Everything you need to begin your journey — beliefs, practices, daily phrases and more, in one clear resource.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُولُ اللّٰهِAsh hadu an la ilaha ill Allah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul Allah“I declare there is no god but Allah and I declare that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The Seven Core Beliefs
Known as Iman ul Mufassal. “I believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, Measurement, and life after death.”
Belief 01
اللّٰه
Allah
The Creator of everything, never created, has no children. Not male or female in the human sense. We say “He” only because Arabic has no neutral pronoun. Loving, merciful, and perfectly just.
Belief 02
الملائكة
Angels (Mala’ika)
Created from light, they serve Allah exclusively and never disobey. They record our deeds and carry out Allah’s commands. Satan is not a fallen angel — he is a Jinn who chose to rebel.
Belief 03
الكتب
Divine Books
Five named books: Scrolls of Ibrahim, the Taurah of Musa, the Zabur of Dawud, the Injeel of Prophet Isa, and the Quran of Muhammad. Only the Quran survives unchanged to this day.
Belief 04
الرسل
Prophets and Messengers
Allah sent a Messenger to every nation with the same message: surrender to Allah and do right. The first was Adam; the last and final was Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Belief 05
يوم الآخر
The Last Day
Human history will end and all people ever born will be raised for Judgment. Each person’s deeds and beliefs will be examined. They will enter either Paradise (Jannah) or Hell (Jahannam).
Belief 06
القدر
Qadr — Measurement
“Qadr” literally means to measure. Allah knows what choices you will make but does not force you. You carry full moral responsibility for your actions.
Belief 07
البعث بعد الموت
Life After Death
The soul survives the body. Between death and Judgment, souls rest in Barzakh. After Judgment, eternal life in Paradise or Hell follows based on what one believed and how one lived.
The Full Iman Formula: “Amantu bil lahi wa mala-ikatihi wa kutubihi wa rasulihi wal yowm ul akhiri wal qadri, khayrihi wa sharihi min Allahi ta’ala wal ba’ith ba’ed al mowt.” — Recited by Muslims worldwide as the complete statement of faith.
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Prophet said: “Islam is built on five things.” These are the Arkan al Islami — core practices structuring every Muslim’s life.
1
Shahadah — Declaration of Faith
الشهادة
Sincerely believing and declaring: “Ash hadu an la ilaha ill Allah wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul Allah.” On accepting Islam, all previous sins are forgiven and the record begins fresh.
Ritual prayer performed five times each day. Salah literally means “to make a connection with.” Each prayer involves standing, bowing, and prostrating before Allah. Missing any without valid reason is a sin.
3
Zakah — Purifying Charity
الزكاة
Once a year, 2.5% of accumulated savings (after expenses) is given to those in need — the poor, orphans, and travelers in hardship. Zakah literally means “purifying.”
During the ninth Islamic month, Muslims abstain from all food, drink, anger, sexual activity, and bad deeds from before first light until sunset. A training period to strengthen the mind over bodily desires.
Once in a lifetime, every capable Muslim must travel to Mecca during Dhul Hijjah. Millions arrive in simple white garments, all signs of status removed — a profound reminder of equality before Allah.
Da’wah and Jihad: Beyond the five pillars, Da’wah means inviting others to Islam through wisdom and good example. Jihad means to struggle in Allah’s cause — physically, spiritually, or intellectually. The word Jihad does not mean “Holy War.”
The Five Daily Prayers
Prayer times are tied to the sun’s position and vary by location and season. Use an Islamic prayer time app for exact times in your city.
Prayer
Arabic
Time Window
Notes
Fajr
الفجر
Before sunrise
Pre-dawn prayer. Must be completed before the sun rises.
Zuhr
الظهر
Just after midday
About 30 minutes after noon. On Fridays replaced by Jumu’ah for men.
Asr
العصر
Mid-afternoon
Two to three hours before sunset. Ends at sunset.
Maghrib
المغرب
Immediately after sunset
Must be prayed shortly after the sun disappears. The Ramadan fast is broken at this time.
Isha
العشاء
Night — after full darkness
After the last traces of twilight vanish. Best prayed before midnight.
Wudu (Ritual Washing): Before praying, wash the hands, rinse the mouth and nose, wash the face and arms to the elbows, wipe the head, and wash the feet. After sexual activity or discharge, a full bath (Ghusl) is required.
Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer): Every Friday, Zuhr is replaced by a congregational prayer with a sermon (Khutba). Obligatory for all adult men. The Prophet warned that missing three consecutive Fridays without excuse allows hypocrisy to settle in the heart.
Essential Islamic Phrases
These short phrases keep Allah in mind throughout the day and connect you with Muslims around the world.
