Introduction to the Muslim Converts Channel
(Welcome to Islam)
Learning
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God, Religion and Islam: An Introduction
Section 1This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 1.1God, Allah and Religion
Are God and Allah the same? What are the characteristics of God in Islam? Here we look at the attributes of the Muslim God and His relationship to humankind.
Topic 1.2What is “Religion” and What’s the Point of it ...
We look over the controversies on the various definitions of religion and its related function. We briefly introduce Islam’s definition of the term.
Topic 1.3Introduction to Islam
Islam is the second largest religion in the world. In this lesson, we look at the basic beliefs and facts of Islam, including the purpose of divinely revealed religions and submission to God.
Topic 1.4A Brief Introduction to the Prophet Muhammad (s), the Prophet ...
Here we briefly look at the Prophet Muhammad’s (s) cultural background and the circumstances in which the Qur’an was revealed in.
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Foundations of Islam - Theology
Section 2This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 2.1Satan, Jinns and Angels: Their Influence in the World
An outlook on the different kinds of spiritual beings that influence our minds and hearts. The two major ones are Jinns and Angels. They both act in the battlegrounds of our inner selves and try to influence us for good or evil.
Topic 2.2The Islamic Concept of the Nafs: Battling the Human Ego
Here we discuss the nature of our “base self” or “base ego” called the nafs. There is a battle raging inside, one for good and the other for evil. Whichever one wins depends on whichever one we feed the most.
Topic 2.3The Sharīʿa: Purpose and Practice
Sharīʿa literally means “way” or “road” as in a way of life towards God. The purpose of the Sharīʿa is to discipline and test mankind in its obedience to God. Only through obedience to Allah can we reach salvation and closeness to Him.
Topic 2.4Nubuwwa: The Purpose of Prophethood in Islam
Prophethood in Islam is necessary for human salvation. Prophets provide humans with the blueprint or constitution for salvation in this world and in the Afterlife. Prophets are also role models that show us how to put this blueprint into action.
Topic 2.5Tawhīd: The Unity and Oneness of God in Islam
Tawhīd is the Absolute Oneness and Unity of God. It is the foundation of Islam and its most important doctrine. Without it, none of Islam makes sense since all beliefs are predicated upon it.
Topic 2.6The Usūl al-Dīn: The Fundamental Beliefs of Islam
The usūl al-dīn, or the fundamental beliefs of Islam, are the foundational principles that necessarily come after the shahāda. Belief in them are needed in order for one’s Islam to be complete and in line with God’s purpose when He revealed Islam.
Topic 2.7Adala: Divine Justice in Islam
ʿAdāla is divine justice in Islam. ʿAdāla stems from God’s Goodness, which is part of His essence. The God of Islam makes ʿadāla obligatory upon Himself out of His own goodness and makes it obligatory upon humankind. ʿAdāla is a balance, which means that if ...
Topic 2.8Entering Islam: The Shahada
The shahāda is the Muslim testimony to faith. It is a witnessing to a fact and not just a belief. By uttering it, a person enters Islam. By acknowledging that there is only one God who is worthy of worship and that Muhammad is His messenger, it is ...
Topic 2.9Maʿād: The Day of Judgment in Islam
The nature of the Day of Judgment in Islam. When it begins, how we will be judged, and how we can be saved. The Day of Judgment is the culmination of all the other usūl al-dīn.
Topic 2.10Imāmah or divinely guided leadership in Islam after the ...
Divinely guided leadership in Islam where Imāms are appointed by Allah to guide humankind and protect the correct interpretation of Islam after the death of the Prophet(s). It is also a spiritual form of guidance where an Imām does not need to be directly present but guides ...
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Foundations of Islam - Obligatory Acts
Section 3This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 3.1Accepting Islam: Putting Faith into Action
Islam is not just a religion of belief, but it is equally a religion of action. Without action and good works, one cannot be a Muslim. The two come together in ensuring the salvation of a person.
Topic 3.2The Furūʿ al-Dīn: The Fundamental Practices of Islam
The Furūʿ al-Dīn: the fundamental core practices of Islam that all Muslims must heed after believing in Islam and accepting the usūl al-dīn.
Topic 3.3Salāt: Obligatory Ritual Prayers in Islam
The five obligatory ritual prayers or salāt are the foundations of both Islamic practice and belief. Salāt is the primary means through which a relationship between a person and God is established. Without salāt, there is no Islam.
Topic 3.4Fasting in Islam, its Purpose, Dos and Don’ts
Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is the most important Islamic practice after the obligatory salāt. The purpose of fasting is to instill God-consciousness and empathy with the poor.
Topic 3.5The Hajj Pilgrimage
The Hajj pilgrimage is the most important pilgrimage in Islam. It is obligatory once in a Muslim’s lifetime. It is meant to reacquaint people with God and break tribal and geographic lines while promoting equality among all Muslims.
