Some people are afraid of Islam, but they don't know enough about it to justify their fears.Some people are interested in learning about it.If you are interested in learning more about Islam, or know someone who is afraid of it, this is for you.The importance of understanding the religion that more than 25% of the world's population follows is obvious. Muslims are in possession of 70% of world oil reserves, 29% of gas reserves and 21% of uranium.
Step 1: You should remove any preconceptions you have about Islam.
You can't get an objective view of the religion if you have preconceptions.There are things that may go against your beliefs if you are not a Muslim.Some religions have different beliefs.
Step 2: You can learn about Islam.
"Islam" means submission to God."Muslim" means someone who follows Islam and submits themselves to the will of God.Islam is one of the Abrahamic faiths along with Judaism and Christianity.It is the second largest religion in the world.
Step 3: The five pillars of Islam are discussed here.
The fundamental beliefs of Islam must be understood and practiced throughout your life.To be considered a true Muslim, these practices must be done with the best of intentions.Shahadah is a declaration of faith in the oneness of God and that Muhammad is the last prophet.To the needy, but also to captives, free slaves, and others in debt.If you are physically and financially able, you can make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Step 4: There are 6 articles of faith in Islam.
To be considered a true Muslim, one must have these basic beliefs.They believe in the One and only God and the angels.They worship God, never disobeying him, and have authentic and unaltered scriptures.The Day of Judgment, when everyone will be judged for their actions and sent to Heaven or into the Hellfire, is a day when God has control over everything they do.
Step 5: Islam is a complete way of life that governs all aspects of your life.
This includes moral, spiritual, social, sexual, political, and economic issues, which are subject to a set of laws derived from the Qur'an and the practices of the Prophet Muhammad.A good Muslim will spend time each day thinking and preparing for the afterlife.Worship is prioritized over other activities during the five daily mandatory prayer times.Every Muslim has an obligation to seek and spread knowledge in order to improve their worship and learn how God wants them to live their lives.
Step 6: Understand the concept of God.
There are 99 names of God in Islam, and Allah is not one of them.Allah is the one and only creator of the creation, he knows everything, can do anything he wants, and has no gender or sex.Allah is just and swift in punishment.The 99 names of Allah are known to Muslims as Allah's perfect attributes.In the Arabic language, Allah is referred to as "He" because it is masculine inclusive.Allah has no gender or sex because gender and sex are attributes of the creation.Allah is the God of all creation and not just the Muslims.People call God by different names, but that doesn't mean there are different Gods.Most Arabs refer to God as "Allah".Muslims don't translate the word in order to refer to the Islamic understanding and worship of God.Muslims, Christians, and Jews all worship the same God.Islam views the individuals of the Trinity as separate from the Father in Christianity.Muslims and Jews don't think it's possible to depict God.Meccan polytheists did not represent Allah with an idol.Muslims believe that Prophet Ibrahim preached Islamic monotheism in ancient Arabia, but the teachings were later corrupted.The man who introduced idolatry was named Amr Ibn Luhay.
Step 7: Understand what Muslims think of prophets.
Muslims believe in and acknowledge all the Prophets of the past, from Adam to Jesus.Muslims believe that they brought the message of peace and submission to different nations.Prophets may have made mistakes, but did not commit major sins.
Step 8: Understand how Muhammad is revered by Muslims.
Muslims don't worship or pray through Muhammad.Muslims worship the unseen and God.Every time Prophet Muhammad's name is mentioned, Muslims ask God to bless him.Muslims try to follow the practices and example of Prophet Muhammad in all aspects of life.This is called the Sunnah.Prophet Muhammad applied many Islamic laws.
Step 9: Understand how Muslims look at scriptures.
The original unaltered previous scriptures must be accepted by Muslims since they were revealed by God.The original scriptures are not in existence today.Muslims follow the revelation of God in the Qur'an.The previous scriptures were given to David.The New Testament may contain fragments of the Injil and Jesus' sayings, but they were not revealed by God.According to Christians, it was written down later.The Book of John the Baptist is one of the scriptures.
