About Islam

The word "Islam" is an Arabic word that means "submitting and surrendering your will to Almighty God". The word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam", which means peace.
Muslims make up one-fifth of the world’s population and live in nearly every country in the world.
The Middle East is the centre of the Islamic world and it was here that Islam was born around 1400 years ago. Despite this, it is Indonesia - not Arab country - that has the largest Muslim population in the world.
Like most religions, Islam is very diverse. Beliefs and practices differ from country, place, family etc. Some follow strict rules while others are more liberal.
There are two main branches of Islam - Sunni and Shiite. The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%. The split originated in a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslim community. The following table highlights some of the differences. However it should be noted that today, the primary differences lie in the fields of doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation.
Muslims make up one-fifth of the world’s population and live in nearly every country in the world.
The Middle East is the centre of the Islamic world and it was here that Islam was born around 1400 years ago. Despite this, it is Indonesia - not Arab country - that has the largest Muslim population in the world.
Like most religions, Islam is very diverse. Beliefs and practices differ from country, place, family etc. Some follow strict rules while others are more liberal.
There are two main branches of Islam - Sunni and Shiite. The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%. The split originated in a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslim community. The following table highlights some of the differences. However it should be noted that today, the primary differences lie in the fields of doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation.
Beliefs
Islamic beliefs are summarised by the Six Articles of Islamic Faith
Islamic beliefs are summarised by the Six Articles of Islamic Faith
- one almighty God (Allah)
- the Angels of Allah
- The books of Allah, especially the Qu'ran
- the prophets of Allah, especially Muhammad
- the Day of judgement (afterlife) and the supremacy of Allah's will
- Reciting the Shahadah (statement of faith) to become a muslim/reinforce faith: "There is no God but God, and Muhammad is his Prophet"
Myths and Stories
The story of how Islam began…
Muhammad was born in about 570 AD in the small town of Makkah, on the coast of the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia. He was disturbed by the way people around him led extravagant lives, as well as their spirituality. His tribesmen were riddled by superstitious beliefs and multiplicity of faiths. They had an assortments of gods and there was no uniformity or discipline in their faith. Muhammad wanted to change all of this
It is believed that Muhammad was one day visited by the archangel Gabriel who brought a revelation from Allah. Inspired, he decided to give up business and took a life of spiritual empowerment. He devoted himself to prayer, meditation, preachings and helping the poor. He condemned the Arabs for worshipping a host of gods and told his audiences that Allah was the one and only true God.
At first, Muhammad’s teachings irritated the Arabs, eventually becoming so bad that he left his native town of Makkah and journeyed further north to Medina. This emigration in 622 CE was an important milestone in the history of Islam. The year of the emigration is called Hegira, and it is the starting point from which the Muslim Era, called Hegira, is computed.
The people of Medina welcomes his ideas and Muhammad continued to preach and spread his teachings, attracting a sizeable number of loyal followers and disciples. His faith became known as the Islamic faith and his teachings were set down in a book called the Qu’ran which was compiled under the direction of the first Sunni, Caliph Abu Bakr following Muhammad’s death.
The story of how Islam began…
Muhammad was born in about 570 AD in the small town of Makkah, on the coast of the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia. He was disturbed by the way people around him led extravagant lives, as well as their spirituality. His tribesmen were riddled by superstitious beliefs and multiplicity of faiths. They had an assortments of gods and there was no uniformity or discipline in their faith. Muhammad wanted to change all of this
It is believed that Muhammad was one day visited by the archangel Gabriel who brought a revelation from Allah. Inspired, he decided to give up business and took a life of spiritual empowerment. He devoted himself to prayer, meditation, preachings and helping the poor. He condemned the Arabs for worshipping a host of gods and told his audiences that Allah was the one and only true God.
At first, Muhammad’s teachings irritated the Arabs, eventually becoming so bad that he left his native town of Makkah and journeyed further north to Medina. This emigration in 622 CE was an important milestone in the history of Islam. The year of the emigration is called Hegira, and it is the starting point from which the Muslim Era, called Hegira, is computed.
The people of Medina welcomes his ideas and Muhammad continued to preach and spread his teachings, attracting a sizeable number of loyal followers and disciples. His faith became known as the Islamic faith and his teachings were set down in a book called the Qu’ran which was compiled under the direction of the first Sunni, Caliph Abu Bakr following Muhammad’s death.
Sacred Texts
The two main sacred texts in Islam are the Qur'an and the Hadith.
The two main sacred texts in Islam are the Qur'an and the Hadith.
