The religion of Islam is the complete code of life that strongly supports the concept of human welfare and urges that a Muslim should reflect accordingly. Islam motivates its followers to contribute positively towards their social setup and not indulge in any mischievous or harmful activity that is in any way threatening or obstructive. Islamists use the Quran, which is considered the ‘sacred text of Islam’ or the ‘holy book of Islam’, and it contains the teachings of Muhammad, which he passed on from Allah. Allah says:

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَا فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّاهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِ فَلَمَّا أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا اللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ آتَيْتَنَا صَالِحًا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

“He (is the One Who created you from a single soul and made from it its mate that he might live with her. And when he covers her, she carries a burden light and continues with it. But when she grows heavy, they both invoke Allah, their Lord, “If You give us a righteous (child), surely we will be among the thankful.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:189)

The intellectual nature of man is made up of the mind or intelligence, or reasoning power. To this aspect, Islam pays extraordinary attention and builds the intellectual structure of man on the most sound foundations. Islam classifies knowledge into two categories, which must be secured by every individual and the specialised knowledge which should be secured by only a few in society.

The importance and benefits of Islam:

1. Islam trend to a believer to trust and hope in God 
2. Islam is tolerant of other religions and regards
3. Islam respects all human beings’ innocence
4. Islam’s commitment means striving for peace 
5. Islam is a religion based on clear proof
6. Islam is a practical and balanced way of life
7. Islam always forbids attacking other religions
8. Islam teaches us true happiness in Islamic life
9. Islam teaches us to live in peace and harmony
10. Islam has set the highest possible standard of morality

FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

1: Declaration of Faith: “shahada”
2: Daily Prayer: Muslims pray a total of five times every day, and they face Mecca, the holy city of Islam, during their prayers.
3: Alms for the Poor: Muslims consider giving charity to the unfortunate ones important, and giving donations to those in poverty.
4: Fast During Ramadan: From sunrise to sunset, Muslims fast (not eating) during the month of Ramadan – sick people and young children are exceptions to this rule.
5: Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca: for being of high social status, but they must wear simple clothing that makes the unequal statuses between people disappear, so that everyone is equal in God’s presence.

FIVE ARTICLES OF FAITH

1. Belief in Allah
2. Belief in his angels
3. Belief in his books
4. Belief in his messengers
5. Belief in life after death

Core Religious Practice of Islam: The Five “Pillars” of Islam

In Islam, worship is part of daily life and is not limited to mere rituals.  The formal acts of worship are known as the five “pillars” of Islam.  The five pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.

1. Declaration of Faith: The “Declaration of Faith” is the statement, “La ilaha ill Allah wa Muhammad Rasulullah”, meaning “There is no deity worthy of being worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God”.  The Declaration of Faith is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one’s actions.  To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement.
2. Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind.  Muslims perform five formal prayers a day.
3. Zakah: A type of charity. Muslims recognise that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return.  In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy.
4. Fast of Ramadan: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset.  The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan, in which no food, drink, or sex is allowed during the fast.  After sunset, one can enjoy these things.  During this month, Muslims practise self-control and focus on prayers and devotion.  During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathise with those in the world who have little to eat.
5. The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia.  It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim.  Typically, 2-3 million perform the Hajj every year.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

“Verily, Allah loves those who repent and who purify themselves.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222)

Islam treats peace in the eschatological sense, as the ultimate goal of human life, almost synonymous with salvation. A second way in which Islam looks at peace might be called the psychological sense, as tranquillity and peace of mind, inner confidence born of faith that enables the religious believer to face adversity without anxiety or despair. Particularly when one is facing the approach of death, the believer can attain peace of mind, which will enable the person to overcome spiritual turmoil and fear.

Core Teachings of Prophet Muhammad

Classical scholars of Islam have condensed the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad into a few statements.  These comprehensive statements touch every aspect of our lives.  Some of them are:

1. God is Pure and does not accept anything unless it is pure, and God has commanded the faithful with what He commanded the prophets
2. Actions are judged by the intention behind them
3. Part of a person’s good observance of Islam is to leave aside what does not concern him
4. A person cannot be a complete believer unless he loves his brother as he loves himself
5. One should not harm oneself or others
6. Don’t let your focus in this life be to amass worldly gain, and God will love you.  Don’t be concerned with what people have, and they will love you

The core of Islamic Law or Shariah

The core of Islamic Law is the preservation of:

1. Religion
2. Life
3. Family
4. Mind
5. Wealth
6. Some contemporary scholars suggest that either justice or liberty be the sixth category

Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. Islam counsels us to follow a better path when people insult us by not responding to them in the same manner and responding to their evil with good. If someone were to ask, what is the core of Islam in the fewest possible words, the answer would be, “It is within the word Islam itself: to serve, worship, and lovingly submit to God.”Islam has paid great attention to norms, which can protect basic values. We can’t explain all Islamic norms relating to basic values, which we have mentioned above.