Major Beliefs in Islam

Muslims believe Islam is God's final message to humankind, a reconfirmation and perfection of the messages that God has revealed through earlier prophets.

A. Oneness of God
The central Muslim belief is that there is only one God to be worshipped, unique incomparable, eternal, absolute and without peer or associate. Allah is the name of the One and Only God in Arabic. The word Allah is used by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike who speak the Arabic language. Allah has ninety-nine beautiful names, such as: The Gracious, The Merciful, The Beneficent, The Creator, The All-Knowing, The All-Wise, The Lord of the Universe, and others. He is the Creator of all human beings. Muslims do not believe in the idea of a trinity or a unity with God which implies more than one God in one.

What do Muslims believe about Allah?
1. He is the one God, Who has no partner.
2. Nothing is like Him. He is the Creator, not created, nor a part of His creation.
3. He is All-Powerful, absolutely Just.
4. There is no other entity in the entire universe worthy of worship besides Him.
5. He is First, Last, and Everlasting; He was when nothing was, and will be when nothing else remains.
6. He is the All-Knowing, and All-Merciful,the Supreme, the Sovereign.
7. It is only He Who is capable of granting life to anything.
8. He sent His Messengers (peace be upon them) to guide all of mankind.
9. He sent Muhammad (pbuh) as the last Prophet and Messenger for all mankind.
10. His book is the Holy Qur'an, the only authentic revealed book in the world that has been kept without change.
11. Allah knows what is in our hearts.

"Adore Allah (God) as though you see Him; even if you do not see Him, He nonetheless sees you." [Bukhari, Muslim]

B. Oneness of mankind
Other important tenets of Islam are that God is the Creator of all that exists and that His will is supreme. People are created equal in front of the Law of God and there is no superiority for one race over another. God made humans of different colors, nationalities, languages and beliefs so that we get to know each other. The best of people are those who are pious and righteous.

C. Oneness of Messengers and the Message
Muslims believe that God sent different messengers and prophets throughout the history of mankind in order to guide them. Muslims believe in Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad. All came with the same message to worship the one true God. Some were sent books, such as the original Torah or the original Gospel. However over time the true message was changed or misinterpreted. Muhammad is the 'seal' of all the prophets -- that is, the last. Although Muhammad is deeply loved, revered and emulated by Muslims as God's final messenger, he is not an object of worship.

D. Angels and the Day of Judgment
Muslims believe that there are unseen immortal creatures such as angels created by God in the universe for special tasks. Satan was also created to test mankind. Muslims also believe that humans are responsible to God for their actions; and that, on the Day of Judgment, an all-knowing and merciful God will judge His creation according to their deeds in this life. On that 'day' all people of the world throughout the history of mankind till the last day of life on earth, are to be brought for accounting. The reward or punishment is to be Heaven or Hell.

E. Innocence of Man at Birth
Muslims believe that people are born free of sin. It is only after they reach the age of puberty and it is only after they commit sins that they are to be charged for their mistakes. No one is responsible for or can take the responsibility for the sins of others. However, the door of forgiveness through true repentance to God is always open.