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Islam is a faith and a complete way of life that teaches peace, faith in one God, good character, justice, and compassion. It guides people in their relationship with Allah (God), their responsibilities toward others, and their purpose in life.
Islam continues the message of guidance delivered by the prophets of God, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the final prophet sent to humanity.
Today, Muslims around the world follow Islam by worshiping Allah, living righteously, helping others, and preparing for the Hereafter.
The word Islam is associated with submission to Allah and shares its linguistic roots with the Arabic word for peace. Islam teaches that true peace comes through faith in Allah, following His guidance, and living a life of righteousness.
A Muslim is someone who believes in the Oneness of Allah and accepts Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His final messenger.
Islam teaches that every person should develop a direct relationship with Allah through prayer, remembrance, sincere repentance, and good deeds. No human intermediary is required to ask Allah for forgiveness or guidance.
Muslims use the Arabic word Allah to refer to God. Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews also use this word for God.
The foundation of Islam is the belief that Allah is One, the Creator and Sustainer of everything. He has no partners, equals, or children, and nothing in creation is comparable to Him.
The Quran describes Allah’s Oneness in Surah Al-Ikhlas.
Arabic:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
English translation (meaning):
“Say, He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
— Quran 112:1–4
Muslims worship Allah alone and seek His guidance in every aspect of life.
Muslims believe that Allah sent prophets to guide humanity throughout history. Although their communities and circumstances differed, their central message was to worship the One God and live according to His guidance.
Among the prophets recognized in Islam are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
Muslims respect Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) as a great messenger of Allah and believe in his miraculous birth. However, Muslims do not worship Jesus; worship belongs to Allah alone.
Muslims also believe that Allah revealed scriptures to His messengers, including the Torah given to Moses, the Gospel given to Jesus, and the Quran revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The Quran is the final revelation in Islamic belief and calls humanity to faith, righteousness, mercy, and justice.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah in the sixth century CE. At approximately the age of 40, he received the first revelation of the Quran through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). Revelation continued over approximately 23 years.
The Prophet taught people to worship Allah alone, speak truthfully, care for the poor, honor parents, protect the vulnerable, and treat others with fairness and mercy.
His life provides Muslims with an example of patience, humility, forgiveness, honesty, and compassion.
Allah says in the Quran:
Arabic:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
English translation (meaning):
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
— Quran 21:107
Islam teaches that human life has meaning and purpose. We are called to know and worship Allah, live responsibly, develop good character, and contribute positively to the world.
Allah says in the Quran:
Arabic:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
English translation (meaning):
“And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
— Quran 51:56
Worship in Islam is not limited to prayer inside a mosque. It includes every sincere, permissible action performed with good intentions, such as earning an honest living, caring for family, helping a neighbor, feeding someone in need, and speaking kindly.
Islam also teaches belief in the Hereafter, where every person will be accountable to Allah for their deeds. This belief encourages Muslims to act with integrity, avoid wrongdoing, seek forgiveness, and remember that worldly life is temporary.
The Five Pillars are the central acts of worship that form the foundation of a Muslim’s religious practice.
The Shahadah is the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Arabic:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
English translation (meaning):
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
This declaration expresses the foundation of Islamic belief.
Muslims perform five obligatory prayers each day: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.
Prayer helps Muslims remember Allah, seek His guidance, express gratitude, and strengthen their faith. Muslims pray directly to Allah and may perform their prayers individually or in congregation at a mosque.
Zakah is an obligatory form of charity for eligible Muslims who meet the required conditions. It commonly amounts to 2.5% of qualifying savings held for one lunar year, although the calculation varies according to the type of wealth.
Zakah helps eligible recipients, including people experiencing poverty and hardship. It encourages generosity, social responsibility, and a more caring community.
Voluntary charity, known as Sadaqah, is also highly encouraged in Islam.
Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and marital sexual relations from dawn until sunset.
Fasting develops patience, self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy for people experiencing hunger and hardship. It also encourages Muslims to avoid lying, gossip, anger, and harmful behavior.
Islam provides exemptions and allowances for people in certain circumstances, including illness and travel, with specific rules depending on the situation.
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it safely.
Muslims from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds gather to worship Allah, demonstrating unity, humility, and equality before Him.
Hajj follows traditions associated with Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family (peace be upon them).
Islam encourages a complete way of life in which faith is reflected in everyday actions. The Five Pillars are essential, but Islamic teachings also emphasize honesty, kindness, responsibility, and service to others.
Examples of good deeds include:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of good character. Muslims are encouraged to make their faith visible through their conduct, not merely their words.
Islam provides guidance for personal behavior, family relationships, community responsibilities, and social conduct.
Muslims are encouraged to be truthful, trustworthy, patient, humble, and respectful. Cheating, dishonesty, backbiting, and harming others are discouraged.
Islam places great importance on marriage, caring for children, honoring parents, maintaining family ties, and treating spouses with kindness and respect.
Muslims are also encouraged to care for orphans, widows, travelers, neighbors, and those facing hardship.
Modesty in Islam includes clothing, speech, behavior, and personal conduct. Both men and women are encouraged to practice humility, dignity, and respectful interaction.
Islam encourages people to eat what is lawful and wholesome. Muslims avoid pork and intoxicants, including alcohol, and follow Islamic guidelines regarding permissible food and meat.
Islam teaches that people should be treated with fairness and dignity. Muslims are encouraged to oppose oppression, fulfill their responsibilities, help those in need, and contribute to the well-being of society.
Muslims believe that earthly life is temporary and that life continues after death. On the Day of Judgment, all people will be resurrected and held accountable by Allah for their beliefs and deeds.
Islam teaches that Allah is perfectly just and abundantly merciful. Muslims strive to do good, repent sincerely when they make mistakes, and seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
The Quran describes Paradise as a reward for those whom Allah admits into it, and warns of the consequences of rejecting the truth and persisting in wrongdoing.
Belief in the Hereafter encourages Muslims to live with purpose, responsibility, hope, and awareness of their actions.
Islam calls people toward peace, reconciliation, mercy, and justice. Muslims are encouraged to contribute positively to their communities, respect the rights of others, and work toward the common good.
A caring Muslim community supports families, educates children, helps those experiencing hardship, welcomes visitors, and creates opportunities for people to worship and learn together.
At Stroudsburg Islamic Center, we welcome people who wish to learn about Islam, attend prayers, explore Islamic teachings, or connect with the Muslim community.
Islam teaches that a meaningful life begins with faith in One God and grows through worship, good character, service to humanity, and responsible living.
It invites people to strengthen their relationship with Allah, purify their hearts, treat others with compassion, and strive to do what is right.
Whether through daily prayer, caring for family, helping a neighbor, or supporting someone in need, Islam encourages every person to make their life a source of goodness.
Allah says in the Quran:
Arabic:
أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ
English translation (meaning):
“Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth?”
— Quran 57:16
Learn about Islam. Strengthen your faith. Serve humanity. Grow together.
Stroudsburg Islamic Center — A welcoming place to worship, learn, and grow together.
