Islam for beginners: a simple guide from zero

Islam in one minute

A Muslim is someone who believes there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, and who strives to worship God alone and treat people well. There are roughly two billion Muslims worldwide, from every race and country, and most of them are not Arabs.

“Allah” is not the name of an Arab-only god; it is simply the Arabic word for the One God who created everything, and Arab Christians use it too. Islam sees itself as the continuation of the message of earlier prophets such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them.

What do Muslims believe? The six articles of faith

1. Belief in God: one God with no partners, the Creator of everything.
2. Belief in the angels: beings of light who carry out God’s commands.
3. Belief in the revealed books: the Torah, Gospel and Psalms in their original form, and the Quran as the final, preserved revelation.
4. Belief in the messengers: from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus to the final messenger, Muhammad ﷺ.
5. Belief in the Last Day: resurrection, accountability, Paradise and Hell.
6. Belief in divine decree: that everything happens with God’s knowledge and will, while humans still have choice and responsibility.

The five pillars: what does a Muslim do?

The pillars are not all of Islam, but they are the framework of worship. What stands out is that worship extends into character: honesty, trustworthiness, kindness to parents, good neighbourliness and gentleness towards animals.

What does daily life look like for a Muslim?

• Praying at five set times; each prayer takes a few minutes, and a prayer-times app or website gives the exact times for your city.
• Halal food: Muslims avoid pork, alcohol and carrion, and eat meat slaughtered in the prescribed way.
• Friday: a congregational prayer and sermon at the mosque at midday.
• Remembrance and supplication: short morning, evening and bedtime adhkar that are easy to learn.
• Dress and manners: modesty for both men and women; there is no single Muslim dress.

The Quran and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The Quran is the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over twenty-three years, with 114 chapters. It is recited in Arabic in prayer, and translations of its meanings exist in hundreds of languages. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a human messenger, born in Makkah around 570 CE, and his example (the Sunna) is the second source of guidance after the Quran.

Common misconceptions

• “All Muslims are Arabs”: the countries with the most Muslims, such as Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, are not Arab.
• “Islam forces people to convert”: the Quran states there is no compulsion in religion.
• “Muslims worship Muhammad”: Muslims worship God alone; Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger.
• “Islam oppresses women”: Islam grants women rights to property, education, inheritance and choice; cultural practices in some places differ from the teachings themselves.

If you are thinking about Islam: what next?

Becoming Muslim requires no special ritual and no particular person: you simply say the Shahada while believing in its meaning. If you feel ready, read our “How to become Muslim” and “First 30 days” pages; if you still have questions, write to us or talk to a Muslim.

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