What is Islam?

Islam is a major world religion promulgated in Arabia by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. The Arabic term islām means to “surrender.” In Islam, one of the fundamental ideas is that Muslims surrender to the will of Allah. Allah, in Islam, is the only God, creator, sustainer, and restorer of the world. Through the holy text, the Qur’an, Muhammed relays the messages of Allah. In Islam, Muhammad is considered the last of a seies of prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, and Jesus. Many of the Qur’an’s teachings relate to and contribute to the revelations of earlier prophets. The Islamic doctrine is based on four principles: the Qur’an, traditions, consensus, and individual thought.

Profession of Faith (shahada): This is the Muslim belief that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad is the Messanger of God. Shahada is central to Islam.

Prayer (salat): Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day. Prayer includes a recitation of the opening chapter of the Qur'an. Muslims can pray alone at any location or together in a mosque or masjid. An imam leads the congregation in prayer.

Alms (zakat): In Islam, Muslims donate a fixed portion of their income to community members in need. Some Muslims do so by building mosques, hospitals, schools, and other institutions to fulfill their religious duty and secure the sacred blessings associated with charity.

Fasting (sawm): During the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, all healthy adult Muslims abstain from eating and drinking. Fasting helps Muslims renew their gratitude for and understanding of everything Allah provided them. The hunger and thirst of Ramadan remind of Muslims’ duty to help those in need.

Pilgrimage (hajj): Every Muslim whose health and finances allow it must visit the holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once. During this pilgrimage, Muslims visit the Ka’ba, a cubical structure covered in black embroidered hangings, located at the core of the Haram Mosque in Mecca. In Islam, the Ka’ba is the house Abraham built for God. Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.

Do all Muslims live in the Middle East?

Muslims live all over the world! Most Muslims live in South and South-East Asia. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are more than 300 million Muslims.

The Middle East is a vague term with many negative connotations. Although most people in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southwest Asia are Muslims, they make up only about 20% of all Muslims.

Is Islam a violent religion?

Islam is a peaceful religion. Just like in any other religion, the vast majority of Muslims are moderate, pious, and nonviolent people. Islam actually calls for compassion and peace.

Concerns over “Islamic extremism” are often discussed by non-Muslims and Muslims. However, many Muslims are victims of religious-based violence themselves.

Much of this confusion comes from the inaccurate understanding of the Arabic word “jihad.” Jihad means to struggle. Usually, it is used to discuss the struggle between faith and desire. Muslims call this inner struggle the greater jihad. Muslims also call social campaigns to end poverty and hunger jihad.

Are Muslim women forced to cover their hair?

Wearing the hijab has become a talking point in many countries. Covering one’s hair is not unique to Islam. In fact, some Christians and Jews practice this tradition too. The hijab, however, is the most talked about modesty practice.

There are certain countries that require women to wear a headscarf in public, like Saudi Arabia. However, for most Muslim women and girls, wearing the hijab is a deeply personnel choice, and the hijab is a symbol of their faith. There are also many Muslim women and girls who do not wear the hijab.