What Is Islam? A Simple & Easy Guide For Non-Muslim

Are you wondering What is Islam and How to be a Muslim? Do you have this desire in your heart to be a Muslim? Well, this is absolutely beautiful.

What is Islam?

Here is an introduction to Islam:

Islam is the same message that all Messengers from the beginning of time have been teaching.

Islam is NOT a new religion. Actually, all Messengers from Adam, Noah, and Abraham, to Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were Muslims, in submission to their Creator who sent them.

Read also:

• Your brief guide to become a Muslim: Embracing Islam from A to Z
• What is Shahadah in Islam? – A Full Guide

Why Allah Created Us?

 Allah the Almighty created us to test who is really sincere and who isn’t. Moreover, we have the ability to learn and make a choice. This choice is proof of our sincerity because we can disobey but we can also choose Him, and choosing Him above anyone and anything else is proof of sincere love and faith. 

Accordingly, He will offer eternal paradise wherein we can get whatever we want for eternity without ever working again. All we need to do is just commit to His path in this short temporary world.

Why Are There Orders in Islam?

Like any system, Islam has orders. Here are some reasons:

• Essentially, everything in Islam has a purpose. It’s not just random orders. Thus, submit and believe in the wisdom of our Creator.
•  Orders help us grow in a certain way 
• They help us connect with Allah 
• Orders help us to explore ourselves more deeply. 

What Is the Sacred text of Islam?

1.  Quran; the holy book of the religion.
2. Sunnah; the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:

I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet.”   

[Muwtta Malik]

What Is the Holy Book of Islam?

The holy book of Islam is the Quran. Indeed, the Quran  is the foundation of  Islam. So, if you are really a truth seeker and want to understand  Islam, you should read the Quran. 

If there is anything in the Qur’an you don’t understand, you can refer it to scholarly or theological works written about the Quran.

For example, try reading Tafseer As Saadi, watching Qur’an Weekly videos on Youtube, and listening to Nouman Ali Khan lectures/ Bayyinah podcasts.

For more about the Quran, read:

• Who Wrote the Quran? – Real Examination To The Author of the Qur’an
• Why is The Quran The Greatest Miracle?
• Scientific Miracles In Quran – Most Authenticated With References

What Is Sunnah?

Sunnah is the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH), the second only to the Qur’an in authority. There are about 25,000 Hadiths (Prophetic Sayings) collected. There is no aspect of human life that is left unaddressed by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are the most reliable books.

Read also:

• What does Sunnah mean in Islam?
• Hadith Collection – Was Hadith And Sunnah Compiled And Preserved From Corruption?

What Is Islamic Sharia Law?

Islamic Sharia law is the legal system that God legislated for human being to cover every aspect of their life so that they lead a happy life here and in the hereafter. It’s deprived from the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).

 What Is Arkan of Islam?

Islam has five arkans that anyone who wants to be a Muslim submit to. They are related to his daily practice of Islam. To illustrate, the five arkans are:

•  taking shahadah (the testimony of faith), 
• salah, 
• zakah, 
• siam Ramadan 
• and hajj. 

What Is Salah in Islam?

Salah (prayer) is communication with Allah. And Allah wants to help us daily and guide us daily and love us and be part of our daily lives that He gave to us.

So we talk to Him through those beautiful prayers, 5 times a day we speak with The King and get His love, light and comfort. Further more, we remember that we belong to the King and to Him, we will return.

Certainly, If you think about it, it’s very Generous of Him! Obviously, who else wants to call you five times a day every day and hear you speak to Him except this Most Merciful Creator who never gets tired from hearing us?! 

What Is Zakat in Islam?

Zakat (almsgiving) is to give a small amount of charity to help the poor. That’s the annual “zakat” comes from the word “purification” because it is a purification of our wealth and our hearts by giving others.

What Is Pilgrimage in Islam?

Hajj (pilgrimage) in Islam is only prescribed if the Muslim is physically and financially able. The Muslims go to pilgrimage (Hajj) where all mankind from all backgrounds gather to worship their One and Only God, Allah. Also, to remember that they are all equal and they come from the same Source, and to Him they will return.