Step 10: You can learn about the Qur'an.
It was not written by Muhammad.It was written by God, revealed to Muhammad, and written into physical form by Muhammad's companions.The Qur'an is written in Arabic.The non-Arabic versions are different because they are translations.There are no flaws or contradictions in the Qur'an.The original Arabic scriptures have not been altered.The laws and punishments in the Qur'an are a gift from Allah to ensure a safe and peaceful society.Some may quote out of context to claim that there are contradictions.You can call-to-monotheism.com.Qur'ans from the seventh century are on display in museums around the world.The way God is worshiped by Muslims is the same as it has ever been, because God's final laws and punishments are eternal and unchanging.Quran.com has an online copy of the Qur'an.Millions of Muslims have memorised the text letter for letter from beginning to end.Each of the five daily prayers recites a chapter from the Qur'an.When the brain is at its most receptive, Muslim parents encourage their children to memorize the Qur'an from an early age.
Step 11: Understand that personal responsibility is a law.
Muslims believe in the law of personal responsibility, not the idea of 'vicarious atonement'.Each person is responsible for his or her actions according to Islam.Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, everyone will have to answer to God.A practicing Muslim is always trying to be righteous.Islam forbids the killing of innocent people.Islam is a religion of peace.The actions of those who claim to be Muslim may be a result of their lack of knowledge.One can only use violence in self-defense.Muslims believe that Heaven and Hellfire are real places that God has prepared for mankind, and that each person's fate will be determined by their good and bad actions.Our eternal abode is simply a transitional period in this life.Muslims believe that people who reject the message of Islam will be sent to Jahannam.For individuals' fates are God's responsibility, Muslims must treat non-Muslims with respect and set a positive example.When Muslims reach puberty, they become accountable to God.Adults with mental illnesses can't be held accountable for their actions.Prayers for forgiveness are part of every Muslim's daily routine.
Step 12: Understand the misconception of Islam.
Understand what Islamic fundamentalism is."Islamic fundamentalism" does not mean terrorism.It would be an oxymoron if the term "peace" was used.Is it possible to have peaceful terrorism?Islamic fundamentalism is adherence to Islam's fundamental beliefs and practices.The word "jihad" does not mean "holy war".The struggle that one goes through in trying to practice Islam is what it means.When fighting in a war to defend their faith, some Muslims say they are going for "jihad", but they only say this because they know it will be difficult.The struggle against self- desire is one of the forms of jihad.Know the historical truths.Islam wasn't spread by the sword.The word of truth and the example of its followers spread it.Islam says there is no compulsion in religion.One's belief must be sincere.There is a role for women and marriage in Islam.Some ignorant Muslims may oppress women in Islam.Muslim men who oppress a woman are not following true Islam.Prophet Muhammad said, "the best among you are those who treat their wives well."Islam forbids mixing unrelated men and women outside the bounds of marriage.In Islam, arranged marriages are not required.The decision on the marriage is up to the individual.Forced marriages are not Islamic.The rights and responsibilities of women and men within marriage are set out in Islam.Even though the burden of financial responsibility falls to the husband, women are encouraged to get educated and work.Reconciling is what is most encouraged in Islam.It is best if there are irreconcilable differences.
Step 13: The Nation of Islam is different from Islam.
Islam and the Nation of Islam are different religions.Islam was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century A.D.The worship of the One unseen God who has no sons, daughters, or partners and who never took human form is a religion for all races of people.The Nation of Islam is geared towards nonwhites for the benefit of minorities on a social scale.It is said that God appeared in the form of Fard Muhammad in Detroit in 1930 A.D.These beliefs are not in line with the teachings of true Islam and the Qur'an.Some Islamic principles are mixed up with other teachings by the Nation followers.Whites are racist and violate Islamic teachings.Read the story about Malcolm X's pilgrimage to Mecca and his subsequent comments to the media to understand the difference between the two.Islam teaches equality.Qur'an 49:13
Step 14: You need to be aware of the number of followers of Islam.
