What is Islam Religion A brief Introduction

Islam is last of the divine Religions by Allah till the day of judgment.. 

There are two set of principles in Islam.
1.A set of Bi lief.
2. A set of Action.

The set of beliefs that constitute the principle tenets of Islam are

There are Six Articles of Islamic Bilieves

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1.   Belief in Allah, the one and only one worthy of all worship (Oneness of the Worship), creator, sustainer etc and all powerful for everything (Oneness of the Lordship) with all his good name and attributes.                     (Tawhid)

2.   Belief in His angels                            (Malāika)

3.   Belief in His Divine Books sent on Prophets from time to time.                                                                  (Kutub)

4.   Belief in His Messengers, which were sent to Mankind from time to time.                                         (Rusul)

5.   Belief in the Day of Judgment and in the Resurrection (life after death).                                                   (Yawm al-qiyāmah)

6.   Belief  in Destiny (Fate)                         (Qadar).

 Narrated Abu Huraira Raziallahu Anhu:One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked,

"What is Emaan (Faith,Aqeedah)?" Allah's Apostle replied, 'Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Then he further asked,

"What is Islam?"

Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he further asked,

There are Five Pillars of Islam.

1.Shahadah (The Testimony of Faith) Or Kalimah Tawheed (The Creed Of The Oneness Of Allah). 

لآ اِلَهَ اِلّا اللّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوُل اللّهِ

LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU MUHAMMADUR-RASULUL-LAH.

(Trans: There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)

This KALIMAH TAWHEED (the creed of the Oneness of Allah) is the basic creed of Islam. If someone reads the basic creed with heart. He/she becomes Muslim. This includes all other articles of Faith  and all explanation are inherently included in it.

2. Salah, The prayer, (Namaz in Urdu) is the second pillar.

The Individuals have a direct relationship with Allah. The world's Muslims individually and collectively offer five daily prayers at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. In addition, Friday congregational service is also required. 

Although salah can he performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque in congregation. For friday prayer congregation is mandatory.

Zakat, (Obligatory Charity), is the third pillar.

It is obligatory on rich Muslims who have savings more than a certain prescribed limit.A Muslim has to give 2.5% of his saving to poor and needy.

An important principle of Islam is that everything belongs to Allah, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakah means  both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Social responsibility is considered part of one's service to Allah; the obligatory act of zakat enshrines this duty.

 Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakah individually.

Sawm, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, (Ninth month of Lunar Calendar) is the fourth pillar of Islam.

Ordained in the Holy Qur'an, the fast is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of Allah. Fasting is also an exercise in self-control whereby one's sensitivity is heightened to the sufferings of the poor.  Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown--abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses.

 Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and  make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God.  God states in the Qur'an:  "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183) 

The end of Ramadan is observed by three days of celebration called Eid Al-Fitr, the feast of the breaking of the fast.

Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, is the fifth pillar

For those Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty that is the peak of their religious life. It is obligatory on the rich muslims only. It is significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. The Hajj is a remarkable spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. Haj is also a rememberance of the sacrifices that the Prophet Abraham and his Family did for the pleasure of Allah.

The five pillars of Islam define the basic identity of Muslims - their faith, beliefs and practices - and bind together a worldwide community of believers into a fellowship of shared values and concerns.