Islamic studies for beginners - level 1

Explore what iman means and how it defines a Muslim, covering the oneness of Allah and the articles of faith such as angels, scriptures, prophets, and the last day.

Explore at-Tawhid, the belief in God as the creator of all things and the sole object of worship. Muslims affirm that He has no parents, partners, or offspring.

Explore al-malaikah, angels created to worship, invisible yet able to take forms. Learn about Jabril's revelation of the Quran, Isra'il the Angel of Death, and angels recording deeds.

Learn about Kutub-Allah, the books of Allah, and how prophets convey guidance through scriptures, including the Holy Bible and other earlier revealed books.

Learn the fundamental belief in prophets in Islam, including that prophets are human guides chosen spiritually. Affirm that Prophet Muhammad stands as the final messenger to all humankind.

Believe in the last day, Yaumul Qiyamah, and face universal judgment for deeds. Resurrection follows as mountains crumble and skies witness the stand for justice against the wrongdoers.

Explore the islamic belief in life after death (akhirah) and the last day, where all are judged for their actions and either rewarded or punished in hell.

Explore the five pillars of Islam as the core religious duties guiding a Muslim's life, and learn how these five pillars shape practice and belief.

Declare the shahadah by bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the first and essential duty of a Muslim.

Learn the fundamentals of salah, the five daily prayers (dawn, noon, afternoon, evening after sunset, night), guided by the Prophet Muhammad Ali Salaam.

Explore zakah as the obligatory, fixed portion of wealth donated to uplift the poor and needy, balancing wealth and fostering social welfare for all.

Explain the compulsory fasting during Ramadan, including abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset and exemptions for the sick or travelers, with missed fasts made up.

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is a religious journey for Muslims with the means and health, and it is compulsory to perform at least once in a lifetime.

Fardh prayer is compulsory for Muslims, with higher rewards in congregational prayer than praying alone. Humility and submission enhance the prayer, and missed prayers should be made up later.

Explain wajib, sunnah, and nafla prayers, cover the five daily prayers and optional voluntary prayers, and note timing considerations including before fajr and the Jumaat prayer.

Belief in scriptures is one of six articles of faith in Islam. The lecture shows prophets delivering revealed books—from Zabur, Torah, and Bible—to the Quran, the unchanged revelation by angels.

Learn about Ramadan fasting, its sunrise-to-sunset observance, and the significance of Eid al-Fitr, charity to the poor, and communal prayers in Islamic practice.

Explore Eidul-Hajj and the practice of sacrifice, including funds and the hadjis. Understand how the memory of the great sacrifice guides giving to family and others.

Learn to show respect to teachers, neighbors, and friends by practicing politeness, avoiding jealousy, and mindful behavior; follow the prophet’s example and cultivate good company.

The lecture emphasizes Islamic morals and manners, urging believers to behave well and follow the Prophet’s example. It teaches respecting parents and teachers, speaking kindly, and praying for them.

Treat all people as brothers in humanity, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, with love, respect, peaceful greetings, and cooperative effort while refraining from hatred and jealousy.

Describe halal food as what the Creator permits for us to eat, emphasizes purity and health, and how foods are identified as permitted.

Explore zabihah, the halal slaughter method of cutting the throat while reciting a declaration, and the ethics of meat, hunting, and lawful behavior.

Learn daily life supplications, including the dua before and after eating, and say alhamdulillah for the blessings after meals.

Learn to recite the dua after drinking water and the dua when entering home to invite blessings and gratitude.

Discover the dua to recite when leaving home and during travel, and learn practical guidance for mindful journeys.

Explore Surah al-Asr, anchored by time—the declining day—and emphasize justice, bravery, and exhortations to one another to do what is right.

Explore the Hijri lunar calendar, where each month begins with the sighting of a new moon, shaping a lunar year and the month names.