Introduction to Islam

• Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion teaching that there is only one God (Allah), and that Muhammad is his last prophet.
• It is the world's second-largest religion.
• Islam has over 1.8 billion followers worldwide, known as Muslims.
• Muslims believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed at many times and places before, including through Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, whom they regard as prophets of God.
• Muslims regard the Quran as the literal word of God and the final divine revelation.
• The religious obligations of Muslims are known as the Five Pillars of Islam, which are declaration of faith, obligatory prayer, fasting in the month of Ramadan, compulsory charity and pilgrimage to Mecca.
• The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God.
• Besides the Quran, Muslims are guided by the teachings and practices of Muhammad, especially as recorded in traditional accounts called hadith.
• Islamic law touches on virtually all aspects of life and society, from banking and welfare to family life and the environment.
• The majority of Muslims are Sunni (85-90%), while the second largest sect is Shia Islam (10-15%).

Core Beliefs

• The central concept in Islam is the belief in one God, Allah.
• Allah is considered to be the all-powerful and all-knowing creator, sustainer, and judge of the universe.
• Muslims believe that God is unique and without equal, having neither a partner nor offspring.
• Another key belief is in prophets sent by God to guide humanity.
• Muslims recognize many prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
• Muhammad is considered the last prophet and the one through whom God's final message was revealed.
• The Islamic scriptures include the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the direct word of God as revealed to Muhammad.
• Muslims also rely on the Hadith, which are collections of sayings and actions of Muhammad.
• Belief in angels, both benevolent and malevolent, is another core tenet of Islam.
• Muslims believe in a Day of Judgment when God will judge all people according to their deeds.
• They also believe in predestination, the idea that God has knowledge of everything that will happen.

The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Five Pillars are the basic acts in Islam, considered obligatory for all believers.
• The first pillar is the Shahada, which is the declaration of faith: "There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
• The second pillar is Salat, which is the performance of five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
• The five daily prayers are Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).
• The prayers involve ritual washing (wudu), specific postures, and recitations from the Quran.
• The third pillar is Zakat, which is the giving of alms to the poor and needy.
• Zakat is considered a form of worship and a means of purifying one's wealth.
• The fourth pillar is Sawm, which is fasting during the month of Ramadan.
• During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset.
• The fifth pillar is Hajj, which is the pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey.
• The Hajj involves a series of rituals performed in and around Mecca, including circling the Kaaba and praying at the Mount Arafat.

Quran

• The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the verbatim word of God (Allah).
• It is considered the finest work in Arabic literature.
• Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel (Jibril) in Mecca and Medina, starting in 610 CE and concluding with Muhammad's death in 632 CE.
• The Quran is divided into 114 chapters (surahs), which consist of verses (ayat).
• Muslims regard the Quran as the ultimate guide for humanity.
• The Quran covers a wide range of topics, including theology, ethics, law, and history.
• It provides guidance on all aspects of life, from personal conduct to social justice.
• The Quran emphasizes the importance of justice, compassion, and forgiveness.
• It also stresses the need for seeking knowledge and understanding the world around us.
• The Quran is typically recited in Arabic, though translations are used to understand the meaning of the text.
• Muslims treat the Quran with great reverence, ensuring cleanliness before handling it and storing it in a respectful manner.

Muhammad

• Muhammad is considered by Muslims to be the last prophet sent by God (Allah).
• He was born in Mecca around 570 CE and died in Medina in 632 CE.
• Muslims believe that Muhammad received divine revelations from God through the angel Gabriel, which were later compiled into the Quran.
• Muhammad's life and teachings serve as a model for Muslims to follow.
• He is revered for his piety, wisdom, and leadership.
• The Hadith, which are collections of Muhammad's sayings and actions, provide further guidance for Muslims.
• Muhammad is seen as the perfect example of how to live according to God's will.
• His teachings emphasize the importance of compassion, justice, and forgiveness.
• Muhammad is also regarded as a political and military leader who united the Arabian Peninsula under Islam.

Islamic Law (Sharia)

• Sharia is the body of Islamic law derived from religious sources, particularly the Quran and the Hadith.
• It covers a wide range of topics, including religious rituals, personal conduct, family law, criminal law, and commercial law.
• Sharia is based on the principle that God's law is supreme and should govern all aspects of life.
• There are different interpretations and schools of thought within Islamic jurisprudence.
• The main sources of Sharia are the Quran, the Sunnah (teachings and practices of Muhammad), Ijma (consensus of scholars), and Qiyas (analogical reasoning).
• Islamic law aims to promote justice, compassion, and the well-being of society.
• It provides guidelines for ethical behavior, social responsibility, and the resolution of disputes.
• The implementation of Sharia varies across different Muslim countries and communities.
• Some countries have adopted Sharia as the basis of their legal system, while others incorporate it to varying degrees.

Branches of Islam

• Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam, comprising the majority of Muslims worldwide (85-90%).
• Sunni Muslims believe that the first four caliphs after Muhammad were the rightful successors.
• Shia Islam is the second-largest denomination of Islam, comprising about 10-15% of Muslims worldwide.
• Shia Muslims believe that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful successor.
• Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes the importance of spiritual experience and direct communion with God.
• Sufis often follow a spiritual guide and practice various forms of meditation and devotional practices.
• Other smaller branches of Islam exist, such as the Ibadi Muslims, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and others, differing in specific beliefs and practices.