INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM 

It is impossible to study the religion of Islam without paying specific attention to three major factors or ingredients of this World Religion:

• The Life and charismatic person of Muhammad

• The Quran, or Koran

• The world wide spread of Islam

The word Islam refers to what is perhaps the most salient factor of the religion, namely, submission to the will of Allah (God). 

The adherents to the faith of Islam prefer to be identified as Muslim, their being of Islamic faith.

Although they venerate Muhammad highly, they reject the term Mohammedan.

The Islamic faith is the outgrowth of the following factors:

• The pagan religions of Arabia c. 600 CE.
• The disunity and divisiveness of the Arabian tribes of Arabia.
• The personal struggles of Muhammad the first prophet of Islam.
• Muhammad’s admiration of Jewish and Christian monotheism, moral standards, and Scriptures.

The Fundamentals of Modern Islam are Comprised of the following factors:

• The Quran
• The Five Pillars of Faith
1. The Confession of faith regarding Muhammad
2. Prayers
3. Alms giving
4. The Fast during the month of Ramadan
5. The Pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca
• Monolithic Monotheism
• The Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

Modern Islam is primarily divided into two major sects, and a philosophical tradition:

• The Sunni – 900,000,000 strong
  The religion of Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.
  Sunni Islam is found also in many other nations.
  The Taliban are radical Sunni fundamentalists.
• The Shi’ites – 40,000,000 strong
  The religion of Iraan, Irag.
  Shi’ite Islam is also found in many other nations.
• The Sufi, which is more of a mystical philosophical movement than a sect.

Smaller groups of Islamic followers exist along national and ethnic interests:

• The Nation of Islam
• The Bahai Faith
• The Dervishes
• And others