Islam for Beginners: The Complete Little Guide on Islam for Anyone

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Muhammad ﷺ was the last and final messenger of God. He was the last in a long line of prophets, many of whom are known from the Christian and Jewish traditions such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, and Jesus (Peace be upon them all). This history book reads like a novel. Perhaps this is not surprising, given the ups, downs, and unexpected twists of Islamic history. Ansary’s goal is to tell world history from a Muslim point of view. Although the West appears sometimes as a bystander, sometimes an antagonist, from the time of Muhammed to the early 2000s the narrative of this book is driven by the Islamic world.

Saum: A fast from dawn to dusk each day during the ninth month (Ramadan) when Muslims are not supposed to eat, drink, or engage in sexual intercourse. This is a time of spiritual renewal. By the same author: Memories of Muhammed: Why the Prophet Matters. 8. Understanding the Qur’an: Themes and Styleby Muhammed Abdel Haleem In the Islamic faith, Muslims are expected to fulfill five fundamental acts of worship. The Five Pillars of Worship ( arkan al-‘ibada) are the basic acts involved in being a believing and practicing Muslim, but each Pillar is also a gateway to deeper understanding and greater spirituality as one grows in the Islamic faith. Baha’is and Ahmadiyyas are 19th-century offshoots of Shi’ite and Sunni Islam, respectively. Bahai’s consider themselves the newest of the major world’s religions but recognize that historically they originated from Shi’ite Islam in the same way that Christianity originated from Judaism. Ahmadiyyas do regard themselves as Muslims. Most other Muslims, however, deny that either group is a legitimate form of Islam and regard members of both groups as heretics — people who have corrupted and abandoned Islamic belief and practice. Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) was born in the Arabian town of Mecca in the year 570. From the time of his youth, he was known as the most honest and trustworthy person. Though he lived in a culture of idol worship, he always knew in his heart that there was only one God. At the age of 40, God chose Muhammad ﷺ to become a prophet to deliver the message of God’s will to the people. His mission was especially important because after him there was no other prophet to come.

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A Muslim is one who follows Islam. In the Arabic language, putting “mu” at the beginning of the word is similar to putting an “er” at the end of the word in English. For example, in English someone who farms is a farmer, someone who works is a worker, and someone who builds is a builder. Similarly in Arabic, someone who does Islam is a Muslim. Who is Allah? Shi’ite Muslims comprise 10%–16% of all Muslims. Shi’ites are the “party of ‘Ali,” who believe that Muhammad’s son-in-law ‘Ali was his designated successor (imam) and that the Muslim community should be headed by a designated descendent of Muhammad. Three main subgroups of Shi’ites are Twelvers (Ithna-‘Asharis ), Seveners (Isma’ilis), and Fivers (Zaydis). Both of these books (“Al-Ibaanah” written by Abu Al-Hasan Al-Ash'ari and “Al-I'tiqaad” authored by Al-Bayhaqi ) which you mentioned in the question are important in determining the methodology of the Salaf (righteous predecessors ) in matters of belief. These are medium level books and it is more appropriate for a beginner to start with concise books like 'The Three Fundamental Principles of Islam', 'Clarification of Uncertainties' [by Mohammad Ibn ‘Abd Al-Wahhaab], and '200 FAQ on Islamic Belief', and other concise books for beginners. No religion in the modern world is as feared and misunderstood as Islam. It haunts the popular imagination as an extreme faith that promotes terrorism, authoritarian government, female oppression, and civil war.

Esposito provides clear answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the origins and traditions of Islam.

An understanding of Islam cannot be complete without an understanding of the Qur’an. This fact is well-recognized by Hareem, the translator of the Oxford World’s Classics edition of the Qur’an in English. Therefore, in Understanding the Qur’an, he discusses the themes, language, and structure of Islamic scripture, bringing these issues to bear on the practice of Islam today. Belief in the Day of Judgment and Resurrection at the end of time, when all will be raised from the dead, judged according to their faith and deeds, and sent to the gardens of paradise or to the fires of hell. Salat: Salat is a formal, ritualized prayer performed at five specified times each day facing Mecca. Salat consists of a sequence of recitations and bodily positions, including prostration with one’s forehead touching the ground.