Islam started in Makkah, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s life. 

Today, the faith is spreading rapidly throughout the world.

• The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.”
• Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
• Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.
• Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will.
• Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam through the angel Gabriel.
• Muslims contend that Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was the final prophet.
• Masjid are places where Muslims worship.
• Some important Islamic holy places include the Ka'aba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa masjid in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s masjid in Medina.
• The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. 
• Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a day of judgment, and life after death.

Prophet Muhammad Salallahu‘alayhi wa sallam 

The Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 570 A.D. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to reveal their faith to mankind.

According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in 610 A.D. while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to recite the words of Allah.

Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam continued to receive revelations from Allah throughout the rest of his life. 

Starting in about 613, Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam began preaching throughout Makkah the messages he received. He taught that there was no other God but Allah and that Muslims should devote their lives to this God.

Five Pillars of Islam

Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:

• Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
• Salaat: to pray five times a day. (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)
• Zakaat: to give to those in need
• Sawm: to fast during Ramadhaan.
• Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person is able.

The QURAN

The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur’an or Koran) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims.

It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

The text is considered the sacred word of God and supercedes any previous writings.

Most Muslims believe that  Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s scribes wrote down his words, which became the Quran. (Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam himself was never taught to read or write.)

The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs.

Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Prophet Muhammad salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr.

SHAHADA

The Shahada is an Islamic creed declaring belief in the oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as God's prophet. 

The declaration, in its shortest form, reads:

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, muḥammadun rasūlu-llāh

There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Salaat

It is clearly said in the Qur'an that the basic purpose of life is to worship Allah. Through Namaz also called as Salaat or Salaah, one can communicate directly with Allah Almighty.

The Holy Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in His Hadith, mentions that the key to heaven is Salaah. 

Namaz, a word, binds every Muslim on this planet from a thread that connects them to Allah. 

It offers a wise path to His devotee to connect and know Allah better. 

Muslims perform five times prayers a day as it is obligatory. In Muslim communities, people are reminded of the salaat by the daily calls to prayer, known as adhaan. 

The adhaan is delivered from masjid by a muezzin, the masjid’s designated caller of prayer. During the call to prayer, the muezzin recites the Takbir and the Kalimah.

Before going to offer the prayer, it is compulsory to perform the ablution (wudhu). It is done by the washing of the hands, feet, arms, and legs, called Wudhu, before praying. Once the Wudhu has been completed, it’s time to find a place to pray.

The 5 Times Namaz Prayer

The five times Salaat are:
Fajr
Dhuhr
Asr
Maghrib
Isha

A Quick Look At the  Duas you can add in your Dhikr list which upon reciting you can easily gain TREMENDOUS reward:-

1. *SUBHANALLIHI WABHI HAMDIHI, SUBHANALLAHIL AZEEM.*

 Recite this 100 times or more especially after fajr. 

2. *SUBHANALLI WABIHAMDIHI, ADADA QALQIHI, WARIDA NAFSIHI, ZEENATA ARSHIHI, WAMIDADA KALIMATIHI.*

 Reading this thrice is equivalent to 6 hours of worship. 

3. *ASTAGFIRULLAHIL LAZEE LA ILAHA ILLA HUWAL HAYYUL QAYYUMU WATTAOOBU ILAHI.*

 Reading this thrice will eliminate your (minor) sins even if they were as huge as the foam of sea. 

4. *LA HAWLA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLA HIL ALEEYUL AZEEM.* 

5. *ALLAHUMA INNAKA AFFUWUN TUHIBBUL AFUWA FA AFFU ANNI.* 

 Recite this as much as possible on the last ten days and nights of Ramadan. 

6. *HASBIYALLAHU WANEMAL WAKEEL.* 

 Recite this whenever you find yourself tensed over any issue. The calming effect this dua has cannot be denied. 

7. *RABBISH RAHLI SADRI WA YASSIR LI AMRI.* 

 Just as its meaning that says "Ya rab, expand my chest and make things easy for me." , reciting this with firm belief in Allah will definitely ease any difficulty In Sha Allah.

8. *ALLAHUMA ADKHILNI JANNATUL FIRDOUS.*

Recite this thrice and JANNAH itself will make dua to Allah swt to grant you Jannah. 

9. *ALLAHUMA AJIRNI MINANAAR.* 

Recite this 7 times after fajr salah and isha salah so that if you die in between this time you will be protected from hellfire in Shaa Allah.

10. *RABBIR HAMHUMA KAMA RABBAYANI SAGEERA.* 

This one is for your parents. Read this for their welfare and is the best way to make dua for them. 

11. *LA ILAHA IL LALLAH.*

This is obviously the best way to attain tremendous reward easily.

And they are many more such duas which on recitation one can attain Allah's happiness and blessing and ultimately Jannah.