The name of the religion is Islam, an Arabic word built from a root meaning “peace” and “submission.” Its teaching is simple to state, if not always simple to live: a person finds real peace by submitting to Almighty God — Allah — in heart, soul and deed. The same root gives us “Assalamu alaykum” (“Peace be with you”), the greeting Muslims exchange the world over.
Who is a Muslim?
Someone who believes in and consciously follows Islam is called a Muslim — from the same Arabic root as “Islam” itself. In short: the religion is Islam, and its followers are Muslims.
How many, and where?
Islam is one of the world's major religions, with well over a billion followers — roughly a fifth of the world's population. Alongside Judaism and Christianity, it is one of the three great Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths. Although Islam is often associated with the Arab world, fewer than one in ten Muslims worldwide are Arab; Muslims live in almost every country, across every nation, colour and race. Most belong to one of two main traditions, Sunni and Shia, which share the same core beliefs set out below.
Who is Allah?
Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, often translated simply as “God.” Allah is also known by names that describe His attributes — the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, among many others. Because Muslims believe Allah alone is the Creator, He alone is deserving of worship and devotion. Islam holds firmly to monotheism: directing worship or prayer toward saints, prophets, other people, or nature is considered a serious wrong.
What Muslims believe
Muslim belief rests on six foundations, known as the Articles of Faith:
- Faith in the oneness of God
- Faith in the angels
- Faith in the prophets
- Faith in the revealed books, including the Qur'an
- Faith in the afterlife
- Faith in divine decree
Muslims believe the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷲ over some 23 years, and that he was the last in a line of prophets that includes Ibrahim, Musa and ʿIsa (Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all).
The Five Pillars of Islam
In Islam, faith and action go together — belief in Allah calls for obedience to Him. Muslims consider everything done according to Allah's guidance to be an act of worship, but five formal acts anchor a Muslim's practice. These are the Five Pillars:
Shahaadah · Declaration of Faith
The foundation of a Muslim's spiritual life: bearing witness that “there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad ﷲ is the messenger of Allah.”
Salat · Prayer
Muslims pray five times daily, at times set by the sun's movement: near dawn (Fajr), after noon (Zuhr), in the afternoon (Asr), after sunset (Maghrib) and at nightfall (Isha).
Zakat · Almsgiving
Muslims give a set share of their savings each year to those in need — a duty, not simply a kindness.
Sawm · Fasting in Ramadhan
Once a year, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for the month of Ramadhan, abstaining from food, drink and other worldly needs.
Hajj · Pilgrimage
Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to must perform the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime — the largest annual gathering of people on earth, and a demonstration of the unity of Muslims before the one God.
The two Eid festivals mark key moments in this calendar — Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadhan, and Eid al-Adha during the Hajj season — both occasions of communal prayer, charity and celebration.
Daily life as a Muslim
Muslims do not live in disregard of God, nor do they withdraw from the world to devote themselves only to worship. Islam calls for a balance: fulfilling worldly responsibilities and enjoying this life, while staying mindful of one's duties to Allah and to others. That mindfulness touches morals and manners, business ethics, modesty in dress and behaviour, dietary rules, marriage and family life, care for children and the elderly, and standing against racism and prejudice — as well as how Muslims relate to people of other faiths and none.
Want to know more, or have a question? The masjid's imams are available for advice, and everyone is welcome to visit for one of the five daily prayers.
