Islam, along with Christianity and Judaism, is considered one of the three major monotheistic religions of the world, and it has more than a billion followers residing in different cultures and countries. The basic beliefs of Islamic religion are to worship the only God, do good deeds, be kind, act justly, and take responsibility for one’s actions. This article will discuss the main beliefs of the Islamic religion, its beginnings.
What Does Islam Mean?
Linguistic Meaning
Islam is derived from the Arabic root S-L-M, which denotes peace, surrender, and purity. It conveys the message of voluntarily surrendering to God to gain peace both within and outside.
Religious Meaning
To surrender yourself in Islam is to accept the existence of one God (Allah), to get His guidance through the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) teachings, and to live a life marked by fairness, kindness, and good manners.
How Did Islam Begin?
Early Foundations
Islam has its origin in the 7th century in Makkah, Arabia, when idol worship, injustice, and tribal conflicts filled the society. Even before receiving the message, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was an honest, wise, and deeply reflective man.
The First Revelation
The first revelation to Muhammad (ﷺ) came through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) with the command “Read!” when he was in meditation in the cave of Hira at age 40, which marked the beginning of the Qur’an and the official start of Islam.
Spreading the Message
The Prophet started teaching about the belief in one God, moral reform, justice, and compassion. His early followers were persecuted, but the message gradually spread from Makkah to Madinah, where the first Muslim community was established.
Growth of the Faith
From Madinah, Islam spread through spiritual teaching, community building, and moral leadership. At the time of the Prophet’s death, Islam was well established throughout Arabia and went on to spread through guidance, scholarship, and example.
Who Is Allah (God)?
In Islam, Allah is the one true God—the Creator, Sustainer, and Master of the universe.
Key attributes of Allah include:
- He is One, without partner or equal.
- He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and Most Merciful.
- He has no physical form and is unlike His creation.
- He is the God worshipped by Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.
Islam Religion History
Islamic history begins with the Prophet Muhammad’s mission in Mecca, the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, and the establishment of a unified Muslim community. After the Prophet’s passing, Islam expanded rapidly across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe through scholarship, trade, and governance. Islamic civilization contributed significantly to science, mathematics, philosophy, art, and medicine. You can know more about Islam and every phase of it in IQRA.
Basic Beliefs of Islamic Religion
Belief in One God (Allah)
At the heart of Islam is the most rigorous form of monotheism, which recognizes Allah as the only God – the One who is without beginning or end, all-powerful, merciful, and Who has no partners, images, or equals.
Belief in Angels
Muslims accept the existence of angels made out of light by God. Among other things, they perform heavenly orders, and for instance, it is Angel Jibreel who brings the revelation to the prophets.
Belief in Divine Books
The guidebooks sent by Allah are several, one of them being the Qur’an (the last and unaltered book), the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel in their pristine forms.
Belief in Prophets
According to Islam, God, out of His mercy, sent prophets to lead human beings to the right path. They were starting from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and finally Muhammad (ﷺ), the last and sealed prophet.
Belief in the Day of Judgment
The teaching of Islam is that there will be a resurrection of all people. Judgment will be made according to their belief and deeds; hence, Paradise or Hell will be the outcome based on God’s absolute justice and mercy.
Belief in Divine Decree (Qadr)
According to Muslims, Allah’s knowledge and power extend over everything. The events take place according to His reason, although humans are still given free will and are held accountable.
What Are the Core Beliefs in Islam?
The Six Articles of Faith
- Belief in Allah – absolute monotheism.
- Belief in Angels – created beings who worship God and carry out His commands.
- Belief in Holy Books – including the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and the Qur’an.
- Belief in Prophets – from Adam to Muhammad.
- Belief in the Day of Judgment – accountability for one’s deeds.
- Belief in Divine Decree – God’s knowledge and authority over all things.
The Islamic Shariah (Laws of Islam)
Main Sources
Shariah relies on the Qur’an, which is the direct word of Allah, and the Sunnah, which are the teachings, the lifestyle, and the approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Separately, they are the basis of the Islamic way of life. Besides these, the scholars also bring in ijmaʿ (consensus) and qiyās (reasoned analogy) to deal with the teachings that come from the time of the Prophet and to apply them to the new topics that arise.
Areas Shariah Covers
Shariah is the source of law and provides the directions for living in any community. It covers worship, which would include practices of prayer, fasting, and charity; personal conduct, which would include traits of honesty, kindness, and not harming; family laws, such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and roles; financial ethics, which would grant money dealings to be fair, without causing exploitation, and honest; and social justice, which would include the safeguarding of the weak, the fairness of the disputes, and the welfare of the community.
Purpose and Goals (Maqasid al-Shariah)
The fundamental objective of Shariah is to promote good and prevent the bad in the society. Among its prime objectives are those of protecting religion, life, intellect, family, and property. Thus by protecting these important values, Shariah aims to instill the elements of justice, mercy, security, and human dignity in society.
Flexibility and Application
While Shariah’s fundamentals are unchanged, the way they are implemented varies. By the interpretation of scholars, Islamic law can be changed to fit the modern world in matters like medical advancements, new financial systems, and technological developments. In this way, Shariah continues to be relevant, doable, and a source of guidance for Muslims at any time.
Do Muslims Believe in Heaven and Hell?
Yes. Muslims believe:
- Heaven (Jannah) is the eternal reward for those who believe in God and do righteous deeds.
- Hell (Jahannam) is the consequence for rejecting faith and committing evil without repentance.