Read also:

• What, Where, Why And How Do Muslims Go During Hajj? 

• What Is Hajj? – 2023 Brief Guide

• Is Muslim Hajj A Sign of Tawheed or Polytheism? – How Tawheed Is Manifested in Hajj Rituals

What Is Siam (Fasting) in Islam?

Lastly, the Muslim fasts (makes siam) in Ramadan, a month of the lunar year, from dusk to sunset [If there are no health reasons to exempt it].

 There are many reasons for fasting besides submitting to Allah:

• discipline his body 
• and feed his soul 
• and learn how to control his physical being 
• and focus on his spiritual being.

Read also:

• Ramadan Quran Verses And Hadiths In Arabic and English
• Rules Of Ramadan For Non-Muslims In 2023 – Ramadan Celebration and Etiquette
• What is Ramadan 2023 and when is it? – Muslim and Non-Muslim Guide

 What If You Seek Allah’s Forgiveness?

  Indeed, you’ll always find Him Near and Forgiving. Allah Almighty says in a Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith):

O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.”

  [At-Tirmidhi]

And know that if you come to Allah one step, He’ll come towards you many more steps. The Prophet (PBUH) said,

My Lord says, ‘If My slave comes nearer to me for a span, I go nearer to him for a cubit; and if he comes nearer to Me for a cubit, I go nearer to him for the span of outstretched arms; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.’ ” 

 [Al-Bukhari] 

This is Allah. Your Creator and my Creator. The One & Only, The Incomparably Forgiving and Merciful.

God is beyond any need, He is Self Sufficient. Nothing is impossible to Him. God doesn’t “need” a son in order to “forgive and show mercy” to His slaves. He doesn’t “need”, He is not incapable of forgiving. He simply can forgive and show mercy directly to His slaves. But He created us for a deeper, wiser and more sophisticated purpose.

Read also:

• The Original Sin In Islam – Who Sinned First?
• Does Allah Forgive All Sins? – I Have Sinned!

 What Is Shahadah in Islam?

Shahadah in Islam is your gate to becoming a Muslim. If you want to be a Muslim, you simply say the testimony of faith (Shahadah) with your tongue.

When you do, all your past sins will be forgiven.

The point is, if you believe in your heart and have love for Allah and His peace, then you must say it with your tongue.

Just like if you love someone, it’s not enough to keep it in your heart and mind, you have to say it.

So we say the Shahadah which is the testimony of faith.

*The Shahadah in Arabic:

Ash hadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ash hadu ana Muhammadan Rasoolu Allah

* In English (other languages):

     I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of Worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is The Messenger of Allah.

Here is a recording of it that you can follow:

How to Learn about Islam?

Here are some tips that will help you to learn about Islam:

1. Read the Quran to directly know your Creator’s message to you.

Reading the Quran will make your journey much much easier. You would reflect with your heart on the God’s Book without any mediator.

2. Obtain an introductory book about Islam:

Choose books that give an overview regarding the basic beliefs, the 5 pillars, prayers, rituals, etc. Make sure that the book is not biased and if possible written by a practicing Muslim.

Also. to learn about Islam, try to read books written by famous Muslim theologians and mystics. For instance, The Alchemy of Happiness by Al-Ghazali. It talks about how Muslims should live their lives (with references to the Qur’an and Hadith). The Useful Ways of Leading a Happy Life by AsSi’idy.

3. Search for scholars and website about Islam:

There are many websites about Islam and there are online scholars who are more than willing to answer your queries. Get help from them when you are in doubt.

4. Visit an Islamic Center:

Go visit & ask to learn more about Islam. Visiting a Muslim country will also help you a lot.

5. Meet other Muslims:

Locate a mosque in your areas and visit them at prayer times.

Conclusion – Do You want to become a Muslim?

If you’re reading this now with a sincere desire to know, find and embrace The Truth, then know that you’re blessed and that Allah sees you and appreciates your efforts and is close to you and will help you.

May Allah descend His unique peace and ease upon your heart.

More Resources:

* A Journey Through The Islamic Faith.

* A brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam.

* For any direct help, contact our team 24/7.

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