About Islam

Islam is one of the major world religions with almost 2 billion followers across the globe- this is equivalent to a ¼ of the world’s population!

Islam is an Arabic word which means submission. The word Islam is also connected to the Arabic word ‘salaam’ meaning peace. 

Followers of Islam are known as Muslims.

Islam is a monotheistic religion. This means that Muslims believe in one god. 

Muslims worship one god whose name is Allah.

There are five essential ‘pillars’ in Islam:

1. Shahadah: Bearing witness that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammad is His messenger.
2. Salah: Performing the compulsory prayers.
3. Zakah: Donating a fixed amount of your wealth (2.5%) to the poor and needy.
4. Sawm: Fasting in the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj: Undertaking the Pilgrimage to Makkah at the set time (if one has the means)

610 CE. This means that Islam has been around for over 1,400 years! 

Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad to be the founder of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to be the final messenger of Islam.

To learn more about what the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) preached, view below to see what he said in his final sermon to the Muslim world.

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest); therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib (the Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

“O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers (salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford it.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action.

Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

Peace be upon him (PBUH).

Whenever Muslims mention the Prophet Muhammad, they follow it with “peace be upon him” as a way of honouring him and his efforts to the Islamic cause. 

Masjid al Nabawi, in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

The Quran is the Holy book of Islam. Muslims believe the Quran to be the direct word of Allah. 

Muslims believe that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) over the course of 23 years.

The sunnah refers to the tradition and common practices of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims strive to implement these traditions where they can.  E.g. many Muslims will try to brush their teeth with a miswak (natural toothbrush) because this was a common practice of the Prophet Muhammad. 

A hadith is a record of what the Prophet Muhammad said or did. 

It is the personal code by which Muslims live their lives, e.g. how and when we pray, giving charity, and helping others.

A mosque is a place of prayer and worship for Muslims. 

The first mosque to be built in the world was Masjid al-Quba in 622 AD , and is located in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. 

There are approximately 1,500 mosques across the U.K. 

The first purpose built mosque in the Uk was built in Woking in 1889.