Six Articles Of Faith:

Islam is a natural and complete way of life. It encourages one

to give due attention to their relationship with their Creator
(God). It teaches that people find true lasting happiness and
peace through being close to God, following His guidance and
performing good deeds.

Muslims constitute approximately one fifth of the world's

population, making Islam one of the largest religions. Belief in
and worship of the One True God is the purpose of life and
cornerstone of Islam.

The Arabic word "Islam" literally means "submission" to the

One True God alone. One who voluntarily surrenders their will
to God is called a Muslim, who can be from any racial or ethnic
background. A distinguishing feature of Islam, unlike many
other religions, is that it is not named after a person or tribe.

The 6 Aspects (Articles) of Belief

1. Belief in Allah

"Allah" is the unique Arabic name of The One True God. Allah
has no rivals, partners, equals, children or parents. He is not
like His creation, as nothing shares His divine essence and
perfect attributes. Some of His names and attributes include:
The Creator, The Most Merciful, The Most High, The All-
Powerful, The Most Just, The All-Wise, The Sustainer and
The All-Knowing.

He is the Creator and Sustainer of all, the One who has

granted us countless blessings, such as our faculties of
hearing, seeing and thinking, as well as the ability to walk, talk
and be productive. As such, we should acknowledge, thank and
worship Him alone by following His guidance.
It is rational to conclude that such a complex and balanced
universe is not possible by any other than a powerful and
intelligent being. It is therefore illogical to believe that the
universe created itself, or was the result of random or
coincidental events.

2. Belief in the Angels

Angels are made from light, have allocated tasks and never
disobey their Creator. Details about a few have been revealed,
such as Gabriel, who delivers God's message to the Prophets,
and the Angel of Death, who takes the souls of people.

3. Belief in the Revealed Books

Allah sent divine revelation to His Messengers as a guidance

and mercy to mankind. These include the Torah and Gospel as
originally revealed to Moses and Jesus respectively, and the
Quran as revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

The Quran is the literal word of God and the final revelation
to all of mankind. There are many clear signs and miracles that
it is from God, examples of which include:

• Contains a simple, pure and universal message which

appeals to Man's inherent beliefs about Almighty God.
• Contains a unique style of language that is universally
known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic
beauty - yet the Quran was revealed to Prophet
 Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known,
historically, to be illiterate.
• Contains many scientific facts which have only been
discovered recently despite being revealed over 1400
years ago.
• Free from any errors or contradictions.
• Preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its
original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which
have been distorted, changed or lost.

The most rational explanation for the many unique and

miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it can only be from
God. Together with the authentic sayings and actions of
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is the primary
source of Islamic knowledge.

4. Belief in the Prophets

Muslims believe that thousands of Prophets were sent by

Allah, at least one to every nation, to convey God's revelation.
These Prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Joseph,
Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Their
mission was to return people to the worship of the One True
God, to serve as practical examples of how to obey God, and
to guide people to the path of salvation. Prophets do not share
in any part of God's divinity, and any type of prayer or
worship towards the Prophets, or to God through them, is
strictly forbidden and considered a violation of God's right to
be worshipped alone.
- Prophet Jesus

Muslims believe that Jesus is an honourable prophet of God,

born miraculously through his virgin mother Mary. He
performed many miracles with the permission of God, such as
healing the sick, curing the blind and speaking as a newborn
defending his mother from accusations. Although Muslims
respect and love Jesus, they do not worship him. He is not
considered the son of God, nor part of a trinity, nor does he
share in any of God's perfect attributes. God says:
"It is not befitting for Allah to take a son; exalted is He!
When he decrees an affair, He only says, ‘Be' and it
is."Quran 19:35

- Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the final Prophet sent to

all of mankind. He came with the Quran to demonstrate how
its teachings should be applied, and was a perfect example of
an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful and brave
human being. As with Jesus, Muslims do not worship
Muhammad.

5. Belief in the Day of Judgement

The Day of Judgment is the inevitable event when each one of

us will stand before our Creator and be questioned about our
good and bad deeds. Every one of our actions will be
accounted for, regardless of size.

