Introduction to Islam

• This is a quiz about world religions that covers various aspects of different faiths, including their founders, sacred texts, beliefs, practices, and geographical distribution.

Islam

• A follower of Islam is called a Muslim.
• Islam was founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century.
• Muslims believe in the teachings of the Quran and follow the five pillars of Islam.
• The Five Pillars of Faith associated with Islam include giving to charity, praying five times a day, traveling to Mecca, fasting during Ramadan, and declaring faith in Allah and Muhammad as his prophet.
• The sacred text for followers of Islam is the Qu'ran or Koran, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
• Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, known as Hajj, if they are physically and financially capable.
• Muslims face towards Mecca when they pray, regardless of their location.
• Ramadan is the holy month of fasting for Islam.
• The crescent moon and star represent Islam.
• Although there are no official clergy in Islam, people who lead prayers at a mosque are called Imams.

Christianity

• The sacred text of Christians is the Bible, containing the Old Testament and the New Testament.
• The cross is a symbol of Christianity, representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Christianity began with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
• Christianity can be divided into Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox sects.
• Priests and ministers are the religious leaders in Christianity.
• The pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic church in Christianity.

Judaism

• The founder of Judaism is Abraham, who made a covenant with God.
• The Torah is the sacred writing for Judaism, containing the laws, teachings, and history of the Jewish people.
• The Star of David honors King David, who ruled the kingdom of Israel from 1000-962 BC, and is associated with Judaism.
• Rabbis are the clergy for Judaism, serving as spiritual guides, teachers, and interpreters of the Torah.
• Shabat or the Sabbath is a holy day in Judaism that begins every Friday evening and ends every Saturday evening, marked by lighting candles and a family meal.
• The Western Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel, is an important place of prayer, mostly for people of the Jewish faith.
• Hebrew is the language of Judaism.
• Jews who keep kosher follow a dietary law of eating.

Hinduism

• Some of the sacred texts of the Hindus include The Vedas, Mahabharata, and the Upanishads.
• Hinduism and Buddhism both developed in India.
• The Om symbol represents the religion of Hinduism.
• Hinduism believes that the main god and creator, Brahman, takes the form of three deities and also has hundreds of other gods.
• Gurus are spiritual teachers and guides.
• Diwali, the festival of Lights is important to Hinduism.
• Hinduism is the oldest religion of the five major world religions.

Buddhism

• The founder of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha after attaining enlightenment.
• Following the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths to achieve enlightenment is associated with Buddhism.
• The wheel of Dharma is a symbol of Buddhism, representing the teachings and path to enlightenment.
• Monks are the clergy in Buddhism.
• Meditation and saying mantras from one of the holy books are practices of Buddhism.

Monotheism

• The belief in one god is called Monotheism.
• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship only one God.

Other Key Information

• The Middle East or Southwest Asia is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• Hinduism and Buddhism are associated with the belief in reincarnation, where the soul is believed to be reborn in a new body after death.
• Karma is a measurement of how good or bad a person has been.
• Hinduism and Buddhism both believe in Karma.
• Christianity and Islam make up more than 50% of the world's followers.
• Israel is predominantly Jewish today, used to be called Palestine, and is a holy place to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
• Christians can be found in many different places in the world.
• Unlike other world religions, Hinduism does not have a single founder.
• The two main sects of Islam are Sunni and Shia.