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Religious Tolerance
Islam · introductory essay · part 2

Texts, beliefs and practices in Islam.

A respectful introduction to the Qur'an, Hadith, foundational beliefs and the practices commonly known as the Five Pillars.

Read Part 1 of this introduction

Geometric architectural detail in a mosque courtyard
Guide to this essay

Reading Islam in context

Islam is a global religious tradition with diverse schools, communities and lived practices. The overview below describes widely recognized ideas while recognizing that Muslims may interpret texts and observances in different ways.

About the phrase “Allahu akbar”The Arabic expression means “God is greatest.” Muslims use it in prayer, worship, expressions of joy, and moments of difficulty. Its ordinary religious meaning should not be reduced to the way it is sometimes portrayed in news coverage of political violence.

Important texts

Muslims consult several bodies of scripture and religious literature. Their authority and interpretation can vary among traditions.

The Qur'an
The Qur'an is understood by Muslims as revelation from God, conveyed to Muhammad in Arabic over a period traditionally described as about twenty-three years. Translations are generally treated as interpretations of the Arabic text rather than identical replacements.
Earlier revelations
Islamic tradition recognizes revelations associated with figures including Abraham, Moses and David, and regards Jesus as a messenger. Discussions of the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil connect Islamic teaching with earlier scriptural traditions.
Hadith and Sunnah
Hadith collections preserve reports about Muhammad's words and example. Together with the Qur'an, they inform the Sunnah, although scholars differ in how individual reports are assessed and applied.

Core beliefs

A commonly taught summary identifies six articles of faith:

  1. God's oneness: God is one, creator, just and merciful.
  2. Angels: unseen beings serve God within the created order.
  3. Revelation: God has guided humanity through revealed scriptures, with the Qur'an holding a central place in Islam.
  4. Messengers: prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, who is regarded as the final prophet in mainstream Islamic belief.
  5. Accountability: people face judgment and are responsible for their actions.
  6. Divine decree: God's knowledge and will encompass creation, while Islamic theology contains varied approaches to human responsibility and choice.

Other commonly discussed teachings include the rejection of divine sonship, the prophetic status of Jesus, the importance of repentance, the dignity of humanity, and ethical restraint concerning intoxicants, gambling and harmful conduct. These teachings are understood and practiced in diverse ways.

Practices

The Five Pillars provide a widely recognized framework for Muslim religious practice:

ShahadahA profession of faith affirming God's oneness and Muhammad's prophethood.
SalatRegular ritual prayer, traditionally performed five times daily at appointed periods.
ZakatObligatory charitable giving, understood as a responsibility toward those in need.
SawmFasting during Ramadan from dawn to sunset, alongside prayer, reflection and generosity.
HajjA pilgrimage to Mecca expected at least once for Muslims who are physically and financially able.

Prayer times follow the movement of the sun and therefore vary by season and location. Communities may make practical adjustments in regions with unusual daylight patterns.

Continuing the seriesThis introduction continues in Part 3. For a broader overview, visit the Islam section.

References and editorial note

This page is an educational summary of established Islamic concepts and historical discussions. Readers seeking detailed interpretation should consult recognized scholarship from the relevant Islamic tradition and historical context. Terminology and transliteration may differ among publications.

Reader guide

Questions about this introduction

Use these prompts to distinguish broad descriptions from the diversity of Muslim experience.

Is Islam a single uniform tradition?
No. Sunni, Shia and other communities, schools of law and cultural settings shape interpretation and practice.
Are all Muslims expected to practice identically?
No. The Five Pillars are widely recognized, but ability, circumstance, interpretation and local custom affect how people observe them.
Why are translations described as interpretations?
Muslims generally regard the Arabic Qur'an as the revealed text; translations communicate its meaning across languages but cannot reproduce every feature of the original.