The Religions Book

250

F

ounded in the 7th century,
Islam is nevertheless
regarded by its followers
as an ancient faith—one that has
always existed as God’s intended
religion. Along with Judaism and
Christianity, it is an Abrahamic
religion, tracing its roots back to
Ibrahim (Abraham), the first of a
line of prophets sent to reveal the
faith—a line that also includes
Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus).
Muslims believe the last in this line
is the Prophet Muhammad, who
received the revelations contained
in the Qur’an and established
Islam as it is known today.
Islam is a strongly monotheistic
religion, emphasizing the oneness
of an incomparable God, Allah
(Arabic for “the God”), and people’s
duty to serve him. Islam teaches
that human life is a gift from God,

and the way a person lives their life

will be assessed on the Day of

Judgment. The central professions

of the faith are summed up in the

Five Pillars of Islam. Religious life

revolves round the mosque, which,

as well as being a center of worship

and teaching, acts as a focus for

the social life of the community.

The last prophet

The revelation to Muhammad is

considered the final and complete

revelation from God. Memorized by

Muhammad’s immediate followers,

it was written in the form of the

Qur’an—Islam’s holy scripture and

the ultimate and unquestionable

word of God. Beyond the Qur’an,

there also exist sayings attributed

to Muhammad, collectively known

as the hadith. The scriptures have

inspired a rich tradition of scholarly

interpretation. From the judgments

of theologians on the holy books

and an examination of the life

of the Prophet Muhammad, has

emerged a system of religious law

and moral codes known as shari‘a,

which informs the civil law of many

Islamic countries.

From its origins, Islam has been

entwined with civil and political

life. Muhammad himself was as

much a political as a religious

leader and thinker. Because of his

preaching of monotheism, he and his

followers were forced to flee Mecca

(an event known to Muslims as the

Hijra, commemorated annually) for

Medina, where he established the

first Islamic city-state, with himself

as spiritual, political, and military

leader. He then led his people back

to Mecca, conquering the city and

establishing the beginnings of an

INTRODUCTION

610 CE

629–30 CE

661–750

750

632 CE

7 TH CENTURY

872

The Umayyad

dynasty rules the

growing Islamic

Empire; Shi’a

Islam emerges.

Muhammad makes a

pilgrimage to Mecca,

followed by the

conquest of the

holy city.

Muhammad dies

in Medina at

the age of 63.

Ibn Sina attempts

to reconcile rational

philosophy with

Islamic theology.

The sayings (hadith)

of Muhammad are

passed down by word

of mouth. These are

later gathered into

large collections.

The beginning of

the revelation

of the Qur’an

to Muhammad.

Al-Mahdi, the Hidden

One of Shi‘a Islam,

disappears, not to return

until the end of the world.

The Abbasid

dynasty rises and

begins an Islamic

Golden Age.

11 TH CENTURY