What is Islam? Explained
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered on the Quran, the teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the Five Pillars of Islam. Adherents of Islam, called Muslims, number approximately 1.9 billion globally and are the world’s second-largest religious population after Christians.
The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.” In Arabic, the word “Islam” comes from the root word “salam,” which means “peace.” Muslims believe that Islam is the final revelation of God to humanity and that it completes and perfects the previous revelations given to Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets.
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam. It is believed by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. The Quran is divided into 114 chapters (suras) and contains over 6,000 verses (ayahs).
The Five Pillars of Islam are the core beliefs and practices of Islam. They are:
- Shahada: The declaration of faith that “There is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger.”
- Salat: The five daily prayers.
- Zakat: The obligatory almsgiving.
- Sawm: The fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca.
Islam is a rich and diverse religion with a long and complex history. However, all Muslims share the belief in one God, the Quran, and the Five Pillars of Islam.
Here are some of the core beliefs of Islam:
- There is only one God, Allah.
- Muhammad is the last prophet of God.
- The Quran is the word of God.
- The Five Pillars of Islam are the core beliefs and practices of Islam.
- Afterlife: Muslims believe in an afterlife, with a final judgment where people will be rewarded or punished for their deeds in this life.