The Islam is the founded by Mohammed World religion.
According to phonejust.com, “Islam” means total submission to the will of the one God Allah. The followers refer to themselves as Muslims. The holy scripture is the Koran, which according to Muslim beliefs was revealed verbatim by God to the Prophet Mohammed in Arabic.
According to the teaching of Muhammad, Allah has repeatedly sent prophets (Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ) over the course of the history of nations, who called on people to believe in him. Mohammed himself is considered “the seal of the prophets”: he restores the religion of Abraham and is the messenger of the ultimate and binding revelation for all people. The divided Arab tribes saw his religious and political leading figure in him.
Mohammed had his calling experience around 610 and began his prophetic work in his hometown of Mecca, where he was not recognized, however. 622 brought the emigration to Medina (Hejra) the turn to success. Since 656 Islam split in the directions of the Shiites and the Sunnis who dispute the leadership of the Islamic denomination with one another. However, this dispute did not hinder the rapid expansion of Islam. The Muslims spread the teachings of the Prophet to all Arab tribes, in North Africa (7th century), Persia (642), Spain (711), Central Africa (10th century), India (around 1000), Indonesia (15th century) and Africa (20th century). Today Islam has around 1.55 billion followers worldwide, that is more than 22% of the world’s population.
In the teachings of Muhammad, ancient Arabic and Judeo-Christian thoughts and oriental ideas about God are united. Fundamental to the Islamic faith is the belief that there is only one God. Allah is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the Judge who predetermines everything; he is omnipotent, omniscient and merciful. The believer should freely choose to submit to Allah’s will (Kismet). Salvation, the resurrection from the dead and a life in paradise await believers after death. The unbelievers suffer eternal punishments in hell.
Islam: key data
| Islam | |
| Number of Muslims worldwide 1) | |
| approx. 1.55 billion | |
| thereof in: | |
| Europe, including Russia (around 41 million) | |
| Latin America (around 1.5 million) | |
| North America (approx. 5.5 million) | |
| Africa (approx. 426 million) | |
| Asia (approx. 1.08 billion) | |
| Australia and Oceania (approx. 0.5 million) | |
| Main distribution areas | |
| Middle East and Middle Asia | |
| North and West Africa | |
| Indonesia | |
| predominantly Islamic countries or parts of the country outside these areas (selection) | |
| Bangladesh | |
| Northwest and North India 2) | |
| Pakistan | |
| Somalia | |
| Sudan | |
| Main directions | |
| Sunnis | |
| Shiites | |
| Special communities | |
| Ahmadija | |
| Ibadites | |
| Nusairians (Alawites; Alevis / Alevis) | |
| Main festivals 3) | |
| Beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan (2017: May 27; 2018: May 16) | |
| Feast of the Breaking of the Fast (2017: June 25-27; 2018: June 15-17) | |
| Festival of Sacrifice 4) (2017: September 1–4; 2018: August 21–24) | |
| New Year (Hidjra Day; 2017: September 21; 2018: September 11) | |
| Ashura Day (commemoration of the martyrdom of Husain; highest holiday of the Shiites; 2017: September 30; 2018: September 20) | |
| Birthday of Muhammad (2017: November 30th – December 1st; 2018: November 19/20) | |
| Muhammad’s journey to heaven (2017: April 24; 2018: April 13) | |
| Main pilgrimage sites, important holy places (selection) | |
| Mecca (all Islamic) | |
| Medina (all Islamic) | |
| Jerusalem (all Islamic) | |
| Nedjef (especially Shiite) | |
| Karbala (Shiite) | |
| Kum (Shiite) | |
| Meshhed (Shiite) | |
| Touba, Senegal (Black African Sunni Islam) | |
| 1) As of 20102) India is the country with the third largest Muslim population in the world (population share 2011: 14.2%).
3) The year counting of the Islamic calendar begins with the hidjra and follows a lunar calendar. The twelve months are 29 or 30 days long. Days are counted from sunset. The conversion of the calendar as well as regional determination rules can result in deviations of one to two days. 4) The festival of sacrifice is celebrated for three days in some areas. |
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There is no separation between religion and politics. The close connection between state and religion continues in the Islamic world to this day; Turkey is an exception. Islam does not have a priesthood or a central teaching post. Believers who want to lead a life of renunciation live together in order-like communities (dervishes).