Topic 3.6The Purpose of Zakat and Khums in Islamic Law
The two obligatory forms of charity in Islam, zakat and khums, are part of the furūʿ al-dīn in Islamic law. These are meant to help the poor and sustain religious institutions at a grassroots level.
Topic 3.7Jihād in Islamic Law and Spirituality
The are two kinds of Jihad in Islam, one minor and the other major. The minor jihad is a war of self-defense against hostile powers. The major jihad is a struggle against one’s evil desires.
Topic 3.8Commanding the Good and Forbidding Evil in Islam
Commanding the Good and Forbidding Evil (Amr bi al-Maʿrūf and Nahī ʿan al-Munkar) are the 7th and 8th items of the Furūʿ al-Dīn. As social duties, Muslims must enjoin what God has deemed good and discourage what He has deemed as evil.
Topic 3.9Tawalla and Tabarra, its Basics and Purpose
Tawalla is love for the Prophet (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (as). Tabarra is disassociation from their enemies. These two principles of the furūʿ al-dīn give Muslims the measure between right and wrong association. They are central for any proper action in Islam.
Topic 3.10The Five Categories of Islamic Law
The five categories of action in Islamic law. These are wājib, mustahab, mubāh, makrūh, and harām. These acts are there to guide our lives and set boundaries so that we may have healthy spiritual lives.
Topic 3.11Niyya: Religious Intention as the Foundation of Islamic Practice
Niyya is intention. Good niyya is performing an action whilst wanting to gain closeness to God. Bad niyya is performing a religious action or duty for something other than God.
Topic 3.12Ritual Purity in Islamic Law: Understanding Tahāra and Najā...
This is an introduction to the basic meaning and function of ritual purity (tahāra) and impurity (najāsa, janāba) in Islam and the basic practices that bring about states of purity. These are necessary for performing ritual duties like prayer.
Topic 3.13Other Obligatory and Forbidden Acts in Islam
Here we take a look at ten other important obligations and prohibitions in Islam that are not explicitly in the furūʿ al-dīn. This lesson explains how they play a critical role in maintaining Islam. Islam is a system held by pillars, and all obligations and prohibitions act as pillars.
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Prophethood in Islam
Section 4This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 4.1A Brief Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (s): The Prophet&...
Here we briefly look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and the qualities that distinguished him as a Prophet of God. This is part I of the biography.
Topic 4.2Bio: The Prophet Muhammad as a Prophet of God (PART ...
Here we briefly look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and the qualities that distinguished him as a Prophet of God. This is part I of the biography.
Topic 4.3A Brief Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (s): The Prophet’...
Here we briefly look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and the qualities that distinguished him as a Prophet of God. This is part I of the biography.
Topic 4.4The Prophet Muhammad (s) as Messenger and Teacher
The role of the Prophet Muhammad (s) as a Messenger and Teacher. As a teacher, the Prophet Muhammad (s) guided people through compassion and teaching, not forcing them to believe.
Topic 4.5The Prophet and his Relationships
This lesson looks at the Prophet’s relationship with God, his Progeny, the Islamic community and his companions and how these demonstrate his nature as the perfect man of God.
Topic 4.6The Prophet’s Sunnah and Hadith
This lesson is an introduction to the meaning and importance of Sunnah and Hadith. It also introduces some of the different originators of hadiths (Companions and the Ahl al-Bayt (as)) and explains why the Ahl al-Bayt (as) are the best sources of Prophetic hadiths.
Topic 4.7Ghadīr and Arafah: The Two Last Sermons of the ...
Arafa and Ghadīr were the two most important sermons by the Prophet Muhammad (s). The sermon of Arafa addressed the social crises to come, and Ghadīr addressed religious guidance, successorship and leadership after his demise.
Topic 4.8Jesus and Mary in Islam
Islam believes that Jesus was only a Prophet and not God Himself. Furthermore, Islam does not believe that Mary was the Mother of God. However, Islam holds both of them in high esteem and one cannot be a Muslim without believing in Jesus and Mary apostles and representatives of God ...
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The Qur'an and Hadith
Section 5This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 5.1Islam and Other Religions
Islam makes it clear that other religions are either totally false or only partly correct due to distortions they faced. Islam does not, however, allow Muslims to disrespect or be rude to people of other faiths.
Topic 5.2What is the Qur’an? A Short Introduction to Islam’...
The Qur’an is a book of guidance, not an encyclopedia. It is the constitution for the salvation of mankind. On its own, it is not enough but requires teachers which are the Prophet Muhammad (s) and the Imams of his Ahl al-Bayt (as).
