Understanding the Core Principles of Islam

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 in Religion

The Features of a Muslim’s Personality

Believing in theory alone is not enough; it is not real faith. Muslims should put into practice everything which reflects the Muslim’s faith.

The Main Principles Observed in Islamic Legislation

  1. The principle of ease, and abandoning objection and oppression. Allah says: “Allah does not want to make things difficult for you” [2:185]
  2. The Principle of justice: all Islamic legislation ensures justice between members of the whole community. This principle preserves human rights for all.
  3. Observing people’s well-being: making lawful everything which is useful, and forbidding everything which causes harm to humankind.
  4. Gradation in legislation. This means that we should take into consideration the case of the individual and teach him/her gradually and carefully.

Islam is based on five pillars: the testimony that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger; establishing regular prayer (Salah); giving alms (Zakah); the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj); and fasting the month of Ramadan.

What are the Benefits of Giving Alms (Zakah)?

  1. It purifies one’s wealth.
  2. It purifies the soul from stinginess.
  3. It strengthens the love between the rich and the poor.
  4. It removes hatred, allows security to prevail, and brings happiness to society.
  5. It gives its givers a great reward in the Hereafter.

People Who are Entitled to (Deserve) Zakah

  • The poor and al-Masakin (the needy)
  • Those who are employed to collect funds and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam
  • To free the captives and those in debt
  • For Allah’s cause (i.e., for struggle)
  • For the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-knower, All-Wise” (9:60))

The Difference Between Ramadan and Other Months

  1. In Ramadan, Allah revealed the Quran on the night called al-Qadr.
  2. The rewards for good deeds done in this month are doubled.
  3. On the night of al-Qadr, the reward for good deeds done is better than a thousand months.
  4. In this month, the gates of paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are tied up.
  5. In this month, Allah blessed the Muslims with many victories over their enemies, amongst which are the battle of Badr, the conquest of Makkah, and many more.

The Benefits of Fasting

  1. Fasting is beneficial for one’s health.
  2. It teaches a person how to become patient.
  3. Fasting is regarded as a method of self-purification.
  4. It allows the Muslim to empathize with poor people.
  5. It enhances self-dependence when a Muslim refrains from all bodily desires for the sake of Allah.
  6. Fasting urges the Muslim to be more generous with people.
  7. It teaches people cooperation and mutual compassion. Allah says: “O you who believe! Observing the fast is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious” [2:183]

The Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)

The Importance and Significance of the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)
  1. The pilgrimage to Makkah is regarded as a huge, general conference where Muslims from all over the world gather, sharing the same duties and actions.
  2. The Pilgrimage shows that the Lord is one and the Ummah is one.
  3. The pilgrimage shows unity between Muslims.
  4. The pilgrimage allows Muslims to visit the holy places which remind us how Islam was established.
  5. Allah rewards the Muslim who performs Hajj correctly with complete forgiveness of his/her sins.

Islamic Ethics and Morals

Islam wants the Muslim to be truthful in everything, sincere and straightforward, honest, humble, soft-spoken, gentle, loving, considerate and compassionate, polite and respectful to people, generous and charitable, chaste and pure, dignified and decent, optimistic and hopeful, confident and pious, diligent and vigilant of duties, thankful to Allah, and constantly praying to Him.

  1. Islam regards having a high standard of morality and ethics as a main feature of a Muslim’s personality.
  2. Islam regards ethics and morals as the real fruits of all its legislations.
  3. Islamic ethics cover relations not only inside the family and inside Muslim society but also outside of Muslim countries, even during wars.