About Islam and Muslims
Is Islam a religion of violence?
No. The word Islam means submission to God, and it comes from the same Arabic root as salam, meaning peace. The Qur'an says: 'Whoever kills a soul ... it is as if he had killed all of mankind' (Qur'an 5:32). Muslim scholars around the world have widely condemned terrorism and extremism, and most Muslims see attacks on innocent people as contrary to their faith.
Do Muslims worship Muhammad ﷺ?
No. Muslims worship God (Allah) alone. Muhammad ﷺ is honoured as the final prophet and messenger, but he was a human being, not divine. Muslims regard worshipping anyone other than God, including prophets, as shirk, the most serious sin in Islam.
Is 'Allah' a different God from the one Christians and Jews worship?
'Allah' is the Arabic word for God, and Muslims believe He is the same God worshipped by Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews also use the word 'Allah' in their prayers and scriptures. Islam sees itself as part of the same tradition of belief in one God.
Does Islam oppress women?
Muslims point out that Islamic law gave women rights to own property, inherit and seek divorce from the 7th century, long before many other legal systems did. The Qur'an says: 'Women have rights similar to those over them in kindness' (Qur'an 2:228). Many Muslims and scholars argue that practices which harm women in some places come from local culture rather than Islamic teaching.
Why do Muslims pray five times a day?
Prayer five times a day is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims see the prayers as a rhythm of remembrance that keeps God at the centre of the day, and each prayer usually takes a few minutes. Many describe it as a regular pause to reconnect with God during a busy day. Our guide on how to pray in Islam explains the prayers step by step.
What is Jihad?
The Arabic word jihad means struggle or striving. Many Muslims use it mainly for the personal struggle to do good and to resist one's own ego and desires. Classical Islamic law also discusses armed jihad, with rules such as not harming non-combatants, and scholars explain its conditions in different ways.
Are Muslims allowed to question their faith?
Yes. The Qur'an repeatedly encourages reflection, reasoning and asking questions, and it often answers doubters with arguments and examples. It describes Prophet Ibrahim asking God to show him how He gives life to the dead, and God answering by showing him (Qur'an 2:260).
Daily Life and Worship
For an overview of prayer, fasting, zakat and Hajj, see our guide to the five pillars of Islam.
Do I need to speak Arabic to be Muslim?
No. Islam is for people of every language. The five daily prayers are recited in Arabic, and many Muslims who do not speak Arabic learn the words gradually. Personal supplication (du'a) outside the prayer can be made in any language.
What is the difference between Sunni and Shia?
The division began with a disagreement about who should lead the Muslim community after the Prophet ﷺ died. Both groups believe in the same God, the same Qur'an and the same Prophet. The five pillars are the framework Sunni Muslims use; Shia Muslims share these acts of worship but organise their core beliefs and practices differently. Over time the two developed different views on leadership, law and some beliefs.
Can Muslims have non-Muslim friends?
Many Muslims have close friends, neighbours, colleagues and relatives of other faiths. The Qur'an tells Muslims to be kind and just to people who do not fight them because of religion: 'God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion ... from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them' (Qur'an 60:8).
Why do Muslim women wear hijab?
Most scholars understand the hijab as part of God's command to dress modestly, drawing on Qur'an 24:31 and 33:59. Many Muslim women describe wearing it as a personal act of faith and a source of identity and spiritual connection. Styles and practice vary between communities.
Is music allowed in Islam?
Scholars differ on this. Some consider musical instruments forbidden based on certain hadith, while others allow music that does not contain inappropriate content. This is an area of recognised scholarly disagreement (ikhtilaf) where both positions have classical support. If you are unsure, ask a local imam or knowledgeable Muslim.
What happens after death in Islam?
Muslims believe in an afterlife that includes questioning in the grave, the Day of Judgement when all deeds are weighed, and the eternal destinations of Paradise (Jannah) or Hellfire (Jahannam). Belief in the Day of Judgement is one of the six articles of faith explained in our guide to Islamic beliefs. Muslims believe God's mercy is vast and that He judges with perfect justice.
Can Muslims eat at non-halal restaurants?
Scholars explain this in different ways. Many allow eating vegetarian or seafood dishes at restaurants that are not halal, focusing on the food itself rather than the restaurant, while others are stricter about cross-contamination. If you are unsure, ask a local imam or knowledgeable Muslim.
