Essentials of Islam: The Least We Should Know

Allah (SWT) is the name with which we begin, and Whom we thank, for being honored with the opportunity to publish this important work.

Our intention through this publication is to seek Allah's pleasure by providing readers with the essential knowledge of Islam. This book will benefit Muslims of all ages, however an emphasis has been placed on captivating young adult Muslims. This book will also greatly benefit those who have recently embraced Islam. To an extent, many non-Muslims will also obtain fundamental knowledge of Islam its teachings, its obligations, and its duties prescribed to its followers.

This book is not intended to provide in-depth knowledge of Islam. It underlines the necessary information on upholding Islam's basic duties. As Muslims, it is the least we should know about Islam, to live as good Muslims and depart from this world as a Muslim should.

This Mission is dedicated to be a solely religious and educational organization. It provides quality literature based on the true message of Islam and through education, informs Muslims and non-Muslims about the real purpose of this religion. Our efforts are aimed at bridging the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims and promoting peace, love and happiness worldwide.

We request all Muslims to study this work and acquire substantial knowledge of Islam in order to become better Muslims leading to success here and in the hereafter. We also request capable Muslims to sponsor this work, as well as other books of the Mission, to help those who are unable to purchase Islamic literature.

This publication contains:

~ Important details about the meaning of Islam; explanations from Taharat to the performance of Salaah and complete accounts of other Pillars of Islam.
~ Special section on Islamic Highlights.
~ 32 color pages showing Wudu and Salaah for men and women.
~ Glossary / Index section of important Islamic terms.
~ Arabic text is accompanied with translation and transliteration.

Ever since his infancy, Shaikh Mohammad Masood Ahmed appeared to be an individual endowed with sacred wisdom and with qualities that are only visible in men of deep religious fervor. Born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1959, he was the first of nine children. His parents never really had any formal education, but recognizing the need and importance of education, they first taught him the fundamentals of Islamic ethics and morality and before reaching the age of four years had him complete the recitation of the entire holy Qur'an.
Growing up in an environment that was replete with financial and educational poverty, he dedicated his youth into acquiring religious and secular education. Since early on in his life, he lived by the principles that satisfied the obligations to peoples and to the Allah Almighty. Constant observation of spiritual personalities and his own understanding of life, guided his every step until he reached the age of maturity.
He received his Bachelor's degree in the Arts from Karachi University. In 1981, life's unexpected turn of events landed him and other siblings in New York, USA, where he currently resides. He attended City College, CUNY and furthered his education in the field of politics. Setting aside the concentration of politics, shortly thereafter, he began an active career in propagating Islam through first translating Islamic books into English, then writing his own.
He currently speaks at religious conferences all over the world and engages in conflict resolution in matters of religion and religious tolerance. Only through education can we resolve matters that have divided humanity since its inception. Every age must produce people through whom mutual co-existence can be made possible. Mohammad M. Ahmed is one of those people of the current age. God-willing his forthcoming books and speeches on Islam shall reach every corner of the globe, through which people of all ages and creeds will benefit. May Allah bless him and his peaceful mission of dispensing Islam, the path of Allah's most Beloved and Final Prophet Muhammad.