Beliefs and Practices

Beliefs and Practices

Beliefs of Islam

Faith in One God (Tawhid)

  • Muslims believe in the concept of Tawhid, which is the oneness and unity of God, known as Allah in Arabic.
  • It is a monotheistic religion, highly emphasizing that there is no other god but Allah.

Belief in Prophethood

  • Muslims believe in the prophet-hood of Muhammad.
  • He is considered the last and final prophet, preceded by a series of prophets, including Moses and Jesus.

Belief in Angels

  • Islam believes in the existence of angels as a part of the unseen world.
  • The angel Gabriel is highly significant as was relayed the Qur’an from God to Muhammad.

Belief in Holy Books (Kitab)

  • Muslims believe Allah revealed His will and guidance in the form of holy books.
  • These include the Christian Bible and Judaism’s Torah, but the Qur’an is considered the ultimate and unaltered word of God in Islam.

Belief in Afterlife and Judgement

  • The belief in the Day of Judgment, when all humans will be accountable for their actions, is central to Islam.
  • Muslims believe in life after death, Heaven (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam), the ultimate rewards and punishments of the afterlife.

Practices of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam

  • These are the fundamental practices that shape a Muslim’s life, which are Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

Shahada - Declaration of Faith

  • This is the statement of faith, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”.
  • It’s considered the most fundamental concept of Islam, a declaration that must be believed and said with conviction to convert to Islam.

Salat - Prayer

  • Muslims are required to perform five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
  • The prayers take place at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night.

Zakat - Almsgiving

  • It is an obligatory act of charity that requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their accumulated wealth to the poor and needy annually.
  • Zakat exemplifies a Muslim’s duty towards the needy in society.

Sawm - Fasting

  • Every Muslim is expected to fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan.
  • Fasting is meant to instil self-discipline, compassion, and gratitude.

Hajj – Pilgrimage

  • Muslims who are able and can afford it are obliged to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
  • The rituals of Hajj, which include the circumambulation of the Kaaba, signify the unity, equality, and humility of all Muslims.