Let me give you good tidings...

Let me give you good tidings: should you set out on this highway with sincerity and thus follow it, the gateway of a true understanding of Islam will be opened up to you and you shall pursue your course smoothly. I shall attempt in short a talk to explain the cornerstone of Islamic teachings and some of its fundamental features.

It will be your turn to consider matters carefully and if you come across anything you would like to understand more thoroughly, do not hesitate to set forth your questions. The subject will be much clarified in the process of question and answer. In order to banish any lingering restraint you may have at question time, let me tell you that I am as keen to hear you as you are at the moment to hear me.

May I finally add that what I may relate about Islam is confined to the results of my personal inquiries, and I have not relied upon inherited beliefs and dogmas or upon the ideas of other thinkers. I have primarily relied upon the Qur'an which is the sacred text of all Muslims, a book revealed to Mohammed (SAW) so that it may be available to all men at all times and is the most fundamental source of acquaintance with Islam.

A book which in myriads of copies has been available to all peoples throughout the centuries. The question results, if one can rely on a better and more trustworthy source to get acquainted with Islam. If we are of the opinion that Qur'an can be considered the most important Islamic source, it does not mean that sources, for example Hadith (statements or actions of the Prophet (SAW), handed down to us), are absolutely of no value.

There is no doubt that a remarkable portion of Islamic teachings ought to be understood by means of these sources. But Hadith and similar sources are only valuable, if they report truly on statements or actions of the Prophet Mohammed(SAW). Doubtful traditions are therefore no acceptable source to us.

In order that the false and doubtful traditions exercise no disadvantageous influence on Islam, the principles of this religion demand all traditions- Hadith, etc.- be first compared with Qur'an, thus eliminating such relevant points which do not comply.

Therefore, everybody who wants to realise a true investigation of Islam and its principles must consequently first thoroughly know Qur'an in each and every respect and compare each and every theme in tradition, history and similar fields with the same. 2: Only One God The cornerstone of Islam is "Tawheed", i.e. Monotheism.