What Is Islam? A Simple Guide to the Islam.

What Is Islam?

Islam is a monotheistic religion centred on worshipping Allah—the Arabic word for God—alone and following the guidance revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The word Islam is associated with submitting oneself to Allah. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim.

At the heart of Islam is Tawhid, the belief that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The Qur’an summarises this belief clearly:

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible˺.’”

Source: Qur’an 112:1

Muslims believe that Muhammad ﷺ is the final Prophet and Messenger of Allah, but they also believe in earlier prophets, including Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa), peace be upon them.

Islam teaches Muslims to worship Allah, live morally, treat others justly and prepare for the life after death. Its teachings include beliefs about God, revelation, prophets, worship, personal conduct, family, charity and responsibility towards others.

Today, Islam is followed by Muslims from many different nations, cultures and backgrounds around the world.

What Does Islam Mean?

The Arabic word Islam carries the meaning of submission and surrender to Allah. In simple terms, Islam means submitting yourself to the will and guidance of the one God.

The Qur’an directly identifies Islam in its discussion of religion and submission to Allah:

“Certainly, Allah’s only Way is Islam.”

Source: Qur’an 3:19

In the following verse, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is instructed to say:

“I have submitted myself to Allah…”

Source: Qur’an 3:20

This idea of submission is central to Islam. A Muslim recognises Allah as the Creator and worships Him alone, seeking to live according to His guidance.

Islam is therefore more than simply identifying with a religion. It involves belief in Allah, worshipping Him and trying to live according to the guidance He has revealed.

The word Muslim describes a person who submits to Allah. Muslims believe that this same fundamental call to worship and submit to the one God was taught by the prophets throughout history.

What Do Muslims Believe?

At the centre of Islam is belief in one God, Allah, who alone is worthy of worship. Muslims believe that Allah created everything, has no partners and is unlike His creation.

The Qur’an describes this belief clearly:

“There is nothing like Him, for He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”

Source: Qur’an 42:11

Muslims also believe that Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity. These include Adam, Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses (Musa), Jesus (Isa) and Muhammad ﷺ, among others.

Islam teaches that Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet. The Qur’an describes him as the Messenger of Allah and the “seal of the prophets.”

Source: Qur’an 33:40

Muslims believe in the revelations sent by Allah, including the Qur’an revealed to Muhammad ﷺ. They also believe in angels, resurrection, the Day of Judgment and divine decree.

These fundamental beliefs are commonly summarised as the Six Articles of Faith (Iman).

The Six Articles of Faith in Islam

The fundamental beliefs of Islam are often summarised as the Six Articles of Faith, also known as the pillars of Iman (faith).

In the famous Hadith of Jibril, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was asked about faith. He explained that faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day and divine decree.

Source: Sahih Muslim 8a

1. Belief in Allah

Muslims believe in one God, Allah, who created and sustains everything. He has no partner and alone deserves worship.

2. Belief in the Angels

Muslims believe that angels are part of Allah’s creation. They carry out the duties Allah assigns to them. The Qur’an mentions angels including Jibril (Gabriel), who brought revelation to the prophets.

3. Belief in the Revealed Books

Muslims believe that Allah sent revelation to His messengers. The Qur’an mentions earlier scriptures including the Torah and Gospel, while Muslims follow the Qur’an as the revelation given to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

4. Belief in the Prophets and Messengers

Muslims believe Allah sent messengers to guide humanity. Islam recognises many prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them.

Muslims believe Muhammad ﷺ is Allah’s Messenger and the final prophet.

5. Belief in the Last Day

Islam teaches that human life does not end permanently at death. Muslims believe people will be resurrected and held accountable before Allah for their deeds.

6. Belief in Divine Decree

Muslims believe in Qadar, or divine decree. This includes believing in Allah’s complete knowledge and that nothing occurs outside His knowledge and will.

These beliefs form the foundation of Islamic faith and shape how Muslims understand God, human life, accountability and the Hereafter.

What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are five fundamental acts that form the foundation of Muslim religious practice.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that Islam is built upon five: the testimony of faith, prayer, Zakat, Hajj and fasting Ramadan.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 8

1. Shahada — The Testimony of Faith

The Shahada is the declaration that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.

2. Salah — Prayer

Muslims are required to perform five daily prayers. These prayers are acts of worship performed directly to Allah at prescribed times throughout the day.

3. Zakat — Obligatory Charity

Zakat is an obligatory form of charity for Muslims who meet the relevant conditions. It involves giving a prescribed portion of qualifying wealth to eligible recipients.

