The fifth edition of Islam: Beliefs and Teachings was published in June 1998. This edition saw a number of corrections and amendments to the text. It is one of the best-selling children’s and adult books on Islam in the world (196,000 copies printed), giving a comprehensive introduction to the religion in an affordably priced and well-produced volume. It is ideal for young Muslims, new Muslims and non-Muslims who want an easy-to-read overview of the final revealed religion. Many schools and Islamic centers now use Islam: Beliefs and Teachings as a standard text. Now, in its sixth printed edition, presents Islam as a complete way of life, expressing clearly and concisely the basic beliefs, duties and teachings of Islam. It presents the key aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (saas) and short sketches about some of the prophets. It gives an overview of the rightly-guided Caliphs, and brief details of the lives of some prominent Muslim women. It gives an outline of Islamic Shari’ah, Islamic guidelines on dress, food and drink, family life, marriage, the status of women and the political and economic system of Islam. It includes a selection of verses from the Qur'an and Ahadith. It is, perhaps, the first attempt to incorporate the essential aspects of Islam in one book. It is increasingly used as a text book in secondary schools. It is read in almost all parts of the English-speaking world.

There are five content areas:

1. ‘Aqeedah (Islamic doctrine)
2. The Glorious Qur’an and its sciences
3. Seerah (biography of the Prophet (s) and Islamic History
4. ‘Ibadat (Worship)
5. Morals and manners

The material is presented, using a spiral approach, where students revisit each area and study it in greater depth each year. The Student's Textbook contains the subject text of the lessons, exercises as well as activities.

The ICO project is a distinguished one because:

1. Our curricula meet the needs of the target audience for integrated, coherent, and appropriate curricula.
2. They were prepared according to scientific bases, assimilating the most recent educational and psychological theories.
3. They were prepared by special educationists who are experienced in designing curricula and who are familiar with the needs of the target group.
4. They employed the most recent techniques and educational aids.
5. They went through many quality control processes, which were carried out by specialized committees, and they were enhanced by teachers who evaluated the curricula before releasing them.

The Features and Characteristics of the Textbooks:

These books were prepared by the International Curricula Organization (ICO) and have certain features, which distinguish them from any other textbooks:

First: The Technical Features:

1. The textbooks have been designed in accordance with the international quality standards in all aspects: colors, paper, size, illustration, and printing.
2. They have been furnished with the appropriate illustrations and pictures which match the students’ educational stage and environment.
3. The texts have been distributed and organized in a way that makes the text stand out, paying special attention to the font type and size, and the spaces; and colors were chosen carefully to appeal to the target audience.

Second: The Instructional and Linguistic Features:

1. Reinforce the proper linguistic basis of the non-Arabic speaking students.
2. They build the students’ linguistic dictionary according to their environmental needs.
3. Provide non-Arabic speaking students with a good deal of Islamic vocabulary.
4. Identify the correct articulation of the different sounds through the study of the Glorious Qur’an.
5. Enable the students to evade making mistakes when reciting the Glorious Qur’an through employing the rules of the Arabic language.
6. Provide an integrated curriculum with well-prepared scientific content and vocabulary.
7. Take into consideration the students’ individual mental differences and their diverse linguistic skills.
8. Consider the students’ different cultures.
9. Develop the students’ creativity and mental faculties.

Third: The Educational Content Features:

1. Reinforce the principle of forgiveness and the etiquette of disagreement with others.
2. Develop the spirituality, morality, and values of the students.
3. Help students have good and balanced personalities.
4. Develop the students’ pride in their Muslim identity.
5. Help the caller to Islam to develop a balanced personality that reflects the moderation of Islam.

System Requirements for CD-ROM:

• Windows 2000, XP, or Vista

This course has been designed to present the young students comprehensive Islamic education, comprising general Islamic knowledge based on the Quran and Haddith. Instead of teaching moral principles directly, they are taught through themes chosen from the Quran and other Islamic sources. A major portion of the course comprises the text of the Quran, which is followed by exercises to test the depth of understanding of the students. Though basically intended for use as a school text book, it is also an ideal tool for home schooling involving both the parents and the children. Through this way children will not only learn the ethical values conveyed by the message of Islam but will also be stimulated to want to know more about Islamic teachings when they grow up.
Features:

• A focus on learning through communication.
• Development of critical thinking skills.
• Discusses the culture of the language in an attractive and objective way.
• Presents real-life situation lessons.
• Islamic themes.

Salient Features of Grade 12
Grade Twelve is designed to meet the need of students preparing for IGCSE/GCE International Examination in the subject of Islamiat.

