Islam FAQ
What are some basic Muslim beliefs?
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Although Islam is certainly a complex religion, it is helpful to summarize some
of the most common and basic beliefs which Muslims share. Understanding these
beliefs will help in understanding the nature of Islam and of Muslims.
1. Strict montheism:
Muslims hold to a monotheism which is closer to that of Judaism than
Christianity, rejecting the Christian concept of a "Trinity." Muslims believe
that God, creator of all of existence, is just, omnipotent, and merciful. Muslims
also reject the anthropomorphization of God which occurs in the theology of other
monotheistic religions like Christianity or Judaism. For Muslims, God is
completely "other" - God does not talk, does not walk and does not do anything
like humans.
2. Continued Revelation:
Although revelation from God stopped with Muhammad, Muslims do not believe that
Muhammad was the only messenger God has ever sent. Instead, they acknowledge the
general validity of earlier revelations contained in the Jewish and Christian
traditions. Differences between Islam and those earlier religions are accounted
for by the premise that those traditions had been corrupted by humans over time.
Although Jesus is regarded as a prophet of God, they reject the Christian claim
of the deity of Jesus as blasphemous because God is one and indivisible.
3. Submission:
Muslims believe that those who submit to the will of God, as explained by
Muhammad in the revelations he received from God, will be saved and will have a
place in Paradise after they die. In Paradise believers will experience both
spiritual and physical pleasure for all eternity. Those who do not repent and
follow God will spend eternity in suffering in Hell. In the Qur'an 98:1-8, it
states: "The unbelievers among the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn
for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures." ("People of
the Book" refers to Christians, Jews and Muslims).
4. Community:
It is an important principle of Islam that all Muslims are members of the ummah,
or community of believers. There are not supposed to be any distinctions based
upon race, class, income, ethnicity, nationality, or any other of those
superficial distinctions. Being a Muslim is all that really counts.
5. Purity:
The concept of purity is important in Islam. There are a variety of ways in which
purity is to be maintained. One is through the avoidance of using drugs and
alcohol or engaging in gambling. Another is through not eating certain foods,
like pork. And finally, there is the matter of maintaining a measure of ritual
cleanliness.
Muslim beliefs have also been broken down into the following seven principles:
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Tawheed - the unity of God.
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Risallah - acceptance of the Prophethood of Muhammed, a messenger of God.
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Mala'ikah - belief in angels.
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Kutubullah - belief in God's books (like the Koran and the Psalms of David).
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Yawmuddin - belief in a Day of Judgment.
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al-Qadr - acceptance of pre-destination.
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Akhriah - faith in a resurrection after death.
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