Global Soul Wellness

The foundation of Islam is founded in three core fundamentals that form the creed of a believer (Muslim). These are taught to Muslims from a very young age to build the foundation of religion, and belief in Allah (God).

It is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, to learn and act upon the following:

That Allah created us and provided sustenance for us, and He did not leave us without a purpose; rather He sent Messengers, peace be upon them, to us. So whoever obeys him will enter Paradise, and whoever rejects and disobeys him will enter the Fire, and the proof is in the Saying of the Most High: “We sent a Messenger to you, o people, as a witness in favor of you or against you on the Day of Resurrection, just as We sent a Messenger to the Pharaoh. But the Pharaoh denied and rejected the Messenger, so We seized him with a severe punishment.” [Surah Al-Muzzammil: 16]

Allah is not pleased that anyone should be made a sharer in worship along with Him, neither any angel brought near, nor any prophet sent as a messenger, and the proof is in the Saying of Allah, the Most High, “And the places of worship are for Allah alone, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.” [Surah al Jinn: 18]

Before we discuss the Three Fundamental Principles, it is important for the Muslim to know the 3 categories of belief in Allah. Since Islam revolves around monotheism (belief that God is one), these categories exist in order to “single out” Allah as the one and only deserving of it.

That Allah created us, provided us with sustenance, and did not leave us neglected. (Singling out Allah as a LORD)
That Allah is not pleased with anyone being mixed in worship with him. (Singling out Allah as a GOD)
That Allah has names and attributes specific to him and that you invoke him using those names and attributes. (Singling out Allah by his Names and Attributes)

The greatest thing that Allah has commanded is Tawheed, which means singling out Allah in worship. Also, the greatest thing that Allah has warned against and does not forgive is Shirk, which is associating partners with Allah and calling to others for help alongside Him.

After learning about the three categories of belief in Allah, we can now jump into the three fundamental principles.

THE FIRST PRINCIPLE - Who is your Lord?

If the Muslim is questioned : ‘Who is your Lord?’ Then say: ‘My Lord is Allah, who has nurtured me and all of creation with His favors and blessings. He is the one whom I worship, and there is no other whom I worship besides Him.’ The proof is the Saying of Allah, the Most High: “All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all creation.” [Surah al Fatihah: 1].

<<<< Everything besides Allah is a created being and I am one of the creation. >>>>

It is important that the Muslim learns about his Lord through the Qur’an (Holy Book of Islam) and through the Hadith (sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). Once a Muslim knows his Lord, he will be able to worship him and truly live according to the fundamental belief.

Here are some verses regarding Allah (your Lord):

“And whoever worships along with Allah any other object of worship has no proof for that; his reckoning will be with his Lord.” [Surah Al-Mu’minun: 117]
“So whoever hopes to see His Lord and be rewarded by Him, then let him make his worship correct and make it purely and sincerely for Him; and let him not make any share of it for anyone other than Him” [Surah Al-Kahf: 110]
“And whoever places his reliance and trust in Allah then He will suffice him” [Surah At-Talaaq: 3].
“Say: Indeed my prayers, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all purely and solely of Allah, Lord of all creation.” [Surah Al-An’am: 162]
“Allah. There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal.” [Surah Ali-’Imran: 2]

THE SECOND PRINCIPLE - What is your religion?

Knowledge of the Islam is the second core principle of the three fundamentals. Islam means submission: submitting to Allah as the one true God and following/obeying his command.

There are three levels when it comes to Islam:

Islam - Submitting in obedience to Allah.
Iman - True belief in Allah from the heart : speech, actions are coordinated in true obedience to Allah.
Ihsaan - Perfecting the worship in all aspects.

Each of these levels contain pillars that will further be discussed.

There are 5 pillars of Islam:

Shahadah; testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his servant and final Messenger
Salah; to establish the prayer
Zakah; to pay charity (prescribed 2.5% of your savings once a year)
Ramadan; to fast during the holy month
Hajj; to make the pilgrimage in the Ka’bah (House of Allah).

The Shahadah is the first and core pillar of Islam and every other belief flows from it. A believer declares his acceptance of Islam by reciting: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.”

The Salah is the basic and most important means by which man communicates with Allah and gets closer to Him. There is no need for, nor does Islam tolerate an intermediary between God and a person. Salah has been prescribed five times a day. These prayers should be performed at their appropriate times and preferably in the mosque. Salah when offered properly becomes a tool for stress relief, self analysis and strength in spirituality in the journey of life.

Zakah is a pillar is called the purification of wealth. It is a kind of tax which requires a Muslim to give up a certain amount of his possessions (usually 2.5%) that is then given to the poor of the community. The amount varies according to the type of property owned.

Muslims fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. By fasting, a Muslim can purify himself spiritually and physically, elevate his soul and draw closer to Allah. Fasting means to stay away from food, drink, smoking and sexual relations from dawn to sunset. Sacrificing of physical needs increases a Muslim’s awareness of the suffering of the poor and needy. It was the month during which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Those who are sick and elderly don’t need to fast. Those who can’t fast (except children) may make up for fasting by feeding the poor.

The pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) must be performed at least once in a Muslim’s life if they are healthy and able to (financially). Many acts are done during the ritual of Hajj. The central feature of this pilgrimage is the Ka’bah, which is the first house built for the worship of One God by prophet Abraham. The Hajj serves as a striking reminder of the Oneness of Allah and it emphasizes the brotherhood and equality of human beings.

THE THIRD PRINCIPLE – Who is your prophet?

Knowing who your prophet/messenger is the third and final principle of the three fundamentals. It is essential as a Muslim to know the prophet that was sent for their time. We belong to the Ummah (nation) of that prophet.

