Adherents are called “Muslims” and number over 1.5 billion. Did you know…. There are five pillars of practice in Islam. This means Muslims know about Jesus, Abraham, Moses, and other great prophets from the other Abrahamic faiths. C) the original scriptures revealed to Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad. It is the world's second-largest religion with 1.9 billion followers or 24.9% of the world's population, known as Muslims. In fact the best way to alleviate the causes is through promoting the Islam in its best form, not by trying to subdue it. Regarding the so-called verses of “holy war” in the Qur’an, two points: A) The term “holy war” neither appears in the Arabic text of the Qur’an nor in any classical teachings of Islam. French lawmakers tackle a bill on Monday to dig up radical Islam by its roots in the country, beliefs that authorities maintain are creeping into public services, associations, some schools and online with the goal of undermining national values. While it is accurate that the Muslim empire initially spread, for the most part, through battles and conquests (a common phenomenon for that time) the religion of Islam itself was never forced on anyone who found themselves living under Muslim rule. Muslims also believe they were “muslims” (again, in a generic sense) since they followed God’s true guidance and surrendered their will to Him. The hajj is an annual pilgrimage to the Kaaba made by about 3 million Muslims from all corners of the Earth. The Five Pillars (actions that all Muslims must perform) are: give 2.5% of all earnings to charity, fast during Ramadan, say the declaration of faith, pray five times a day and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Malcolm X was one-fourth white. Rather they permit self-defense, capital punishment and protecting the weak from oppression. The religion started in 622 AD, when Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina. Many different Islamic groups began to fight for power. Currently, the most popular name in the world is Muhammad. Muslims neither worship Muhammad nor pray through him. This is a blank template for pupils as an introduction to Islam. Among the many teachings of Muhammad that protected the rights and dignity of women is his saying, “…the best among you are those who treat their wives well. They pray to Allah, the same God Jesus worshipped. Subject: Religious education. French call God “Dieu”. It views all humans as equal in the eyes of God, being distinguished only by their deeds. In a religious context it means the struggle to successfully surrender one’s will to the will of God. 3. The first message of Muhammad was, “You become a Muslim, then you live in peace with us.” You submit to Muhammad, Allah and the Islamic Ummah. B) Formal prayer five times a day. The Islamic concept of God is that He is loving, merciful and compassionate. Muhammad is known as the father of the religion. Studies show that between 1.5 and 1.8 billion people in the world identify their religion as Islam. Only because of … F) destiny. Muhammad was then raised primarily by his uncle, for whom he worked as a shepherd. Jesus is mentioned in the Qur’an, but he’s not on Muhammad’s level. Malcolm X, African American leader and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam who articulated concepts of race pride and Black nationalism in the early 1960s. Because of this, scientists were paid as much as pro athletes make today. These are the basic beliefs that one must have in order to be considered a true Muslim. The same can be said for certain Muslim groups and so-called “Islamic states” regarding Islamic texts. The inside of a mosque always includes an open space for worship. Islam Permits Lying to Deceive Unbelievers and Bring World Domination! Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all dates back to Abraham. E) the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter. They can lie without any guilt or fear of accountability or retribution. He spent the next 12 years battling … Muslims do not worship the Kaaba. Arab Jews and Christians call God “Allah”. But the difference is in language only. The followers of “the Nation” adhere to some Islamic principles that are mixed with other practices and beliefs completely alien to authentic Islamic teachings. Arabs only constitute about 20% of Muslims worldwide. In a religious context the word “Islam” means “the surrendering of one’s will (without compulsion) to the true will of God in an effort to achieve peace”. About 2.5 million pilgrims visit Mecca each year as part of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. On the other hand “the Nation” is a movement geared towards non-whites that teaches God appeared as a man named Fard Muhammad and that Elijah Muhammad was a prophet. She’s also the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an. Islam Fact File. I loved reading these facts from a non-Muslim point of view. With today’s birth rates and conversions to the religion, Islam is the fastest-growing religion in world. There is only one almighty creator, and all of the three religions dates back to Abraham, as well as Adam and Eve. *As per Islam, Allah (Name of GOD) created us and gave us shape and structure but we humans cannot create God and give The first pillar … The day he left Mecca is the day that starts the Islamic calendar. He enjoys writing about religion and sharing the random thoughts twirling around his brain, like how blue eyes are technically