ISLAM HISTORY
Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion
Muslims worldwide. Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the
creation of Islam to the 7th century, making it the youngest of the major world religions.
Islam started in Mecca, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, during the time of the prophet
Muhammad’s life. Today, the faith is spreading rapidly throughout the world.
Islam Facts
The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.”
Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as
Allah.
Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that
nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will.
Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the
angel Gabriel.
Muslims believe several prophets were sent to teach Allah’s law. They respect some of
the same prophets as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jesus.
Muslims contend that Muhammad was the final prophet.
Mosques are places where Muslims worship.
Some important Islamic holy places include the Kaaba shrine in Mecca, the Al-Aqsa
mosque in Jerusalem, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.
The Quran (or Koran) is the major holy text of Islam. The Hadith is another important book.
Muslims also revere some material found in the Judeo-Christian Bible.
Followers worship Allah by praying and reciting the Quran. They believe there will be a
day of judgment, and life after death.
A central idea in Islam is “jihad,” which means “struggle.” While the term has been used
negatively in mainstream culture, Muslims believe it refers to internal and external efforts
to defend their faith. Although rare, this can include military jihad if a “just war” is needed.
Muhammad
The prophet Muhammad, sometimes spelled Mohammed or Mohammad, was born in
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 A.D. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to
reveal their faith to mankind.
According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad in
610 A.D. while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad to recite the
words of Allah.
Muslims believe that Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Allah throughout
the rest of his life.
Starting in about 613, Muhammad began preaching throughout Mecca the messages he
received. He taught that there was no other God but Allah and that Muslims should devote
their lives to this God.
Hijra
In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his supporters. This journey
became known as the Hijra (also spelled Hegira or Hijrah), and marks the beginning of
the Islamic calendar.
Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many followers returned to Mecca and
conquered the region. He continued to preach until his death in 632.
Abu Bakr
After Muhammad’s passing, Islam began to spread rapidly. A series of leaders, known
as caliphs, became successors to Muhammad. This system of leadership, which was run
by a Muslim ruler, became known as a caliphate.
The first caliph was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law and close friend.
Abu Bakr died about two years after he was elected and was succeeded in 634 by Caliph
Umar, another father-in-law of Muhammad.
Caliphate System
When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad’s
son-in-law, took the role.
Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the
next caliph.
During the reign of the first four caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered large regions in the
Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iran and Iraq. Islam also spread throughout areas
in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The caliphate system lasted for centuries and eventually evolved into the Ottoman
Empire, which controlled large regions in the Middle East from about 1517 until 1917,
when World War I ended the Ottoman reign.
Sunnis and Shiites
When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This
led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites.
Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four
caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad.
Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and his descendants are the real
successors to Muhammad. They deny the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Today,
Shiite Muslims have a considerable presence in Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Other Types of Islam
Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of
these include:
Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was
founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam
that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab.
Alawite: This Shiite form of Islam is prevalent in Syria. Followers hold similar beliefs about
the caliph Ali but also observe some Christian and Zoroastrian holidays.
Nation of Islam: This mostly African-American, Sunni sect was founded in the 1930s in
Detroit, Michigan.
Kharijites: This sect broke from the Shiites after disagreeing over how to select a new
leader. They are known for radical fundamentalism, and today are called Ibadis.
Quran
Islam Quran
The Quran.
Nazaruddin Abdul Hamed/EyeEm/Getty Images
The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur’an or Koran) is considered the most important holy
book among Muslims.
It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations
that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and
supercedes any previous writings.
Most Muslims believe that Muhammad’s scribes wrote down his words, which became
the Quran. (Muhammad himself was never taught to read or write.)
The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to
Muhammad. It contains 114 chapters, which are called surahs.
Scholars believe the Quran was compiled shortly after Muhammad’s death, under the
guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr.
READ MORE: Why the Quran Was a Bestseller Among Christians in 18th Century America
Islamic Calendar
The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijra calendar, is a lunar calendar used in Islamic
religious worship. The calendar began in the year 622 A.D., celebrating the journey of
Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
The Islamic calendar indicates the proper days of Islamic holidays and celebrations,
including the period of fasting and prayer known as Ramadan, which occurs during the
ninth month of the calendar.
Islam Symbols
As in many religions, there is no single image or symbol of Islam that is universally
accepted by all Muslims worldwide.
The crescent moon and star has been adopted in some predominantly Muslim countries
as a symbol of Islam, though the crescent moon and star image is believed to pre-date
Islam and was originally a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.
In some other applications, such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
humanitarian aid movement, a red crescent indicates that followers of Islam are
respected and treated accordingly.
The color green is also sometimes associated with Islam, as it was reportedly a favorite
color of Muhammad's and is often featured prominently in the flags of predominantly
Muslim countries.
Five Pillars of Islam
Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include:
Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad
Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening)
Zakat: to give to those in need
Sawm: to fast during Ramadan
Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a person’s lifetime if the person
is able
Sharia Law
Islam’s legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs
Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives.
Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage
guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims.
If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh punishments. For example, the
punishment for theft is amputating a person’s hand. Adultery can carry the penalty of
death by stoning. However, many Muslims do not support such extreme measures.
Muslim Prayer
The prophet Muhammad is credited with building the first mosque in the courtyard of his
house in Medina. Mosques today follow some of the same principles he established in 622
A.D.
Muslim prayer is often conducted in a mosque's large open space or outdoor courtyard.
A mihrab is a decorative feature or niche in the mosque that indicates the direction to
Mecca, and therefore the direction to face during prayer.
Men and women pray separately, and Muslims may visit a mosque five times a day for
each of the prayer sessions. In addition to hosting prayers, mosques often function as
public gathering places and social centers.
Muslim Holidays
The two major Muslim holidays are:
Eid al-Adha: celebrates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.
Eid al-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan—the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Muslims also celebrate other holidays, such as the Islamic New Year and the birth of
Muhammad.
Islam Today
In recent years, Islam’s supposed association with terrorism and mass murder has
sparked a political debate in many countries. The controversial term “radical Islam” has
become a well-known label to describe the religion’s connection to acts of violence.
While some Muslims use their faith to justify terrorism, the vast majority do not. In fact,
Muslims are frequently victims of violence themselves.
Recent surveys have found that in countries with high Muslim populations, the majority
of Muslims have overwhelmingly negative views of terrorist groups like ISIS.
While Muslims aim to clear up misconceptions about their faith, the religion continues to
spread rapidly. Today, Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion. Experts predict Islam
will surpass Christianity as the largest religion by the end of the century.
