Learn

Islam 101

Islam is an Arabic word that translates “the submission to the will of Allah (God). In a general sense, it means peace. In longer terms, it means peace with Allah, oneself, and all humanity. To Muslims (followers of the Islamic faith), Islam as a religion symbolizes the messages revealed by Allah to his messengers, starting with Adam (the father of mankind) and ending with Muhammed (peace be upon him), the final prophet sent by Allah. 

Five Pillars of Islam

KALMA

SALAT

ZAKAT

FASTING

HAJJ

KALMA

SALAT

ZAKAT

FASTING

Resources on Islam

The Five Pillars
The Five Pillars
The Islamic faith is based on five pillars and is considered mandatory to practice if financially and physically able. The Five Pillars are as follows:…
What is Prohibited in Islam?
What is Prohibited in Islam?
Islamic prohibitions (great sins) can be classifieds as the following: 1. Consuming Alcohol One drop in the sight of Islam is as harmful as one…
The Holy Quran
The Holy Quran
The Quran is the word of Allah revealed to prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). It is one of the four scriptures Muslims believe in.…
Al-Hadith
Al-Hadith
Al-Hadith is a collection of the Prophet Muhammed’s sayings and actions. These are the words of the Prophet as narrated by his companions, and for…
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)
Born an orphan in 571 Ad. in Makkah, known as Saudia Arabia today, Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was raised by his grandfather, who,…
The Importance of Family in Islam
The Importance of Family in Islam
Like a brick in the societal structure, family is a large part of Islamic principles. The Holy Quran, articles, rules, and laws on family are…
The Role of Women in Islam
The Role of Women in Islam
The position of women in Islam is one of the most misunderstood and construed aspects of this faith. One cannot appreciate the attitude of Islam…
Islam and Christianity
Islam and Christianity
One of the prerequisites of being Muslim is believing in Jesus (peace be upon him) and his teachings. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are referred to…
Islam and Humanity
Islam and Humanity
Islam preached that we are the sons and daughters of one man (Adam) and one woman (Eve). Love, respect, and cooperation must prevail among humankind.…
Islam is a way of life
Islam is a way of life
Islam is more than merely a practice; it is a way of life. The Holy Quran includes a complete code of behavior. Analyzing its verses…
Islamic Calendar
Islamic Calendar
Muslims around the world use the Islamic calendar (also known as the Lunar or Hijri calendar) to determine the dates of religious events and observances.…

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

How to do Wudu

Recitation in Salah

The Tenth of Hijjah

Other Resources

This is a short list of resources that we have found to be helpful and accessible:

Muslims Today

Islamophobia: General

Islamophobia: Muslims & ‘Terrorism’

Islamic History Month Canada – Resources

In 2007, Parliament designated October as Islamic History Month Canada, to celebrate the history, and intellectual, scientific and cultural contributions of Muslims and Islamic civilizations.  Since 2016, October is also recognized as Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario.  

Articles 

  • There Was No Black ‘Contribution’ to Islam (2017)
    “this article …. confront[s] the implicit way Black Muslims are often regarded as fringe associates rather than inherent fellows.”
  • Islam’s invented Golden Age (2013)
    “it has become apparent that simple and naïve binaries, such as reason vs. revelation, rationalist vs. scripturalist, Golden Age vs. Dark Ages, and philosopher vs. Mulla, must simply be discarded”
  • The Lost Female Scholars of Islam (N.D)
    “When I started, I thought there may be thirty to forty women, but as the study progressed, the accounts of female scholars kept growing and growing, until eventually there were no less than 8,000 biographical accounts to be found. Such vast numbers truly testify to the huge role that women have played in the preservation and development of Islamic learning since the time of the blessed Prophet Muhammad.”

Islam & The Prophet Muhammad

    • Event Recording | ‘Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of Empires’ by Prof. Juan Cole (Noor Cultural Centre, January 19, 2019)
    • Islam – A Short History, by Karen Armstrong (Modern Library, 2002)
    • Muhammad: A Prophet of Our Time, by Karen Armstrong (Harperone, 2007)
    • In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad, by Tariq Ramadan (Oxford University Press, 2007)
    • The Story of the Qur’an – Its History and Place in Muslim Life, by Ingrid Mattson (Blackwell Publishing, 2008)
    • Major Themes of the Qur’an, by Fazlur Rahman (Bibliotheca Islamic, 1989)
    • The Qur’an: A User’s Guide, by Farid Esack (Oneworld, 2005)
    • Hadith: Muhammad’s Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World, by Jonathan A C Brown (Oneworld, 2009)
    • The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Islam, by Jamal J Elias (Pearson Education Inc, 2003)
    • Animals in the Qur’an, by Sarra Tlili (Cambridge University Press, 2012)

Like to learn more? Book a time to chat with one of our Imams!