Both are described vividly in the Qur’an to encourage moral living and accountability.
Do Muslims Believe in the Holy Spirit?
In Islam, the Holy Spirit refers to Angel Gabriel (Jibril).
He is the angel who delivered revelations to the prophets—including the Qur’an to Muhammad.
What Is the Final Revealed Scripture (a Sacred Text) for Muslims?
The Qur’an as the Final Revelation
According to Islam, the Qur’an is the last and complete holy book that God revealed. It represents the direct and unmediated word of God, Allah speaking in the Arabic language. The Qur’an is believed to be the only holy book that is completely intact, unaltered, and guarded by God from any change.
How the Qur’an Was Revealed
The Qur’an was God’s revelation to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for 23 years, starting from 610 CE. The revelations were imparted to the Prophet by Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), who acted as a medium between God and the Prophet. These revelations covered belief, worship, morality, family life, justice, and the principles of living for both individuals and societies.
Its Purpose and Message
The Qur’an is a perfect manual for living in this world and the next. Its fundamental message consisted of:
- Monotheism — worshipping Allah alone
- Righteous living — honesty, compassion, justice
- Spiritual growth — prayer, remembrance, and reflection
- Accountability — belief in the afterlife and the Day of Judgment
Moreover, the book tells the history of the prophets, gives lessons to mankind, and has laws that are intended to bring justice and equilibrium.
Preservation of the Qur’an
The Muslim community holds that the Qur’an was not compromised in any way since its revelation. It was the Prophet’s companions who committed it to memory, it was written down during his lifetime, and it was shortly after his death that it was put together in one volume. The preservation of the Qur’an is attributed to God’s promise to Himself:
“And, indeed, We have sent down the Qur’an and, most certainly, We will guard it (from corruption).” (Qur’an 15:9)
Its Position in Islam
The Qur’an is the ultimate source of authority in the Islamic religion. It dictates:
- Worship and religious practices
- Ethical behavior
- Islamic law
- Personal development
- Social and spiritual responsibilities
Besides these, the Muslims also chant the Qur’an during their prayers, learn from it for guidance, and consider it a wonder in respect of its language, structure, and effect.
What Is the Quran?
The Qur’an is the holy scripture of Islam. Muslims believe it is:
- God’s final and complete revelation
- Revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years
- A book of guidance, law, wisdom, and spirituality
- Miraculous in language and meaning
Muslims recite it in Arabic during prayers and study its meanings for spiritual growth.
How to Respect Muslim Culture and Beliefs
Respecting Muslim culture involves:
- Understanding that modesty is highly valued.
- Recognizing prayer times and giving space for worship.
- Avoiding disrespect toward religious figures, scriptures, or places of worship.
- Being mindful of dietary restrictions, Muslims avoid pork and alcohol.
- Treating Islamic greetings, dress, and customs with dignity.
But Do You Have to Do All Those Other Things the Rest of Your Life?
Faith Is a Continuous Journey
In Islam, the practice of faith, such as praying, telling the truth, performing good deeds, and refraining from major sins, is something we do for life. It’s not something we do for a period of time. These help us to hold onto Allah and live a fuller, disciplined life.
Progress is a Process
We grow step by step in Islam. We falter, we make mistakes, we experience good and bad times. It is okay. We need to keep going, keep trying, seek forgiveness, and grow gradually.
Allah Does Not Overburden Anyone
In Islam, Allah never overburdens anyone beyond what they can bear. We are accountable for only what we can do. If one falls ill or faces some hardship, our obligations are reduced or there are alternatives. Islam is merciful and accommodating to everyone.
Consistency is a Comfort
To practice these throughout life is not a struggle. It is a source of peace, calm, and purpose. It helps Muslims navigate through difficult moments, builds character, and provides solace.
Who Is Prophet Muhammad?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
- Was born in Mecca in 570 CE
- Received revelations from God starting at age 40
- Taught monotheism, compassion, justice, and morality
- United the tribes of Arabia under Islam
- Is considered the final messenger in a long line of prophets
He is deeply respected, but not worshipped.
Do Muslims Believe in the Crucifixion of Jesus?
Muslims believe in Jesus (Isa) as a prophet and messenger of God. However:
- They do not believe he was crucified.
- They believe God saved him and raised him into heaven.
- Another person was made to appear like Jesus, according to Islamic tradition.
Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment, according to Islamic belief.
The Five Pillars of Islam
These are the essential acts of worship:
- Shahada (Faith) – Declaring belief in one God and Muhammad as His messenger.
- Salah (Prayer) – Five daily prayers.
- Zakat (Charity) – Giving 2.5% of annual savings to the poor.
- Sawm (Fasting) – Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Visiting Mecca once in a lifetime if able.
Conclusion
The Islamic religion is rooted in monotheism, compassion, justice, and spiritual devotion. Its beliefs and practices are designed to guide individuals toward a meaningful, ethical, and God-conscious life. Understanding Islam’s teachings fosters respect, coexistence, and appreciation for the world’s diverse cultures and faiths.
FAQs
1. Is Islam a peaceful religion?
Yes. The core teachings of Islam emphasize peace, justice, and mercy.
2. Who do Muslims worship?
Muslims worship Allah, the one and only God.
3. Do Muslims believe in previous prophets like Moses and Jesus?
Yes, they are honored as messengers of God.
4. Can anyone convert to Islam?
Yes. Islam is open to anyone who sincerely declares the Shahada.
5. What is the purpose of life in Islam?
To worship God, live righteously, and prepare for the Hereafter.