Islam

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Islam (Arabic: الإسلام; al-'islām (help·info)) is a monotheistic religion originating with the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. It is the second-largest religion in the world today, with an estimated 1.4 billion adherents, spread across the globe, known as Muslims.[1] Linguistically, Islam means submission, referring to the total surrender of one's self to God (Arabic: الله, Allāh), and a Muslim is "one who submits to God".[2]

Muslims believe that God revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad and that Muhammad is God's final prophet. The Qur'an and the traditions of Muhammad in the Sunnah are regarded as the fundamental sources of Islam.[3][4] Muslims do not regard Muhammad as the founder of a new religion but as the restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Adam, Ibrahim and other prophets whose messages had become corrupted over time (or according to some authorities only misinterpreted).[5][6][7] Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is an Abrahamic religion.[8]

Today, Muslims may be found throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South and Central Asia. Only about 20 percent of Muslims originate from Arab countries.[9] Islam is the second largest religion in many European countries, such as France, which has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, and the United Kingdom.[10][11]

Contents

* 1 Etymology and meaning
* 2 Beliefs
o 2.1 God
o 2.2 Qur'an
o 2.3 Muhammad
+ 2.3.1 Sunnah
+ 2.3.2 Hadith
o 2.4 Afterlife
+ 2.4.1 Salvation
* 3 Five Pillars of Islam
o 3.1 Shahadah
o 3.2 Salat
o 3.3 Zakat
o 3.4 Sawm
o 3.5 Hajj
* 4 Islamic law
* 5 Community
o 5.1 Mosques
o 5.2 Ethics
o 5.3 Customs and behavioral laws
o 5.4 Islamic calendar
+ 5.4.1 Festivals
o 5.5 Jihad
* 6 History
o 6.1 Early years and the establishment of the Rashidun caliphate
o 6.2 Emergence of hereditary caliphates
o 6.3 Fragmentation
o 6.4 The Crusades and the Mongol invasions
o 6.5 Early modern period
o 6.6 Formation of modern nation-states
* 7 Islamic civilization
o 7.1 Art and architecture
o 7.2 Philosophy and literature
o 7.3 Science and technology
* 8 Contemporary Islam
o 8.1 Political and religious extremism
* 9 Denominations
o 9.1 Sunni
o 9.2 Shi'a
o 9.3 Sufism
o 9.4 Others
* 10 Islam and other religions
o 10.1 Related faiths
* 11 Criticism of Islam
o 11.1 Muslim Response to Criticism
* 12 See also
* 13 Notes
* 14 References
o 14.1 Encyclopedias
* 15 Further reading
* 16 External links
o 16.1 Academic resources
o 16.2 Directories
o 16.3 Islam and the arts, and other media

Etymology and meaning

The word "'islām" derives from the Arabic triconsonantal root sīn-lām-mīm, which carries the basic meaning of safety and peace. The verbal noun "'islām" is formed from the verb 'aslama, a derivation of this root which means to accept, surrender, or submit; thus, Islam effectively means submission to and acceptance of God. The legislative meaning is to submit to God by singling him out in all acts of worship, to yield obediently to him and to disassociate oneself from polytheism.[2]

The word 'islām takes a number of different meanings in the Qur'an. In some verses (ayat), the quality of Islam as an internal conviction is stressed, for example: "Whomsoever God desires to guide, He expands his breast to Islam".[12][2] Other verses establish the connection between islām and dīn (usually translated as "religion"), and assert that only the surrender of one's self to God can render unto Him the worship which is His due: "Today, I have perfected your religion (dīn) for you; I have completed My blessing upon you; I have approved Islam for your religion."[13] The final category of verses describe Islam as an action (of returning to God), more than simply a verbal affirmation.[14][2]

Beliefs

Main article: Aqidah

Muslims believe that God revealed his final message to humanity through Muhammad ibn Abdullah (c. 570 - July 6, 632) via the angel Gabriel.[15] Muhammad is considered to have