Islam is a way of life. It encompasses all aspects of day to day living including how to eat, sleep, and raise a family. It is far from an hour a week type of worship.

Salam means peace; Islam, it's close linguistic relative, means sincere submission and obedience--our way to true peace.

Islam teaches us that we (and everything else) were created by an extremely merciful designer and sustainer. God, Allah, knows what He created and what is best for us, so sent down reminders and guidelines for our benefit. Submitting to His will, therefore, will give us peace in this world an lead to everlasting peace in the next.

Islam is a verb and Muslim is the one who practices Islam. Islam is perfect; Muslims are not.

These Muslims are fulfilling one of the pillars of Islam--the pilgrimage to Mecca.

To say that there is no deity worthy of worship and obedience besides the one true God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God is the only requirement to become a Muslim.
Shahada means witnessing or testifying.

Muslims are required to pray a standardized prayer 5 times a day.

This can be performed alone, but it is encouraged to be done in a group, especially for the men. Praying in a group enhances the communal feeling of the Muslims.

The purpose of salaat is to worship Allah and to remember our need for His help and guidance.It also serves to increase unity of the Muslims as people from diverse backgrounds stand together shoulder-to-shoulder for the same purpose.

Zakat means purification.

This is a charity tax meant to purify the hearts from attachment to money. It is levied at 2.5% of excess wealth that has been held over 1 year.

Zakat also enhances the communal bonds among the Muslims as it alleviates some of the strain on those of lower socioeconomic status. It is distributed to: the poor, the destitute, the collectors of zakat, tohse working for God, those burdened with debts, the travelers, people in bondage, and those inclined to Islam

Saum means Fasting. This is required during Ramadan, but is also encouraged at other times.

Fasting runs from sunrise to sunset. Its purpose is to increase our God-consciousness. Having hunger and thirst feelings remind us of our relationship to the one who provides for our needs. It also reminds us of those less fortunate than ourselves and therefore Ramadan is a time of much giving to charities.

Hajj means pilgrimage. It is to be performed during specific days of the year. It is only required for those who are physically and financially able.

This is a celebration of unity among the Muslims from around the world as they strive to stay on the straight path. It is a commemoration of events in the life of Abraham (PBUH), his wife and first son. It has also been considered a practice for the Day of Judgment.

Iman means faith. These are the foundations of Islamic beliefs.

He is One (Unity, not trinity), and Self-Sufficient (not needing His creation), Unique (unlike His creation).
He is our Lord, our Creator, and our Sustainer.
He is infinitely Merciful, Loving, and Generous.
He is All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and All-Wise.
He forgives over and over, the large and the small sins from those who are sincerely penitent(no intercessor or blood required).
All that exists belongs to Him; and , our souls will return to Him to be judged on the Day of Resurrection
He is Just (His Justice is only constrained by His Clemency)

Angels are intelligent beings and are always obedient to God.
They are created from light (unlike humans-from clay, and jinn-from fire).
They bring inspiration from God to the messengers and prophets.
They are not born, do not die, are neither male nor female.

Muslims believe that Allah is extremely Merciful. He gave us free will and then sent role models to us (and every previous nation and generation) so we would have the opportunity to know a good decision from a bad one.
These role models are the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all). They brought good news and warnings to their people in the form of revelation, or renewed peoples understanding of Who Allah is and how they should live.
The Qur’an affirms the truth in what was sent before to the previous Prophets and Messengers.

Brought to each group of people from one among them (the Messengers)
Include the original versions Torah, Psalms, and Gospel
The Qur’an was the final revelation sent to humans; it confirms what remains from previous revelation and addresses what was changed from them.

This pillar gives our choices consequence, gives a chance for justice and mercy not available in one lifetime.
Here's how the day goes:
We will be raised from our graves and stand before our Lord to account for how we lived.
It will be much longer than the days we know and a time of great anxiety for all.
Some will be questioned thoroughly and dealt with justly.
Some will be given an easy accounting, based on the Mercy of Allah.
Some will be entered into the gardens without account, based on the Mercy of Allah.
There will be no intercession, except what Allah allows.
If a person is unjust to another his/her good deeds will go to the one wronged.

Allah knows everything about His creation
Its past, present, and future
Everything that was, is, or will be happens because Allah willed it to be such.
Allah’s decree is a manifestation of His Wisdom.
Allah’s omnipotence is not diminished by His creating us with free will. Neither is our responsibility diminished by His Power and Knowledge.

Muslims do worship and obey Allah. This is the name for the same God that Jews and Christians worship.

The crescent as a symbol for Muslims has a complicated history and not related to their faith.

Muslims do calculate time based on the lunar cycle.

He follows the same tradition, and gives the same message as previous prophets including Moses, Jesus, Abraham, and others all the way back to Adam.
Muhammad’s Message: Worship only the one True God. Live a morally upright life.

Muhammad was sent to revitalize Allah’s religion after it had been corrupted.

Force may conquer the body, but it cannot conquer the spirit. Consider Algeria.

Most conversions in Islamic history were on account of: merchants of integrity, clear cohesive universal and logical principles. The miraculous Qur’an and the personality of Muhammad, Islam’s final prophet were also factors in many conversions.

Islam gave importance to equality among people, gave rights to women and slaves.

Men and women are considered equal but different. In Islam, fairness is more essential than equality.
The Qur’an establishes fairness in all male-female interactions and relationships. It also emphasizes equality in many aspects.
Men have financial responsibility for their families. If a woman works the money she earns is for herself alone.
Men oppress women.
Cultures oppress women.
Islam elevates women’s status. Islam provides and protects women’s rights.
Islam honors women and frees us in many ways.
Hijab liberates women from slavery to fashion and sexual exploitation.

The Qur’an condemns killing innocent people and sets strict rules of engagement.
The Qur’an clearly states that when an aggressive people cease belligerence, the fighting with them is to end.
Muslim men are allowed to marry Jewish or Christian women, no killing allowed.
Islam could not have spread and taken root under this directive.