Islam: 5 things you need to know about this religion

Every religion, including Islam, has its basic beliefs.

These are the things that every Muslim, no matter how young, should know.

They are:

Meaning of Muslim

The word stands for “one who submits to God.” It goes without saying that Muslims are expected to fully submit themselves to Allah.

The Qu'ran

Christians have their Bible while Muslims have their Holy Book, the Qu'ran. It is believed to be the exact words of God passed through the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that these words have been preserved exactly as they were said.

5 things you need to know about Islam. [crosswalk] Pulse Nigeria

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Five Pillars of Islam

Every Muslim is expected to observe these five pillars which are:

Shahada translated is as “I testify that there is no god but God. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” This is the most important pillar.

Next, we have Salat, a ritual prayer carried out five times a day facing Mecca. It is done in Arabic by people who must be ritually pure.

Then, we have Zakat, a pillar that reminds Muslims to be grateful by doing obligatory charity or almsgiving. During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to do Sawm, also known as fasting. This is the fourth pillar.

ALSO READ: How Muslims can fight consumerism and materialism during Ramadan

The fifth and last pillar is Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca during the Islamic month of Dhu’l-Hijja. During Hajj, Muslims can not cut their hair, trim their nails, use perfume, shave or have sex. Th purpose is to be pure.

Muhammad

Muslims see Muhammad as the last prophet God will ever send. Hence, he is seen as the “Seal of the Prophets”, the last one before Judgment Day.

Hadith

Hadith are seen as sayings and stories of Muhammad that cannot be found in the Quran. It is usually passed down by people close to Muhammad like A’isha, one of his numerous wives. This makes Hadith really important but not as highly rated as the Quran.

Islam is considered as one of the biggest religions in the world, second to Christianity. Still, studies have shown that it has the tendency to be the largest in the nearest future!