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The Basics of Islam

The Noble Qur'aan

The Noble Qur'aan is a record of the exact words revealed by Allah, the Mighty and Majestic,
through the Angel Jibril to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It was
memorized by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and then dictated to his
Companions and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during the Prophet's lifetime.
Not one word of its 114 Soowar (chapters) have been changed over the centuries; therefore,
the Qur'aan is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over fourteen centuries ago.

The Qur'aan, the last revealed Word of Allah, is the primary source of every Muslim's faith and
practice. It details all the subjects which concern us as human beings such as wisdom,
doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between Allah and His
creation. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct, and
an equitable economic system.

The Noble Qur'an English translation - by Muhsin Khan and Muhammad Al-Hilali
Topic Index of the Qur'an
Search Qur'an by Word
Transliteration of the Qur'an

Translations of the Qur'aan
Spanish

The Pillars of Islam

The Pillars of Islam are its basic foundation upon which it is established; they are five,
mentioned in a narration by 'Abdullah Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Islam is raised on five pillars: To establish the Shahaadah (testimony that there is
nothing worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the servant and
messenger of Allah), establishment of prayers, payment of Zakaat, the fast of
Ramadaan and Pilgrimage (to Makkah)..."

Shahaadah (Testimony of Faith)

"Ashadu ann laa ilaha ill Allah wa ashadu anna Muhammadur Rasul'Allah"

It is the decisive belief expressed on the tongue as though one sees with his or her own eyes
the certainty of his or her firm conviction. Some of the benefits attained by the declaration of
the great Shahaadah include the liberation of the heart and soul from slavery to the created,
and from following paths other than the Messengers' path.

The Meaning and Conditions of Laa Ilaaha IllaAllaah
The Effects of La ilaha ilallah

Salat (Prayers)

It is the worship of Allah by performing the obligatory duties in their right and perfect manner
and on their prescribed times. Some of the benefits include the openness of the heart,
contentment and joy, peace, and restraint from committing sins and wrongdoings.

Description of the Prophet's Wudu
Prophet's Prayer Described - Abridgement
Khushoo' fis-Salaah

Zakaat (Purification or Charity)

It is the devoted worship to Allah by offering the obligatory prescribed amount of charity
deducted from the wealth upon which Zakaat is due. Some of the benefits are purifying the
self from immoral characteristics such as miserliness and greed through fulfilling the needs of
Islam and Muslims.

Zakaat ul-Fitr

Saum (Fasting)

It is the devoted worship of Allah by refraining from everything known to nullify the fast during
the days of Ramadhaan, as well as the prescribed times throughout the year as per the
narrations of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Benefits of Ramadhaan (We Need Ramadhaan)

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

It is the worship of Allah by traveling to the sacred House (Al-Ka'bah) to execute the rites of
Hajj. Some of the benefits include the training of the self to expend physical and financial
sacrifices in obedience to Allah, as well as preparation and awareness for the Day of
Judgment. This is the reason why Hajj is considered as one kind of Jihad (struggle) in the
cause of Allah.

How to Perform the Rituals of Hajj and Umrah

The Pillars of Iman (Faith)

The Deen of Islam is a way of life comprised of Aqeedah (matters of Faith) and Shari'ah (Laws,
Legislation). The foundation of Aqeedah Al-Islamiyyah is the belief in:

Allah
His Angels
His Books
His Messengers
The Last Day
Al Qada wal Qadar (Divine Execution And Preordainment)

This foundation is verified by evidences from the Book of Allah, the Qur'aan, and from the
Sunnah of Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah says in the Qur'aan in
Surah Al-Baqarah verse 177,

"It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness) that you turn your faces towards the east and (or) west
in prayers; but Al-Birr is the quality of the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels,
the Book, the Prophets."

In the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him) said in his reply to Jabriel when the Jibril asked him about eemaan (faith).

"Eemaan is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and
to believe in Al-Qadar, its good and its bad." - reported in Saheeh Muslim

Reference: Explaining the fundamentals of Faith by Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh
Al-Uthaymeen