An Introduction to Islam
An Overview of Islam
Islam is the second largest religion in the world. Globally, approximately 1.5 billion people identify themselves as Muslim, followers of Islam. Within the United States, there are currently 2.35 million Muslims. Indonesia, Pakistan and India are the countries with the highest Muslim populations.
Based upon the teachings of Allah, as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and written in the Qur’an, Islam spread throughout the Saudi Peninsula in the 7th century C.E. Islam is a religious tradition rooted in love and compassion. The word Islam means “submission and peace.” Followers of Islam consider worship of and submission to Allah as a non-compulsory activity. Religion is recognized as a path followed by love and choice, not force.
Within Islam, there are two main sects: Sunni and Shi’a. 85% of practicing Muslims are Sunni, while 15% are Shi’a. In addition to these two groups, there is also a mystical discipline within Islam called Sufism, which has approximately 2.5 million adherents.
Islamic Scriptures and Sources for Further Information
The key sacred Islamic text is the Qur’an. The Qur’an, a word that literally means “recitation,” contains the message that God dictated to Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. It is divided into 114 units called suras. Another important resource in Islam is the Hadith, containing the sayings of Prophet Muhammad. For many Muslims this resource acts as a guide for daily practice. A good source of information about Islam is the book, No god but God by Reza Aslan. A useful website about Islam is that operated by the Islamic Society of North America: www.isna.net.
Some Key Practices in Islam
There are five essential practices within Islam known as the Five Pillars, which comprise the paramount requirements of the Islamic faith. The Five Pillars of Islam are:
1. Shahada: Affirming that there is no deity but Allah, and Mohammad is His prophet.
2. Salat: Reciting the five mandatory daily prayers.
3. Sawm: Fasting from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan. This practice of abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual gratification while consciously practicing compassion and charity serves as an annual time of renewal.
4. Zakat: All practitioners are expected to give 2.5% of their savings annually to charity. Charity extends past the sharing of financial wealth and also promotes the practice of sharing necessary knowledge with all.
5. Hajj: Returning to the holy city of Mecca on a pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime is expected from followers who are financially able and healthy.
Aside from the five pillars, there are other basic principles that form Islamic beliefs. In Islam, the oneness of God, or Tauheed is asserted. Muslims believe that prophets deliver the message of Allah to all believers. In addition to the Nabuwat, or Prophethood, Shi’a Muslims also believe in the Imamat, an apostolic line of Imams (holy leaders) succeeding Prophet Muhammad. Along with this belief, Shi’a Muslims also espouse a belief in Adl, or divine justice.
Selected Islamic Holidays
Ramadan is known as the month of fasting in Islam. During this ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observant Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual activity from dawn until dusk. The fasting during Ramadan serves as a spiritual practice that invokes modesty, purity, charity, and forgiveness. Following Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr to break their month of fasting. When celebrating Eid, people dress in their finest clothes, decorate their homes, and celebrate by visiting family and giving treats to children. Muslims also share their blessings by donating to the poor and charity. Another important celebration is Eid al-Ahda, the Feast of Sacrifice, which celebrates Abraham’s willingness to obey Allah and sacrifice his son, Ismael. Eid al-Ahda takes place at the conclusion of the Hajj, over the course of three days.
Some Muslims also celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi, the day of Prophet Muhammad’s birth, by recounting the story of his life.