Islam
The World's Fastest Growing Religion
Historical Background
The religion of Islam began in Arabia in the year 610 C.E. The world Islam means "submission to the will of God". Followers of Islam are called Muslims. The traditional story of Islam tells of a man named Muhammad. Muhammad was a man who traveled from city to city selling goods. Muhammad was meditating in a cave when he was visited by the angel Gabriel who ordered him to recite a number of teachings from God. Muhammad was reluctant, but did as he was told. Muhammad began to spread these teachings through out the Middle East. He became a powerful general, and built a large Islamic empire.
Muhammad
Muhammad is the founder of Islam. There are not a lot of pictures of Muhammad, because Muslims believe is very disrespectful to show his image.
Arabia
Islam was founded in the Middle East.
The Angel Gabriel
According to Islam, the angle Gabriel called on Muhammad to spread the teachings of God. Gabriel is angel in both the Jewish Torah and the Christian Bible.
Central Beliefs
Islam is monotheistic. Muslims worship the same God as Christianity and Islam. The teachings of Islam build on the teachings of these two other monotheistic religions. The most important practices of Islam is following the Five Pillars. The Five Pillars are the five obligations that every Muslim must complete or satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life of Islam. Muslims call God, Allah. Muslims also believe in Jihad or "struggle". In the news, this gets represented as terrorism or a violent holy war, but in reality it is an internal struggle to be a better Muslim. The holy book of Islam is the Koran. The Koran is the teachings of Muhammad written down. It includes many of the teachings of Judaism and Christianity. In fact, Jesus is mentioned in the Koran multiple times.
Muslims worship in a building called a mosque. During worship, Muslims lay down prayer rugs, and do not sit in benches or chairs. Prayer is a huge part of worship for Muslims.
Muslims worship in a building called a mosque. During worship, Muslims lay down prayer rugs, and do not sit in benches or chairs. Prayer is a huge part of worship for Muslims.
The Koran
The Koran is the holy book of Islam. It includes the teachings of Muhammad.
The Five Pillars
The Five Pillars include
- Shahadah - reading the teachings of the holy book of Islam, the Koran.
- Salat - praying 5 times a day
- Zakat - paying taxes for the benefit of the poor and needy
- Sawm - not eating during the day for the holy month of Ramadan
- Hajj - traveling to Mecaa, the home city of Muhammad
Mecca
Mecca is the holy city of Islam. Muslims are required to travel to Mecca once in their life according to the Five Pillars of Islam.
Spread of Islam
Islam is the world's second largest religion at 1.5 billion followers, and is the world's fastest growing religion. Islam tends to be thought of as a Middle Eastern religion, but more Muslims live outside of the Middle East than in the Middle East. Islam is a major religion in Africa and Asia.