What Does Islam Teach?

Islam is one of the world’s largest religions, with more than two billion followers worldwide. It arose in the seventh century on the Arabian Peninsula and has since had a major influence on cultures and societies across the world.

Short Answer: Islam teaches that there is one God, Allah, that Muhammad is his final prophet, and that the Quran is his final revelation. Muslims are called to submit to God, follow the teachings of the Quran, pray, fast, give to those in need, and prepare for the Day of Judgment.

Although Islam recognizes several figures found in the Bible—including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus—it differs from the Bible on important questions concerning Jesus, salvation, and God’s revelation.

In this article, we will examine the history of Islam, the Quran, its main beliefs and religious practices, and finally compare the teachings of Islam with what the Bible teaches.

The History of Islam

Islam arose in the early seventh century AD on the Arabian Peninsula. Islam was founded by Muhammad, who, according to Islamic tradition, was born in Mecca around AD 570. Muslims believe that God revealed his message to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel and that these revelations were later collected in the Quran.

At the time of Muhammad, most of the Arab population were polytheists who worshiped many different gods. Mecca was an important religious center, where the Kaaba was regarded as a sacred place. According to Islam, the Kaaba had originally been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael as a house for the worship of the one true God, but over time it had become associated with idolatry.

Muhammad began preaching belief in one God and called on the people to turn away from idols. His message met strong opposition in Mecca, and in AD 622 he and his followers migrated to the city of Medina. This event, known as the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

After several years, Muhammad returned to Mecca with his followers. The city was conquered with little fighting, the idols in the Kaaba were removed, and the sanctuary was dedicated to the worship of Allah alone. Muhammad died in AD 632, but Islam continued to spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and large parts of Asia. Today, Islam is one of the world’s largest religions, with more than two billion followers.

The Quran—Islam’s Holy Book

The Quran is the holy book of Islam and is regarded by Muslims as the word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over a period of about 23 years. After Muhammad’s death, the revelations were collected into the book now known as the Quran.

The word Quran means “recitation.” The book is written in Arabic and consists of 114 chapters called surahs. Muslims regard the Arabic text as the Quran itself, while translations are generally regarded as interpretations of its meaning.

The Quran is the highest authority in Islam and forms the basis for Islamic belief and practice. It contains teachings about God, mankind, morality, prayer, law, and life after death.

Alongside the Quran, hadith literature plays an important role. It consists of reports concerning Muhammad’s words and actions and is used together with the Quran as guidance in matters of faith and daily life. While the Quran is regarded as God’s direct revelation, the hadith describe how Muhammad put that revelation into practice.

The Main Beliefs of Islam

Islam is based on belief in one God, Allah, who is regarded as the Creator and ruler of the entire universe. Allah is believed to be Almighty, merciful, and just, and mankind’s primary duty is to submit to his will. The word Islam itself means “submission” or “surrender” to God.

Muslims also believe in angels who carry out God’s will. Among the most important is the angel Gabriel, who according to Islam delivered the revelations of the Quran to Muhammad.

Belief in the prophets is a central part of Islam. Islam teaches that throughout history God has sent many prophets to guide mankind. Among them are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muhammad is regarded as the last and greatest prophet, and his message is believed to complete the earlier revelations.

Islam also teaches that all people will one day give an account before God. On Judgment Day, each person will be judged according to his faith and deeds. The righteous will be rewarded with Paradise, while the wicked will be punished.

Finally, Islam teaches that God has complete control over the course of the world and that everything takes place according to his will and knowledge. At the same time, human beings are held responsible for their actions and are therefore accountable to God.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars are the fundamental religious duties that form the framework of a Muslim’s religious life. They are regarded as central acts that express faith in Allah and help believers live in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

The Declaration of Faith (Shahada)

The first pillar is the declaration of faith:

“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

By professing this belief, a Muslim affirms that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad is his final prophet.

Prayer (Salat)

Muslims are required to pray five times a day at prescribed times. The prayers are performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca and include specific bodily postures. Prayer is intended to remind believers of God and strengthen their relationship with him.

Almsgiving (Zakat)

Muslims who have the financial means are required to give a portion of their wealth to those in need. The purpose is both to help the poor and to remind believers that everything ultimately belongs to God.

Fasting (Sawm)

During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. During daylight hours, they abstain from food and drink, among other things. The fast is intended to promote self-discipline, gratitude, and concern for those living in poverty.

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Every Muslim who is physically and financially able is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. There, pilgrims take part in a series of religious rites centered on the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site.

Branches of Islam

Although all Muslims base their faith on the Quran and recognize Muhammad as God’s final prophet, there are different branches within Islam. The two largest are Sunni and Shia Islam.

