New muslims

The word ISLAM has a two-fold meaning: peace, and submission to Allah (God). This submission requires a fully conscious and willing effort to submit to the one Almighty Allah. One must consciously and conscientiously give oneself to the service of Allah. This means to act on what Allah enjoins all of us to do (in the Qur'an) and what His beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged us to do in his Sunnah (his lifestyle and sayings).

Once we humble ourselves, rid ourselves of our egoism and submit totally to Allah, and to Him exclusively, in faith and in action, we will surely feel peace in our hearts. Establishing peace in our hearts will bring about peace in our external conduct as well.

Islam is not a religion of customs and rituals; rather it is an all-encompassing way of life. Muslim should practice the five pillars of the religion: the declaration of faith in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh), prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan, the giving of alms, and the pilgrimage to Makkah at least in once in a lifetime is physically and financially able; and believe in the six articles of faith: belief in God, the Holy Books, the Prophets, the angels, the Day of Judgment and God's decree.

There are other injunctions and commandments which concern virtually all facets of one's personal, family and civic life. These include such matters as diet, clothing, personal hygeine, interpersonal relations, business ethics, responsibilities towards parents, spouse and children, marriage, divorce and inheritance, civil and criminal law, relations with the wider community and so much more.

See Also