Mosque Tarik Ibn Ziyad

Islam is the faith of Muslims, who believe in one God (Allah). The Arabic word means peaceful submission to God. Muslims follow the guidance God revealed through His prophets, ending with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and preserved in the Qur’an.

Muslims hold six core beliefs:

• One God
• The angels
• The revealed books
• The prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad ﷺ
• The Day of Judgement
• God’s decree

Prayer (Salah) is how a Muslim stays connected to God through the day. The Qur’an says prayer is for remembering God, and the daily rhythm keeps Him at the centre of life.

• Remembrance: five pauses in the day to turn back to God.
• Gratitude: thanking God for what we have been given.
• Guidance and calm: asking for help and finding peace of heart.
• Discipline: praying at set times builds structure and humility.
• Community: standing shoulder to shoulder, rich and poor, young and old.

Each prayer is made up of units called rakʿahs. The obligatory ones are:

1. Fajr (dawn): from first light until sunrise. 2 rakʿahs. We start the day by remembering God.
2. Dhuhr (midday): after the sun passes its highest point. 4 rakʿahs. A pause in the middle of the busy day.
3. Asr (afternoon): when shadows grow longer. 4 rakʿahs. A reminder to stay mindful as the day winds down.
4. Maghrib (sunset): just after the sun sets. 3 rakʿahs. Giving thanks as the day ends.
5. Isha (night): once the twilight has faded. 4 rakʿahs. Closing the day in peace.

On Fridays, Muslims gather at midday for Jumuʿah, with a sermon followed by the congregational prayer.

1. Shahada (faith): declaring that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His messenger.
2. Salah (prayer): praying the five daily prayers.
3. Zakat (charity): giving a set portion (2.5%) of qualifying savings each year to those in need.
4. Sawm (fasting): fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj (pilgrimage): travelling to Makkah once in a lifetime, for those who are able.