Islam; A Total Beginner’s Guide

What are the basics of Islam? Is there a complete beginner’s guide to Islam? What is required of a Muslim in terms of his deeds and actions? This blog hopes to answer all of these questions.

It has been narrated: A bedouin with unkempt hair came to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Tell me what Allah has enjoined on me as regards prayers.” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “You have to offer perfectly the five (compulsory) prayers in a day and a night (24 hrs.), except if you want to perform some extra optional prayers.” The bedouin said, “Tell me what Allah has enjoined on me as regards fasting.” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “You have to observe fast during the month of Ramadan except if you fast some extra optional fast.” The bedouin said, “Tell me what Allah has enjoined on me as regards Zakat.” The Prophet (PBUH) then told him the Islamic laws and regulations whereupon the bedouin said, “By Him Who has honored you, I will not perform any optional deeds of worship and I will not leave anything of what Allah has enjoined on me.”

Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said,

“He will be successful (and will enter Paradise) if he has told the truth.” (Sahih Bukhari: 6956)

This is our Islam which is mentioned in this Hadith. All the commandments of the Shari’ah are easy to act upon and the complete beginner’s guide to Islam is present in the Quran and Sunnah itself.  Allah Almighty also said in the Holy Quran:

یُرِیدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡیُسۡرَ وَلَا یُرِیدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ

Allah intends ease for you, not hardship,

(البقرة: 185)

The Prophet (PBUH) sent Mu’adh and Abu Musa (RA) to Yemen telling them:

يَسِّرا ولا تُعَسِّرا، وبَشِّرا ولا تُنَفِّرا، وتَطاوَعا ولا تَخْتَلِفا.

“Treat the people with ease and don’t be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don’t fill them with aversion, and love each other, and don’t differ.”

(صحيح البخاري: 3038)

Whenever the Prophet (PBUH) sent his Companions on an expedition, he would instruct them in these words. This means that all the teachings of Islam revolve around ease. Nevertheless, a person who finds the commandments of Islam difficult or does not want to follow them should seek Allah’s help in following them. Because the Prophet (PBUH) while advising Mu’adh ibn Jabal said in reply when he asked him about the act by which he would enter  Paradise:

لقد سألتني عن عظيم وإنه ليسير على من يسره الله عليه

“You have asked me about something great, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy”

(جامع الترمذي: 2616)

Hence for us as Muslims, if we too help bring infidels to the path of Islam and guide them about the teachings of Islam, then no doubt that is a great deed but what questions does a non-Muslim need an answer to? Which problems need to be addressed? What kind of answers can satisfy him? How can one awaken the belief of Allah in such a person that no doubt Allah has placed in every human being?  How important is it to acquire an Islamic education?

A book in the form of a beginner’s guide to Islam was needed, that compiled all such questions and problems and addressed them in the light of Islam. 

This book Islam; A Total Beginner’s Guide by Molvi Abdul Aziz offers an insightful introduction to Islam and takes the reader through well-known authentic sources to highlight the Islamic Faith, the Noble Quran, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his sayings. It explores the five pillars of Islam in depth and narrates the biography of the Prophet (PBUH) briefly but distinctly. The book presents a brief yet comprehensive survey of the basic teachings of Islam with particular stress on the significance of Islam’s central belief in the Oneness of Allah or Tawhid. The book offers an in-depth discussion of the Glorious Quran as the Revealed Book.

Undoubtedly, there is an overwhelming demand for information about Islam, and this timely book attempts to offer a comprehensive, authentic understanding of this fastest-growing religion: the Straight Path.

Islam; A Total Beginner’s Guide has succinct, accessible, authentic, sensitive, and clear information on topics that range from general to more specific issues e.g. what is the status of women in Islam? Are women seen as second-class citizens in Islam? Who is superior – man or woman? What is Jihad? What does Islam say about abortion, mercy killings or euthanasia, interreligious marriages, suicide, man’s treatment towards his wife, polygyny, divorce, dress, veil, the rights of parents, privacy in homes, clothing, and ornaments, the wisdom of banning gold and silk for men, perfumes, unisex fashions, the alleged cruelty towards animals and so much more?

A Beginner’s Guide to Islam is a splendid introduction – carefully researched and comprehensive, yet highly readable. It corrects many popular and erroneous notions about Islam that prevail in non-Muslim communities. For the newly-converted Muslim, there are many profound insights of great significance; for instance, the passages on women, their treatment, and Jihad, nearly always are completely misunderstood, rather misrepresented by the mass media. This study represents a traditional view of Islam as experienced by Muslims. Darussalam believes this work will prove an invaluable source for both new Muslims as well as the general public. Indeed this book will take you on a journey through various aspects of Islam, and Islam makes a man reborn!

Let’s Take A Look At Some Extracts From This Particular Volume

Extract 01: Learn About Taharah And Purification

Taharah or Purification One of the Most Important and Basic Islamic Teachings

One of the most important and basic teachings is Taharah and Nazafah: both mean purification and cleanliness. There are two kinds of impurities that need acts of cleaning. Major impurity is caused by sexual intercourse or nocturnal emissions. For the purpose of purification, one needs a ritual purificatory bath [Ghusl, literally to wash]. Minor impurity is caused by natural bodily functions, and for this, one only needs to perform Wudhu [ablution]. This is mandatory before performing the daily Prayers [al-Mai’dah 5:6]. The word Wudhu and its verbal forms appear in Hadith literature but do not appear in the Glorious Qur’an. The two ideas – the purification of the body and the purification of the soul, are often mentioned together in the Gracious Qur’an. “Surely Allah loves those who turn much to Him, and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean” [al-Baqarah 2:222]. At-Tahur is water that is pure in itself and which purifies other things.

Extract 02: Read About The Basic Introduction Of Islam

What Is Islam?

“Islam is built on five Pillars. Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said,: Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the [obligatory] Prayers, giving the Zakat, [the Purifying Dues], making the Pilgrimage to the house, and Fasting in Ramadan.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim] The word ‘pillar’ does not appear in the Arabic text of this Hadith, but has been supplied for clarity of meaning.

Also Read: Pillars of Islam and Iman

Take a look at the table of contents to understand just how comprehensive this book actually is.

1. Preface
2. Section 1: Introduction To Islam
3. The Word Islam
4. The Meaning Of Shariah
5. The Difference Between Deen And Shariah
6. What Is Required Of Someone Who Wishes To Embrace Islam?
7. The Term Reversion
8. Islam Is Allah’s Greatest Gift
9. A Faith-Increasing Incident
10. The Polytheists Are Surely Unclean
11. The Legislation Of Circumcision
12. Taharah Or Purification One Of The Most Important And Basic Islamic Teachings