It was founded by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over 1400 years ago in Arabia. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) received revelation from Allah (‘The God’) in which he was told that Islam was the final and most complete religion for mankind. The followers of Islam are called Muslims.

1. A Religion of Peace
‘The Kaaba’ in Mecca Arabia – towards which Muslims pray

2. The word ‘Islam’
literally means ‘Peace
and surrender to the
will of Allah the
Creator’.

3. It was founded by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over
1400 years ago in Arabia. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him) received revelation from Allah (‘The God’) in which he was told that Islam
was the final and most complete religion for mankind. The followers of Islam are
called Muslims.
Islam’s holy book is The Holy Qur’an and this was revealed by Allah to Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is a source of complete
guidance. Its teachings are in agreement with human nature. Islam is a religion
revealed for the whole of mankind for all time to come.

4. The Founder of Islam
The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina – in which he is buried

5. Prophet Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him) (570-632 CE) was born in
Makkah (Mecca), Arabia. He was known for his honesty and piety. He was also inspired
with a strong love for Allah and mankind.
He married at the age of 25. Fifteen years later he received his first Qur’anic revelation
from Allah whilst meditating in a cave called Hir’a near Makkah. This marked the
beginning of the mission of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as the apostle
of Allah. His prime message was the Unity of Allah and he continued to stress this
throughout his life.
True to his character Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) practised
what he preached and provided a living example of all that Islam teaches. His humility,
truthfulness, tolerance, resolve, courage, kindness and wisdom remain exemplary.

6. The Holy Book of Islam

7. The Holy Qur’an is the holy book of Islam. It is the Word of Allah and was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over a period of 23 years. It is
spread over 30 parts and has 114 chapters.
It contains a vast array of teachings and is a comprehensive code of conduct for mankind.
It also contains numerous prophecies many of which have been fulfilled and many that
remain to be fulfilled.
The Holy Qur’an is written in Arabic – the very language in which it was revealed. The
word Qur’an means something that is recited over and over again and indeed Muslims
recite the Holy Qur’an many times over in their lives. Despite being over 1400 years old
the Qur’anic text has remained intact – as promised in the Qur’an by Allah Himself. The
translation of the Holy Qur’an is now also available in more that 50 languages including
English.

8. The Teachings of Islam
Allah taught religion to the world gradually by
sending His prophets at different times and to
different peoples. Muslims are required to believe in
and respect all prophets and their teachings. This
religious guidance from Allah was completed and
perfected through Islam.

9. The key teachings of Islam are known as the Five
Pillars of Islam:
1.
Shahadah
5.
Hajj
4.
Zakat
3.
Saum
2.
Salat

10. 1. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
This is the declaration of one’s faith in the unity of Allah and acceptance of Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as a messenger of Allah.
The meaning of the actual declaration is, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship
except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” (‘Allah’ means
One Who is free from all defects and possesses all kinds of good attributes.)

11. 2.Salat(Prayer)
Muslims must
offer the five daily
prayers to develop
and benefit from a
personal
relationship with
Allah.

12. 3. Saum (Fasting)
Muslims must fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
Whilst fasting, Muslims cannot eat or drink between
dawn and dusk.
Some people are exempted from fasting including the
sick, pregnant or nursing mothers, young children and
those on journeys. During Ramadan Muslims make an
extra effort to remember Allah and to seek His
forgiveness.

13. 4. Zakat (Alms Giving / Charity)
Muslims are
required to give a
fixed proportion of
their wealth for the
benefit of the poor
and needy. The basic
rate is normally 2.5%
of one’s annual
savings.

14. 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah)
Muslims should make a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in
their lifetime if possible. The Pilgrimage is made during
themonth of Hajj, the twelfth lunar month of the Islamic
calendar.

15. Key Beliefs
Muslims also believe in all prophets of Allah, His angels, His holy
books, life after death, the Day of Judgement and in the Divine
Decree of Allah. Islam also emphasises that men and women are
equal before Allah and only righteous deeds elevate one person
above another.
Islam reinforces the concept of humanity and respect for
individual liberty. It also reminds man of his fundamental human
right of being free to choose his own religion. It is clearly stated
in The Qur’an that there is no compulsion in religion (Holy
Qur’an Ch.2 V.257).
Education is so important that Muslim men and women are
encouraged to seek knowledge wherever it may be.

16. For more information about Islam see
alislam.org/islam
Presented By: Rain Forest
Muzaffer A. Tahir “amazone755@Hotmail.com”