I recommend watching this video.
⏱️ Estimated reading time: 6-8 minutes
Is Islam a new religion?
P.S. If you come from a Christian background, you may find the next page (page 4) especially interesting, as it explains how Jesus (peace be upon him) is portrayed in Islam, supported by clear evidence.
No, Islam is not a new religion, Muhammad (pbuh) was sent to restore and complete the same monotheistic message preached by all prophets, from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, to Jesus, because previous messages were either altered, forgotten, or became limited to specific peoples. Muhammad was sent with a final, universal message for all of humanity, there is no chosen people in Islam, we are all equal, there is no race superior to another. “The best of you are those who are best in character and those who practice their faith the best”. Hadith.
An easy way to confirm that Islam is not a new religion is by observing how the prophets listed on page 2 fasted and prayed. They all followed the same practices that Muslims follow today, including placing their faces on the ground in prostration as a sign of respect, humility, and submission to the Almighty. These practices are described in the Torah and the Old and New Testaments. Below are some examples:
Prophet Daniel:
“As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate…’” Bible, Daniel 8:17
Prophet Elijah:
“When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried…’” Bible, 1 Kings 18:39
Prophet Joshua:
“Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence…’” Bible, Joshua 5:14
Prophet Abrahm:
“Abram fell facedown, and God said to him…” Bible, Genesis 17:3 (The Thora)
Prophet Moses and his brother prophet Aaron:
“But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out…? Bible, Numbers 16:22
Prophet Jesus:
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed…’” Bible, Matthew 26:39
Prophet Muhammad:
“O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord…”Qur’an 22:77
Islam, the fastest growing religion in the world:
Islam is for all of humanity, not for a specific race. In fact, only about 20% of Muslims worldwide are Arabs.
As of 2023, the global Muslim population has reached 2 billion, which makes Islam the fastest-growing religion in the world, it is projected to reach 2.8 billion by 2050, in just 25 years.
Curiosity often leads people to explore Islam, and many discover that the media’s portrayal of Islam is distorted. As they read and learn more, the truth touches their hearts, and the message becomes clear: God is one, just as all the prophets have said over the centuries.
Much like the new Muslim featured in the video from Holland, thousands of new Muslims from the US, Europe, and Australia are sharing their personal journeys and stories on YouTube and TikTok (which you can watch later in the “Video Gallery” on this website). In their videos, they explain what inspired or compelled them to embrace Islam. Often, their journeys began with unanswered questions or unsatisfactory answers, and they found the clarity they were seeking only after discovering Islam.
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in one all-powerful God, called Allah in Arabic, who created the universe and everything within it. They also believe in the Holy Spirit (the angel Gabriel, who delivered God’s messages to the prophets) and in Jesus Christ being the Messiah (peace be upon him) as three separate entities.
God sent prophets throughout history to guide humanity, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Jacob, Joseph, and Jesus (peace be upon them), as described on page 02, “The Prophets of God.” Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as the final prophet to restore and complete the same monotheistic message preached by all previous prophets, because earlier messages were sometimes altered or forgotten. The Qur’an, believed to be the exact word of God, together with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (the Sunnah), guides Muslims in all aspects of life—spiritual, moral, and social.
Muslims also believe in angels, the devil (Satan, or Shaytan in Arabic), and life after death. Just as we transition from the world of our mother’s womb into this world, when we die our soul leaves the body and enters a new realm. As the Qur’an states: “Every soul shall taste death, and then to Us you shall return” (29:57).
How easy is it to practice Islam?
Islam is guided by two core sources: The Qur’an (the word of God) and the Sunna (including what the Prophet Muhammad said and did).
Islam is very clear and very easy to practice. It is founded on five pillars, with the first pillar being the most crucial (see below). It is also based on what is halal (permissible and good) and haram (forbidden).
There is no priesthood or intermediaries between people and God. Muslims worship God directly and confess their sins directly to God in their 5 mandatory daily prayers, as no human has the authority to forgive sins. Islam holds to strict monotheism, and any worship or prayer directed at saints, human beings, prophets, or nature is considered idolatry (a major sin in Islam).
The Five Pillars of Islam:
The practice of Islam is founded upon Five Pillars which serve as the core framework for a Muslim’s faith and actions:
- The 1st pillar: The Testimony of Faith (Shahada): The fundamental declaration of Islam, the Shahada, is what marks a person’s free choice to accept Islam and be Muslim by stating:
“I bear witness that there is only one God (Allah in Arabic), and that Muhammad is His final Prophet and Messenger (peace be upon him).” - The 2nd pillar: Prayers (Salat): Muslims pray five obligatory prayers each day at designated times, following the same method of prayer practised by all the prophets over the centuries.
After cleaning and purifying themselves, they pray by placing their faces on the ground in prostration as a sign of respect to the Almighty, as recorded in both the Old and New Testaments, dating back to more than 3,000 years ago.
The last prophet, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was ordered by God to perform five mandatory daily prayers at very specific times. Wherever they are in the world, when the prayer time comes, they stop their activities for few minutes and turn toward Makkah and follow the same patterns and words in their prayers, creating a sense of unity across the global community. You can learn why they face Makkah on page 10 of this website, in the section titled “Makkah’s Location in the Bible.”
Muslims who cannot stand or bow due to illness or disabilities are allowed to pray while sitting, lying down, or in any position that works for them, performing the movements to the best of their ability, with the emphasis on sincerity and devotion, rather than physical perfection.
A little personal note: I remember my father, in his final days, on his deathbed, while lying down, he prayed using his eyes and eyelashes to mimic every movement of the prayer. - The 3rd pillar: Charity (Zakat): Islam encourages the redistribution of wealth to reduce poverty and social inequality. Every Muslim is obliged to give a portion of their earnings to those in need, whether directly to the poor or through charitable organizations. This practice helps alleviate economic hardship and fosters a sense of social responsibility.
- The 4th pillar: Fasting during the Month of Ramadan: Every healthy, able-bodied Muslim is required to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. This act of worship is mandatory, and just like the prayers, fasting is not a new practice introduced by Islam. All the prophets fasted, as clearly mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are just few examples:
Prophet Daniel in the Bible “Daniel 9:3 (NIV)“
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Prophet Jesus: Matthew 4:1–2 (NIV)
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. - The 5th and last pillar is the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj): Muslims who are financially and physically able are required to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. During Hajj, Muslims wear simple white garments, which erase all distinctions of class, race, and culture. This practice symbolizes the equality of all before God, reflecting the ultimate truth that on the Day of Judgment, all human beings will stand before God as equals, regardless of their worldly status. More details in page 10 – “Makkah’s Location in the Bible.”
These Five Pillars serve as the foundation of a Muslim’s daily life, guiding them in their relationship with God, with others, and with the world around them. They encourage a balanced, spiritual, and ethical lifestyle that benefits both the individual and society.
What is allowed (Halal) and forbidden (Haram) in Islam:
IIn Islam, what is permissible is referred to as Halal, which includes not only food but all actions that align with the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith. While most people in the West associate halal primarily with meat that is slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, it also encompasses other foods—fruits, vegetables, fish, and seafood are all considered halal—along with performing acts of charity and fostering respectful relationships. Halal reflects a holistic approach to life, emphasizing honesty, kindness, peace, and justice in every aspect of daily living.
On the other hand, what is not allowed (sinful) is called Haram which includes actions such as consuming pork (originally because of the Trichinella parasite), alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, engaging in dishonesty, and committing violence, murder, 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 and of the planet that does not belong to us.