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Whose are Muslims? Their Beliefs and History

A Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam and holds complete faith in the oneness of Allah, believing He has no partner, and that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Allah’s final prophet and messenger.

1. Fundamental Beliefs of Muslims (Articles of Faith)

In Islam, beliefs refer to the core tenets that every Muslim must believe in:

  • Tawheed (Oneness of God): Believing that Allah is One, without partner, the sole Creator and Owner of all, and the only One worthy of worship.

  • Prophethood (Risalah): Believing in all prophets and messengers of God, and accepting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the final prophet (Khatam an-Nabiyyin).

  • Angels (Mala’ikah): Believing in Allah’s beings created of light, namely the angels (such as Angel Jibril/Gabriel, peace be upon him).

  • Divine Books: Believing in all holy scriptures revealed by Allah (such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel), and acknowledging the Holy Quran as Allah’s final and preserved book.

  • Day of Judgment (Akhirah): Firmly believing that this world will end one day, and humans will be resurrected to give an account of their deeds.

  • Divine Decree (Predestination/Qadar): Believing that all destiny, both good and bad, is subject to Allah’s knowledge and command.

2. A Brief History of Muslims

  • The Beginning (Prophetic Era): Islam began in the 7th century CE in Mecca when divine revelation began descending upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After receiving prophethood, he preached Tawheed (monotheism) and migrated to Medina, establishing the first Islamic state.

  • The Rashidun Caliphate: Following the passing of the Prophet (PBUH), during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs—Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman, and Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with them)—Islam spread rapidly beyond the Arabian Peninsula into the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia.

  • Umayyad and Abbasid Eras: During these periods, the Islamic empire expanded further, achieving significant advancements in science, knowledge, and culture. This era is known as the Golden Age of Islam.

  • Ottoman and Other Empires: Subsequent eras saw the rise of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires.

  • Modern Era: Today, there are approximately 2 billion Muslims worldwide, comprising around 25% of the global population, spanning various languages, cultures, and regions.

3. Purpose of a Muslim’s Life

Islam outlines a clear purpose for human existence:

  • Worship and Seeking Allah’s Pleasure: The core purpose of life is to worship the Creator and live according to His commandments to earn His pleasure.

  • Service to Humanity and Justice: Establishing justice in society, helping the oppressed, maintaining family ties, and treating God’s creation with good character.

  • Self-Purification: Purifying one’s ethics, intentions, and deeds while avoiding wrongdoings.

  • Development and Progress: Spreading goodness and well-being on Earth, acquiring knowledge, and working for the betterment of humanity.

  • Salvation in the Hereafter: Using earthly life as a preparation for success in the afterlife to attain Paradise.