In our case, it is Prophet Muhammad, and he was: Muhammad son of Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib son of Hashim; and Hashim was from (the tribe of) Quraysh; Quraysh were from the Arabs; and the Arabs have descended from Ishmael the son of Abraham - the chosen beloved friend of Allah - may the most excellent blessings and peace be upon him and upon our Prophet.

The day that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) became a Messenger is described in the Qur’an in a verse. The scholars deemed that this is when he officially became a Messenger of God. When the verses of Allah, the Most High were revealed to him:

"Oh you (Muhammad) wrapped in garments! Arise and warn your people who worship others besides Allah of Allah's punishment; and venerate and worship your Lord, making your worship for Him alone; and purify yourself, your garment and your deeds; and shun the idols; and do not give anything in order to receive something more in return; and patiently persevere for the sake of your Lord in the face of any harm you encounter." [Surah al-Mudathir (74): 1-7]

So from that day forth, he stood and warned and established what Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, had commanded him to do.

There’s also a slight difference between the meaning of a Messenger and a Prophet. The scholars of Islam have said: “A Prophet is one who had a Revealed Way sent to him by Revelation and was not commanded to propagate it, whereas a Messenger is one who had a Revealed way sent down to him by Allaah and was ordered to propagate and act upon it.” So in essence: every Messenger was a Prophet, but not every Prophet was a Messenger.

He ended up living for 63 years: 40 years before prophethood, and 23 years as a prophet/messenger. He was sent as a prophet with the first verses ever revealed to him in the cave of Hira by the Angel Gabriel (First couple verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq) and as a messenger with Surah Mudathir. His land was Mecca and he migrated (Hijrah) to Medina upon the command of Allah after 13 years of trying to persuade the people of Mecca. Allah sent him to warn against shirk (associating partners with God) and to call to Tawheed (Monotheism).

What was the message he was sent with, and why was he sent?

He was sent to call to the tawheed of Allah, the Most High, and to obey his law (following the command of Allah and avoiding the things he has deemed as non-permissible). The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent as a mercy to all of creation to bring them out of the oppressive darkness of shirk (worship of anything besides Him), and to bring them to the light of knowledge, which is Iman (true faith) in Allah, the one true God. In doing so, they will receive the forgiveness and Pleasure of Allah, enter Paradise, and be saved from the punishment of Hellfire.

Some Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is still alive, however, this is incorrect. The proofs can be found in the following verses that highlight the fact that every living thing will experience death one way or another:

“Say: ‘O people! Verily, I am the Messenger of Allah sent to all of you.’” Allah

Allah perfected and completed his Religion through him. The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

“This day I have completed your Religion for you, and perfected my Favor upon you. And I am pleased with Islam as a Religion for you.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 3]

The proof that he (peace be upon him) died is Allah’s saying:

“You will surely die and they too will surely die. Then on the Day of Recompense, you will be disputing before your Lord.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 30-31]

When people die they will be resurrected. The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

“From it (the earth) We created you, and to it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.” [Surah TaHa: 55]

And Allah’s saying:

“Allah has brought you forth from the earth. Afterwards, He will return you into it and (then) bring you forth (once again, i.e. resurrection).” [Surah Nuh: 17-18]

After being resurrected, they will be judged and recompensed for their actions. The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

“And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may recompense those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. Hellfire), and reward those who do good with what is best (i.e. Paradise).” [Surah An-Najm: 31]

Whoever rejects the resurrection, disbelieves. The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

“The disbelievers claim they will never be resurrected. Say (O Muhammad): ‘Yes, by my Lord! You will certainly be resurrected then you will be informed of what deeds you did.’ And that is easy for Allah.” [Surah At-Taghaabun: 7]

Allah sent all of the messengers, giving good tidings and warning. The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

“Messengers bearing good news and warning – in order that mankind could have no plea against Allah after (the coming of) the Messengers.” [Surah AnNisaa: 165]

The first of them was Nuh (Noah) and the last of them was Muhammad, who was the Seal of the Prophets. The proof that Nuh was the first of them is Allah’s saying:

“Verily, We sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad), just as We sent the revelation to Nuh and the prophets after him.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 163]

Every nation that Allah sent a messenger to, from Nuh up to Muhammad, peace be upon them both, he (i.e. the messenger) would command them to worship Allah alone and forbid them from worshipping the Taaghoot (false deities). The proof for this is Allah’s saying:

“And We have indeed sent a messenger to every nation (saying): ‘Worship Allah (alone) and avoid the false deities (Taaghoot).” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]

Allah commanded all of His servants to disbelieve in the Taaghoot and believe in Allah. Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The meaning of Taaghoot is someone or thing for whose sake a worshipper transgresses limits, such as those who are worshipped, followed or obeyed.”

Another verse which exemplifies the importance of believing in one God is:

“There is no compulsion in the Religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. So whoever disbelieves in the Taaghoot and believes in Allah, then he has taken hold of the firmest handhold that will never break. And Allah is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 256]

In conclusion, the three principles (Who is your Lord, What is your religion, Who is your Prophet) are three fundamental principles that every Muslim should know. It is by these foundations of Islam that we should instill in our children so they can pass it on to future generations, and carry the light of Islam. If one lives by these 3 fundamentals, they will be able to accomplish what was commanded to them by Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him). It is not our rank, title, or the balance of our bank accounts that will give us the ultimate standing in front of Allah. Allah is just and sees us by what is in our hearts. It is our worldly good deeds, our actions, and our obedience to our Lord, our humility and generosity towards others, and most importantly, our intention that will determine where we end up in the afterlife (paradise), God-willing.

I hope this gives you a basic understanding of Islam and that you were able to learn something from it.

Asalamu ‘Alaykum, may peace be upon you.

For more information, see What is Islam and Why? (by Ghazi bin Muhammad)

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