Islam

Islam is one of the world’s major religions. It began in the early 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula, a region in the Middle East. Islam teaches belief in one God, called Allah in Arabic. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Islam is practiced by people in many parts of the world, including the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

According to Islamic belief, Islam was revealed to the prophet Muhammad around the year 610 CE. Muslims believe Muhammad received messages from God through the angel Gabriel. These messages were later written down in a holy book called the Qur'an. The Qur'an is written in Arabic and is considered the main religious text of Islam. Muslims believe Muhammad was the final prophet in a long line of prophets that includes figures such as Abraham and Moses.

Islam teaches basic religious practices known as the Five Pillars of Islam. These are core acts of worship followed by Muslims. They include declaring belief in one God, daily prayer, giving charity to those in need, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca if possible. A pilgrimage is a journey made for religious reasons. These practices help organize religious life.

Muslims worship in places called mosques. A mosque is a building where Muslims gather for prayer. Inside a mosque, there is often a prayer hall and a niche that shows the direction of Mecca. Friday is a special day for communal prayer. Religious leaders known as imams lead prayers and give talks called sermons.

After Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Islam spread rapidly beyond Arabia. This spread happened through travel, trade, and the growth of Islamic states known as caliphates. A caliphate was a form of government led by a caliph, who was considered a political and religious leader. Major early caliphates included the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, which ruled large areas of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia.

Over time, Islam developed different branches. The two largest are Sunni and Shia. These groups formed due to disagreements over leadership after Muhammad’s death. Despite differences, both groups share the Qur'an and the main beliefs of Islam. Today, Islam continues to be practiced by millions of people worldwide, following traditions that began more than 1,400 years ago.