Answer:There are over 1.6 billion Muslims in the world – approximately 22% of the global population – making Islam the second-largest religion after Christianity. The word ‘Islam’ actually means ‘submission’ and is derived from a word meaning ‘peace’. A person who follows Islam is known as a Muslim.
Muslims believe that there is only one God – known as Allah – and that Muhammad was his last messenger. Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that this life is a test in preparation for the afterlife.
The central text for Muslims is the Quran. This is believed to be the word of Allah, as revealed to Muhammad. Muslims believe that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. Muslims also revere certain holy books revealed to earlier prophets, such as the Torah (revealed to Moses) and the Gospel (revealed to Jesus).
There are five key pillars that underpin Islam. These are:
- Shahadah: This is the declaration of faith and belief in the oneness of Allah and the acceptance of Muhammad as his last prophet.
- Salah: This refers to the five daily prayers that are mandatory for all Muslims.
- Zakat: This is the practice of giving a percentage of one’s income to the poor and needy.
- Sawm: This is fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj: This is the pilgrimage to Mecca that must be undertaken at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are able to do so.
There are two main branches of Islam: Sunni and Shia. Muslims who belong to the Sunni branch constitute the vast majority of Muslims worldwide, while Shia Muslims make up a significant minority.
The main holidays in the Muslim calendar are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha commemorates the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah’s command.
There are a number of Muslim countries in the world, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia. Islam is also a significant minority religion in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and India.END>
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