy book of the Quran. He was born in 570 almost about five centuries after Jesus. First, he was considered an honest and truthful man. Later he received the message of Allah through angel Jibril and started preaching the message. Quran is a compilation of those revelations. It consists of 114 chapters called Surahs in Arabic.

Who is Allah? 

Allah is the name for the God who is the Sole Creator of the Universe. He created this vast world and filled it with His blessings. He is the only one who deserves worship and a Muslim must submit himself for the sake of Allah. In Quran, He introduced himself many times so that followers are well aware of His introduction. Chapter 112 of the Holy Quran states that:

"Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him".

Hence, this is the concept of Allah in Islam. Followers of Islam believe in one Allah. As is mentioned earlier, the word "Allah" has no plural in Arabic. Another word used for Allah is Rub. It is also specific for the Creator of the human being.

Who is Muhammad?

He is the last Prophet of Allah. He invited m towards the message of Allah and 1.8 billion Muslims get light from His deeds and actions. The life of the Prophet (PBUH) and Islam are models not for only Muslims, it is for everyone no matter what time zone and part of Earth you are inhabiting. Due to this reason, the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)and Islam are universal guides for humans.

Quran describes Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the following words: 

"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; Allah is ever Aware of all things".

                                                                                                  (Chapter 33 Verse 40) 

What is Quran? 

Quran is the holy book revealed to Holy Prophet (PBUH). It is the final message of Allah that he forwarded towards beings through His Prophet. He will not send any Holy book or Prophet towards human beings now. It is the last message. Quran contains information about believing in Allah, manner of worship, the practice of religion, love, and respect of parents, justice, and equality, etc. Even a single glimpse of the topics and subject matter of the Quran shows that it guides about every aspect of life. 

Muslims consider Quran as the divine book of guidance and drive all the principles of life from this Holy book. Quran revealed in Arabic but now translation of the Quran is available in all major languages spoken in the world. 

You can find details about reading and learning the Quran and other practices of muslims here.