Islam Fundamental Principles and Teachings

Editor’s Foreword

Islam is a unique and indivisible system that provides a complete and comprehensive set of teachings that address the issues of concern to mankind for his life in this world and in the hereafter.

Adherence to the teachings of Islam, which are devised by the designer and creator of mankind, brings about bliss and happiness in this world and prepare the individual for the eternal life in the hereafter.

Furthermore, when one looks at the teachings of Islam, one will find they are not difficult or cumbersome to implement. This is because those teachings come from the same source that brought man into existence, and therefore one finds them to be in harmony with the nature of mankind and his natural disposition.

It is clear from the evidence before us that mankind – even in non- Muslim communities – gradually and by piecemeal is implementing the teachings of Islam, but without realising it. Left to his own devices, he would probably continue doing so until he ultimately comes to realise the truth of the teachings of Islam.

The teachings of Islam are revealed to help mankind attains his perfect achievement both in this world and the hereafter.

In part one of this discourse the author discusses Os}ool al-Deen or the fundamental principles of Islam, which are tawh}eed or the indivisible Oneness of God, ‘adl or Divine Justice, nobowwah or Prophethood, ima>mah or leadership, and mi‘a>d or Resurrection.

In the section on ima>mah, the author gives a brief biography of the 12 Imams or leaders divinely appointed to lead mankind after the Prophet Muhammad until the end of time.

To facilitate the reader with a better perception of the prophet and his household, Ahl al- Bayt, some of their sayings (h}adith) are presented following the brief biography of each imam. This has been included by the editor with the prior permission of the author.

The author also addresses the issue of the eternal miracle or legacy the Messenger of Islam presented to mankind; namely the glorious Qur’an, presenting h}adith from Prophet Muhammad (S)2, and the infallible Imams (A)3.

In part two of this work, the author addresses Foroo‘ al-Deen or the essential rulings and practices of Islam, which are not only the famous ten acts of worship such as the daily prayers, fasting, hajj but other aspects of the teachings of Islam that are significantly relevant in modern times; issues such as the human community and social order, politics and economy,

the army and the armed forces, the justice system, culture and mass media, education, health and medical issues, individual and social freedoms. Through this discussion the author establishes that a government based on the teachings of Islam would provide the most favourable system of government for mankind.

In the final part of this work, the author discusses the third component that a Muslim is required adhere to; namely the Islamic morals and etiquettes (Akhla>q and Ab). Here the author outlines and discusses the ‘four pillars’ of Islamic ethics and the ‘two pillars’ of its etiquettes. The author then lists conducts and behaviours that Islam prescribes as being obligatory, forbidden, the unethical conducts, as well as the recommended moral conducts. These are presented under the four separate headings.

Almost all footnotes are by the editor. Texts between [] are from the editor. Verses from the Qur’an are given between ... The citation of Qur’anic verses is in the form of: The Qur’an, The Star (53):3-4, where ‘The Star’ is the name of the surah, ‘53’ the order number of the surah, and ‘3-4’ are the verses’ number within the surah. The short form citation is 53: 3-4.

lih, meaning Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him and his progeny. This invocation is always made after the mention of the name of Allah’s messenger as taught by the Prophet, and out of respect and devotion for the Prophet Muhammad (S).

3 alayhum as-sala>m (plural) or alayhis-sala>m (singular), meaning “peace be upon them or him/her”. This invocation is always made after the mention of the name of a prophet or infallible Imam, or an immaculate individual (A).

Introduction

It is imperative that any Muslim is not contented with Islam by name only, and with the Qur’an by the recitation and the script only, but rather it is obligatory to act according to Islam and to implement the rulings of the Qur’an in all aspects of his life, and in all his affairs; personal, social, economical, political, and suchlike so that s/he would be a Muslim in the true sense of the word; happy, prosperous in this world, and triumphant and content in the hereafter.

It is needless to say that happiness in this world and triumph in the hereafter is not achieved by title only, and is not obtained by supplication only, but rather the thing that brings them about and facilitates for the Muslim individual is – and this is after firm belief in the fundamentals of Islam and its true doctrines – to act upon the excellent teachings of Islam, and implement the true and progressive rulings of the Qur’an.

It is from this viewpoint that it becomes essential for every Muslim who loves to live happy and prosperous in this world and victorious and content in the hereafter – and all of us love that – to endeavour to learn the true and right Islamic beliefs, become familiar with the exalted teachings of Islam, acquire knowledge of the excellent rulings of the Qur’an, develop a firm belief in the doctrines and a relentless and serious endeavour to act according to the teachings of Islam and complete implementation of the rulings of the Qur’an, so Almighty Allah, His messenger, and the ma‘s}oom Ahl al-Bayt of the messenger peace be upon them all, may be contented with us, and we are happy in this world and victorious in the hereafter.

In facilitating what is mandatory for every Muslim to know in this respect, the following outlines are presented.

The excellent teachings of Islam and the exalted rulings of the Qur’an may be divided into the three following categories:

  1. Os}ool al-Deen; the fundamental principles or beliefs of Islam,

  2. Foroo‘ al-Deen; the essential rulings and practices of Islam,

  3. The Islamic Akhla>q and Ab or the Islamic ethical morals and etiquettes.

Therefore, whoever believes in Os}ool al-Deen of Islam, acts upon its Foroo‘ al-Deen, and adorns himself with its ethical morals and etiquettes (Akhla>q and Ab) would attain happiness in both worlds, and wins both lives, lives happy and dies while being praised.

The following are a brief outline of each of these three categories.