Questions about Islam
98 questions in 13 topics
Most asked questions
10Islam basics
7God, Jesus and other faiths
10The Quran and the Prophet
11Prayer, fasting, Hajj and worship
8Women, family and marriage
10Peace, war, jihad and violence
6Sharia, rights and society
11Life, death and the afterlife
9Science, reason and doubt
7History, sects and Muslims today
6Becoming Muslim
4Living and working with Muslims
4Common myths
5No question matches your search. Try one word, such as "women", "Jesus" or "prayer".
How these answers are written
Every answer starts from the Quran and the authentic Sunnah and is written in simple words. Where a verse is the basis, it is shown with its translation and a link to the full chapter.
The answers follow the mainstream Sunni understanding. Where Muslims differ, or where there is a real difficulty that critics raise, the answer says so and does not hide it.
Questions about Islam often come with strong feelings, so each answer also separates what the religion teaches from what some Muslims or some governments do.
This is general learning and not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar or your local Islamic centre.
About this library
Does Islam force people to become Muslim?
No. The Quran says: "There is no compulsion in religion" (2:256). Faith has to be a free choice of the heart, and a belief that is forced is not accepted in Islam.
Do Muslims worship the same God as Jews and Christians?
Muslims worship the one God who created everything. "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for God, and Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use it too. Islam differs from Christianity on the nature of God: it teaches pure oneness and rejects the Trinity.
What do Muslims believe about Jesus?
Muslims honour Jesus (Isa) as one of the greatest messengers of God, born miraculously to the Virgin Mary, who gave signs by God's permission. They do not believe he is God or the son of God, and the Quran says he was not killed or crucified but raised to God (4:157-158).
Does Islam allow killing non-Muslims?
No. The Quran says that whoever kills an innocent person it is as if he killed all of mankind (5:32). Fighting is allowed only to defend against attack and under strict rules, and it forbids harming women, children, the elderly and worshippers. Violence by individuals or groups is not taught by the religion.
Has the Quran been changed over time?
Muslims believe that the Quran is preserved as it was revealed. It was written down in the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and memorised by many companions, and the same Arabic text is recited and printed all over the world today.
How does a person become a Muslim?
By saying the declaration of faith (the Shahadah) sincerely: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." No ceremony, priest or permission is needed. After that a new Muslim learns the prayer and the basics step by step.