What are the prime doctrines of Islam?

Answer 1

Forgive me for interjecting, but I just want to add for the sake of the question that:

The main articles of doctrine in Islam are two. They are the Noble Quran (Actual Literal Speech and Wisdom of Allah) written in book format, as well as the Sunnah (practices, teachings, habits, approvals, disapproval, of the Messenger of Allah called "hadith" (narrations) which have been collected and put in book format.

Refer to related question listed below for more information.

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The prime doctrines, also known as the 5 pillars are-

1. Shahadah-The belief in one god(Allah) and that Muhammad is his messenger and prophet. This is by far the most important pillar in Islam. As the most important pillar, this testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Ideally, it is the first words a newborn will hear, and children are taught as soon as they are able to understand it and it will be recited when they die. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the creed. Technically the Shi'a do not consider the Shahadah to be a separate pillar, but connect it to the

2.Salah-Prayer is performed facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Salah is intended to focus the mind on Allah; it is seen as a personal communication with Allah, expressing gratitude and worship. According to the Qur'an, the benefit of prayer "restrains [one] from shameful and evil deeds".[Qur'an 29:40] Salah is to be performed five times a day and it is compulsory but some flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on the circumstances. For example, in the case of sickness or a lack of space, a worshipper can offer salah while sitting, or even lying down, and the prayer can be shortened when travelling. The salah must be performed in the Arabic language to the best of each worshipper's ability. If he/she cannot speak Arabic, then his/her native language can be used. The lines of prayer are to be recited by heart (although beginners may use written aids), and the worshipper's body and clothing, as well as the place of prayer, must be cleansed.

3.Zakah- or alms-giving, is the practice of charitable giving by Muslims based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all who are able to do so. It is considered to be a personal responsibility for Muslims to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality.[7] Zakah consists of spending a fixed portion of one's wealth for the benefit of the poor or needy, including slaves, debtors and travellers. A Muslim may also donate more as an act of voluntary charity (sadaqah), in order to achieve additional divine reward. There are two main types of zakah. First, there is the zakah on traffic, which is a fixed amount based on the cost of food that is paid during the month of Ramadan by the head of a family for himself and his dependents. Second, there is the zakah on wealth, which covers money made in business, savings, income, and so on. In current usage zakah is treated as a 2.5% levy on most valuables and savings held for a full lunar year, as long as the total value is more than a basic minimum known as nisab (three ounces or 87.48g of gold). As of 16 October 2006, nisab is approximately US$1,750 or an equivalent amount in any other currency. Many Shi'ites are expected to pay an additional amount in the form of a khums tax, which they consider to be a separate ritual practice.

4.Sawm-Three types of fasting (Sawm) are recognized by the Qur'an: Ritual fasting,[2:183-187] fasting as compensation or repentance,[2:196] and ascetic fasting.[33:35]Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during the month of Ramadan Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to be especially mindful of other sins. The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness to Allah, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, to atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy.[14] During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, harsh language, gossip and to try to get along with each other better than normal. In addition, all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory, and even forbidden in some cases, for several groups for whom it would be dangerous or excessively problematic. These include pre-pubescent children, those with a medical condition such as Diabetes, elderly people, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Observing fasts is not permitted for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those in combat and travellers. Missing fasts usually must be made up soon afterwards, although the exact requirements vary according to circumstance. Many Muslims break their fast with a date because it is claimed Muhammed broke his fast with a date

5.Hajj- The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city of Mecca, and derives from an ancient Arab practice. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.[20] When the pilgrim is around ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white sheets.[21] The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina. The hajj also includes a visit to Medina, the second holiest city of Islam. The pilgrim, or the haji, is honoured in their community. For some, this is an incentive to perform the Hajj. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to Allah, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvementA pilgrimage made at any time other than the Hajj season is called an Umrah, and while not mandatory is strongly encouraged.

After the Prophet Muhammad (S)'s death many desert nomads and others claimed to be prophets, during this time Abu Bakr (R) went to war with these people to prove them as false. After Abu Bakr (R), Umr (R) took over Persia, and other parts of Asia Minor, after many years Tariq bin Ziyad (R) took over Spain and Islam slowly traveled though Europe.

You can also check out resources for the Ottoman Empire.

What is Islam?: The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from an Arabic root word meaning "peace" and "submission." Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. The same Arabic root word gives us "Salaam alaykum," ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim greeting.

Who is a Muslim?: A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam is called a Muslim, also from the same root word. So, the religion is called "Islam," and a person who believes in and follows it is a "Muslim."

• What is the difference between Muslim, Moslem and Islamic?

How Many and Where?: Islam is a major world religion, with over 1 billion followers worldwide (1/5 of the world population). It is considered one of the Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths, along with Judaism and Christianity. Although usually associated with the Arabs of the Middle East, less than 10% of Muslims are in fact Arab. Muslims are found all over the world, of every nation, color and race.

• Muslim population of the world

Who is Allah?: Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as "God." Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, etc.

Muslims believe that since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout love and worship. Islam holds to a strict monotheism. Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is considered idolatry.

• More about the nature of God
• "Names" of Allah

What do Muslims believe about God, prophets, the afterlife, etc.?: The basic beliefs of Muslims fall into six main categories, which are known as the "Articles of Faith":

• Faith in the unity of God
• Faith in angels
• Faith in prophets
• Faith in books of revelation
• Faith in an afterlife
• Faith in destiny/divine decree

The "five pillars" of Islam: In Islam, faith and good works go hand-in-hand. A mere verbal declaration of faith is not enough, for belief in Allah makes obedience to Him a duty.

The Muslim concept of worship is very broad. Muslims consider everything they do in life to be an act of worship, if it is done according to Allah's guidance. There are also five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a Muslim's faith and obedience. They are often called the "Five Pillars of Islam."

• Testimony of faith (Kalima)
• Prayer (Salat)
• Almsgiving (Zakat)
• Fasting (Sawm)
• Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Daily life as a Muslim: While often seen as a radical or extreme religion, Muslims consider Islam to be the middle road. Muslims do not live life with complete disregard for God or religious matters, but nor do they neglect the world to devote themselves solely to worship and prayer. Muslims strike a balance by fulfilling the obligations of and enjoying this life, while always mindful of their duties to Allah and to others.

• Morals and manners
• Business ethics
• Modesty in dress and behavior
• Dietary rules
• Marriage
• Care of children and elderly
• Racism and prejudice
• Relations with non-Muslims

Answer 2

The absolute ONENESS of God. There is no god but THE ONE GOD.

Everything depends on Him alone. No one else has any power. No one else created anything. No one else should be worshipped. Only the One God is to be worshipped.

"Say that He, alone, is God; upon whom everything depends. He does not beget offspring, nor is He the offspring of anyone, and no one is like Him in any way at all". (Qur'an chapter 112)

God is One. He has no mother, no father, no sister, no brother, no daughter - and no son. Everyone and everything is created by Him - even Jesus the Messiah (peace be upon him) is ONLY His servant.

Answer 3

The main doctrine of Islam is the oneness of God and that he begets not, nor is he begotten and that he has no associates. Islam teaches that humans should worship God alone and shouldn't call upon others beside him for help like saints, ancestors, angels or even prophets. Surat al ikhlas in the quran pretty much summarizes that doctrine. Among other doctrines, Islam teaches that as God is one, he will not confuse people with several religions and that all religions and all prophets carried the same message to man along history "that your God is one God, worship him alone" so Islam considers all prophets including moses and Jesus to be actually muslims in that sense. Islam teaches that people distorted the clarity of this message in many religions if the world and that Islam is the final Message in that sequence of messages along the history of mankind.