On this momentous Day, Allah, the All-Just, will settle all

matters fairly and no person will be wronged. Everyone's
rights will be returned. All will be treated justly, by either
the reward of Paradise, or the punishment of the Hellfire.
Without a Day of Judgement, life would be grossly unfair, as
not everyone receives justice in this world.

6. Belief in Divine Destiny

Allah knows everything from the past, the present, and

anything that will occur in the future. He has power over all
things - nothing occurs without His knowledge and permission.

Every person has been given the free will to choose between
right and wrong, and will be held to account accordingly

Free will does not contradict the fact that events can only
occur with God's knowledge and permission. Nor does it mean
that God's power over everything prevents or restricts
people's free will. God's knowledge of people's decisions does
not mean that they are being forced to make such decisions,
and God is not necessarily pleased with everything that He
allows to occur.

The 5 Pillars of Worship

The foundation of a Muslim's life.
1. The Declaration of Faith

The declaration of faith is bearing witness that there is no

God worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His
Messenger. It must be based on a sincere and firm belief in
the heart, followed by action. With this declaration, a person
rejects all false deities, asserts that Allah is the only One
worthy of worship, and accepts His final Messenger, hence
becoming a Muslim.

2. The Five Daily Prayers

Prayer establishes a personal and spiritual connection between

the Muslim and their Creator, and is a constant and practical
reminder of a person's duty to obey God. The five prayers are
prescribed once each at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset
and nightfall. Each prayer can take a few minutes to perform,
consisting of recitation of the Quran, supplications, praising
Allah, and various movements. In preparation for prayer,
Muslims wash certain parts of their body, such as the face
and hands, to ensure spiritual and physical purity.

3. The Annual Charity

The annual charity is an obligation on every Muslim who meets

certain criteria (e.g. has wealth above a certain threshold). A
mere 2.5% of one's annual wealth is donated to those who are
eligible, such as the poor, the needy or those in debt. It
purifies one's wealth and carries many benefits for both the
giver and the receiver. One benefit is it reduces the gap
between the rich and poor, ensuring everyone has their basic
needs met.

4. The Annual Fasting

Every year during the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from

dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink and sexual
relations. It serves as a spiritual purification, nurtures
patience and self-restraint, and provides many health
benefits.

5. The Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, in Saudi Arabia, must

be performed once in a person's life, if they are physically
and financially able. It occurs annually in the 12th month of
the Islamic calendar, unifying people of every colour, race,
status and age, as they join in worship of the One True God.
All pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing, which strip away
distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before
God. This great journey consists of many components,
including sacrifices, travelling and praying at various sites.
Such an experience is life altering and humbles a person,
making them more patient and thankful.

The Concept of Worship

Any action that Allah is pleased with.

Islam's concept of worship is not restricted to only the five

pillars. Worship is an all-inclusive term for any actions that
are pleasing to Allah. Everyday activities can become acts of
worship by purifying one's intention and ensuring one's actions
are in line with God's guidelines. Examples include smiling,
being good to one's neighbours, supporting one's family, being
honest, and even removing rubbish from the road.

It should be noted that Allah is not in need of anyone's

worship, rather, we are in need of Him and our worship is for
our benefit.

Conclusion
The above-mentioned aspects of faith and acts of worship
make up the essence of Islam. When practised, Islam fulfils
the spiritual, physical, psychological and social needs of all
people, and is a practical and rational way of life.
Furthermore, it is the only way of life which is accepted by
God Almighty, and the only path that leads to everlasting
Paradise.
"Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female,
while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a
good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in
the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to
do."Quran 16:97
Misconceptions about Islam

Islam is one of the world's largest religions yet it is also one

of the most misunderstood. For various reasons - be they
political, economic, biased media or fear of the "other" -
mistruths and misconceptions have been spread about Islam.
The key to understanding Islam and Muslims is to resist
stereotypes and examine each situation according to Islamic
teachings and authentic sources.

Misconception – "Islam Permits Terrorism"

The media generally portrays any Muslim who fights as a
terrorist, regardless of whether they fight justly or unjustly,
or whether they are oppressing others or being oppressed.