Topic 5.3The Structure of the Holy Qur’an
The Qur’an was revealed gradually and divided into a 114 chapters. Each verse was revealed within a particular context. This context shows us that the Qur’an is not interested in abstract thought, but concrete applicability of religion in human life.
Topic 5.4The Quran and Islamic law
The Quran is the primary source of law. It sets the general principles (ethical and moral) of how Muslims should think and derive the law. The hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (as) are explainers of the Qur’an.
Topic 5.5The Qur’an, Allah and Humankind
The Qur’an is not just a book. The Qur’an is a relationship, As a relationship, it exists in a relational web on multiple levels. These include its relation to Allah, Islam as a religion, the Prophet, his Ahl al-Bayt (as), as well as Muslims and humanity ...
Topic 5.6Hadith and Sunnah, difference and variations
The difference between hadith and Sunnah as well as the different kinds of hadiths and Sunnahs.
Topic 5.7The Reliability of Hadiths
This lesson discusses how the reliability of hadiths are assessed by Muslim scholars. It also examines some of the basic differences between the major hadith books among Sunnis and Shias.
Topic 5.8A Reflection on Verses of the Holy Qur’an
A brief commentary on Q12:16-18 of the Holy Qur’an and how the story of Yaʿqūb (as) teaches us on how to deal with children.
Topic 5.9Hadith al-Thaqalayn
A look at hadith al-thaqalayn and who the Ahl al-Bayt (as) are according to hadith al-mubahala.
Topic 5.10Imam Ali (as) and Nahj al-Balagha.
A look Imam Ali’s (as) hadiths and Nahj al-Balagha, its history and importance in Islam.
Topic 5.11Taqlid and Tawḍih Al Masail Genre of Literature
This lesson is about the importance of taqlīd and whom one can do taqlīd of. It also delves into the nature of the Tawzīh al-Masā’il genre of legal literature.
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Measuring Good and Bad in Islam
Section 6This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 6.1Guidance According to Islam
Guidance, or being part of the Straight Path, is not just a matter of having correct beliefs, but just as importantly, it is to lead the proper moral life which means to chose what is morally right over what is wrong and evil even if it goes against one’s ...
Topic 6.2Life and Death in Islam
Life in this world is the farming field of the Hereafter. This world is a test and death marks the end of this test. Belief in the Hereafter gives meaning to people and helps them lead the proper moral life whereas unbelief inevitably leads to nihilism.
Topic 6.3Heaven and Hell in Islam
The Qur’an’s main purpose of mentioning heaven and hell is to make people conscious of their actions and know that even if others do not see what they do, Allah does.
Topic 6.4The Effects of Our Actions in this World
Sins affect our happiness in this world. They ruin our souls, but they also ruin our families and society because sinful behavior is a contagion and is transferred to others either directly or indirectly.
Topic 6.5The Gray Areas of Islamic Law and Morality
Halal and haram are clear in Islam, but mubāh (neutral permissible) and makrūh sometimes present their own difficulties as they are hard to categorize morally. This lesson looks at how categorizing them in moral terms may still be possible.
Topic 6.6Benefits of Islamic Law in this World
Islamic law services to order our lives in this world and give us discipline. It also helps balance our lives in various areas, including family relationships as well as keeping us away from harmful activities or substances, like drinking alcohol.
Topic 6.7Good and Bad Deeds: The Spiritual Consequences of our Choices
We need to be mindful of all of our actions. Our actions are based on choices. We cannot live without choice. Our choices either take us to God or take us away from Him. When we are distracted from God, God often allows us to suffer so that we may ...
Topic 6.8The Effect of Culture and Environment in Shaping our Religious ...
The culture and environment affects the religious choices we make throughout our lives. However, we also have free will. Based on the circumstances we were given, Allah judges each and one of us in our own unique way.
Topic 6.9Fate and the Consequences of our Choices in Islam
We have limited free will in this world. Even our limited choices have consequences that are often beyond our control. However, servitude to God allows us to vastly expand our freedom of choice.
Topic 6.10Trivializing the Harām
Our cultural assumptions are sometimes at odds with Islamic precepts. Our assumptions will tell us that a certain action is ok to do, but God in all His wisdom forbids it. Some make the presumption that God will forgive us no matter what. This tension is to be overcome by ...
Topic 6.11Sinning Against Others and their Delayed Punishment
The worst sins are the ones we commit against others. They not only destroy our souls, but they ruin other people as well. God does not delay any of His punishments in this world, what He delays are their full punishments until the Hereafter.
Topic 6.12The Three Kinds of Rights in Islam
Rights are a form of responsibility in Islam. Being a Muslim is to be responsible for oneself, for others as well as one’s duties and debt to God.
Topic 6.13Major Sins in Islam
Islam has major and minor sins. Major sins are those which lead one to direct damnation. In this lesson, we look at four major sins, shirk, despair, disobedience to parents and murder.
