Major Tenants of Islam

Islam is the second largest religion in the world today. It is a monotheistic faith founded by the prophet Mohammed, who was born in Mecca around A.D. 570. Mohammed was believed to be the most important in a series of prophets to include Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islam’s teaching is that there is one God who is referred to by the Arabic name, Allah. The Quran is the book of guidance as revealed to the prophet Mohammed. It is the main source of guidance for Muslims. The second source of guidance for Muslims is the Hadith. The Hadith are the collections of the Prophet Mohammed sayings. Islam’s practices are centered around the Five Pillars of Islam:

I. The belief in the Oneness of God and Mohammed is the messenger;

II. Establishment of daily prayer. Between the first light of dawn and sunrise, after midday, mid afternoon, sunset, and from one and a half hours after sunset. Before prayer they must prepare themselves which involves cleaning the hands, face, arms, head and feet.

III. Concern for the almsgiving to the needy;

IV. Self purification through fasting, fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan. The Quran was revealed during this month;

V. The pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able. Going at least once in a lifetime, on the pilmigrage, if money and health permits.

Muslims must believe in the Six Articles of Faith in order to be considered a Muslim:

I. Believe in God. Meaning believe in one God, God has no children, no parents, and no partners. There is no equal, superior, or lesser God;

II. Believe in his angels. They are slaves of God who execute his commands.

III. Believe in His Books of God. They are the main source of guidance

IV. Believe