Wikijunior:World Religions/Islam

How many people follow Islam?
Islam is the second-largest religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing religions, with about 1.7 billion Muslims (followers of Islam) in the world (more than 20% of the world's population).

Where is Islam practiced?
Islam is practiced in Arabia, North Africa, North America, South America many parts of Asia and some parts of south-east Europe. Basically, people around the globe practice Islam.

What are the main beliefs of Islam?
The seal/last of the prophets in Islam is Muhammad. The Islamic Messiah (Man sent from Allah; Allah meaning God in Arabic) is Isa.

The Pillars of Islam are five basic acts in Islam, and are considered obligatory for all Muslims. The Quran presents them as a framework for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith. They are (1) the shahadah (creed), (2) daily prayers (salat), (3) almsgiving (zakah), (4) fasting during the month of Ramadan and (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) which has to be made at least once in a lifetime. The Shia and Sunni sects both agree on the essential details for the performance of these acts:


 * 1) The Shahadah, which is the basic creed of Islam that must be recited under oath with the specific statement: "'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh", or "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the creed.
 * 2) Salah, or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day when one reaches puberty.
 * 3) Sawm, or fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be more mindful of other sins.
 * 4) Zakat, or alms-giving, which is giving a fixed portion of accumulated wealth by those who can afford it to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam.
 * 5) The Hajj, which is the pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.

What texts does Islam hold sacred?
The Qur'an (also spelled as Koran) is the holy book of Islam. Muslims consider it as "The Word of Allah (God)".

What are some main holidays and practices of Islam?
Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha are the two main holidays in Islam, Eid Al Fitr is after Ramadan, where you take time to eat and meet with relatives/family members/friends. Eid Al Adha, you slaughter meat for the sake of Allah, in which you give half of the meat to poor people, and the other you keep it for yourself.

The month of Ramadan, a month of fasting (not eating during daylight hours) which occurs in any one of the 12 months of the Gregorian calendar (January through December) based on the lunar calendar.

What is the history of Islam?
Most historians think that Islam started in Mecca at the start of the 7th century. But according to Muslim beliefs, Islam is not the name of some unique religion presented for the first time by Muhammad. Muhammad was the last Prophet of God. God revived through him the same genuine faith which had been conveyed by all Prophets(Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Solomon, David, Moses, and Jesus). The Qur’an states that Islam revealed by God to humankind from the very beginning and Abraham and Jesus too were Muslims.,

Who are some famous people who have practiced Islam?

 * Muhammad, founder of Islam.
 * Ibn-al-Haiytham, famous Muslim scientist.
 * Ibn-e-Battuta, famous Muslim geographer and explorer.
 * Abdus Salam, famous Muslim physicist. He won the Nobel Price of Physics in 1979.
 * Shaquille O'Neil, Muslim basketball player.
 * Karim Benzema, Muslim french footballer.