I recommend watching this video.
The brother in the video is one of hundreds of thousands who embrace Islam each year, but what is Islam?
Islam is not just a religion it is a way of life, it is for the benefit of all Mankind and is the fastest growing religion in the world. The word Islam in Arabic means “to submit to God” and comes from the root of the word “Salam” which means “Peace”. The daily greeting by all Muslims is “Salam Alaikoum” meaning “Peace be with you”.
Muslims believe in the existence of one unique God, the same God every prophets spoke about (as detailed in the article “The Prophets of God”). They follow the teachings of the Qur’an, which is regarded as the Word of God, as well as the Sunnah, which refers to the practices and teachings of the last prophet, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Sunnah includes everything he said (Hadith), did, and approved of. Muslims also believe in angels, the devil (Shaytan), and the afterlife where every soul will be judged.
Islam is intended for all mankind, regardless of race, nationality, or social status, Muslims are all brothers and sisters, everyone can become Muslim at anytime in their life (there is no age requirement) to join the fast growing 1.9 billion Muslim family, all you have to do is to testify by saying it out loud in front of witness or alone by yourself while truly believing this sentence: “I bear witness that there is only one God (Allah in Arabic) that he has no partner, son or anything in that regards and I bear witness that Muhammad is his last prophet and messenger, (peace by upon him) .
In Islam, there is no priesthood or intermediaries between people and God. Muslims worship God directly, and confess their sins directly to God, as no man has the authority to forgive sins, Islam holds to a strict monotheism and any worship and prayer directed at saints, human beings, prophets or nature is considered idolatry.
The practice of Islam is based on Five Pillars:
1-The testimony of Faith (Shahada) mentioned above: “To bear witness there is only one God (Allah), and Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of God”.
2- Prayers: Muslims pray five mandatory prayers a day and wherever they may be, Muslims are asked to face down in the direction of Mecca , following the same pattern in order to remain united.
3- Charity (Zakat): Every Muslim must donate some of their earnings to the poor or to a charity to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality.
4- Fasting during the Month of Ramadhan: Every able Muslim is required to fast during this holy month. Ramadhan represents a time for spiritual renewal, encouraging us to pause from our hectic lives and focus on our commitment to becoming better individuals. It also serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by those who, out of necessity, often go without food, highlighting the importance of charity throughout the year. There is a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that I remember every time I break my fast during the 30 days of Ramadhan, The prophet (pbuh) said: “There are two moments when the fasting person rejoices: when they are about to break their fast, and when they’ll meet their Lord, for having obeyed His command.”
5- Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj): To read the history on how Makkah came to be and how it’s location is listed in the Bible please, please refer to the article “Makkah’s location in the Bible”.
Muslims who are financially and physically capable must perform the pilgrimage (Hajj) at least once in their life. During the Pilgrimage, Muslims wear simple white clothing that removes any distinctions of class and culture, ensuring that all, regardless of wealth or poverty, stand as equals before God just as we all will on the judgment day.
What is allowed (Halal) and forbidden (Haram) in Islam:
In Islam, what is allowed (halal) includes actions and foods that align with the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, such as consuming halal food, all fruits and vegetables, all fishes and sea foods, performing acts of charity, engaging in respectful relationships. Islam encourages honesty, kindness, and justice in all aspects of life.
On the other hand, what is not allowed (haram) includes actions such as consuming pork (because of the Trichinella parasite), alcohol, drugs, gambling, engaging in dishonesty, and committing violence or theft, having sexual relationship outside marriage. Additionally, engaging in practices like usury (riba) and participating in idol worship are forbidden. Muslims are also instructed to avoid excess or wastefulness and to follow a moral code that promotes the well-being of individuals and society.