Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion that teaches that there is only one God (Allah) and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. Muslims make up a majority of the population in 49 countries.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the founder of Islam and is regarded by Muslims as the last prophet sent by God. He was born in Mecca in 570 CE and received his first revelation from God at the age of 40.
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a revelation from God. It is widely regarded as the finest work in classical Arabic literature. The Quran is divided into chapters (surahs), which are then divided into verses (ayahs).
The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of Muslim life: 1) Shahada (faith) - Declaration of faith, 2) Salah (prayer) - Five daily prayers, 3) Zakat (charity) - Giving to the needy, 4) Sawm (fasting) - Fasting during Ramadan, 5) Hajj (pilgrimage) - Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam shares many beliefs with Judaism and Christianity, including belief in one God, prophets, and divine revelation. However, Muslims believe Muhammad is the final prophet, the Quran is the final revelation, and they follow Islamic practices and laws as outlined in the Quran and Hadith.
Jihad literally means "struggle" or "striving" in Arabic. In Islam, it refers to the spiritual struggle against sin, the social struggle for justice, and, when necessary, military defense of the Muslim community. The greater jihad is the personal spiritual struggle.
Sharia is Islamic law derived from the religious precepts of Islam, particularly the Quran and the Hadith. It covers various aspects of day-to-day life, including politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, family, sexuality, and social issues.
The two main branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia. Sunni Muslims make up about 85-90% of Muslims worldwide, while Shia Muslims make up about 10-15%. The split occurred after the death of Prophet Muhammad over the question of succession.
