BeliefQA: Exploring Questions of Faith & Islam
BeliefQA offers clear and accessible answers to your questions about belief, spirituality, and Islam. Discover a growing knowledge base for your journey.
What is Islam?
Islam is the name of the faith given by Allah (God) as guidance for all of humanity. It means submission to the one Creator, who is loving, powerful, merciful, and forgiving. God does not come in human form; instead, He sends messengers like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them). Islam is not a new religion—it was given to the first human and all prophets. Its core concepts are: the oneness of God, belief in the prophets, the scriptures (with the Quran as the final one), and the afterlife with judgment and consequences.
What is a Muslim?
A Muslim is someone who follows Islam, submits to the Creator, and worships one God. Like a student attends a school, a Muslim is someone who follows the teachings of Islam.
Is Islam an Arab religion?
A: No. Islam is a universal faith. The Quran addresses all of humanity, not just Arabs. For example, in Quran 49:13, God addresses all people, saying He created them from one male and female and made them into nations to know each other, not to despise one another.
Isn't Islam just another faith based on legends?
No. The Quran challenges people to produce something like it (Quran 17:88), and none have succeeded. It contains prophecies (e.g., its preservation in Quran 15:N), scientific facts (500+), and has remained unchanged for over 1400 years—proof it is divine and not legend-ba
Do Muslims worship God or Allah?
Muslims worship the Creator, referred to in Arabic as "Allah". Allah is the same God worshipped by Jews and Christians in Arabic-speaking regions. “Allah” appears in Arabic Bibles as the name of God.
If Muslims oppose idol worship, why do they worship a box (Kaaba)?
Muslims face the Kaaba during prayer as a unifying direction, not as an object of worship. Worship is directed to the Creator of the Kaaba, not the Kaaba itself.
Why only one God? Could He create another God?
God, by definition, is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unique. If another god were created, it would be a creation and not God. Multiple gods would imply imperfection and dependency, which contradicts the concept of a complete, perfect God.
What happens if there is more than one God?
Logically, if there are two, they must differ in some attribute. Any being lacking an attribute is not God. Thus, rationally, there can only be one perfect God.
Christians say God is three in one. How do Muslims respond?
If the three entities (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) are dependent on each other, they cannot be God. If they are independent, it leads to polytheism. Islam rejects both and asserts God is one in every sense, as taught by all prophets.
Are the good deeds of non-Muslims rewarded?
Yes, God is just. Non-Muslims may be rewarded in this life with health, wealth, etc., but ultimate rewards in the afterlife are tied to faith. Eternal reward is based on right belief and good deeds.
Are there sects in Islam like Sunni and Shia?
After Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership differences led to Sunni and Shia identification. However, in the Quran (22:78), God calls followers “Muslims”, not Sunni or Shia. All Muslims share core beliefs (e.g., one God, one Quran, unified prayer practices). Disagreements are political or historical, not doctrinal.
Who was Muhammad (peace be upon him)?
He was the final prophet sent by God, born in Mecca in 570 CE. He received revelation at age 40 and preached monotheism. He established the Islamic state in Medina, provided moral and legal guidance, and practically lived the Quranic teachings. He eradicated injustices like racism and female infanticide.
Did Prophet Muhammad write the Quran or borrow it from earlier scriptures?
No. He was unlettered and couldn't read or write. The Quran has scientific facts unknown in the 7th century. His name is mentioned only five times, while others like Moses appear more often. Mary is praised in detail while none of Muhammad’s female relatives are named—proof he wasn’t the author.Also, scriptures like the Old Testament weren’t even available in Arabic until 300 years after Muhammad's death, making copying impossible. Similarities between the Quran and earlier texts stem from a common divine source, not copying.
Is the Quran really preserved?
Yes. The Quran was memorized by Prophet Muhammad and then by generations of Muslims. Today, there are 15+ million memorizers worldwide. It was also written during his lifetime and compiled in book form by the third caliph. Dual preservation—by memory and writing—ensures its authenticity.
Has the Bible been corrupted?
Yes, according to Islamic belief. Jesus did not write or see the current gospels. They were written decades later by others. There are variations, multiple versions, and no agreed original. Scholars rely on majority vote to decide verses. In contrast, the Quran has one unchanged version preserved by millions.
What do most Christians misunderstand about Jesus?
Many believe he is God or the son of God, but Jesus never claimed divinity. He preached monotheism (Mark 12:29), acknowledged God as the only true God (John 17:3), and performed miracles by God's will (John 5:30). He was a prophet, not divine.
If you had one message for non-Muslims, what would it be?
Use your mind to research and reflect. Don’t blindly follow traditions. Seek the truth. There is only one God. Read the Quran—it’s God’s guidance for humanity. If you follow it, you’ll find peace, purpose, justice, and eternal paradise. Islam is for all, and you are invited to explore it.