4. Sawm — Fasting Ramadan

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food and drink and observing the other requirements of the fast.

5. Hajj — Pilgrimage to Makkah

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Makkah. It is required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are able to undertake it.

Together, these five pillars provide the basic framework for Muslim worship and religious practice.

Who Is Allah in Islam?

Allah is the Arabic word for God. In Islam, Allah is the one Creator and the only One worthy of worship.

Muslims do not believe Allah is one god among many. Islam teaches absolute monotheism: Allah has no partner, no equal and is not part of His creation.

One of the clearest descriptions appears in Surah Al-Ikhlas:

“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible˺; Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.’”

Source: Qur’an 112:1–4

Muslims believe Allah is the same God worshipped by the prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them. Islam teaches that these prophets called people to worship the one God.

Belief in the oneness of Allah is known as Tawhid and lies at the heart of Islamic belief.

Who Is Muhammad ﷺ in Islam?

Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet and messenger of Allah in Islam. Muslims believe that Allah revealed the Qur’an to him and sent him to call people to worship Allah alone.

The Qur’an states:

“Muḥammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets.”

Source: Qur’an 33:40

Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah and began receiving revelation through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). His message called people to worship the one God and taught principles of faith, worship, morality, justice and responsibility towards others.

Muslims respect and love Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but they do not worship him. Worship belongs to Allah alone.

Muslims also believe Muhammad ﷺ did not introduce the idea of worshipping one God as something entirely new. Islam teaches that prophets before him—including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them—also called people to worship Allah.

For Muslims, the teachings and example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, known as the Sunnah, provide important guidance for understanding and practising Islam.

What Is the Qur’an?

The Qur’an is the sacred scripture of Islam. Muslims believe it is the word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the angel Jibril (Gabriel).

The Qur’an describes itself as guidance for humanity:

“It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity…”

Source: Qur’an 2:185

The Qur’an contains teachings about belief in Allah, worship, prophets, morality, justice, family life, the Hereafter and how people should live.

Muslims recite portions of the Qur’an in their daily prayers and are encouraged to read, understand and reflect upon its teachings.

The Qur’an is written and recited in Arabic, while translations help people who do not know Arabic understand its meanings.

For Muslims, the Qur’an is the primary source of Islamic belief and guidance, alongside the authentic teachings and example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, known as the Sunnah.

Is Islam a New Religion?

Muslims do not believe that the fundamental message of Islam began with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Islam teaches that Allah sent prophets throughout history with the central call to worship Him alone.

The Qur’an states:

“We never sent a messenger before you ˹O Prophet˺ without revealing to him: ‘There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me, so worship Me ˹alone˺.’”

Source: Qur’an 21:25

Muslims therefore believe in many of the prophets also known within Judaism and Christianity, including Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa), peace be upon them.

The Qur’an describes Abraham as one who submitted himself to Allah and states that he was neither a Jew nor a Christian.

Source: Qur’an 3:67

From the Islamic perspective, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ continued this same fundamental call to worship the one God. Muslims believe he was the final prophet, through whom the Qur’an was revealed.

Islam therefore presents itself as a continuation of the monotheistic message taught by the prophets rather than a rejection of the prophets who came before Muhammad ﷺ.

How Does Islam Guide Everyday Life?

Islam provides guidance not only for acts of worship, but also for how Muslims conduct themselves in everyday life.

The Qur’an teaches principles such as justice, kindness, generosity and responsibility towards others:

“Indeed, Allah commands justice, grace, as well as courtesy to close relatives…”

Source: Qur’an 16:90

Muslims are encouraged to be truthful, honour their commitments, care for parents and family, help people in need and treat others fairly.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also connected faith with good character. He taught Muslims to speak what is good or remain silent, to treat neighbours well and to honour their guests.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6018

Islamic guidance also covers areas such as prayer, charity, family responsibilities, earning and spending, food, personal conduct and relationships with other people.

For Muslims, worship is therefore not limited to what happens inside a mosque. Following Allah’s guidance in everyday choices, responsibilities and treatment of others is also an important part of living as a Muslim.

How Do You Become a Muslim?

A person becomes Muslim by sincerely believing in the oneness of Allah, accepting Muhammad ﷺ as His Messenger and declaring the Shahada, or testimony of faith.

The Shahada expresses the belief that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ identified this testimony as the first of the five foundations of Islam.

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 8

If you are considering Islam and want to understand the Shahada, what you need to believe and the steps involved, read our complete guide on how to become a Muslim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Islam