Islam+Overview

The religion of Islam was founded between 570-632 CE by a prophet named Muhammad. He is considered the central human figure of Islam and is regarded by Muslims as the messenger of God. Islam started in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and it is the youngest of all the big religions. Although it is the youngest, it is one of the biggest, with over 300,000,000 believers. The word Islam means "submission," which comes from the word salem, meaning peace. Throughout the religion there are many important laws, and one of the most important is that it is illegal to drink alcoholic beverages in Muslim populated countries. You also can’t eat carrion, blood, pork, scavengers, carnivores, animals killed by a blow to the head or strangled, amphibians, insects, or birds of prey. Islamic teachings are comprised of faith and duty. The basic teaching of Islam comes out of the Qu'ran, which is similar to the Christian Bible. In this book, teachings such as there is only one God, and there is an afterlife, are present. When Muslims go to practice their religion, they go to a mosque, which also is similar to a Christian church.
 * __Overview of Islam__**

Excerpts help understand what type of material is in the Qu'ran, and an example of an excerpt is:

//O you who believe... never let the hatred of others towards you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just - that is next to piety.// Qur'an (5:8)

This excerpt explains how the religion of Islam needs to be guided by truth, reason, and fairness. People need to be just, and always put God in front of them. http://www.padfield.com/clipart/BookCovers/creeds/images/Koran.jpg Muslims also regard the five pillars of Islam. They provide an outline of core beliefs and rules for Islamic believers. They are listed below. (Five Pillars of Islam interpretation) http://www.kidspast.com/images/five-pillars-of-islam.jpg
 * 1) Shahada- There is only one God (Allah)
 * 2) Salat- Pray five times daily facing the city of Mecca to show commitment to Allah
 * 3) Zakat- Pay 2.5% of earnings to the poor to show Allah you aren’t greedy and are willing to give up material pleasures.
 * 4) Hajj- Pilgrimage to Mecca (the holy city). Once in a life time one must go to Mecca to pray giving ones commitment to Allah.
 * 5) Ramadan- one month of fasting to show self sacrifice and restraint to Allah.