The religion of Islam
Where is Islam practiced?
How many people practice Islam?
- 1.57 billion practice this religion meaning 1 in 4 people in the world practice Islam.
- Islam is ranked second among other religions.
- Islam is shrinking and is losing followers.
- Islam is growing most in Africa and America.
- Islam is spreading through spatial diffusion.
- The spread of Islam began around 613 CE the Islamic prophet Muhammad began to share the revelation which God had, according to Muslims, started to give to him three years previously.
How you become a follower
By saying "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah" you convert to Islam and becomes Muslim. The saying means "There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God".
Why people are attracted to this religion.
Islam's religious category
Islam history
Islam is believed to be created when The honest angel, Gabriel, passed the religion from God to Mohammed in AD 610. Mohammed was to be a prophet for Allah and spread their religion. He preached in Mecca, then fleeing to Medina with his followers. The Muslims attacked and defeated the Meccans at Uhud. Mohammed died at 632 AD. The quaran was written down. The Muslim empire reached its furthest extent. The Battle of Tours prevented further advance northwards. Many years later, the Reign of Ma'mun started. There was Theological controversy over whether the Qur'an is created or uncreated and eternal. A long time after this, Pakistan was founded as an Islamic nation and Islam becomes a minority religion in India. This occurs in 1947. In 2001 Muslim extremist attacked the US. Saddam Hussein was killed by western forces in 2003.
Religions Islam is connected with: Christianity
Most important events: Gabriel, the angel, coming to speak to Mohammed because without this happening the religion never would have been created. The controversy over whether or not Mohammed had lied is second post important because this made it more difficult for the Muslims to convert more people. The third most important is when Pakistan became an Islamic country because that marked beginning of more Islamic countries.
Central beliefs of Islam
The five pillars are a major part of their religion.
1st: Shahada- The first act of worship is the declaration that "There is no deity except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Muslims repeat this statement many times a day during their prayers. If someone wants to become a Muslim, he or she makes this profession of faith as an entry into Islam.
2nd: salat- Islam prescribes a brief prayer or ritual worship five times a day: at dawn, noon, late afternoon, sunset and night. Muslims perform ablution before prayer, which is washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms and feet. One may pray alone or in a group in any clean location, including a mosque. The Friday noon prayer is special to Muslims and is done in a mosque if possible. Muslims face in the direction of Mecca when they pray.
3rd: Zakat- Muslims are required to give to the poor and needy. Islam has a mandatory charity, known as zakat, based on two and a half percent of one's income and wealth. In addition to this prescribed charity, Muslims are asked to give as much as they can in voluntary charity throughout the year.
4th: sawm- Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. People gather in the evenings for a festive breaking of the fast. When fasting, Muslims refrain from food, liquid, and sexual activity. During Ramadan, Muslims are also supposed to abstain from negative behaviors such as lying, gossip, petty arguments, and negative thoughts or behaviors, including getting angry. Muslims are required to start fasting when they reach puberty, although some younger children may also fast. People who are sick, traveling, menstruating, and pregnant or nursing may break their fast, but may make up the days later in the year. The elderly and people with disabilities are excused from fasting.
5th: hajj- Every Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, once in their lifetime if financially and physically able. Mecca is home to the first house of worship of God, the Kaaba, said to have been built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. Muslims all over the world face towards the Kaaba when they pray. All outward symbols of rank and wealth are erased during the pilgrimage, as Muslim from every part of the globe come together for the purpose of worshipping God. Muslims who complete the pilgrimage are referred to as "Hajji" and greeted with great celebration and respect in their communities when they return.