This Grade 12 textbook (for the twelfth grade level) is part of the Islamic Education series which covers all areas of Islamic studies: tafseer, hadeeth, tawheed, fiqh, seerah, and general etiquette relating to different areas and situations. Every effort has been made to ensure that the material presented in the series is authentic, and most of the terms are presented in their original Arabic script, along with the transliteration and the translation of their meanings. This also applies to supplications which have to be memorized in their Arabic version. The aim here is to help the reader read the original text and understand its meaning. Each lesson is followed by exercises covering questions about the lesson.
One striking feature in the series is the colorful artwork used in it that certainly appeals to students. This is certainly bound to attract the young readers' attention, stimulate them, amuse them as well as educate them.
This series aims to acquaint the student with the teachings of Islam in every aspect: beliefs, practices and moral conduct. With its unique features it will certainly fill a gap in this area which has long been partially neglected.

The "Islamic Studies" series of books by the prolific writer and scholar Dr. Bilal Philips are part of a meticulously written series intended to guide young Muslims in a manner that helps them acquire a thorough practical and spiritual foundation. This series have been generally acknowledged as an excellent introduction set to the principles of the Islamic faith, with core sciences discussed and explored, for both the new Muslim as well as the "old" Muslim wishing to brush up on the fundamentals. The series equip the young believer with reliable information, based purely on the Qur'an and Sunnah, about the tenets of Islam as well as introduce him to some of the fundamental fields of learning, like the sciences of 'Aqidah, haddith, Tafsir, and Fiqh. These volumes dedicated to the understanding of Tawhid, Tafsir, Haddith and Fiqh for older students where each volume consists of number of lessons and tests. Dr. Bilal draws the student's attention to the world around him and compares and contrasts the wisdom of Allah with what is currently enacted or believed in today's society. An excellent curriculum which speaks to youth in the language and concepts they understand. The Islamic Studies Book 4 is a part of 4 primarily books designed for high school (secondary) school students (ages 12-18) and to identify and build Islamic character. This meticulously written series intended to guide young Muslims in a manner that helps them acquire a thorough practical and spiritual foundation. The series equip the young believer with reliable information, based purely on the Qur'an and Sunnah, about the tenets of Islam as well as introduce him to some of the fundamental fields of learning, like the Sciences of 'Aqidah, Haddith, Tafsir, and Fiqh where these are presented in simple language. It is also suitable for new-Muslims and adults seeking an easy explanation of the basic areas of Islamic disciplines. All texts are supported by evidence from the Quran and authentic haddith.

The “Learning Islam 3” is planned for students in eighth grade or equivalent setting. It is best for students who studied Islamic Studies through “Learning Islam 1 & 2” in sixth and seventh grades and “I Love Islam” series in their primary years 1st to 5th. This volume contains lessons that cover lively character building themes extracted from the Qur’an, Hadeeth, faith, Seerah and other authentic sources. The Islamic themes and concepts are presented in an exciting and creative manner. The book includes six units and around forty chapters and lessons.

The units’ titles are:

1. Allah Controls the World: The Belief in Al-Qadar
2. Portraits of Faith: The Stories of Zakariyya, Yahya, Maryam and ‘Isa
3. Beautiful Worships: The Rules of Siyam and Hajj
4. Islam Prevails over Arabia
5. As-Sunnah: The other Divine Revelation
6. Leading a Pure Life Style

Each chapter includes the outlines, relevant Islamic vocabulary, succinct and objective material, and relevant stories. To make the material meaningful and action oriented, the themes of the book are supported by highlighted passages from the Qur’an and relevant Hadeeth of the Prophet.Additionally, the “Faith in Action” sections encourage students to put what they learn in every chapter into actions. Pictures, illustrations and brilliant layout design makes studying Islam an exciting endeavor for students of this age group. The review sections encourage students to consolidate their knowledge and to analyze and discuss concepts.

Curriculum
The Weekend Learning Islamic Studies books are based on a comprehensive 12-year curriculum. The curriculum contains broad aspect of Islam based on the Qur'an and authentic hadeeth. The topics in the curriculum are laid out in a systematic manner to suit the teaching needs in a weekend Islamic school. Topics are selected based on age, grade and learning levels of each grade. Some topics are covered in multiple grades to add different perspective, details and additional emphasis. The teachers and director of the school will find continuity in the curriculum as it unfolds year to year. Teachers will know how much each student will learn year to year, and how much they will have learned at the end when they graduate out of the school.

