What is Islam

Islam is a faith embraced by nearly two billion people across every corner of the world. At its heart lies a message both simple and profound: that there is one God, the Creator of all things, and that human beings find true peace by living in harmony with Him and with one another.

The Meaning of Islam

The word "Islam" comes from an Arabic root carrying the meanings of both submission to God and peace. Peace that grows from entrusting one's life to the Most Merciful. To be a Muslim is to devote oneself willingly to God, known in Arabic as Allah, the very same word Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use for God. A Muslim, then, is simply someone who worships the One God and strives to live with sincerity, humility, and good character.

Belief in One God

The foundation of Islam is belief in the absolute oneness of God, known as tawhid. God is eternal and without partner or equal. He was neither born nor gives birth, and there is nothing comparable to Him (Qur'an, Chapter 112). Muslims believe in the same God worshipped by the prophets who came before, among them Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Understand Islam as the continuation and completion of that one timeless message.

The Holy Qur'an

Muslims believe the Qur'an to be the literal word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of about twenty-three years. Preserved in its original Arabic since the time of its revelation, it offers guidance on faith, worship, justice, family, and the conduct of everyday life. It opens in the name of God, "the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" (Qur'an, Chapter 1).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Muhammad (peace be upon him), born in Mecca around 570 CE, is the final prophet in a long line of messengers sent to humanity. Muslims do not worship him; rather, they honor him as the one who conveyed God's final revelation and embodied its teachings in his character. The Qur'an describes him as a mercy sent to all the worlds (Qur'an 21:107), and his example (his honesty, humility, patience, and kindness) remains a model for Muslims to follow.

The Six Articles of Faith

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked to describe faith, he named six beliefs that every Muslim holds, as recorded in the Hadith of Jibril (Sahih Muslim 8):

• Belief in God, the One Creator
• Belief in His angels
• Belief in His revealed books, including the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur'an
• Belief in His prophets and messengers, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all)
• Belief in the Day of Judgment, when every soul will answer for its deeds
• Belief in divine decree — that all things unfold by God's knowledge and wisdom

The Five Pillars of Islam

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that Islam is built upon five pillars (Sahih al-Bukhari 8; Sahih Muslim 16) — the core acts of worship that shape a Muslim's life:

• Shahada — the declaration of faith: that there is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Messenger
• Salah — the five daily prayers, observed at appointed times throughout the day
• Zakat — giving a portion of one's wealth to those in need
• Sawm — fasting from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan
• Hajj — the pilgrimage to Mecca, undertaken once in a lifetime by every Muslim who is able

Faith in Everyday Life

Islam is not confined to acts of worship; it shapes how a person treats others each day. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that the best among people are those with the best character (Sahih al-Bukhari 6029), and that none of us truly believes until we love for others what we love for ourselves (Sahih al-Bukhari 13; Sahih Muslim 45). Compassion, honesty, generosity, care for one's neighbors, and service to the wider community are all living expressions of faith. This is why a mosque is far more than a place of prayer. It is a home for learning, charity, and belonging.

Everyone Is Welcome

Islam holds that faith must be chosen freely and sincerely:

The Qur'an reminds us that God made humanity into different peoples and tribes so that we might come to know one another, and that what truly distinguishes a person is their righteousness, not their lineage (Qur'an 49:13). Whatever your background or beliefs, you are warmly welcome to visit the Danville Muslim Community Center, to ask questions, and to learn more. Our doors are open.