Islam

Overview

Islam is the world's second-largest religion with approximately 1.9 billion followers, known as Muslims. The word "Islam" means "submission" in Arabic — specifically submission to the will of God (Allah). Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula and is based on the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the literal word of God revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel.

Core Beliefs

The fundamental beliefs of Islam include:

• Tawhid (Oneness of God): The absolute monotheistic belief that there is no god but Allah.
• Prophethood: Muslims believe in a chain of prophets including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, with Muhammad being the final prophet.
• The Quran: The holy book of Islam, believed to be the unchanged word of God as revealed to Muhammad over 23 years.
• Angels: Belief in angels as spiritual beings created by God to carry out various duties.
• Day of Judgment: Belief in a final day when all people will be judged by God for their deeds.
• Divine Decree: Belief that God has knowledge of and power over all things.

The Five Pillars

The Five Pillars of Islam are the foundational practices that all Muslims are expected to observe:

1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
2. Salah (Prayer): Five daily prayers performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
3. Zakat (Charity): Giving 2.5% of one's savings to those in need.
4. Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): A pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim should undertake at least once in their lifetime if able.

Major Branches

• Sunni Islam: The largest branch, comprising about 85-90% of Muslims worldwide. Sunnis follow the Sunnah (practices) of the Prophet Muhammad as recorded in hadith.
• Shia Islam: Comprising about 10-15% of Muslims, Shia Muslims believe that leadership of the Muslim community should have remained within the Prophet's family, specifically through Ali ibn Abi Talib.
• Sufism: A mystical tradition within Islam focused on the inner, spiritual dimensions of the faith, seeking a direct personal experience of God.

History

Muhammad received his first revelation around 610 CE in a cave near Mecca. He began preaching monotheism in a polytheistic society, facing persecution that eventually led to the migration (Hijra) to Medina in 622 CE — the starting point of the Islamic calendar. After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, Islam rapidly expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia and Europe, creating one of history's largest empires and contributing significantly to science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy.

Resources

• Quran.com — Read the Quran with translations
• IslamicFinder — Prayer times and resources
• WhyIslam — Learn about Islam and request resources
• IslamiCity — Islamic encyclopedia and education