In war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a

despicable act which Islam clearly prohibits. In fact, Muslims
are not allowed to destroy plants and animals unnecessarily,
let alone innocent humans. However, it is important to
distinguish between terrorism and legitimate resistance to
occupation, as the two are very different.

The Quran clearly demonstrates the seriousness of killing an

innocent person, and emphasises the value of human life.
"If anyone murders an innocent person, it will be as if he
has murdered the whole of humanity. And if anyone saves
a person it will be as if he has saved the whole of
humanity."Quran 5:32
Misconception – "Islam Oppresses Women"
In Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God, in
terms of both receiving equal reward and accountability for
their actions. The only thing that distinguishes people in the
sight of God is their level of piety.
"Verily the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is
the most God conscious."Quran 49:13
This verse proves that real honour and status is not attained
because a person is rich or poor, black or white, male or
female, but attained through piety and devoutness.

Allah, the Creator of both genders, has assigned different

roles and responsibilities for each, taking into account their
differences. Women are given the utmost respect and honour,
such as the right to equal pay, choice of spouse, pursuit of
education, and the right to divorce and inheritance.

Unfortunately, there are some Muslim women who are

oppressed and not given their rights. This is not the fault of
Islam. The problem is that in some countries, people follow
certain cultural practices and traditions which have nothing to
do with Islam.

Misconception – "The Quran is Just another History or Poetry

Book"
The Quran is the divine literal word of God Almighty, revealed
to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the angel
Gabriel. It is a criterion for the truth, containing guidance for
humanity to live by. The Quran cites lessons from preceding
generations and the history of the Prophets in order that we
may learn from their experiences. It further teaches us about
ourselves and our Creator, as well as the purpose of our
existence which is to acknowledge God, worshipping Him alone.

God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly. The

test of one's faith is in using one's intellect, free will and
reasoning abilities to contemplate and recognise God's signs -
one of the greatest signs being The Quran.

The Quran contains within it many miracles, so that we can

have no doubt about its authenticity. The best way to discover
what the Quran is actually about, is to read it for yourself.

Misconception – "Hijab is Oppressive"

To observe the hijab, Muslim women are required to modestly
cover their body with clothes that do not reveal their figure
in front of non-closely related males. However, hijab is not
just about outer appearances; it is also about noble speech,
modesty, and dignified conduct.

Although there are many benefits of the hijab, the key reason
Muslim women observe hijab is because it is a command from
Allah (God), and He knows what is best for His creation.

The hijab empowers a woman by emphasising her inner

spiritual beauty, rather than her superficial appearance. It
gives women the freedom to be active members of society,
while maintaining their modesty.

The hijab does not symbolize suppression, oppression or

silence. Rather, it is a guard against degrading remarks,
unwanted advances and unfair discrimination. So the next time
you see a Muslim woman, know that she covers her physical
appearance, not her mind or intellect.

Misconception – "Jihad is Terrorism"

The essence of Jihad is to struggle and sacrifice for one's
religion in a manner which is pleasing to God. Linguistically, it
means to "struggle" and can refer to one's striving to do good
deeds, give charity, or to join an Islamic military action. The
most commonly known form is the military Jihad which is
permitted in order to preserve the well being of society, to
prevent oppression from spreading, and to promote justice.
This can be either defensive or offensive, depending on the
circumstance.

Misconception– "Islam Permits Forced Marriages"

Arranged marriages are cultural practices which are
predominant in certain countries throughout the world.
Although not restricted to Muslims, forced marriages have
become incorrectly associated with Islam.

In Islam, both males and females have the right to choose or

reject their potential spouse, and a marriage is considered null
and void if a woman's genuine approval is not granted prior to
the marriage.
Misconception – "Islam Forces People to Become Muslim"
ALLAH says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth
has been made clear from error." Quran 2:256

Although it is a duty on Muslims to convey and share the

beautiful message of Islam to others, no one can be compelled
to accept Islam. To accept Islam, a person must sincerely and
voluntarily believe and obey God, so, by definition, no one can
(or should) be forced to accept Islam.

