Islam: History and Core Beliefs Explained

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Origins — Muhammad and the Revelation

Islam traces its origins to the early 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula, when the Prophet Muhammad is said to have received revelations from God through the angel Gabriel in Mecca. In 622, fleeing persecution, Muhammad emigrated to Medina (the Hijra), and that year marks the start of the Islamic calendar.

Core Scripture — the Quran's Status and the Hadith

The Quran is the collection of revelations received by Muhammad and is regarded in Islamic belief as the literal word of God — the religion's highest authority. The Hadith, a collection of Muhammad's sayings and actions, supplements the Quran with detailed guidance on faith and daily life not explicitly covered in it.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The core practices of Islamic faith are summarized in five pillars: the declaration of faith (Shahada), five daily prayers (Salah), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime (Hajj). These are considered obligations for believers and also serve to unite the Muslim community (Ummah).

Sunni and Shia — the Historical Roots of the Split

The Sunni-Shia split originated in a dispute over who should succeed Muhammad as leader (caliph) after his death in 632. Shia Muslims hold that only Ali — Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law — and his descendants are legitimate leaders, while Sunni Muslims recognize the legitimacy of caliphs chosen by community consensus. Sunnis make up the majority of Muslims worldwide today.

Ramadan and the Meaning of Fasting

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from food and water during daylight hours. The fast is meant to deepen devotion to God, build empathy for those in poverty, and strengthen community bonds; the end of the fast is celebrated as the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Islamic Law (Sharia) and Daily Life

Sharia is the Islamic legal system based on the Quran and Hadith, covering not only religious rituals like prayer but norms for everyday life — diet, family, and commerce. Notably, it prohibits pork and alcohol and requires food to be slaughtered and prepared according to halal (permitted) methods.

Global Spread and Number of Believers

After Muhammad's death, Islam spread rapidly beyond the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Today it has an estimated 1.9–2 billion adherents worldwide, making it the second-largest religion after Christianity.

Understanding Islam Through Facts

Islam began in 7th-century Arabia and has grown to become the world's second-largest religion today. This page introduces Islam's origins, scripture, the Five Pillars central to its practice, and its major branches on a factual, objective basis — it is not intended to rank Islam against other religions. This content is general educational information, not a substitute for religious authority, and explains doctrine as understood by its adherents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Sunni and Shia Islam split?

The split originated in a disagreement over who should legitimately lead the community after Muhammad's death in 632. Shia Muslims believe only leaders descended from Muhammad's bloodline are legitimate, while Sunni Muslims accept the legitimacy of leaders chosen by community consensus.

Can you not even drink water during Ramadan?

That's right — the Ramadan fast, as a rule, means abstaining from both food and water during daylight hours. However, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and the ill are often exempted from or granted flexibility in this obligation.