can anyobody tell me about the basics of islam?

Question

i am interested in learning more about the islam, especially the "daily living" and that stuff. Is anybody here able to tell me (without trying to convert me ;) ) what it is all about?
please no answers that are just based on what you hear and see on tv, i know that part already. i just want to see the other side. thank you!

Answer 1

Islam is an Arabic word that is linguistically derived from silm or salamah; it denotes peace, wholeness, and submission. As a religion, Islam teaches us that it is only through submission to God's will that we can find true peace—peace within ourselves, peace with fellow humans, as well as peace with God's creation.

The fundamental beliefs of Islam can be summed up as follows:

1.Belief in the oneness and unity of God. This entails belief in God as the one and only Creator, Cherisher, and Sovereign Lord of the entire universe.

2.Belief in God's angels. Angels are spiritual beings who are engaged in glorifying God and doing His bidding.

3.Belief in the Scriptures (revelations) that contain God's communications to His prophets and messengers. Among the scriptures are [the original] Torah, [the original] Gospel, and finally the Qur'an, which confirms and preserves intact the pristine, perennial religion revealed to all of God's prophets and messengers.

4.Belief in prophets and messengers. These were message bearers from God, who called mankind unto God; they were ideal Muslims (i.e., they submitted themselves wholly and totally to the will of their Lord). In this sense, the prophets are our true role models, as they represent the best of what humanity can aspire to and become.

5.Belief that both good and bad are decreed by God, as He alone is in charge of the entire universe.

6.Belief in the Last Day when all of humanity will stand before their Lord for final reckoning, where one's good as well bad deeds will be scrutinized by the One Who knows all.

Besides the above fundamental beliefs, a Muslim observes the five pillars, and lives a morally and ethically exemplary life, according to the best of his or her ability.

1.The first and foremost of these pillars is testifying to the oneness of God. By testifying to the divine oneness, one is recognizing God as the sole entity to worship, to attach one's ultimate loyalty. Such recognition frees one from bondage of matter and values that enslave, cripple, and dehumanize one.

2.The next most important pillar is offering five daily Prayers at the appointed times: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk, and before retiring to bed. Prayer in Islam is a direct communion with God, without any intermediary; it bestows on us grace, serenity, tranquility, and peace.

3.The next foremost pillar of Islam is offering charity. A believer parts with at least a minimum of two and a half percent of his or her wealth for the poor and needy, although he or she is encouraged to give more.

4.Fasting in the month of Ramadan closely follows charity as the fourth pillar. It is an institution intended to teach empathy with the poor, besides inculcating in us the need to overcome and transcend our physical desires in order to deepen our spiritual awareness.

5.Finally, pilgrimage (Hajj) to the house of God in Makkah, the house built by God's prophets Abraham and his son Ishmael. Pilgrimage brings us face to face with people of all races and colors, and challenges us to break the walls that separate us from one another and to embrace the true brotherhood of humanity as the sacred bond that unites all of us under the lordship of the one and only God.

The above cardinal tenets and practices of Islam are intended to instill, nurture, and deepen the basic attitudes and values of submission to the will of God. Islam essentially means to lead a life of mindfulness of God while being compassionate to all of God's creation. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked what was the best teaching of Islam; he said, "To feed the hungry and to spread greeting of peace to everyone, regardless of whether you know the person or not" (Ibn Majah and An-Nasa'i).

At the moral level, Islam teaches us to be truthful, honest, just, compassionate, virtuous; to shun all evils; to be ever bent on doing good deeds while sparing others of any harm or injury. Stated differently, it teaches us to think right, speak right, and act righteously.

At the spiritual level, Islam teaches cultivation of mindfulness of God—being grateful to Him, patient in adversity, and content with His decree and ever willing to make our will conform to His will.

and plz visit that link too:
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=55267

in case u want to know about the Quran too:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996015900

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1123996016020

thanks for the honest Question!
glade to answer.

Answer 2

Islam is a monothesitic religon that says there is one God (Allah). We do not allow any partners with God. Making pictures or image presentation of prophets is forbidden. The five pillars of Islam are

Believe in one God and Prophet Muhammad as the last Prophet
Praying five times a day
Fasting during the month of Ramadan
Giving Zakat (Charity) to the poor
Making a Hajj (Pilgrimage) to mecca once in a lifetime


Islam accepts all the Prophets of Judaism and Christianity. It recognizes the Old and New Testament. It however does not say that Jesus is the son of God. He was a Prophet who was not crucified but taken to Heaven. Jesus will return. Islam is a revised and updated version of the Jewish and Christian Bible. Although in practise, these days is more closer to Judaism.

Premarital sex, Gambling, drinking and Pork are forbidden acts. This is to done to avoid the evils that come with these thing.s Four wives are allowed but only under the permission of each. wife. If married four, equal justice be provided in terms of love, security and money. Women enjoy great respect. They are entitled to rights of property. They can remarry. They have respect that is why women are expected to cover up. Islam believes in modesty for women. This is for their protection. In others words, they should not be treated as sexual object.

Islam is basically a tolerant giving rights and respect to people of other religion. It is growing in the West. The moderate Muslims are making a difference by standing against terrorism. The kind of terrorist activities are forbidden in Islam. Islam is a peaceful religon.

Answer 3

I dont know where to start but this site may be helpful:
http://www.islam101.com/

There are 5 pillars of islam: faith, prayer, pilgrammage, fasting during Ramadan, and Zakat (giving to the poor). This is what makes someone a muslim.

Contrary to what is shown on tv, islam does not advocate violence over peace. The only time it allows fighting is when someone attacks you first.

If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer as best I can. Thanks for looking over at the other side :)

ignore the other answers. i dont understand why people accuse islam of hate when they themselves are the biggest haters.

Answer 4

The core concepts or Islam are known as the "Five Pillars":

1) Believing and Praying the Shahadah - the declaration that there is none worthy of worship except Allah (Arabic:God) and that Muhammad is His messenger.

2) Ritual Prayer (Salat) - establishing of the five daily Prayers, at specific times, facing the direction of Mecca.

3) Obligatory (religious) almsgiving (Zakat) - which is generally 2.5% of the total savings for a rich man working in trade or industry, and 10% or 20% of the annual produce for agriculturists. This money or produce is distributed among the poor.

4) Fasting (Sawm) during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan.

5) The Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) - this is done during the month of Zul Hijjah, and is compulsory once in a lifetime for one who has the ability to do it. If the Muslim is in ill health or in debt, he or she is not required to perform Hajj. They do this to show moral importance to Allah, and to join the Ummah (family of Islam).

Muslims believe that the Quran is only properly studied in Arabic. Friday is the holy day of the week, when most Muslins go to the mosque to pray. There are also dietary law, called "halal" that are somewhat similar to Jewish "kosher" laws.

Answer 5

feel free to visit this website http://prophetofislam.com/. its good that you're open up to know 'the other side' of islam, and not believing everything you hear from the media (who are anti-islam)

most of the info in there can help you get better understanding about islam.

and to the first two people who have answered here, what a barnacle head!..they're the most ignorant people in Y!A

good luck~

Answer 6

Sure brother nobody ask you to convert but when you see that Islam is right religion you will accept it
the best links for all your questions you have about Islam is
http://www.sultan.org/
and may God guide you and me ...

Answer 7

Sure.

http://www.twf.org/Truth/iCard1.pdf

http://www.islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html

Good Luck.