20 essential questions and answers about Islam for new Muslims, with references from the Qur'an and Hadith

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1. What is Islam?

Islam is the religion of submission to the will of Allah and is based on monotheism, guidance, and righteous deeds.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." (Qur'an 3:19)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Islam is built upon five pillars..." (Sahih al-Bukhari 8, Sahih Muslim 16)

2. Who is Allah?

Allah is the One and Only God, the Creator of all things, who has no partners, sons, or equals.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent." (Qur'an 112:1-4)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The most excellent name of Allah is 'Allah' itself." (Sunan Abu Dawood 1495 – Sahih)

3. Who is Prophet Muhammad (ï·º)?

Muhammad (ï·º) is the final messenger of Allah, sent to guide all of humanity.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets." (Qur'an 33:40)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "I am the last of the prophets, and there will be no prophet after me." (Sahih Muslim 5673)

4. What is the Qur'an?

The Qur'an is the final revelation from Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ï·º) as guidance for all of humanity.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah." (Qur'an 2:2)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5027)

5. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

  1. Shahada (Faith)
  2. Salah (Prayer)
  3. Zakat (Charity)
  4. Sawm (Fasting)
  5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"Establish prayer and give zakat, and bow with those who bow in worship." (Qur'an 2:43)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Islam is built upon five pillars..." (Sahih al-Bukhari 8, Sahih Muslim 16)

6. How Many Times Do Muslims Pray Each Day?

Muslims pray five times a day:

  1. Fajr (before sunrise)
  2. Dhuhr (midday)
  3. Asr (afternoon)
  4. Maghrib (sunset)
  5. Isha (night)

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times." (Qur'an 4:103)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Between a person and disbelief is abandoning the prayer." (Sahih Muslim 82)

7. What is Fasting in Islam?

Fasting in Ramadan is an obligation for every Muslim, where they abstain from food, drink, and bad behavior from dawn to sunset.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was upon those before you, that you may attain Taqwa (piety)." (Qur'an 2:183)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih al-Bukhari 38, Sahih Muslim 759)

8. What is Zakat?

Zakat is a mandatory charity given to the poor, amounting to 2.5% of savings annually.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"And establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah." (Qur'an 2:110)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Charity does not decrease wealth." (Sahih Muslim 2588)

9. What is Hajj?

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah that every Muslim must perform once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"And Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can make their way to it." (Qur'an 3:97)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Whoever performs Hajj without wrongdoing, he will return like a newborn free of sin." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1521, Sahih Muslim 1350)

10. What Happens After Death in Islam?

After death, the soul experiences the grave (Barzakh), then resurrection, judgment, and entry into Paradise or Hellfire based on deeds.

🔹 Qur'an Reference:

"And fear the Day when you will be returned to Allah." (Qur'an 2:281)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The grave is the first stage of the afterlife. If one passes it safely, what comes after will be easier." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2308 – Hasan)

 

11. What is the Purpose of Life in Islam?

The purpose of life in Islam is to worship Allah, obey His commands, and strive for righteousness to attain Paradise.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Qur’an 51:56)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Worship in Islam is not just prayer, but includes kindness, honesty, patience, and good deeds.
  • Everything a Muslim does with sincerity for Allah’s sake is considered worship.

12. What is the Meaning of Tawheed (Monotheism)?

Tawheed means believing in the absolute oneness of Allah—He has no partners, no children, and no equals.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." (Qur’an 21:25)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Whoever dies while associating nothing with Allah will enter Paradise." (Sahih Muslim 93)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Tawheed is the foundation of Islam.
  • Believing in any other gods or considering humans divine is shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the gravest sin.

13. What is the Difference Between Islam and Other Religions?

Islam is the final, complete guidance sent by Allah, confirming the original message of earlier prophets.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion." (Qur’an 5:3)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Prophets are like brothers with the same father but different mothers. Their religion is one." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3443)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Islam is not a new religion but a continuation of the original monotheistic faith of Prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them).
  • It corrects distortions and provides the final, unaltered revelation.

14. Who Was the First Prophet in Islam?

The first prophet was Prophet Adam (عليه السلام), the father of all humanity.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority (Khalifah).’" (Qur’an 2:30)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) was asked: "Who was the first prophet?" He replied: "Adam, whom Allah created with His own hands." (Sahih Muslim 2651)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Adam (عليه السلام) was the first human and first prophet.
  • He was taught directly by Allah and given knowledge, which he passed on to his descendants.

15. What is the Day of Judgment in Islam?

The Day of Judgment is when all humans will be resurrected and judged by Allah for their actions.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all." (Qur’an 21:47)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The first thing a person will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment is prayer." (Sunan Abu Dawood 864 – Sahih)

🔹 Explanation:

  • The righteous will be rewarded with Paradise, and the wicked will be punished in Hellfire.
  • Every action, even as small as an atom’s weight, will be accounted for.

16. What Happens After Death?

After death, the soul enters Barzakh, an intermediate realm before resurrection.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"And behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected." (Qur’an 23:100)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "The grave is either a garden from the gardens of Paradise or a pit from the pits of Hell." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2460 – Hasan)

🔹 Explanation:

  • The righteous experience comfort in their graves, while the wicked face punishment.
  • On the Day of Judgment, all will be resurrected and judged.

17. How Can I Strengthen My Faith (Iman)?

Faith can be strengthened through prayer, reading the Qur’an, and doing good deeds.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"Indeed, those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured." (Qur’an 13:28)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Iman (faith) wears out in the heart just as clothes wear out. So ask Allah to renew your faith." (Sunan al-Nasa’i 1306 – Sahih)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Increase faith by praying regularly, seeking knowledge, avoiding sins, and remembering Allah (dhikr).

18. Can Non-Muslims Enter Paradise?

Only those who sincerely believe in Allah and follow His guidance will enter Paradise.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers – never would be accepted from them [even] the world full of gold if they offered it as ransom." (Qur’an 3:91)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Whoever dies while associating anything with Allah will enter Hell." (Sahih al-Bukhari 4497)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Those who reject Islam after knowing the truth will be held accountable.
  • Those who never received the message will be judged by Allah’s justice and mercy.

19. What Are the Major Sins in Islam?

Some major sins include:

  • Shirk (associating partners with Allah)
  • Disrespecting parents
  • Murder
  • Riba (usury/interest)
  • Backbiting and lying

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise]." (Qur’an 4:31)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Avoid the seven destructive sins," and he mentioned shirk, magic, killing, consuming interest, stealing from orphans, fleeing battle, and accusing chaste women of adultery. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2766, Sahih Muslim 89)

20. How Do I Repent (Tawbah) for My Sins?

Repentance (Tawbah) requires sincere regret, stopping the sin, and seeking forgiveness.

🔹 Qur’an Reference:

"Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves." (Qur’an 2:222)

🔹 Hadith:

The Prophet (ï·º) said: "Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one who finds his lost camel in a desert." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6308, Sahih Muslim 2747)

🔹 Explanation:

  • Even major sins can be forgiven if one sincerely repents before death.
  • Saying "Astaghfirullah" (I seek forgiveness from Allah) regularly is recommended.

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