Islam, also known as Islam, is one of the largest religions in the world, originating in the 7th century in the Arabian region and has now spread globally. Islam has unique teachings, its own laws, and a rich history that makes many people curious, and many others have misunderstood Islam. To understand it accurately, we must explore each aspect of Islam. Islam originated from the prophet Muhammad in 610 in the region of Mecca, now part of Saudi Arabia.
It is believed that Muhammad received revelations from the angel Gabriel and from there began to spread the message of Allah, the name of God in Arabic. These revelations formed the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, and the foundation for all teachings and laws in Islam. The message of the prophet Muhammad focuses on the worship of a single God, also known as Allah, and rejects polytheism, a common practice in Mecca at that time. He called on people to live morally, help the poor, abandon greed and injustice, while affirming that individuals will be held accountable for their actions in the afterlife.
Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula primarily followed polytheistic beliefs and worshiped many different deities. Arab society at that time also had a diverse mix of various religions and ideologies such as Christianity, Judaism, and even some sects influenced by Persia.
Islam has five basic principles known as the Five Pillars, which every Muslim must adhere to. First is the declaration of faith, which means declaring that there is only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger. Second is prayer; Muslims must pray five times a day, each time with specific rules and timings. Third is almsgiving; they must give a portion of their wealth, usually about 2.5%, to help the poor. Fourth is fasting; the month of Ramadan is a month of fasting from dawn until sunset, and fifth is pilgrimage. Every Muslim who is able should make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
The Quran is the holy book of Islam, considered to be the direct word of Allah recorded through Muhammad. The book is written in Arabic and contains over 6000 verses, spread across 114 chapters known as surahs. This scripture contains guidance on all aspects of life, from faith and morality to behavior in family and society. Some parts speak of God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness, while others discuss laws in life such as fair treatment, honesty, and helping the poor. Additionally, the Quran includes stories about previous prophets, helping Muslims see that they are part of a long-standing religious tradition.
The Quran is written in classical Arabic, the language of Muhammad and the Arab people of that time. Today, Muslims around the world strive to learn Arabic to read and understand the Quran. However, if one does not know Arabic, they can still read translations, although translations may not fully convey the deep meanings of the original text. Muslims believe that the Quran is the most perfect teaching, so they apply it to all aspects of life, from treating others kindly, living justly, to their way of eating and living.
Every religion has its holy places, and for Muslims, that is the holy city of Mecca.
Mecca is the number one holy site of Islam, where the prophet Muhammad was born and also where he received the first revelations from the angel Gabriel. This is the birthplace of Islam and the direction towards which all major Islamic rituals are oriented. At the center of Mecca is the Kaaba, a black cube covered with a black cloth embroidered with gold thread. This is the house of Allah and the point that all Muslims around the world face when they pray. Every year during the major pilgrimage season, millions of Muslims from all over flock to Mecca, wearing simple white garments, circling the Kaaba, and performing sacred rituals to express their loyalty and reverence to Allah. This is one of the five pillars of Islam, so if possible, every Muslim hopes to make this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
The second holy city for Muslims is Medina.
Medina is about 320 km from Mecca and is the second holy site of Islam. This is where the prophet Muhammad and his followers sought refuge to escape persecution in Mecca, marking an important migration event in Islamic history. Muslims observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is considered the holiest month and when Muhammad received the first revelations from Allah. During this month, Muslims must fast from dawn to sunset, avoiding drinking, smoking, and sexual relations during the day. When the sun sets, they break their fast with a light meal, traditionally starting with a date, as per Muhammad's tradition.
To date, Islam has experienced divisions, primarily into two major branches: Sunni and Shia.
This division stems from a conflict over the succession of Muhammad after his death. Sunnis make up about 85% of Muslims worldwide and believe in selecting leaders based on community consensus. Shia, on the other hand, believe that only Muhammad's descendants have the right to lead, thus they revere Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. Besides Sunni and Shia, there are also some smaller sects within Islam, but they are not significant, such as Sufism, a branch that leans towards spirituality, focusing on personal connection with Allah through meditation and music, or Ibadi, a small sect mainly in Oman with some differing views on teachings and history.
What connects all Muslims globally under a code of conduct is Sharia law, Islamic law. Sharia is a legal system based on the Quran and Hadith, which are the sayings and actions of Muhammad. Sharia law encompasses all aspects of life, including marriage, economics, and punishments for crimes. Islamic countries apply Sharia to varying degrees, from countries like Saudi Arabia that enforce it very strictly to countries like Turkey that apply Sharia selectively. Sharia has punishments for violations categorized as follows.
Hudud. These are punishments for serious crimes such as theft, adultery, drinking alcohol, and rebellion. Hudud punishments are often severe and deterrent. Qisas is the punishment of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," meaning that if someone harms another, the victim or their family can demand compensation or similar punishment. Diyya is compensation paid to the family of the victim in cases of murder or injury. If the victim's family agrees, the offender may pay money instead of facing punishment.
Tazir is a flexible punishment determined by the judge based on the severity of the act and the circumstances of the offender. Tazir can be fines, community service, or lighter penalties. Each country applies Sharia law differently; some countries only apply Sharia in personal, family, or economic matters, while criminal issues still follow national laws because, ultimately, Sharia law has not been updated over time, increasingly showing its outdatedness and injustice to many people. Muslims also have their own culture and clothing, with distinct dress codes, especially for women. Hijab and buka are different types of clothing that cover to protect modesty according to Islamic beliefs.
In the cuisine and lifestyle of Muslims, pork and alcohol are haram, meaning forbidden, while meat must be prepared according to halal, meaning prepared in a permissible way. Today, with over 1.8 billion followers globally, there are varying estimates, but whether it is 1.8 billion or another number, Islam remains a very large religion in the world, rapidly growing in countries such as the Middle East, India, Indonesia, and even Europe. Islamic culture has made significant contributions to philosophy, science, medicine, and art, especially during the medieval period when Islamic scholars translated and preserved ancient Greek knowledge.