Qur'an:
This is the most sacred of the two texts. It is believed to be the literal word of Allah as revealed to Muhammad. The Qur'an consists of 114 chapters (or surahs) and deals with a variety of subjects. It emphasises the oneness of God and gives guidance for behaviour. It explains beliefs about the creation of the world and humanity and provides explanations for evil and good. It asserts that people are responsible for their actions and they will receive rewards and punishments. The Qur’an also contains rules regarding worship, marriage and behaviour in the life of the community. It must be read by Muslims in Arabic. Hadith and Qu’ran together make up the Sunnah which is the foundation of Islamic theology, practice and Sharia (Islamic law). |
Hadith:
This is considered a secondary text to the Qur'an. It records the sayings of Muhammad and his followers, and stories about their lives. An example of the Qur'an
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Symbols
There are no official symbols of Islam. However, here are a couple associated with the religion:
There are no official symbols of Islam. However, here are a couple associated with the religion:
Rituals
Religious rituals of Islam are relatively few in number, but great in importance. Nevertheless, Daily Prayer and Ramadan are two key rituals practiced by most Muslims.
Religious rituals of Islam are relatively few in number, but great in importance. Nevertheless, Daily Prayer and Ramadan are two key rituals practiced by most Muslims.
Ramadan
Every year in the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sundown. They do not eat food or drink during this time and abstain from sexual relations |
Daily Prayer - Salat
A muslim is expected to pray five times a day at specific times so that they are reminded of God throughout their day. The following prayer times are observed by Muslims
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Ethical principles and codes of behaviour
The ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life - basic religion duties. It is believed that right conduct and moral behaviour, especially keeping the five pillars, will improve the individual’s chances of entering Paradise (Heaven)
Moral codes:
Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its world-vision. Some of the most primary character traits expected of a Muslim are piety, humility and a profound sense of accountability to God. A Muslim is expected to be humble before God and with other people. Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise control of their passions and desires. Islam warns against vanity and excessive attachment to the ephemeral pleasures of this world. While it is easy to allow the material world to fill our hearts, Islam calls upon human beings to keep God in their hearts and to use the material world in moderation and in accordance with God’s guidance. Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim’s life, from greetings to international relations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.
The ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life - basic religion duties. It is believed that right conduct and moral behaviour, especially keeping the five pillars, will improve the individual’s chances of entering Paradise (Heaven)
- Profession of Faith: the Shahadah
- Worship of Allah: salah - praying five times a day
- The giving of alms: zakah. The involves giving a percentage of your earnings to the needy
- Fasting: sawn during Ramadan
- The Hajr or pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) at least once in a life time for those whose health and financial situation allow
Moral codes:
Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its world-vision. Some of the most primary character traits expected of a Muslim are piety, humility and a profound sense of accountability to God. A Muslim is expected to be humble before God and with other people. Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise control of their passions and desires. Islam warns against vanity and excessive attachment to the ephemeral pleasures of this world. While it is easy to allow the material world to fill our hearts, Islam calls upon human beings to keep God in their hearts and to use the material world in moderation and in accordance with God’s guidance. Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim’s life, from greetings to international relations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.
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Religious Experience and Spirituality
The Hajr, or pilgrimage to Makkah is one of the important elements of the Islamic faith, and a very sacred place. When Muslims make their journey to Makkah, they are submitting to the will of God and announcing that Allah is the one God and Muhammad is his prophet. Performing Hajr also leads to even richer religious experience if, upon returning from Makkah, the worshipper is filled with more compassion and sympathy for the needy and is able to strengthen their relationship with their family members. That is, it is also a journey to change hearts and minds. |
Social Structure
Unlike Christianity, there are no central authorities, clerics or priesthood in Islam.
There are religious scholars called Imams who exercise spiritual leadership in prayer and preaching. In a Mosque, an Imam’s main duty is to lead the community in prayer just as prophet Muhammad did in Medina and Kaaba. However, other than the Imam’s role, there is no set organisational structure within Islam. It is the individual’s responsibility to maintain and strengthen their relationship with Allah and follow the guidelines outlined in the Sunnah.
Unlike Christianity, there are no central authorities, clerics or priesthood in Islam.
There are religious scholars called Imams who exercise spiritual leadership in prayer and preaching. In a Mosque, an Imam’s main duty is to lead the community in prayer just as prophet Muhammad did in Medina and Kaaba. However, other than the Imam’s role, there is no set organisational structure within Islam. It is the individual’s responsibility to maintain and strengthen their relationship with Allah and follow the guidelines outlined in the Sunnah.