Therefore, the essence of Islam is humans' total submission to their Creator’s Will, which will help them gain virtue, peace, and dignity in their lives and the

hereafter regardless of their nation, race, gender, or culture. Unlike the word “Mohammedan”, (initiated by some early orientalists), which is highly

misleading because of its implication of the worship of Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), a concept totally alien to the Muslim belief.

Who is Islam for?

Unlike what many people stereotype about Islam being for Arabs and African-Americans only, Islam is for you, me, and every human being and

creation in the universe. In fact, Arabs and African-Americans are minorities in the population of the Islamic world, which is almost 1,000,000,000

people from every race and nation in the world. Islam is a religion devoted to preserve all types of living that we know and don’t know of in the

universe. Its teachings, practices, and ethics attend to the needs of animals and the environment, as well as humanity. So, whoever you may be; an

animal lover, environmentalist, scientist, feminist, human rights advocate, or just a simple average person Islam is doubtlessly for you.

What are the Sources of Islam and its Doctrines?

The first and main source of doctrines, ethics, and laws in Islam is the holy Qur'an, which is Allah’s revelation to prophet Mohammad, through

archangel Gabriel (p.b.u. them), over the span of his 23 years of prophethood, and not the “Muslim Bible” as many refer to it. Its authentic Arabic

text and scripture holds the actual words of Allah speaking in the 1st  person or Royal We when addressing the people. The Qur’an reveals a complete

code for humanity and its reality without boundaries of time or place, and is presented in a language that is rich in its varied terminology and style,

emphasizing the importance of encountering, contemplating, and reasoning about Allah’s world of creation and its diverse phenomena. “That is the Book

(the holy Qur’an); In it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend from what

We have provided them with; And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee (prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h.), and sent before thy time, and are certain

about the Hereafter; Those are the ones that hold guidance from their Lord, and those are the prosperous” (Qur'an 2:2-5)

The second source of Islamic doctrines, ethics, and laws is Hadeeth and Sunnah. Hadeeth in Arabic means speech, whereas the word “Sunnah” means

style of practice. So, when combined, these two words refer to the authentic documented sayings and actions of prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), whether

they were explanations of the holy Qur'an and its teachings, or their emulation as narrated by his companions, who were in direct contact with him during

his prophethood.

And finally, the third source in Islam is “Ij-te-had” or endeavor of proficient scholars’ in Islam and their schools of thought in interpreting the meanings of

the holy Qur’an and Hadeeth and Sunnah, in relation to any contemporary changes in the realm of society.

The Pillars of Faith in Islam

One cannot proclaim him/herself a Muslim until he/she embraces the six pillars of faith in Islam in his/her heart and thought:

1. To believe in the oneness of Allah, which is a divine and definite noun in both Arabic and Aramaic--the language of Jesus (p.b.u.h.) and a sister language

of Arabic--that has no plural or gender and is unique to the name of the One true God worshipped by Jews and Christians: the Most Merciful, Most

Compassionate, Eternal, Everlasting Refuge, and Absolute, who begetteth not nor is He begotten, and there is none equal or like unto Him. Therefore,

nothing can be called Allah but God. He is not a human nor is He the “Muslims’ God” as misinterpreted and misunderstood by many.

2. To believe in all His angels, who are created from light and their sole purpose is to worship Allah, celebrate His praises, glorify His holy name, and carry

out His orders.

3. To believe in all His divine books and revelations that were presented to mankind by His messengers.

4. To believe in all His messengers from Adam to Mohammad (peace be upon them all) without differentiating or discriminating between any of them, for

they have all held the banner of monotheism and  spoke not on their own.

5. To believe in the Hereafter and the Day of Judgment, when all beings will receive the rewards of their good deeds and the results of their wrong doings

from Allah the Most Just, Most Gracious, and  Most Merciful.

6. To believe in “Qadar” (destiny), which is to believe that what has befallen you would have never missed you; and that what has not befallen you would

have never come your way. In other words, Allah is All Knowing of whatever will occur from the beginning of creation till the Day of Judgment, but He has

given us humans the freedom to choose our paths in life and the responsibility that comes with it. He did not predetermine our path to heaven or hell, it is

our choices and actions that will take us to either end. For example, we all know that theft is wrongful act and that those who perform it will be punished, 

yet still many choose to commit it. However, our knowing of the nature of the action and the consequences that accompany it has nothing to do with the

choice of those who choose commit theft.

The Pillars of Islam

The _expression “pillars of Islam” refers to the basic fundamental foundations of action and practice in Islam. The following are explanatory definitions of

each pillar:

1. Sha-ha-dah or Affirmation of Faith is the pronouncement of ones’ testimony and witness that there is no divine other than Allah, and that Muhammad

is His messenger. It is an action that reflects ones’ affirmation of the pillars of faith in Islam. Therefore, it is the pedestal of becoming a Muslim.

2. Sa-lah or Prayers are spiritual deeds that follow a precise time set, direction, and hygienic and bodily actions. Prayers are preceded by the a hygienic

conduct referred to as “Wo-Doo” or ablution. Then, one directs him/herself towards Makkah carrying out verbal recitations from the holy Qur’an

accompanied with performed bodily actions, that have surface and deep aspects to them. The five daily prayers can be performed at any time within

the following timeframe:

•           Dawn Prayer (Fajr); dawn till sunrise.

•           Noon Prayer (Duhur); usually between 12:00 and 3:30 PM.

•           Middle Prayer (Asr); usually between 3:30 and sunset.

•           Evening Prayer (Maghrib); between sun set and (Isha), the late prayer.

•           Last Prayer (Isha); usually an hour a half after (Maghrib) until dawn.

            However, on Fridays, the Noon prayer is called Friday prayer (Jumah).

And the change here is not only in name, but also in the routine of the prayer. All prayers, except  for Jumah, can be performed alone or in a congregation

depending on the person’s circumstances. Jumah, on the other hand, is always performed in a congregation setting and has its own set of conduct.

To Muslims, the verbal and aerobic actions that occur during prayers are  not just a matter of lip and body movements, they are spiritual exercises that

influence and regulate their daily life schedules and actions.

3. Zakat is a fiscal tribute or tax on assets to purify one’s capital and to construct the needs of the community. On the individual level, Zakat has a fixed

percentage of 2.5% on assets and savings excluding expenditure. Businesses, on the hand, pay different fixed percentages on their annually gained profits

based on their type of business.

4. Fasting Ramadan, which is a holy month of great significance for in it the holy Qur'an was first revealed to prophet Muhammad and secured by

archangel Gabriel in the text and order we have in our hands today. Fasting is not just the physical act of refraining from food, drink, sexual intercourse,

and behavioral misconduct’s from dawn to sunset, it is a spiritual experience and opportunity for Muslims to exercise and realize the moral code of Islam

in their daily life. Otherwise, it would be reduced to the simple act of deprivation and starvation. Therefore, only sane adult Muslims are required to

perform this pillar, whereas  those who are insane, chronologically ill or befall a sudden illness, traveling, women who are pregnant, breast feeding,

having their monthly cycle, and children are excused. Moreover, Ramadan is concluded with an act of charity to the poor and needy.

5. Haj or pilgrimage is an annual international gathering of Muslims in Makkah, where they meet and exchange all kinds of spiritual and material goods

with each other. It is a one time act in a Muslim's life time, which takes place two months after Ramadan. However, only those who are physically and

financially able are required perform it.