Islam
Islam is one of the three major monotheistic religions, along with Christianity and Judaism. It is the world’s second largest religion behind Christianity, with an estimated 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
Founder, Sacred Text & Branches
Muhammad lived from 570 CE to 632 CE. Beginning in 610 CE, he received a series of revelations over a period of 23 years. He is referred to as the “Seal of the Prophets” and the “Final Prophet.”
Sacred Texts
The Qur’an is the primary sacred text of Islam and contains the revelations to Muhammad from Allah through the angel Gabriel. The Hadith is a collection of sayings of Muhammad, while the Sunnah records the practices of Muhammad.
Branches
Major branches include Sunni, Shiite, Sufi, and Wahhabi. About 90% of Muslims are Sunni, while about 10% are Shiite. Sufism is a form of Islamic mysticism, and Wahhabi Islam is an ultra-conservative branch practiced widely in parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Core Beliefs of Islam
Supreme Being
Allah is the one true God. “Allah” is derived from the Arabic word for God. He is understood as the creator and judge.
Nature of Man
A Muslim is one who submits to Allah. Islam emphasizes human responsibility before Allah, obedience to his commands, and accountability on the Day of Judgment.
Reality
The world consists of both the physical and spiritual realms.
Humanity’s Main Problem
Humanity’s main problem is sin.
Afterlife
All people will be resurrected for the Day of Judgment, where Allah presides as judge. Based upon a person’s beliefs and deeds, he or she will go to Paradise or Hell.
Proposed Solution
The proposed solution is adhering to Allah’s commands and depending upon Allah’s mercifulness.
The Five Pillars of Faith
- Profession of Faith: “There is no true god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”
- Prayer: Muslims are to pray five times a day while facing Mecca.
- Charity: Muslims give 2.5% of their wealth each year to the community.
- Fasting: Muslims fast during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.
- Hajj: A pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able.
Worship, Rituals & Holidays
Place of Worship
A mosque serves as both a place of worship and a community center. Muslims go to a mosque on Fridays for prayer and a sermon.
Rituals
Major Islamic practices include daily prayer, weekly prayer at the mosque, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
Major Holidays
- Ramadan: The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
- Eid al-Fitr: A celebration marking the end of the Ramadan fast.
- Eid al-Adha: A holiday at the end of Hajj that commemorates Abraham and includes animal sacrifice.
Key Terms
Abrogation
A pronouncement from Allah in the Qur’an that supersedes a previously revealed pronouncement.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
The third holiest site in Islam, located in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount.
Burqa
A garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the entire body.
Fatwah
A legal ruling based on reasoning from the Qur’an and Hadith.
Hijrah
The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
Imam
A prayer leader and teacher.
Jihad
Means striving or struggle, with several forms including struggle of the pen, tongue, mind, and sword.
Kaaba
A cubic structure in Mecca around which the Hajj is celebrated.
Mecca
The holiest city in Islam, birthplace of Muhammad, and location of the Kaaba.
Medina
The city to which Muhammad and his followers migrated in 622 CE.
Muezzin
The man who calls Muslims to prayer each day.
People of the Book
A Qur’anic reference to Jews and Christians.
Shari’ah
A system of law based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Taliban
A movement of Islamic fundamentalists known for enforcing a strict code of ethics and laws.
Sources
Adherents.com — www.adherents.com
Encyclopedia Americana International Edition. Danbury: Scholastic Library Publishing, 2004.
IslamiCity — www.islamicity.com
Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. New York: Harper One, 1991.
Wikipedia — www.wikipedia.com