brown. However, Allah once said to Muhammad, “My mercy prevails over my wrath”. MALCOLM X FACTS. The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. But they're all the same God. The word 'Islam' in religious terms means 'surrender one's will to the true will of God to achieve peace'. The word 'Islam' in Arabic means submission to the will of God. Age range: 14-16. And birds did carry messages but dodo could speak to Hazrat Musa (Moses), a thing Hedwig was deprived of. These practices stem from deeply entrenched cultural traditions and/or ignorance of the true Islamic teachings or how to apply them in society. Daily confession of faith (shahada) Shahada is the first of the five pillars. During the Islamic Golden Age, scientists and inventors made some great innovations. It is more often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion. Mary, Jesus’ mom, is mentioned more often in the Qur’an than in the New Testament. This is because millions of Muslims, called “hafiz” (or “guardians”) have memorized the text letter for letter from beginning to end, every word and every syllable. With multiple TV shows being aired, and books being launched about this religious group, it’s time to get to know them more. Anyone who thinks that all Muslims are terrorists should note that terror groups like ISIS (or ISIL), Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram kill Muslims as well. Many non-Arab countries around the world have large Muslim populations including Senegal, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, … Islam is the 2nd largest religion in the world, with 1.6 billion people declaring their faith in Muhammad and Allah. And the word “Allah” is written in Arabic script on the walls of many Arab churches and on the pages of Arabic Bibles. Islam is a religion for all races and enjoins the worship of the One Unseen God who never took human form. Interesting Islam Facts: The word 'Islam' means 'submission' or surrender'. OK, maybe you did know this one, but let’s recap. In fact, one of the conditions for a valid Islamic marriage contract is the mutual consent of both parties to the marriage. Therefore sharia law is essentially an effort to comprehend God’s instructions and apply them in daily life. Muslims call their god as Allah. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File) This type of modest dress has been worn by religious women throughout time such as traditional Catholic nuns, Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary. Mother Mosque of America, the first mosque built in the U.S., is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. True Islam teaches spirituality, morality, pure monotheism, modesty, education and serving family and society. Islam is a way of life that is meant to bring peace to a society whether its people are Muslim or not. Muslims worship the Unseen, Omniscient Creator, Allah. • Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, its regular payment being the single most important act in the life of a Muslim after the five daily prayers. The word “jihad” does not mean “holy war”. The rituals of hajj commemorate the struggles of Abraham, his wife Hagar and their son Ishmael in surrendering their wills to God. At age 40, he began to have revelations from Allah … These are the basic beliefs that one must have in order to be considered a true Muslim. By this definition, everything in nature (trees, animals, planets, etc.) :-). In the English language He is most commonly referred to as “God”. Shahada is the Muslim profession of faith, expressing the two simple, fundamental beliefs that make one a Muslim: La ilaha illa Allah wa-Muhammad rasul Allah. Muslim women wear the head-covering (hijab) in fulfillment of God’s decree to dress modestly. 1. People often forget that the largest Muslim country in the world is Indonesia and the majority of the world’s Muslims are not Arab. Introduction. They are belief in: A) the One God. While there is no Pope in Islam to serve as the authoritative interpreter, there are recognized institutions and scholars whom analyze, discuss, deliberate and arrive at reasonable rulings through a process known as “fiqh” (Islamic jurisprudence). Muslims believe there is one true God Allah (the Arabic word for God). To better understand the differences read about Malcolm X, his pilgrimage to Mecca and his later comments to the media. Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Western calendar. Their contributions ultimately helped to usher in the European Renaissance. Allah has 99 names, with each one having a different meaning. So while the understanding of God may differ between faith groups, the various names used to describe Him does not change the fact that the one Creator of the Universe is the God of all people. There are five main pillars of Islam. Islam does not mean peace. Even though Muslims believe he was born from a virgin, they believe he was a great prophet, second only to Muhammad. Muslims believe that God has revealed 99 of His names, or attributes, in the Qur’an. Islam also teaches that He is all-knowing and the perfect judge of affairs, and will punish (or forgive) accordingly. The Christian concept of “vicarious atonement” (the idea that Jesus died for the sins of humanity) is alien to the Islamic concept of personal responsibility. To become Muslim a person simply recites this statement publicly, and in Arabic. More inventions include marching bands, algebra, teaching hospitals, and the toothbrush. Islam teaches