Islam is a major world religion with approximately 1.9 billion followers worldwide, making it the second-largest religion after Christianity . The word "Islam" derives from the Arabic word "islām," which means "submission" or "surrender" .It refers to the complete surrender to the will of God, known as Allah in Arabic.
Core Beliefs and Practices
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, meaning its followers believe in one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe [1]. The central concept of Islam is tawḥīd, the oneness of God [1]. Muslims believe that God is incomparable and without partners, as in the Christian Trinity [1].
The foundation of Islamic belief rests on the Quran, considered the verbatim word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel [1]. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final and unaltered revelation from God, completing and fulfilling previous revelations such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel [1].
Alongside the Quran, Muslims also revere the Sunnah, which encompasses the teachings and normative examples of the Prophet Muhammad, documented in accounts called Hadith [1]. The Sunnah provides a constitutional model for Muslims, guiding their daily lives and interactions with others.
The five pillars of Islam are considered obligatory acts of worship and form the core of Islamic practice:
Shahada: The declaration of faith, affirming the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad [1].
Salah: The daily prayers performed five times a day at prescribed times, facing the Kaaba in Mecca [1].
Zakat: Almsgiving, a percentage of one's wealth given to the poor and needy [1].
Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn till sunset [1].
Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, performed at least once in a lifetime by those who are physically and financially able [1].
History and Spread
Islam originated in Mecca, in the Arabian Peninsula, in the 7th century CE [1]. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation in 610 CE, marking the beginning of Islam [1].
After the Prophet's death in 632 CE, Islam spread rapidly throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, reaching as far as the Iberian Peninsula in the west and the Indus Valley in the east [1]. This expansion was facilitated by both conquest and the peaceful spread of the faith through trade and missionary activities [1].
During the Islamic Golden Age, particularly under the Abbasid Caliphate, the Muslim world experienced a significant scientific, economic, and cultural flourishing [1]. This period saw advancements in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, contributing greatly to the development of human knowledge.
Branches and Denominations
The two main branches of Islam are Sunni Islam and Shia Islam, with Sunni Islam representing the majority of Muslims worldwide [1]. The Shia-Sunni divide originated from disagreements over the succession to the Prophet Muhammad, eventually evolving into broader theological and juridical differences [1].
Islam Today
Islam is the fastest-growing major religious group in the world, largely due to its high proportion of young people and a high fertility rate [1]. Muslim communities are present in all continents, with significant populations in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa [1].
Islam continues to be a dynamic and evolving religion, with ongoing debates and discussions within the Muslim community on various issues, including the role of women, interpretations of Islamic law, and the relationship between Islam and modernity.