In the one God
God is one and has no partner. He created everything. He is just and merciful.
What does Islam mean?
Islam is an Arabic word. It means surrender to the one God. It is related to salām, peace. A Muslim is someone who entrusts themselves to God.
The revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad began in Mecca in the 7th century. Muslims do not see Islam as a new religion. For them it is the same faith in the one God that Abraham, Moses and Jesus preached. It shares many prophets and stories with Judaism and Christianity. Allah is the Arabic word for God. Arabic-speaking Christians also pray to Allah.
What Muslims believe
The faith rests on six principles.
In the angels
Angels are creatures of God. The best known is Gabriel (Jibril, in Turkish Cebrail). He brought the revelation to the prophets.
In the holy scriptures
Time and again, God sent scriptures to humankind. They include the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and finally the Quran.
In the prophets
From Adam to Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and on to Muhammad, the last prophet. They all called people to believe in the one God.
In the Last Day
Life does not end with death. Every person will one day answer for what they have done.
In divine decree
Nothing happens without God’s knowledge and will. Even so, people remain responsible for their own actions.
The five pillars
Five duties form the foundation of Islam. Each one strengthens the relationship with God and makes us more aware of other people.
1 Declaration of faith
Shahada
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger.” Whoever says this with conviction is a Muslim.
2 Prayer
Salah
Five times a day at set times, after ritual washing and facing Mecca.
Prayer times3 Fasting
Sawm
In the month of Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn until sunset. People who are ill or travelling may put off the fast and make it up later. Children do not have to fast yet. Neither do people whose health would suffer from fasting.
4 Obligatory giving
Zakat
Muslims who have enough wealth give part of it every year, mainly to people in need. It is 2.5 per cent of their wealth above a minimum threshold.
5 Pilgrimage
Hajj
Once in a lifetime to Mecca, if their health and means allow. During the pilgrimage, Muslims all over the world celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha, in Turkish Kurban Bayramı).
The Quran
For Muslims the Quran is the word of God. It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years and has 114 chapters, called suras. It is read and recited in Arabic. Translations convey its meaning.
In our mosque, too, there is a verse of the Quran on the wall of the prayer hall. The mosque glossary explains what it means.
Go to the glossaryThe Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570. At about 40 he received the first revelation. Muslims see him as the last prophet and as an example for their own lives, but they worship God alone. When they say his name, Muslims add the blessing “May Allah bless him and grant him peace” (ṣallā llāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam).
Islam in daily life
Faith shows above all in how people treat others. It means being honest, patient and helpful, and showing mercy to people and animals. Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol. Permitted food is called halal (in Turkish helal). The two great festivals of the year are Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice.
Further reading (in German): “Der Islam – eine Weltreligion” on igmg.org