Consider the following:

• Indonesia has the largest Muslim population yet no

battles were fought to bring Islam there.
• There are around 14 million Arab Coptic Christians that
have been living in the heart of Arabia for generations.
• Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the
western world today.
• Although fighting oppression and promoting justice are
valid reasons for waging jihad, forcing people to accept
Islam is not one of them.
• Muslims ruled Spain for around 800 years yet never
coerced people to convert.

Conclusion
Learning about Islam from unqualified sources without
verification is dangerous and leads to misunderstandings. Do
not be misled into accepting misconceptions and false
information about Islam – the belief shared by more than a
quarter of mankind.
Traps of Satan
The wise person is he who studies his enemies’ strategies
and takes the precautions and measures to defeat them.
Your Lord has warned, “Indeed Satan is an enemy to you,
so take him as an enemy...” Qur’an 35:6

History of Satan (Iblis)

Satan was created from smokeless fire. Though he was not an
angel, he was present amongst them in Heaven due to his
obedience to Allah (God). When Allah created Prophet Adam
(peace be upon him), He commanded those in Heaven to
prostrate before Adam, but Satan refused out of pride and
arrogance, saying, “I am better than him [Adam], You
created me from fire, and created him from clay.” Qur’an
7:12

Allah cursed Satan and banished him from Heaven. Satan

requested an opportunity to mislead mankind, and Allah
granted this request.
“[Satan] said, ‘Because You have put me in error, I will
surely sit in wait for them [mankind] on Your straight
path. Then I will come to them from before them and
from behind them and on their right and on their left, and
You will not find most of them grateful [to You].’ ”Qur’an
7:16-17

The Traps of Satan

Disbelief in the Oneness of God

The foundation of Islam is the belief in the Oneness of God -
having no partner, equal, son or rivals. Conversely, the
greatest sin is to ascribe partners or equals with Allah.

Examples include:

• Directing worship to other than God (e.g. prostrating or

supplicating to other than God).
• Delegating some of God’s attributes to other objects or
beings (e.g. idols/lucky charms).
• Claiming that God has a son, mother or any other partner.

Thus, tempting mankind into disbelief is Satan’s main focus.

However, if Satan cannot mislead people to commit clear acts
of disbelief, he resorts to more subtle means, such as the
belief in superstitions, good luck charms, astrology and
fortune telling. Such beliefs contradict the fact that Allah
alone has power and knowledge over all things, and is the Only
One Who can bring benefit or harm.

Innovation in the Religion

“...I have perfected for you your religion...”Qur’an 5:3

Satan will lure a person to invent wrong beliefs and practices
into Islam which were neither ordained by God nor the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In fact, the belief
that Islam is incomplete or imperfectly revealed by God, thus
requiring innovation, is considered disbelief; because it is a
rejection of what Allah has revealed.
Many innovations are implemented with the same meticulous
care as a religious observance, and viewed as being just as
significant as what God revealed. Herein lays danger, as the
people who follow innovations believe their acts are accepted,
although in reality they are committing a sin. These innovators
will feel no need for repentance, as they do not recognise
their wrong doing.

Neglecting Obligatory Deeds

“...Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and

wrongdoing...”Qur’an 29:45
Satan wants to “...avert you from the remembrance of
Allah and from prayer.” Qur’an 5:91

Allah has made certain actions obligatory on every Muslim, the

most regular of which is the five daily prayers. Therefore,
Satan seeks to make us neglectful of prayers so that we fall
further into sin.

Gradual Deception

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained to us how

idol worship originated, which highlights the gradual and
patient approach of Satan. After a group of righteous people
died, Satan inspired those around them to erect statues in
their honour and as reminder of their righteousness. When
that generation passed away and the people had forgotten
why the statues were erected, Satan deceived them into
believing that their forefathers used to worship them, and
that through them, the rains were brought forth. People then
began worshipping these statues.

This gradual deception is used in many ways. For example,

Satan tricks people into committing forbidden sexual acts: it
begins with a look, which leads to a thought, then a smile, then
a seemingly innocent conversation, then seclusion and
eventually, the sin itself.