Arabs are not all Muslims.Arabs are an ethnic group, whereas Islam is a religion.Islam is a universal religion and way of life.There are Muslims in Europe.China, Japan, South America, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, the Philippines, and throughout North America are all Muslim-majority countries.Arabs make up 20% of Muslims worldwide.The largest concentration of Muslims is in Indonesia.
Step 15: You should learn about Mecca.
Muslims face the Kaaba when praying.The cube-shaped stone structure is said to have been built by Prophet Abraham and later rebuilt by Abraham.The Kaaba is believed to be the first house of worship dedicated to worship of one God.It is a central focal point for Muslims around the world, unifying them in worship and symbolising their common belief, spiritual focus and direction.Muslims worship the Kaaba.The Kaaba is empty, has been rebuilt several times, and people stand on its roof to enter it, which would be considered disrespectful if it were an idol.The second and third levels of the Grand Mosque are higher than the Kaaba.Muslims would still pray in that direction if the Kaaba were to be destroyed.If a Muslim needed to pray but didn't know the direction of the Kaaba, they may pray in the most likely direction."Let them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them and made them safe, and saved them from fear," the Qur'an states.The Hajj is a pilgrimage made by able-bodied Muslims.Abraham, his son, and his wife submitted their wills to God.
Step 16: Islam has been described in the Qur'an.
It's the most important source of Islamic law.There is a lot of literature about it.The Tafsir Ibn Katheer is one of the most famous commentaries.Their English translations can be found on the internet.The Sunnah is aProphetic example.
Step 17: You should get an introductory book about Islam.
The pillars of Islam and faith, prayers, rituals, and basic beliefs are given an overview in books.If the book is written by a practicing Muslim, make sure it is not biased against Islam.Many famous Muslim theologians and mystics have written books.One example is The Alchemy of Happiness by Al-Ghazali, which talks about how Muslims should live their lives.
Step 18: Meet other people who are Muslims.
You can visit a mosque in your area just before sunset or in the afternoon.Try to engage in a conversation with the people who are leaving the mosque.
Step 19: An Islamic center is where you can visit.
Tell them your purpose for learning about Islam.You'll probably be invited to come over.If you want to record any information before you head out, write several key questions and bring along a tape recorder or notebook.
Step 20: The Qur'an is good to read.
Refer to Muslims or the commentaries of scholars if you don't understand the Qur'an.
Step 21: The hadith is a good read.
These are the observations of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.This is Islam's primary source of guidance.Over 1400 years, scholars have graded the hadith, written commentaries and compiled them.The Sunnah is the Prophet's example, whereas the hadith are his companions'.Sanad/isnad is the chain of transmission.Here's an example: Al-Humaidi said that Sufian told them, and I heard Mohammed bin Ibrahim al-Taymi.The actual contents of the narration are Matn.It can't contradict the Qur'an.The main grades are:Hasan: Excellent.It is acceptable, but not as authentic as a Sahih narration.Da'if: Weak.It is possible that the Prophet did not say this.They are not a source of knowledge.You should ask the person for better evidence if they quote one.It was fabricated.The Prophet did not say this, so they can't be used as a source of knowledge.Sunan an-Nasa'i is one of the most famous hadith collections.There are many more.Sunnah.com has online translated versions.
Step 22: There are websites that give information about Islam.
They might be biased against Islam.Since anyone can edit them, be very careful with wikis.They are against Islam.Due to its strict rules, Wikipedia is a good starting point for Islamic knowledge.Some pages are tagged with notices and other issues may not be noticed.There is more information in wikiHow.It is mostly a good source for information, but remember that it is a wiki and risks containing incorrect information as any non-scholars can edit them.Check what you read with scholars.