Topic 6.14Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins in Islam
Repentance means to turn back to Allah. It is not enough to ask God for forgiveness. Full and complete repentance is to have a change in the state of one’s mind and doing one’s best to stop disobedience to Allah.
Topic 6.15Kufr in Islam
Kufr in Islam isn’t simply disbelief, it is a rejection of truth whilst knowing it.
Topic 6.16Why Allah Allows People to Sin
God allows us to sin and commit evil in this world due to His having given us free will in this world. Taking away our ability to do evil would inevitably result in taking away our ability to do good.
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The Legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (as)
Section 7This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 7.1Islam and Knowledge: the Importance of Islamic Education
Knowledge and education in Islam are primarily a means to transform one’s soul and attain closeness to God. Their value does not lie in the world, but in the Hereafter.
Topic 7.2The Ahl al-Kisa
The Ahl al-Kisa are the people of the cloak, that is, the Prophet (s), Imam Ali (as), Fatima (as), Imam al-Hasan (as) and Imam al-Husayn (as)
Topic 7.3Imamah in the Qur’an
Imamah in the Qur’an is a position of divine leadership through which one guides all of mankind.
Topic 7.4Fatima al-Zahrah (as)
Fatima al-Zahra (as) was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and wife of Imam Ali (as). All eleven of the Imams (after Imam Ali) are descendants of her. She was an avid supporter of the poor and the source of many of Islam’s great teachings.
Topic 7.5A Brief Look at the Lives of the Imams (Imam ...
A brief look at the lives of the second, third, fourth and fifth Imams.
Topic 7.6A Brief Look at the Lives of the Imams (Imam ...
A brief look at the lives of the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh Imams.
Topic 7.7A Brief Look at the Life and Importance of Imam ...
A brief look into the life of the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, the reasons for his long occultation and explaining how a person can live for over a thousand years.
Topic 7.8Salawat and Atonement in Islam
The salawat is invoking God’s blessings upon the Prophet (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (as). The salawat are a means to gaining God’s pleasure and blessings in one’s life in this world as well as the next.
Topic 7.9The Companions (Sahaba) of the Prophet According to the Qur’...
The major difference between the Shia and Sunni schools of Islam is their view of the Prophet’s companions. The Shia believe that the companions (sahaba) were mostly problematic as present in the Qur’anic narrative. The Sunni on the other hand believe that all companions were just and faithful ...
Topic 7.10Clerical Hierarchies in Muslim Communities
Clergy exist in almost all religious traditions. Islam has clerical hierarchy, however, this hierarchy is mostly based on knowledge and years of training which form the backbone of the religion's clerical hierarchy.
Topic 7.11Mosques in Islam
Mosques have various roles in Islam, they are places of prayer, marriage, funerals and all sorts of religious activities.
Topic 7.12The Philosophy of Karbala and Majalis
The purpose of Karbala was to instill a spiritual revolution in mankind and bring about the spiritual virtue of humility.
Topic 7.13A Brief Biography of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as)
Here we briefly look at Imam Ali’s (as) biography and the qualities that distinguished him as an Imam and successor of the Prophet Muhammad (s).
Topic 7.14The Battle of Karbala: A Brief History
Imam al-Husayn’s (as) sacrifice during the Battle of Karbala was meant to delegitimize corrupt political rule and protest the hijacking of Islam at the hands of a small but powerful and corrupt group of rulers.
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Islamic Relationships, Sects and Conflicts
Section 8This section looks into the major practices and religious rituals of Islam. As the previous section dealt with Islamic belief, this deals with the fundemental practices of Islam. Islam cannot be seperated from practice.
Topic 8.1Islam and Rights
In Islam, rights (huquq) exist in parallel with responsibilities. To speak of huquq in Islam is to speak of both rights and responsibilities. The harmonious existence of the two is what justice is all about. To transgress this balance is to sin and therefore do injustice.
Topic 8.2Islam and Religious Conflicts
Religious conflicts are part of human civilization. People make the mistake to think that there is a single reason for them, whereas there are multiple reasons for them.
Topic 8.3Major Sects of Islam
Islam, like other religions, has many sects. Some of the major sects of Islam today are Twelver (Imami) Shi’ism, Sunnism and Wahhabism. But how do we know which one is the right one?
Topic 8.4Sunnism and Shi’ism, beginnings and historical developments.
What we call Shi’ism and Sunnism today did not exist in their current form right at their inception. They are movements that went through several phases throughout history until they became what they are today.
Topic 8.5Misconceptions about Shi’ism
Among Muslims, Shias are the one group that have had the most misconceptions and false accusations leveled against it. This lesson reviews seven of the most common ones.
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