When starting anything
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
“In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful”
When greeting someone
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
Assalamu ‘alaykum
“Peace be upon you”
Replying to a greeting
وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَام
Wa ‘alaykum assalam
“And upon you be peace”
When mentioning future plans
إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰه
Insha’Allah
“If Allah wills”
When praising something
سُبْحَانَ اللّٰه
Subhanullah
“Glory to Allah”
When happy or after sneezing
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه
Alhumdulillah
“All praise is for Allah”
When appreciating something
مَا شَاءَ اللّٰه
Masha-Allah
“As Allah willed” — said in admiration
When in pain or distress
يَا اللّٰه
Ya Allah
“O Allah” — a call for help
When seeing something bad
نَعُوذُ بِاللّٰه
Na’udhu billah
“We seek Allah’s protection”
When asking forgiveness
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰه
Astaghfirullah
“I seek Allah’s forgiveness”
When thanking someone
جَزَاكَ اللّٰهُ خَيْرًا
Jazakallahu Khayran
“May Allah reward you with good”
On hearing of a death or tragedy
إِنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
“To Allah we belong and to Him we return”
When someone sneezes (they say Alhumdulillah)
يَرْحَمُكَ اللّٰه
Yarhamakullah
“May Allah have mercy upon you”
Reply to Yarhamakullah
يَهْدِيكُمُ اللّٰه
Yehdikumullah
“May Allah guide you”
Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Quietly repeating phrases like “La ilaha illa Allah” or “Subhanullah wa Bihumdeehee” is called Dhikr. It cleanses the heart. The Prophet said saying “Subhanullah wa Bihumdeehee” one hundred times erases sins.
Halal and Haram
Halal means permitted by Allah. Haram means forbidden. These apply to food, drink, business, and conduct.
Halal — Permitted
All grains, fruits, and vegetables
Seafood and most sea creatures
Meat slaughtered by the Dhabiha method
Kosher meat (as permitted by the Quran)
Dairy, eggs, and their products
Honest business and trade
Interest-free financial dealings
All lawful employment
Haram — Forbidden
Pork and all its by-products
Alcohol and all intoxicants
Carrion (animals that died on their own)
Meat dedicated to idols
Most carnivorous land animals
Interest (Riba) in any form
All forms of gambling
Deceit, fraud, and bribery
On Meat (Dhabiha): For land animals to be Halal, they must be slaughtered by a Muslim (or person of the book) in Allah’s name, with a sharp blade, quickly. Most conventional supermarket meat does not meet this standard.
Halal Finance: Any income involving Riba (interest), gambling, or other forbidden activities is Haram. Islamic alternatives include profit-sharing (Mudarabah) and co-ownership (Musharakah).
Conduct and Daily Life
Islam provides a complete practical code for dress, interactions, relationships, and character — applicable in every setting of daily life.
Dress Code
Men must be covered from the navel to the knees at minimum. Standard daily wear is a robe or shirt-and-trousers. A beard is strongly recommended. A turban or head covering is encouraged.
Women must wear loose-fitting clothing from ankles to neck and wrists. A head covering (Hijab) over the hair is required. The face veil (Niqab) is not fardh by the majority scholarly position but Niqab is recommended.
Male-Female Interaction
Men and women may interact in legitimate settings — work, school, markets — provided etiquette is maintained.
An unmarried man and woman should not be alone together in a private space. A third person should be present.
Address members of the opposite gender directly and clearly, not in an intimate tone.
When greeting: men shake hands with men; women with women. Physical contact between unrelated men and women is not permitted.
When marriage is being considered, man can send proposal to the wali/guardian of the woman.The woman may also arrange for a male relative or an Imam to represent her interests and preserve her dignity.
Character (Akhlaq)
Truthfulness (Sidq) in all speech and dealings is among the highest Islamic virtues.
Fulfilling promises and trusts (Amanah) — whether to Allah or to others — is obligatory.
Patience (Sabr) in hardship and gratitude (Shukr) in blessing are marks of strong faith.
Humility. The Prophet said even a grain’s weight of pride in the heart can prevent one from entering Paradise.
Mercy and justice toward all. “He who is not merciful to people, Allah will not be merciful to him.”
On Names: Islam does not require a name change upon accepting Islam. Only if a name has an offensive meaning should it be changed. Taking an Arabic or Islamic name is optional, not obligatory.
Islamic Holidays
The Prophet established two official holidays in Islam — both marking the completion of a major act of worship.
Celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, the day after Ramadan ends. Muslims gather for a special morning prayer, give Zakah al Fitr (obligatory charity), visit family, wear their best clothes, and share meals together in gratitude for completing Ramadan.
Eid 02
Eid ul Adha — Festival of the Sacrifice
عيد الأضحى
Celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, during the days of Hajj. Those who can afford it slaughter a permissible animal and distribute the meat among family, neighbors, and the poor — commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience and Allah’s mercy.
The Islamic Calendar: All Islamic dates follow the lunar Hijri calendar beginning from 622 CE — the year of the Prophet’s migration (Hijra) to Madinah. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holidays cycle through all seasons over ~33 years.
The Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid): Some Muslims observe this occasion. It is debated among scholars — some consider it praiseworthy, others consider it an unauthorized addition. Study both positions carefully.
Islamic Terms Glossary
Learning Islamic vocabulary helps you read texts and participate in the community. Click any term to expand its definition.
IslamHashtag
Content compiled from Guide to Islam for New Muslims by Yahiya Emerick — Islamic Foundation of North America.
