Islam is a monotheistic religion centered around the teachings of the Quran and the prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that God (called Allah in Arabic) revealed the Quran to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. Here are some key beliefs in Islam:
The Six Articles of Faith
There are six core articles of faith in Islam:
- Belief in one God (Allah) – Muslims are strictly monotheistic and reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
- Belief in angels – Muslims believe in spiritual beings created by God to carry out specific functions.
- Belief in prophets – While Muslims believe Allah has sent thousands of prophets, Muhammad is the final prophet.
- Belief in holy books – Muslims believe Allah gave holy books or scriptures to his messengers, including the Psalms to David, the Torah to Moses, and the Gospel to Jesus. The Quran is the final and most important holy book.
- Belief in the afterlife – Muslims believe that after death, people will be judged by Allah and granted paradise or hell.
- Belief in predestination – Muslims believe Allah has decreed everything past and future.
The Five Pillars of Islam
There are five fundamental acts of worship in Islam:
- Shahada (profession of faith) – Declaring that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.
- Salat (ritual prayer) – Praying five times daily facing the holy city of Mecca.
- Zakat (almsgiving) – Donating a portion of wealth to the poor and needy.
- Sawm (fasting) – Abstaining from eating, drinking, and marital relations during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) – Traveling to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if financially and physically able.
Other Key Beliefs
Some other important beliefs in Islam include:
- Strong emphasis on monotheism and avoiding idolatry or associating partners with Allah.
- Belief in Allah’s sovereignty and predestination over everything.
- Accepting Muhammad as the final messenger with the most perfect understanding of Allah’s will.
- Obeying Shariah law that covers religious, political, social, domestic and economic life.
- Modesty in behavior and dress, particularly for women.
- Avoiding consumption of pork, alcohol and gambling which are forbidden.
- Fasting during Ramadan and celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
- Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Kaaba, a cuboidal building believed to have been built by Abraham.
- Reciting prayers in Arabic, Islam’s holy language.
- Giving zakat and supporting those less fortunate.
History of Islam
Islam originated in the early 7th century in Mecca, Arabia. Muslims believe Islam originated long before Muhammad’s prophethood as the original faith of mankind, but deviated to idolatry over time. Here is a brief history:
- 570 CE – Muhammad is born in Mecca.
- 610 CE – Muhammad experiences a vision and his first Quranic revelation. Begins spreading message of Islam.
- 622 CE – Muhammad and followers migrate from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) due to persecution. This migration marks year 1 of the Islamic lunar calendar.
- 624 CE – Muslims win Battle of Badr against Meccan forces.
- 630 CE – Mecca conquered by Muslims. Kaaba sanctified as a place of Muslim pilgrimage.
- 632 CE – Muhammad dies. Abu Bakr becomes first caliph, leader of Islam.
- 634 CE – Umar succeeds Abu Bakr as second caliph and expands Islamic empire.
- 644 CE – Uthman succeeds Umar as third caliph.
- 656 CE – Ali becomes fourth and last of the Rashidun (rightly guided) Caliphs.
- 661 CE – Muawiyah founds Umayyad Caliphate from Damascus, Syria.
- 750 CE – Umayyad Caliphate overthrown by Abbasid Caliphate, based in Baghdad.
Over the centuries, Islam spread through conquests of Persian and Byzantine territories and trade networks reaching Africa and parts of Asia. This early period saw intellectual achievements in philosophy, mathematics, and sciences. Internal conflicts led to development of major sects like Sunni and Shia Islam.
Main Denominations of Islam
There are two main denominations in Islam:
Sunni Islam
Sunnis make up about 85-90% of Muslims globally. Important distinctions include:
- Accept the legitimacy of the first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali).
- Emphasize following the sunna, or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Have an egalitarian structure led by Ulama religious scholars.
- Favor a consensus of authorized opinion on new issues not covered explicitly in the Quran or sunna.
- Member of any of the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali).
Shia Islam
Shias make up about 10-15% of Muslims worldwide. Key distinctions include:
- Belief that Ali was the legitimate heir and successor to Muhammad.
- Trace lineage of Imams beginning with Ali through modern day.
- Give greater authority to Imams’ interpretations of Quran and Shariah.
- Have an authoritative hierarchy led by Ayatollahs.
- Believe the Mahdi (guided one) will return before end times.
- Major sub-groups are Twelvers, Ismailis, Zaidis.
Key Similarities Between Islam and Christianity
Despite their differences, Islam and Christianity have some notable similarities:
- Both are Abrahamic faiths originating from the Middle East.
- Both are monotheistic, believing in one supreme, all-powerful God.
- Both emphasize morality, charity, prayer, fasting and pilgrimage.
- Both believe in angels, prophets and a heavenly paradise.
- Both share respect for ancient figures like Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
- Both value concepts like repentance, mercy, and seeking God’s forgiveness.
These similarities provide common ground for promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding. Christians and Muslims can benefit from mutual education and cooperation based on shared values and beliefs. But differences over the nature of God, the Trinity, and the authority of Christ also need to be acknowledged.
Key Differences Between Islam and Christianity
While there are similarities, there are fundamental differences between the two faiths:
- Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate, while Muslims see him as only a prophet.
- Islam sees the Quran as the final, literal word of God, while Christianity views the Bible’s authority as divinely-inspired.
- Muslims believe in submitting to the will of Allah, while Christians believe in following Christ’s example.
- Islam teaches that righteousness comes through observance of the Five Pillars, while Christianity teaches righteousness comes through Christ’s sacrifice.
- In Islam, Muhammad is the final prophet, but Christianity asserts that Christ himself was the ultimate revelation from God.
- Historically, relations between Islamic societies and Christianity have often been marked by animosity and conflict.
Despite attempts to reconcile the two faiths throughout history, fundamental differences remain that are difficult to resolve. Yet with an attitude of kindness and openness to learning, adherents of both religions can coexist in mutual respect.
Conclusion
Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion centered on the teachings of the Quran and the prophet Muhammad. Key beliefs include the oneness of God, angels, prophets, holy scriptures, an afterlife, and predestination. Important practices are the Five Pillars of Islam: declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and the hajj pilgrimage. While similarities with Christianity exist, crucial differences remain over the nature of God and the authority of Jesus Christ versus Muhammad. Islam today has over 1.8 billion adherents, with major subdivisions being Sunni and Shia denominations. Increased religious literacy and positive interfaith dialogue can help improve mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians.