A general overview of Islam
28-2-2011 | IslamWeb
Question:
I am a new Muslim and want to know about Islam.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
In brief, Islam is the final religion that Allaah The Almighty sealed all religions with. After its advent no other religion will be accepted; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.} [Quran 3:85]
Islam is a comprehensive and complete religion and it suits all places and all times. It is a universal religion for all peoples – a religion of Tawheed (Islamic monotheism), solidarity, justice, mercy and equality. It guarantees happiness to whoever abides by it in this life and salvation in the Hereafter. It has five basic pillars that are mentioned in a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar 
: The Prophet 
said that Islam has five basic pillars: testifying that none is worthy of worship but Allaah The Almighty and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, the performance of prayer, the paying of Zakah (obligatory almsgiving), fasting the month of Ramadan and performing pilgrimage for whoever is capable and can financially afford it. [Bukhari and Muslim]
Eemaan (Faith) comprises six beliefs. In a Hadeeth on the authority of ‘Umar the Prophet mentioned that Faith is to believe in Allaah The Almighty, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Hereafter and Fate, whether it is good or bad. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Once the person attains a degree of observing Allaah The Almighty and fearing Him so that he worships Allaah The Almighty as if he sees Him, this degree is called ‘Ihsaan’. At the end of the previously mentioned Hadeeth, the Prophet said that Ihsaan is to worship Allaah The Almighty as if you see Him; for if you do not see Him, He, certainly does sees you.
Islam is concerned with all aspects of life: the individual's affairs and health; family affairs and its relevant issues such as marriage, divorce, companionship, the rights of both spouses and parents, and the rulings of inheritance. It also encompasses man's transactions such as selling, buying and renting. It cherishes the rights of others such as the rights of neighbors and friends. Islam also encourages visiting patients, maintaining ties of kinship and kindness towards all creation. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, Allaah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.} [Quran 16:90]
Islam urges its followers to adopt high morals such as truthfulness, honesty, forbearance, patience and bravery. It also forbids bad morals and vices such as treachery, lying and cheating.
Allaah Knows best.