Bismilla-hir Rahman-nir Rahim

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah [a companion of Prophet Muhummed (s.a.w.)]: Some angels came to prophet Muhummed while he was sleeping. Some of them said, "He is sleeping." Others said, "His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake." Then they said, "There is an example for this companion of yours." One of them said, "Then set forth an example for him." One of them said, "He is sleeping." Another said, "His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake." Then they said, "His example is that of a man who built a house and then offered therein a banquet and sent an inviter (messenger) to invite the people. So whoever accepted the invitation of the inviter, entered the house and ate of the banquet, and whoever did not accept the invitation of the inviter, did not enter the house, not did he eat of the banquet." Then the angels said, "Interpret this parable to him so that he may understand it." One of them said, "He is sleeping." The others said, "His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake." And then they said, "The house stands for Paradise and the call-maker is Muhummed and whoever obeys Muhummed, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys Muhummed, disobeys Allah. Muhummed separated the people (i.e. through his message, the good is distinguished from the bad, and the believers from the disbelievers)."

Who is Muhummed (s.a.w.)?

In Surah Al-A'raf of the Qur'an Allah speaks about Muhummed (s.a.w.) in these verses:

157. Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written (i.e., mentioned) in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful. 158. Say, (O Muhummad), "O Mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, (from Him) to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided. [Translated verses 7:157-158]
In verse 40 of Surah Al-Ahzab Allah also describes Muhummed (s.a.w.) as the 'Seal of the Prophets.' There will be no new Prophet after Muhummed (s.a.w.) and no new religion will be born after Muhummed (s.a.w.).

Who are the followers of Muhummed (s.a.w.)?

The followers of Muhummed (s.a.w.) are given the name 'Muslims' by Allah in verse 78 of Surah Al-Hajj, and they are the people that submit their will to Allah and sincerely believe in the following declaration of faith (The Shahadah):

[Hadith Translation No. 385, Volume No. 9, from the book Sahih Al-Bukhari]

'Hadith', like the one you just read, are reports about Prophet Muhummed (s.a.w.) (570-632 C.E.), heard and seen by his companions, and which Muslim scholars later collected in books. Bukhari is one such scholar who collected thousands of authentic hadith. The word 'Sahih' means 'sound' and the context of the word 'sound' pertains to the reliability and memory of the reporters that make up the unbroken chain of authenticity from the lips of Prophet Muhummed (s.a.w.) to the lips of (and books written by) Bukhari, and then to your and my lips. These letters, [s.a.w.] is an abbreviation for the words "Sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam", which means 'May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him (Muhammed).' The above gold text 'Bismilla-hir Rahman-nir Rahim' is the opening verse of the Qur'an in Arabic and it means 'In the name of Allah the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.'

(There is) No God except Allah. (and) Muhummed is the messenger of Allah.
The transliteration for the shahadah, written in the English alphabet, is:

La Ilaha illill-Allah. MuhummedMuhummed-ur rasulrasul-Allah.

The above words are Arabic words, but I used the English alphabet to write them so that you may easily recite it if you choose to submit to Allah. 'Islam' is an Arabic word, which in English translates to the word 'Submission'. Note: The shahadah (declaration of faith) has 4 basic constituents: 1. 2. 3. 4. Denounce and reject all false gods and deities. Believe that Allah is the only God. Believe in the oneness of Allah. Believe that Muhummed (s.a.w.) is the messenger and servant of Allah.

What is the Qu'ran?

The Qur'an is the unchanged word of Allah which was verbally revealed to Muhummed (s.a.w.), the messenger of Allah, in Arabic via the angel Gabriel (peace be upon him). The Qur'an was revealed over a period of 23 years in discourses and segments. It contains 114 surahs. A surah can be defined as a section (chapter) of the Qur'an. Some surahs have over 200 verses and some have less than 10 verses. The translation of the Qur'an by scholars, researchers, etc into English or any other language is not Allah's word. There is only one Arabic Qur'an and only prophet Muhummed (s.a.w.) received the revelation from the angel Gabriel (peace be upon him). In verse 2 of surah Baqara Allah says that the Qur'an is 'a guidance for those conscious of Allah.'

A Muslim must lead a righteous life, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. To receive guidance in the correctness of belief and in righteous living you must read, understand and benefit from the Qur'an and the teachings of Muhummed (s.a.w.). For Muslims, intoxicants, gambling, fornication and dealing in interest and usury are forbidden. Every righteous believer that dies, submitting his/her self to Allah, is rewarded with the highest achievement on Judgement Day, which is an everlasting life in Paradise.

Who is Allah?
In Surah Baqarah of the Qur'an Allah describes Himself in this famous verse, known to Muslims as Ayat-ulKursi.

255. Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of (all) existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is (presently) before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [Translated verse 2:255]
Surah Ikhlas has just 4 terse verses. In it Allah unambiguously expresses His oneness, His uniqueness, His indivisibility and He distinguishes Himself from all of creation, which is eternally dependent on Him alone. The following is a translation:

What is Judgement Day?

Judgement Day begins at the end of the World we presently live in. It is the day of recompense and reckoning. All of mankind will be resurrected and each person will be presented with his/her record of deeds. The record will include the person's religious beliefs; a complete record of all good deeds and sins; etc. On Judgement Day the righteous believers will be separated from the disbelievers and evildoers. The disbelievers and evildoers will meet an evil fate in Hell-Fire. The sincere and true believers will have a light reckoning, enter Paradise and eat of the banquet, as revealed in Surah As-Saffat of the Qur'an:

1. Say, "He is Allah, (who is) One, 2. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. 3. He neither begets nor is born, 4. Nor is there to Him any equivalent." [Translated verses 112:1-4]

41. Those will have a provision determined 42. Fruits; and they will be honored 43. In gardens of pleasure 44. On thrones facing one another. 45. There will be circulating among them a cup (of wine) from a flowing spring, 46. White and delicious to the drinkers; 47. No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated. 48. And with them will be women limiting (their) glances, with large, (beautiful) eyes, [Translated verses 37:41-48]