Books
All Weekend Learning Islamic Studies books have age and grade appropriate lessons. The length and depth of each lesson and sentences in the lessons are age and grade appropriate. The lessons are tailored for 50-60 minute classes. Students in all grades will love the simple and child-friendly language and sentences in the books. The language of the lessons and the treatment of the subjects are made from children's perspective. Even the English spelling of Arabic words is age-appropriate. The books do not simply disseminate knowledge, but make it relevant to the students' life and their world. The lessons do not use a lecturing tone, but engage the students in a respectful discussion.

This is a current expanded, revised edition of the author's original work. This book presents a detailed explanation of the classical Islamic concept of God's unity as it relates to faith and acts of religious devotion. It also discusses the major areas within which the Islamic unitarian belief (tawheed) is either nullified or compromised by idolatrous concepts collectively called shirk. The uniqueness of this work lies not only in its thorough treatment of the subject in a fluid and uncomplicated English style, but is also unique in its modern presentation of classical theological issues.

True faith of a standard acceptable to Allah has to be based on tawhid free from shirk, as stated in the Qur'an and ahaddith and outlined in detail in the preceding chapters. Anything less than that represents an aspect of idolatry and or disbelief, regardless of how firmly those who join partners with God profess their faith in Him or how skillfully they rationalize their unsanctioned practices. Allah's unity must he maintained spiritually, intellectually, and practically in all facets of human life within which the pleasure of God is sought. Monotheism, as brought by the Prophets of God, was not merely a theory to be philosophically appreciated or emotionally championed, but a pragmatic blueprint for human existence in submission to the will of Almighty God, Allah. The significance of this fact lies in the purpose of man's creation. Allah said: "I only created the jinn and man for my worship" (Qur'an 51: 56).

The creation of man is itself a manifestation of Allah's perfect attributes. He is the Creator (al-Khaliq), and thus man was brought into existence from non-existence. He is the Most Merciful (ar-Rahman), and thus the pleasures of this world were granted to him. He is the Most Wise (al-Hakeem), and thus He prohibited the substances and acts which are harmful to man while allowing those which are not. He is the Most Forgiving (al-Ghafoor), and thus He pardons those who turn to Him in sincere repentance.

Abu Ayyub and Abu Hurayrah both reported that the Prophet (s) said: "If you did not commit sins, Allah would have swept you out of existence and replaced you by another people who would commit sins, ask Allah's forgiveness, and He would pardon them." Similarly all of the other divine attributes are manifest in man's creation by God's will. On the other hand, man's worship of God is for his own benefit, as Allah is in no need of man's worship. In the worship of God man realizes both his material and spiritual potential for all aspects of goodness and thereby earns for himself the everlasting abode of bliss at the end of this brief earthly journey. Consequently, the Godly way of life, Islam, provides a means of turning each and every human act, no matter how insignificant or mundane it may seem, into an act of worship. As long as the following two basic conditions are fulfilled:

1. The act must be consciously done for the pleasure of God alone and,
2. To be done according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (s) man's whole life can enter completely into the service of Allah, as He prescribed.

"Say: 'Truly, my prayer my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, Lord of all the worlds'” (Qur'an 6: 162). Such a state can only be attained through the knowledge of tawhid and its careful, conscious implementation according to the methodology taught by the final Prophet of God, Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullah (s). Thus, it is the duty of every sincere believer in God to put aside his or her cultural experiences and emotional ties to family, tribe or nation, and acquire a working knowledge of tawhid, the foundation of faith. For it is only in the application of that knowledge that man may achieve salvation.

Islam the Natural Way helps young adults answer many of the questions they have about Islam, and guides the readers to approach the world with an Islamic worldview. It deals with such topics as God and creation, human history, freedom and responsibility, good and evil, personal development, work and leisure, the family and social relationships, sex and sex education, attitudes to other faiths, and global issues such as war and violence, ecology and the environment, and human destiny. This book is for anyone who asks ultimate questions like who am I? Where do we all go from here? What is the purpose of life? It explains the wisdom of Islamic rules and rituals; it’s an excellent book for families to read together and for parents to help explain the wisdom of Islam to their children. This is essentially a personal book - for you and your family, for a friend or a neighbor, or anyone you care for.
This book is used in homes and in classrooms, at high schools and universities, in hospitals and prisons, in training courses for youth and social workers. Islam the Natural Way is now recognized as a standard introduction to Islam. It was first translated into Albanian by Imam Vehbi Ismail in Detroit, Michigan and translations have been published or are in preparation in various languages including Bassanski, Dutch, French, Hungarian, German, Turkish, Spanish, Urdu and Zulu.