ABOUT ISLAM

• Islam is an Arabic word which means submission and obedience. It also means peace. Submission is acceptance of Allah's commands. Obedience means putting Allah's commands into practice. Submission and obedience to Allah bring peace. That is why Islam also means peace.

• Allah, another Arabic word, is the proper name of God.

• A person who accepts the Islamic way of life and acts upon it is a Muslim.

Basic Beliefs of Islam:

Oneness of Allah (Tawhid)

• Allah
• Predestination or supremacy of Divine Will

Prophethood (Risalah)

• Angels of Allah
• Books of Allah - Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Qu'ran 
• Messengers of Allah - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad (pbuh), etc.

Life after Death (Akhirah)

• The Day of Judgement
• Life after death

Islam has five basic duties which Muslims must perform. They are known as the five pillars of Islam.

1. Declaration of Faith (Shahadah)
2. Five Required Daily Prayers (Salah)
3. Welfare Contribution/Charity (Zakah) 
4. Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm)
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

-- from: Islam : Beliefs and Teachings, 4th edition, by Ghulam Sarwar.