The greatest and the only truthful religion in today's time, Islam is considered one of the fastest-growing religions of today. Islam is based on the belief of the oneness of Allah SWT, the sole creator of the universe and the heavens above.

Islam is not only a religion, it is considered as the complete way of life with complete  instructions of how to succeed in life and in the afterlife. Islam is all about the attributes of peace, harmony,forgiveness, and mercy.

For people new to the faith, it’s important to get a clear understanding of the true value of Islam. Only then can they attain the utmost benefit and blessings from their Lord, Allah SWT and succeed here and on the Day of Judgement. Here are some Q&A's providing people with answers about Islam.

What does Islam mean and what is its meaning?

The term "Islam" in Arabic signifies submission, and its root can be traced back to the word "peace." In the context of religion, Islam denotes the wholehearted surrender of one's will to Allah.

Every action, deed, and conduct exhibited by adherents of Islam in this finite world carries a weight of accountability in the Afterlife. Therefore, it is imperative to make life choices judiciously, adhering to the principles of Islam to succeed and attain paradise in the Afterlife.

A person who embraces or practices the Islamic faith is referred to as a Muslim. All Muslims share the belief in the divine oneness of Allah and acknowledge that Islam is the final faith bestowed by Him, providing humanity with guidance and the path to righteousness in this world.

What are some of the Key Figures in Islam?

Although the number of figures whose importance is immense in Islam’s history, there are two crucial figures that all believers must be familiar with.

Allah

Almighty Allah is the Lord, Creator, and Sustainer of the entire universe. There is no God but Him and to him belongs all praise and to Him shall we return. All Muslims worship Allah solely. He has no parents, siblings, or offspring. There is no partner associated with Him.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)

Muhammad PBUH is the last of the Prophets sent by Allah for the benefit of mankind. Hence he is known as the seal of the Prophets. He was born in Makkah in the year 570 AD and received his first revelation of prophethood at the age of 40. These revelations continued for 23 years and the combination of the whole revelations given to him is the book known as Holy Quran. There is no person in the world that is more respect-worthy or admirable than him.

What Are the Articles of Faith in Islam? 

The Islamic Doctrine can be summarized in 7 articles of faith. Every Muslim should have a thorough belief in them.

• Belief in the oneness of Allah
• Belief in the Angels
• Belief in all Prophets and Muhammad PBUH as the last of the Prophets
• Belief in all holy books and that the Quran is the perfect book of Allah
• Belief in the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter/Afterlife
• Belief in the existence of faith
• Belief that every individual will have risen after death

What are the Pillars of Islam?

Islam is based on five pillars that re the testament of one's faith in Allah and are the best way to worship Him. The practicing of these 5 pillars is obligatory for every Muslim in order for them to walk on the straight path that is the most pleasing to Allah. They are:

• Testimony of faith ( Kalimah Shahadah)
• Prayer (Salat)
• Giving (Zakat)
• Fasting (Sawm)
• Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Islam can be wholly considered as a comprehensive way of living. The aspects mentioned above serve as guidance for beginners in Islam. They form the core of Islamic belief and should be kept in mind at all times.

Islam is a complete religion filled with complete guidance and the do's and don'ts about life: How to succeed in life and how not to go astray in life. it's importance and its role as the last guidance in life can be considered when Allah Himself said in the Quran that He picked it as the religion for humankind.