Sunni Islam

Sunni Islam is the largest branch and includes about 85–90 percent of the world’s Muslims. Sunni Muslims emphasize Muhammad’s teachings and example as transmitted through the Quran and hadith. They believe that the leaders who succeeded Muhammad should have been chosen from among the most qualified Muslims.

Shia Islam

Shia Islam is the second-largest branch. Shia Muslims believe that leadership after Muhammad should have remained within his family, beginning with his cousin and son-in-law Ali. The division between Sunni and Shia therefore began primarily over the question of religious leadership, although throughout history it has also led to differences in traditions and religious practices.

Other Branches

There are also smaller branches and movements within Islam. One of the best known is Sufism, which places particular emphasis on a personal relationship with God, prayer, and a simple way of life. There are also various schools and traditions that interpret Islamic teachings in different ways.

How Does a Muslim Live?

Islam is not only a system of beliefs but also a way of life that shapes the daily lives of many Muslims. Faith is expressed through prayer, family life, religious festivals, and the desire to live in accordance with God’s will.

For many Muslims, the mosque is an important gathering place where they participate in communal prayer, receive religious instruction, and meet with other believers. Friday prayer has special significance and often draws large gatherings.

Islam also contains rules concerning what is permitted (halal) and forbidden (haram). These include dietary rules prohibiting pork and alcohol, as well as guidance in other areas of life in which Muslims seek to live according to Islamic teachings.

The two most important festivals are Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, which is celebrated in connection with the pilgrimage to Mecca. Both festivals are characterized by prayer, community, and charity.

Although Muslims share the same basic faith, religious practice varies from country to country and from person to person. In many places, culture, tradition, and local customs have influenced the way Islam is practiced in everyday life.

Does Islam Agree with the Bible?

Islam recognizes several figures mentioned in the Bible, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. At the same time, Islam teaches that the Quran is God’s final revelation and that the biblical Scriptures have been altered or distorted over time. For Muslims, the Quran is therefore regarded as the highest authority.

The Bible, however, presents a different picture. It describes God’s word as true and trustworthy and God as one who does not lie or contradict himself (Num. 23:19; Ps. 119:160; Titus 1:2). Jesus says concerning God’s word: “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

Is the Quran a Continuation of the Bible?

Islam teaches that the Quran confirms the earlier revelations while also correcting errors that Muslims believe were introduced into the Bible over the course of history.

The Bible, however, presents God as gradually revealing his purpose through the prophets and bringing it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The first Christians did not regard Jesus’ teachings as a replacement for God’s earlier word, but as the fulfillment of the promises God had given through the Hebrew Scriptures (Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:44).

Who Is Jesus?

Jesus occupies a central place in both Islam and the Bible, but the two portrayals differ significantly.

Islam teaches that Jesus was a great prophet, born of the virgin Mary, but not the Son of God. The Quran teaches that Jesus was not killed or crucified (Quran 4:157) and therefore rejects the teaching that he died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

The Bible, by contrast, teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the Savior of the world. According to the Greek Scriptures, he willingly died for the sins of mankind, was raised from the dead, and now lives at God’s right hand (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3–4; 1 Tim. 2:5–6).

How Is a Person Saved?

Islam places great emphasis on faith in Allah, obedience to his will, and a life characterized by good deeds. On Judgment Day, God will judge each person.

The Bible also teaches that people must live according to God’s will. At the same time, however, it emphasizes that no one can earn salvation through his own works. Salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning work (Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 3:23–24).

Can Both Be God’s Revelation?

Both the Bible and the Quran claim to be true revelation from God. At the same time, they give different answers to fundamental questions about Jesus, salvation, and God’s purpose for mankind.

The Bible therefore encourages people to examine God’s word carefully and test what they hear (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 5:21). Each person must decide for himself which revelation is consistent with the truth.

Conclusion

Islam is one of the world’s largest religions and has shaped cultures and societies around the world for centuries. The religion is based on belief in one God, the Quran as the final revelation, and Muhammad as God’s final prophet. Islam also places great emphasis on prayer, fasting, charity, and obedience to God’s will.

In several respects, Islam shares similarities with the Bible. Both refer to figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus and emphasize that there is only one true God. But when it comes to questions such as the identity of Jesus, his death and resurrection, salvation, and God’s final revelation, the Bible and the Quran give different answers.

For this reason, it is not enough simply to know what a religion teaches. The crucial question is whether its teachings agree with what God has revealed. The Bible encourages everyone to examine the Scriptures for themselves and test what they hear, so that their faith is based on truth rather than solely on tradition or human teachings (John 17:17; Acts 17:11).

If you would like to explore the teachings of the Bible further, you will find more articles on Skriften.dk examining key questions about God, Jesus Christ, salvation, and God’s purpose for mankind based on what the Bible itself says—not on human traditions and teachings.

Explore More

All Articles About Bible Study