Similarly, in desiring to make people cease their obligatory

religious acts, Satan initially convinces people to give up their
optional acts of worship, which leads them to become lazy
with the obligatory ones. He also tries to trivialise small sins,
which eventually leads them down a slippery slope to major
sins.

Beautifying Evil Deeds

“...And Satan made attractive to them that which they

were doing.”Qur’an 6:43
Satan presents sins to people in a favourable light, such as
how he deceived Adam and Eve into eating from the tree.

Satan whispered to Adam, saying, “ ‘O Adam! Shall I lead

you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will
never waste away?’ ” Qur’an 20:120
“ ‘Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you
become angels or become of the immortal... Indeed, I am
to you from among the sincere advisors.’ So he made them
fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the
tree… their Lord called to them, ‘Did I not forbid you
from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear
enemy?’ ” Qur’an 7:20-22

Although Adam was surrounded by many permissible foods,

Satan convinced him to eat from the tree which was
forbidden. Similarly, Satan tricks people into forbidden acts
instead of those which are permitted, such as fornication over
marriage, music over the Qur’an, haram income over halal, and
into the small percentage of prohibited food and drink over
the vast majority that is wholesome and pure.

Arousing Desires

“Satan promises them and arouses desire in them. But

Satan does not promise them except delusion.”Qur’an 4:120
Every human has desires and temptations. Satan plays on this
and convinces man to indulge in instant gratification without
considering the consequences. This inevitably leads to regret
and humiliation, either in this life or on the Day of Judgement.

Wasting Time

If Satan cannot trap someone into sinning, he keeps them

busy with trivial acts which have no benefit. Instead of using
our time wisely, fulfilling our priorities and reaching high
goals, Satan occupies us with useless actions.

How to Defeat Satan

“Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an
enemy...”Qur’an 35:6
The first step is to recognise Satan as our enemy: if you know
your enemy, you can defeat him. Satan’s power consists
principally in his ability to deceive, so we need to understand
his cunning tactics and approach, in order to better protect
ourselves.

Seek Help with Allah

To ask Allah for His protection and to rely on Him alone for
help, is a tool in defeating Satan. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Nas
of the Qu’ran may be used to regularly seek protection from
Satan and we should recite them. We must realise that as long
as we are alive, Satan will never give up attempting to mislead
us. We must always be on our guard and constantly ask Allah
for guidance and protection.

Seek Forgiveness

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “He who repents from
sin is like one without sin.” Ibn Majah

If we succumb to Satan’s plots, by the Grace and Mercy of

Allah we still have the opportunity to rectify our mistakes by
acknowledging our wrongdoings and repenting to Allah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Satan said to the

Lord of Glory, ‘By Your Glory O Lord, I will keep trying to
misguide Your slaves so long as their souls are in their
bodies.’ The Lord said, ‘By My Glory and Majesty, I will
continue to forgive them so long as they ask My
forgiveness.’ ” Ahmad

For repentance to be accepted, it must be sincere, with the

intention of never committing that same sin again.

Avoid Sinful Environments

When Allah forbade Adam from one particular tree, He did

not say, “do not eat from this tree” but rather, “do not
come close to this tree.” Qur’an 2:35. We must therefore
distance ourselves from anything that may lead to committing
sin.

Keep Good Companionship

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) advised, “A

person is on the path of his close friend, so be careful
whom you befriend.” Tirmithee

The company you keep strongly influences your decisions and

actions. Good companions will remind you about Allah and
encourage you to do good, whereas bad company will lead you
into the arms of Satan.
Do Good Deeds

Keeping busy with religious deeds, especially prayer, is an

excellent means of defeating Satan. If one occupies their
time with good, they are less likely to be influenced by Satan’s
tricks.
“And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then
seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and
Knowing.”Qur’an 7:200

Conclusion

The battle against Satan can only be won if we are aware of

his traps, and if we apply the strategies to defeat him. On the
Day of Judgement, Satan will confess to his sins and mischief.
He will declare before all of creation that Allah is the One
who tells the truth and that he (Satan) is a liar.

We ask Allah the Almighty, by His most beautiful Names and

sublime Attributes, to forgive our sins and grant us refuge
from the traps of Satan.