These core beliefs are the foundation of the Islamic faith and are accepted by all Muslims, regardless of their particular school of thought or branch.
A. The Six Articles of Faith (Iman):
1. Belief in One God (Allah): Islam is strictly monotheistic. Allah is the same God worshipped by Jews and Christians, but Muslims believe in the absolute unity and indivisibility of God, rejecting any concept of Trinity or divine partnership. Allah is the creator, sustainer, and judge of the universe.
2. Belief in Angels: Angels are spiritual beings created by Allah to carry out His commands. They are seen as messengers of God, with no free will of their own. Examples include Jibril (Gabriel), who delivered revelations to prophets.
3. Belief in Divine Scriptures: Muslims believe that Allah revealed His message to humanity through various scriptures. The Quran is considered the final and complete revelation, superseding previous ones like the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel, which Muslims believe have been altered over time.
4. Belief in Prophets: Muslims believe that Allah sent numerous prophets throughout history to guide humanity. These include familiar figures like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and culminating with Muhammad, who is considered the final prophet (the "Seal of the Prophets").
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in a final day when all humans will be resurrected and judged by Allah based on their deeds. This will determine their eternal destiny in Paradise (Jannah) or Hellfire (Jahannam).
6. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar): This is the belief that everything, good or bad, happens according to Allah's will and preordained plan. However, Muslims also believe in free will, meaning that humans are responsible for their choices within the framework of God's plan.
B. The Five Pillars of Islam (Arkan): These are the five obligatory acts of worship that form the framework of Muslim life.
1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." This is the foundational statement of faith that every Muslim must sincerely believe and pronounce.
2. Salat (Prayer): Five daily ritual prayers performed at specific times, facing the Kaaba in Mecca. These prayers involve specific postures and recitations from the Quran.
3. Zakat (Almsgiving): An obligatory annual charity given to the poor and needy. It is typically 2.5% of a Muslim's accumulated wealth above a certain threshold.
4. Sawm (Fasting): Abstaining from food, drink, and sexual activity from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan. This is a time for spiritual reflection, increased prayer, and empathy for the less fortunate.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage): If physically and financially able, every Muslim is obligated to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. It involves a series of rituals commemorating the actions of Abraham and his family.
The primary division in Islam occurred shortly after the death of Prophet Muhammad, primarily over the question of his rightful successor. This led to the emergence of two main branches:
A. Sunni Islam:
Demographics: The vast majority of Muslims worldwide are Sunni (around 85-90%).
Beliefs: Sunnis believe that the rightful successor to Muhammad was Abu Bakr, his close companion and father-in-law. They emphasize following the Sunnah (the example and teachings of the Prophet) as recorded in the Hadith (collections of his sayings and actions).
Schools of Thought: Within Sunni Islam, there are four main schools of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh): Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. These schools differ in their interpretation of Islamic law but are all considered valid within Sunni Islam. The largest is the Hanafi school, followed by the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.
Authority: Sunnis generally follow the consensus of religious scholars (ulama) and do not have a centralized religious hierarchy like the Catholic Church.
B. Shia Islam:
Demographics: Shias make up about 10-15% of the global Muslim population, with significant populations in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, and parts of other countries.
Beliefs: Shias believe that the rightful successor to Muhammad was his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and that leadership should have remained within the Prophet's family. They consider Ali and his descendants (the Imams) to be divinely appointed leaders with special spiritual knowledge.
Branches: Shia Islam itself has further branches, the most significant being:
Twelver (Ithna Ashari): The largest Shia group. They believe in a line of twelve Imams, the last of whom (Muhammad al-Mahdi) is believed to be in occultation (hidden) and will return at the end of time.
Ismaili: The second-largest Shia group. They have a living Imam, the Aga Khan. Ismailis are further divided into Nizari and Musta'li branches.
Zaydi: Found primarily in Yemen. They differ from other Shias in their view of the Imamate, recognizing a different line of Imams.
Authority: Shia Islam generally has a more hierarchical structure than Sunni Islam, with religious scholars (Ayatollahs) playing a significant role in interpreting religious law and guiding the community.
C. Other Groups:
Ibadi: A smaller, distinct branch found mainly in Oman, parts of North Africa, and East Africa. They trace their origins back to the Kharijites but are considered more moderate.
Sufism: Sufism is not a separate branch but rather a mystical dimension or approach to Islam found within both Sunni and Shia Islam. Sufis emphasize the inner, spiritual path to God through practices like dhikr (remembrance of God), meditation, and asceticism. They often organize into Sufi orders (tariqas) led by a spiritual master (sheikh).
Ahmadiyya: A movement that originated in India in the late 19th century. They believe that their founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, was a prophet or messianic figure. Most Muslims consider Ahmadiyya to be outside the fold of Islam due to their belief in a prophet after Muhammad.
Nation of Islam: An African American religious and social movement founded in the United States in the 1930s. While it incorporates some Islamic terminology and practices, its theology differs significantly from mainstream Islam.
Global Population: Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 1.8 billion followers, comprising about 25% of the global population. It is also the fastest-growing major religion.
Geographic Distribution:
Largest Muslim populations are in: Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.
Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A region with a high concentration of Muslims, but it doesn't represent the majority of Muslims.
Asia-Pacific: The region with the largest number of Muslims overall.
Sub-Saharan Africa: A region with a rapidly growing Muslim population.
Europe and the Americas: Growing Muslim populations due to migration and conversion.
Ethnic Diversity: Islam is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural religion, with followers from virtually every ethnic group and region of the world.
A. Islamic Law (Sharia):
Sharia is a comprehensive system of religious law derived from the Quran, the Sunnah (example of the Prophet), and the consensus of scholars.
It covers various aspects of life, including personal conduct, family law, criminal law, and commercial law.
The interpretation and application of Sharia vary among different schools of thought and in different countries.
The implementation of Sharia in legal systems varies widely among Muslim-majority countries. Some have adopted aspects of it into their secular legal frameworks.
B. Islamic Culture:
Islam has had a profound influence on art, architecture, literature, philosophy, science, and other aspects of culture in various parts of the world.
Examples include the intricate geometric patterns of Islamic art, the majestic mosques with their domes and minarets, and the contributions of Muslim scholars to mathematics, medicine, and astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age.
C. Contemporary Issues:
Islamophobia: Discrimination and prejudice against Muslims.
Extremism and Terrorism: A small minority of Muslims have engaged in extremist violence, which has been condemned by the vast majority of Muslims.
Gender issues: varying interpretations exist within Islam regarding women's rights and roles, and ongoing debates and movements for reform exist within Muslim communities.
Sectarianism: Tensions and conflicts between different branches of Islam, particularly between Sunnis and Shias, often fueled by political factors.
Reform and Modernity: Ongoing discussions and debates within Muslim communities about how to reconcile Islamic principles with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.