Undoubtedly, Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions worldwide. All this is because of the teachings of Islam and the mercy of Almighty Allah. To become a true and good Muslim, we need to preach this true religion with our actions, not just our words. This chapter aims to provide a basic guide to Islam for new people or those planning to take the step. So, we will describe here what deeds we need to do to help new Muslims realize their decision is right. Join us, and see if you are fulfilling the requirements of Islam or not.

Basic Guide to Islam

Our responsibility is to teach the basic guide of Islam to the people new to our religion. We should consider owning the responsibility of educating them about the five pillars and other aspects of being good Muslims. Here, it is essential to remember that our deeds and character reflect the true face of our religion. We should strive to become great followers of our faith, like the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Imam Ali, and countless others. First, look at the fundamental pillars of Islam, and then we will discuss other essential things.

Five Pillars of Islam

According to a rough estimate, the population of the entire world is about 7.888 billion, with 4,200 different religions. No religion in this world promotes negativity but positivity. All of these are known to have other pillars that followers must follow. Likewise, Islam, a beautiful and convicted faith of people, has five pillars, and to become a faithful follower, it is essential for people to accept and adopt them.

1. Shahadah

The first pillar of Islam is Shahada. It signifies the fundamental belief in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad.
Muslims recite the declaration "La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasul Allah" (There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger) as a testament to their faith. This simple yet profound statement is the foundation of Islamic belief and unites Muslims worldwide.

Is shahdah necessary in Islam?

Yes, there is no doubt in the essentiality of shahadah because it is an open declaration of being followers of Allah Almighty, a follower of the Holy Prophet and Islam.

2. Salat (Prayer)

Salat is the second and most essential pillar of Islam. In the entire world, this action lets people from other religions know that we are Muslims. Muslims pray five times daily to remember Allah Almighty and bow before God to proclaim His oneness. Offering the namaz correctly is obligatory for all Muslims. Newbies can consult an Aalim to learn it, or download mobile applications.

Why is namaz so crucial to our lives?

"Islam is all about submission to Allah's will, and namaz is a way when a Muslim considers herself to be closest to the Lord." The Quran states that namaz can be conducted wherever it is clean, except for restrooms and graveyards.

3. Zakat (Charity)

Zakat is also one of the most critical pillars of Islam. It means to give something as a charity, but it applies to financially strong people who can help others. A new person should know that if he can do it, he has to give zakat in Islam. It is a fixed amount of revenue. The purpose of this charity, it is nothing other than to help the poor people living in the surroundings. These charities construct mosques, schools, and hospitals as a religious duty.

4. Roza (Fasting)

All healthy and adult Muslims must refrain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Through this temporary deprivation, they renew their consciousness of and thankfulness for everything Allah has provided—including the Quran, which was first revealed during this month. As a reminder of their religious requirement to help the less privileged, they participate in the hunger and thirst of the needy throughout Ramadan.

What are the rules of Roza?

During Roza, a person cannot eat or drink anything from Fajar to Maghrib. Moreover, offering prayer during roza doubles the value of blessings.

5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Every Muslim who can afford to do so must travel to Mecca at least once in modern-day Saudi Arabia. The Haram Mosque in Mecca's center is home to the Ka'ba, a cube covered with black embroidered hangings. Muslims face it when they pray because they think it is the home that Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) built for God. Every year on the eighth and twelfth days of the last month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from all over the globe congregate in Mecca around the Ka'ba.

At what age did the Hajj become mandatory for Muslims?

When a person is eighteen to nineteen years old, he can go on a pilgrimage. But, people from all age groups can perform Hajj if they have an excellent financial ratio. 

Additional Acts in Basic Guide of Islam

In the previous passages, we discussed the five main pillars of Islam. A person cannot become a true Muslim if he ignores any of them or does not give them the importance they deserve. Now, we will talk about the deeds that one should do on a compulsory basis to inform the world about the reality of their religion.

1. Reading Quran

The Holy Quran is the noblest book of Islam. It is a message from the Almighty; as Imam Ali once said that ", "the Quran, when I want Allah to talk to me" Being a knowledgeable book, the Quran educates us on how to spend our lives and tells us about other prophets who helped people seek the way of Allah. Finally, reading the Quran regularly adds to the blessings on us.

2. Sunnah

Doing that the Holy Prophet did is known as Sunnah. All Muslims consider following the lifestyle of Hazrat Mohammad because he is a role model for the people of the world. He got the nicknames "Sadiq (Truthful) and Amin (Trustworthy) from enemies even before announcing his prophetship. It reveals living life according to his style is the best choice for new Muslims to develop a prominent status.

3. Helping Poor

As we mentioned earlier, the Zakat's purpose is to help others, but only financially strong people. On the other hand, if you do not fit into giving to charity according to your income ratio, you can help other people according to your status. Islam promotes assisting other people, which makes people follow this religion.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are unfamiliar with Islam or have always wanted to learn more about Islam, this guide will help you understand more about Islam and its foundations. You must comprehend these fundamentals to call yourself an authentic Muslim: the history and core beliefs of Islam, its six tenets, and its five pillars. You will be led in the correct direction after you have a firm grip on the tenets that make up the Muslim religion, reflect on the Quran and the Sunnah verses, and put them into practice in your life.