Islam 101: understand what Muslims actually believe
Best done after Foundations
Strong Christian engagement starts with knowing what Muslims read on Friday — and how they live the rest of the week. Nine short lessons walk you through the Qurʼān, Muhammad, ḥadīth, ʿĪsā, taḥrīf, the cross, salvation, and what Islam looks like as a lived religion. Each is anchored in primary sources, each one preparing you to listen well before you speak.
What you will be able to do
By the end of this track, you will be able to: describe the Islamic worldview (tawḥīd and the six articles), explain how Muslims encounter the Qurʼān, ḥadīth, and the prophetic biography, and name where the Christian and Muslim accounts of Jesus, the cross, and salvation diverge.
Lessons are ordered for the best build-up, but you can open any of them. We'll mark the recommended next lesson so you always know where to pick back up.
- 1
Tawhid and the Six Articles
12 minName what Muslims believe about God, prophets, books, angels, the last day, and divine decree.
1 reading - 2
Who was Muhammad?
14 minSketch Muhammad's life and example as Muslims describe it — Qurʼān, ḥadīth, sīra, in their own words.
2 readings - 3
The Qurʼān's claims about itself
14 minUnderstand how Muslims read the Qurʼān's own claims to preservation, authority, and inimitability.
3 readingsIncludes practice - 4
Ḥadīth and how to read them
12 minRecognize the major collections, the grading scale, and which sources matter most for dialogue.
3 readings - 5
ʿĪsā in the Qurʼān
14 minSketch who ʿĪsā is in the Qurʼān, the unique titles he carries, and how the picture differs from Jesus in the Gospels.
2 readings - 6
Taḥrīf — did the Bible get changed?
14 minName the difference between taḥrīf al-naṣṣ (text changed) and taḥrīf al-maʿnā (meaning twisted), and what the Qurʼān itself says.
3 readingsIncludes practice - 7
The Qurʼān on the crucifixion
14 minRead Q 4:157 in context and survey the major Muslim readings — substitution, apparent crucifixion, and the modern minimal view.
2 readingsIncludes practice - 8
Salvation in Islam vs. the gospel
14 minCompare the Islamic and Christian frames for sin, judgment, and forgiveness — and find the Muslim heart-question the gospel answers.
3 readingsIncludes practice - 9
How Islam is lived: pillars, mosque, family, diversity
16 minSketch what Islam looks like in daily life — Five Pillars, Friday, Ramadan, Eid, halal, family — and learn enough Muslim diversity (Sunni, Shīʿa, Sufi, Salafi, cultural) to see the person in front of you.
3 readingsIncludes practice