Why can't Muslims drink alcohol 'in moderation'?
The Qur'an says of wine and gambling that 'their sin is greater than their benefit' (Qur'an 2:219), and Muslims regard alcohol as forbidden in any amount, not only drunkenness. Many Muslims see this as a preventive approach that avoids harms such as addiction and drunk driving.
Faith, Reason and Science
The Qur'an often invites people to observe, reflect and reason about the natural world.
Does Islam conflict with science?
Many Muslims see no conflict. Scholars in the Muslim world, roughly from the 8th to the 14th centuries, made major advances in algebra, optics, medicine, astronomy and chemistry, and many were inspired by verses that describe the creation of the heavens and the earth as signs for people who reflect (Qur'an 3:190). Ibn al-Haytham is often credited with early experimental methods.
Does Islam accept evolution?
This is a nuanced topic. Many scholars accept that living things change over time and that the universe is very old. The debate centres on human origins: classical Islamic theology holds that Adam was a special creation by God. Some modern Muslim scholars try to reconcile broader evolutionary theory with the Qur'anic account, while others keep a traditional view.
What does Islam say about the Big Bang?
Some Muslims point to this verse as matching the Big Bang: 'Do not the disbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were one joined entity, then We separated them?' (Qur'an 21:30). Some see this as a sign of the Qur'an's divine origin, while many scholars caution against reading scientific theories into scripture.
Were there really Muslim contributions to science?
Yes. Examples include algebra (al-Khwarizmi), optics and early experimental method (Ibn al-Haytham), surgical instruments (al-Zahrawi), early flight experiments (Abbas ibn Firnas) and the study of society (Ibn Khaldun). Translated Arabic works were used in European universities for centuries, and the word 'algorithm' comes from al-Khwarizmi's name.
Islam and Other Faiths
Muslims see Islam as the continuation of the tradition of Abraham and the earlier prophets. Our guide to the prophets in Islam lists the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an.
How does Islam view Jesus?
Muslims love and honour Jesus (Isa) as one of the greatest prophets. The Qur'an affirms his virgin birth and his miracles, such as healing the blind and raising the dead, and most Muslims believe he will return before the Day of Judgement. The key difference is that Islam regards him as a prophet, not the son of God or part of a Trinity.
How does Islam view Judaism and Christianity?
Islam regards them as based on earlier revelations from the same God, and the Qur'an calls Jews and Christians 'People of the Book' (Ahl al-Kitab). The Qur'an says: 'Those who believe, the Jews, Christians and Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they will have their reward' (Qur'an 2:62). Scholars explain this verse in different ways.
Why do Muslims avoid images of the Prophet ﷺ?
Most Muslims and scholars hold that the Prophet ﷺ should not be pictured. They explain this as protecting worship for God alone, out of concern that images could lead to veneration over time.
Does Islam force conversion?
The Qur'an says: 'There is no compulsion in religion' (Qur'an 2:256), and scholars generally teach that faith cannot be forced. Many historians point to the long-standing Christian and Jewish communities that continued to live and worship across the Muslim world.
Questions About Becoming Muslim
Whether you are considering Islam or simply curious, here are common questions from people exploring the faith. If you have recently become Muslim, our new Muslim guide covers the shahada, prayer and first steps.
How does someone become Muslim?
A person becomes Muslim by sincerely saying the shahada (declaration of faith): 'I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger.' There is no baptism or special ceremony. Many people say it in front of witnesses, for example at a local mosque, for community support.
Do I have to change my name?
Most scholars teach that changing your name is not required. Many advise changing a name only if its meaning goes against Islamic belief, such as ‘servant of’ a god other than Allah. Names like David (Dawud), Sarah and Michael are shared across faiths. If you would like a new name, our list of Muslim names and meanings can help.
What about my previous sins?
Many scholars teach that sincerely accepting Islam wipes away a person's past sins, so a new Muslim starts with a clean slate. If you have questions about your own situation, ask a local imam or knowledgeable Muslim.
Do I have to learn everything at once?
No. The Qur'an itself was revealed gradually over about 23 years. Many new Muslims start with the basics, such as learning to pray, and build their knowledge step by step.
Will I lose my cultural identity?
No. Muslims live on every continent and come from many cultures. You do not need to become Arab, South Asian or any other ethnicity to be Muslim, and many Muslims keep their language, food and customs alongside their faith.
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This page is a general guide. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar.
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