no compulsion in religion (Qur'an 2:256 and 10:99). His father died shortly before his birth, and he lost his mother at the age of six. Some Muslims may say they are going for “jihad” when fighting in a war to defend themselves or others, but they say this because they are conceding that it will be a tremendous struggle. In fact, many Arab Jews and Arab Christians call God “Allah”. They are belief in: A) the One God. But there are many other forms of jihad which are much more relevant to the everyday life of a Muslim such as the struggles against laziness, arrogance, stinginess, one’s own ego, or the struggle against a tyrant ruler or against the temptations of Satan, etc. Rugs or mats may cover the floor. Interestingly the inside of the Kaaba is empty. Islam is a monotheistic religion which means that this religion believes in only one god. This nuanced and sophisticated science operates on the premise that the Islamic texts are fluid and dynamic; that anything outside of the very basic tenets can, and should, be interpreted according to the particular time, place and culture. 10 Interesting Facts about Islam Along with Christianity and Judaism, Islam is one of the Abrahamic and monotheistic religions. After his assassination, the widespread distribution of his life story, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, made him an ideological hero. Resource type: Worksheet/Activity (no rating) 0 reviews. The Creator is the Creator regardless of what people call Him. Any rational, intellectual analysis of the context and historical circumstances surrounding such verses, often ignored by pundits or violent extremists, proves this to be true. These practices must be undertaken with the best of effort in order to be considered a true Muslim: A) Declaration of faith: A statement proclaiming the belief in One God and that Muhammad is a prophet of God. In the early days of Islam, religious leaders had to memorize the entire text and recite the Qur’an to multiple scribes at a time. They also tied ultra-light and thin “bird paper” to birds and sent them like Harry Potter’s owl across the empire. Islam began in the part of the world called the Middle East. Uniting Islam When Saladin's leader, Nur al-Din, died in 1174, this left a gap in power in the Middle East. As with any legal system the interpretations can range across the liberal-conservative spectrum, and opinions on the meanings and applications will often differ. • Zakat amounts have been specified; it is not up to the individual to deduce how much he or she can spare to … Many Hispanics call God “Dios” and many French say “Dieu”. “Muslim” means “anyone or anything that surrenders itself to the true will of God”. For more, read "The Spread of Islam in the World" by Thomas Arnold. Any Muslim man that oppresses a woman is not following Islam. develop long-term development projects aimed at providing sustainable living for poor communities and survivors of natural disasters as well as providing emergency relief According to the Pew Research Center by the year 2050 Muslims will equal the number of Christians for the first time in history. KernowRE's Shop. To correct these changes God revealed His will a final time in the Qur'an and promised to preserve it. He left Mecca because he heard rumors that some of the tribesmen were going to assassinate him. Islam Fact file Muslims are people who follow the teachings of the religion of Islam. In 1958, Malcolm married Betty X. Therefore, a Muslim is someone who has completely devoted to God. Conversions are a major factor but natural growth is the main reason. They ate the forbidden fruit and were banished from the Garden of Eden. Muhammad married his 40-year-old wife when he was 25 years old. Andrew KrehbielAndrew Krehbiel is a part-time writer for The Fact Site. Muhammad was the prophet and founder of Islam. 4. quote is “The only religion approved by God is Islam (Submission)” 3:19. They can research some basic facts and then complete the worksheet. Those who follow Islam are … Other verses of violence deal with stopping oppression, capital punishment and the like. Since the interpretations are made by humans, they are subject to error and even perversion. Islam and the Nation “of Islam” are two different religions. Such deeds will be judged after death by the All-Knowing Creator who will reward or punish with perfect justice. "Muhammad" - whose name means "highly praised" - was born in Mecca in 570 AD. Fanatical Muslims are no more representative of the true teachings of Islam than fanatical Christians are of the true teachings of Christianity, or fanatical Jews are of the true teachings of Judaism. Who Are The Oldest People In Each Religion? add fuel to it. Although preserved, the Qur'an is greatly misunderstood by those without knowledge, including some Muslims. The teachings and beliefs of Muslims are written in their holy book, the Quran, and it is believed that everything written in the Quran is the words of Allah given to Islamic prophet and messenger Muhammad by angel Gabriel. The first mosque was the courtyard in the home of Muhammad, Islam’s founder. Therefore, trying to minimize its influence on Muslims by imposing other ideology or concepts usually does not work well. The people who practice and follow Islam are called Muslims. Also, the former boxer Muhammad Ali, perhaps the most celebrated person of our era, was a practicing Muslim. Islam is a religion. Muhammad is known as the father of the religion. You are required to