Islam

Islam. It is a major Abrahamic religion founded in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula by the prophet Muhammad. Its central religious text is the Quran, believed by adherents to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to Muhammad. With approximately 1.9 billion followers, it is the world's second-largest religion, with significant populations across the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Beliefs and practices

The core theological principle is absolute monotheism, affirming the oneness of God (Allah). Muslims believe God sent prophets including Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, with Muhammad as the final messenger. The Five Pillars of Islam constitute the essential acts of worship: the Shahada (declaration of faith), Salat (ritual prayer five times daily), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), and the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Other significant practices include the recitation of the Quran, adherence to dietary laws, and the observance of Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

History

Islam emerged in early 7th-century Mecca, where Muhammad began receiving revelations. Facing persecution, he and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 CE, an event known as the Hijrah which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Following Muhammad's death, leadership passed to the Rashidun Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. This era saw the rapid expansion of the Muslim empire from the Iberian Peninsula to the Indus River. Subsequent dynasties like the Umayyads and the Abbasids presided over a Golden Age of science, philosophy, and culture in cities such as Baghdad and Córdoba. Later, empires including the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals were major political and cultural forces.

Denominations

The primary division occurred after the death of Muhammad over the question of succession. Sunni Islam, the largest branch, holds that leadership should follow the consensus of the community. Shia Islam maintains that authority rightfully belonged to Ali and his descendants, known as Imams. Major Shia subgroups include the Twelvers, prevalent in Iran and Iraq, and the Ismailis. Another significant group is Ibadi Islam, predominant in Oman. Within Sunni Islam, various schools of jurisprudence such as the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools exist, alongside theological and philosophical movements like Sufism, which emphasizes mystical experience.

Law and jurisprudence

Sharia constitutes the religious legal framework derived primarily from the Quran and the Hadith (recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad). The science of interpreting these sources is known as Fiqh (jurisprudence), developed by scholars called Ulama. The main Sunni schools of law (Madhhab) are the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali; Shia jurisprudence is often associated with the Ja'fari school. Key concepts include Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) and Ijma (scholarly consensus). Sharia covers aspects of Islamic ethics, economics, family law, and criminal law.

Society and culture

Islamic civilization has made profound contributions to global knowledge, particularly during the Islamic Golden Age under caliphates like the Abbasids, with advancements in chemistry, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy by figures such as Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Rushd. Islamic art, characterized by geometric patterns and calligraphy, and Islamic architecture, seen in structures like the Dome of the Rock and the Alhambra, are world-renowned. The religion significantly influences the social structures, calendar, and literature of diverse societies from Indonesia to Morocco.

Category:Islam