Islam, a monotheistic religion, based on the holy text Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Islam means “Submission to God” and followers of Islam are called Muslims. Second largest religion on the globe that reveals God is one and incomparable. Religious practice includes Five Pillars of Islam, five obligatory acts of worship based on Islamic law. Shia and Sunni are two denominations in Muslims. Indonesia, South Asia is the largest Muslim country after Middle East. 

History

With 1.57 billion Muslims on the globe, Islam is the second-largest and fastest-growing religion in the world. How did it evolve?

Muhammad earlier a trader became a prophet, political and military leader. In 610 c., he began to receive revelations from God, which were memorized and recorded by his companions in the Holy Book- Quran. Muslims view Muhammad as restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Adam and Abraham.

Muhammad with his preaching united the Arabian tribes into singular religious entity. After his death in 632, argument broke out over his succession. Abu Bakr was made the first caliph. He succeeded in re-uniting the Arabs in the Wars of Apostasy and simultaneously avenged the defeat by Byzantine Empire. His death led to formation of Rightly Guided Caliphs- a group of four caliphs, under whose dominion, Islam and Muslim rule expanded across Persian and Byzantine territories.

Islamic Golden Age (750-1258) established Islamic law with Greek principles, public hospitals, charitable trust, science & technology and exquisite architecture. Sufism emerged as a mystic movement away from ascetic roots.

The spread of the Islam posed threat to Christianity that depicted Islam as religion of antichrist and Muslims as subhuman and libidinous.

The current socio-political trends rule the secular religious ideologies. However, groups like Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt advocate holistic and theocratic alternatives.

Duties, Rituals and Practices

The Five pillars of Islam are 5 obligations that every Muslim must satisfy and they include: Shahadah (reciting of Islamic creed- “I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God”), Salah (daily prayers), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), Zakat (donating alms), Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime).

Law

Islamic law - Sharia constitutes a system of duties that encompasses all matters of state and daily living. Every Muslim must follow Sharia by virtue of his religious faith, and severe punishment given for five specific crimes according to Quran - unlawful intercourse, consumption of alcohol, theft, false accusation of unlawful intercourse and highway robbery.  

Additionally, Quran with Sunnah (actions and teachings of Muhammad) throws light on laws of compensation for injuries and murder, marriage and inheritance, in addition to rules for fasting, prayer and charity.

Etiquette and Diet

Islamic etiquette includes greeting others with "as-salamu walaykum" (peace be unto you), pronouncing bismillah (in the name of God) before every meal and exclusively eating and drinking with the right hand. Diet restrictions include pork, carrion, alcohol and blood. Purchase meat of animals slaughtered in the name of God by Muslim, Jew or Christian with exception of fish hunting done by self.

Hygienic practices include personal cleanliness, health and circumcision of male offspring.

Burial rituals include funeral prayer - Salat al-Janazah over bathed and veiled dead body, and finally burying it in the grave.

Festivals:

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month Ramadan by engaging in a joyous three-day celebration.

Eid al-Adha festival of sacrifice followed by Hajj- annual pilgrimage to Mecca.