include a clickable link back to www.30FactsAboutIslam.com, Photo Credit: ESA, NASA and L. Calçada (ESO) >, Photo Credit: Daniel Milnor and Dar al Islam >, Photo Credit: Jimmy Baikovicius on Flickr >. B) all of the true prophets of God. There are Muslims in and from virtually every country in the world. It is performed to fulfill one of the pillars of Islam. Arranged marriages are allowed in Islam but are not required. Built in 1934, it’s still around today. Among them are belief in angels, prophets and scriptures and practices such as prayer, fasting and charity. You are free to copy-and-paste the text from this website as long as you don’t alter it. • Zakat is not something that the poor are gifted – Zakat is their right and it has been ordained as such by the Most High – Allah. All Muslims are not Arab, Middle-Eastern or of African descent. These people are individuals with their own personal views and agendas. But Allah is no different than the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islam is a universal religion and way of life that includes followers from all races. There is no god but God and Muhammad is the prophet of God. The letter X represents the unknown and it is used by Black Muslims to symbolize the original and unknown last name of their African slave ancestors. are “muslims” because they are in a state of surrender to God’s will. In the five daily prayers Muslims face the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslim The one who submits to the will of God Or does what God wants him to do. Muslims believe in all of the true prophets that preceded Muhammad, from Adam to Jesus. The first skilled and specially trained pharmacists came from the Islamic world. Muslims lie when it is in their interest to do so and “Allah” will not hold them accountable for lying when it is beneficial to the cause of Islam. Out of all the major world religions, Islam is the most misunderstood. Along with Judaism and Christianity it traces its roots through Prophet Abraham and back to the first humans Adam and Eve. So if any version of sharia advocates brutality, injustice, extremism, terrorism, etc., the question must be asked: are such rulings endorsed by mainstream Islamic scholars, or are they being posited by those devoid of a true understanding of the religion, or the wisdom to apply it? D) the angels. It was authored by God, revealed to Muhammad (through angel Gabriel) and written into physical form by his companions. © 2021 The Fact Site | All Rights Reserved | Sitemap, The Fact Site requires you to enable Javascript to browse our website. Also, chapters from the Qur’an are precisely recited from memory in each of the five formal prayers performed daily by hundreds of millions of Muslims throughout the world. The words "Islam" and "Muslim" both mean "submission". Islam is a pure Monotheistic religion which teaches: *Worship the creator, not creations like humans, animals, nature and natural elements like fire, trees, water, sun, moon, stars and inanimate objects like stones, statutes, paintings, holy books, country or flags. D) Fasting during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. During the Dark Ages, Jews, Christians and others were given protection by the Muslims from religious persecutions happening in Europe. The religion started in 622 AD, when Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Here Are 20 Facts You Should Know, Prayer and Meditation - The Main Differences, 25 Fascinating Facts About The Sistine Chapel, 8 Enchanting Facts About Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry. The day he left Mecca is … In fact, non-Muslims were afforded the right to worship as they pleased as long as a tax, called "jizyah", was paid. It would logically follow then that people who refer to God as “Allah” in the Arabic language are referring to the very same God. They are Indonesia (over 200 million Muslims) and Pakistan and India (over 350 million Muslims combined). Actual 7th century Qur’ans, complete and intact, are on display in museums in Turkey and other places around the world. Unlike Hinduism that has several gods, the Abrahamitic religions are monotheistic which means that they all believe in one god. With today’s birth rates and conversions to the religion, Islam is the fastest-growing religion in world. E) Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once, if physically and financially able. A mosque is a place of prayer for Muslims, or followers of the religion of Islam. This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salam", which means "peace". Islam is the second most popular religionin the world with over a thousand million followers. Many Muslims still live here, although you can now find Muslims living in almost every country in the world. Saladin took his army to Damascus and claimed Nur al-Din's position. Sharia is the law that regulates the daily life of a Muslim and serves as a guide for living by Islamic principles. Jesus called God “Eloi” (Mark 15:34). For instance the KKK perverts Christian texts to conjure up false rulings. This influence on Western civilization is recognized in a mural painted in the 1890s on the ceiling of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Islam is included along with England, France, America, Greece, Rome and others in a depiction of the “Evolution of Civilization”. Islam means “to surrender.” Muslim means “one who peacefully surrenders to God.”. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today.