Islam

Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion teaching that there is only one God (Allah), and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. It is the world’s second-largest religion with over 1.8 billion followers or 24% of the world’s population, most commonly known as Muslims. Muslims make up a majority of the population in 50 countries. Islam teaches that God is merciful, all-powerful, unique and has guided humankind through prophets, revealed scriptures and natural signs. The primary scriptures of Islam are the Quran, viewed by Muslims as the verbatim word of God, and the teachings and normative example (called the sunnah, composed of accounts called hadith) of Muhammad (c. 570 – 8 June 632 CE).

 

Muslims believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times before through prophets including Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Muslims consider the Quran to be the unaltered and final revelation of God. Like other Abrahamic religions, Islam also teaches a final judgment with the righteous rewarded paradise and unrighteous punished in hell. Religious concepts and practices include the Five Pillars of Islam, which are obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law (sharia), which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, from banking and welfare to women and the environment. The cities of Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem are home to the three holiest sites in Islam.

Basmala

Islamic Concept of God

Angels

Angels in Islam

Types of angels

Beings and Forces in Quran and Authentic Hadith

FAQ about Angels, Satan and Jinn

Holy Books (Revelations)

The Holy Quran (read more)

Prophets

Prophethood and Messengerhood

Prophets and messengers in Islam

Muhammad
Jesus
Mary, Mother of Jesus

FAQ

The Day of Judgment Day

Afterlife

Islamic eschatology

Resurrection and Judgment

Death and Human spirit

Soul
Spirit
Places

FAQ on death, human spirit, and resurrection

Predestination, Destiny, Free will, and Divine will

Islamic-Dua

Islamic Practice

Worship and prayers

Prayers

Pilgrimage

Fasting

Charity

FAQ about worship

Sin and Repentance in Islam

Islamic spirituality

Wisdom in Islam

Character

Law

Jihad

Etiquette and diet

Islam and other religions

Criticism

 

Islamic Society

Family life

Women in Islam

Education

Festivals

 Government and politics

Social responsibilities

Islamic Culture

Islamic History

Muhammad’s revelation (610–632)

Caliphate and civil strife (632–750)

Classical era (750–1258)

Pre-Modern era

Postmodern times (20th century–present)

Schools and branches

Islamic Philosophy and Theology

Islamic philosophy

Muslim philosophers

Islamic Theology

La ilaha illa Allah Muhammed asul Allah. English translation: There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Islam Quotes

Islam Quotes Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Islam quotes, quotes about Islam, and Islam sayings, collected over the years from a variety of sources. Enjoy reading these insights and feel free to share this page on your social media to inspire others. Islam is...

Abortion Hand Hands Protective Hand fetus

Islam And Abortion

Islam And Abortion This article covers the relationship between Islam and abortion. Muslim views on abortion are shaped by the Hadith as well as by the opinions of legal and religious scholars and commentators. The Quran does not directly address intentional abortion, leaving greater discretion to the laws of individual countries. Although opinions among Islamic scholars...

Manal al-Sharif speaking at the Oslo Freedom Forum in 2012 about the #Women2Drive campaign she co-founded.

Islamic Feminism

Islamic Feminism Islamic feminism is a form of feminism concerned with the role of women in Islam. It aims for the full equality of all Muslims, regardless of gender, in public and private life. Islamic feminists advocate women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice grounded in an Islamic framework. Although rooted in Islam, the movement’s pioneers have also utilized secular, Western,...

Tiraz Textile Fragment, 946–974 Brooklyn Museum

Liberalism And Progressivism Within Islam

Liberalism And Progressivism Within Islam Liberalism and progressivism within Islam involve professed Muslims who have created a considerable body of progressive thought about Islamic understanding and practice. Their work is sometimes characterized as “progressive Islam” (الإسلام التقدمي al-Islām at-taqaddumī). Some scholars, such as Omid Safi, differentiate between “Progressive Muslims” (post-colonial, anti-imperialist, and critical of modernity) and “Liberal advocates...

Erotic scene from the Persian Safavid period c1660. Photo courtesy the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Sexuality In Islam

Sexuality In Islam Views and laws about sexuality in Islam are largely predicated on the Quran, the sayings of Muhammad (hadith) and the rulings of religious leaders (fatwa) confining sexual activity to marital relationships between men and women. While most traditions discourage celibacy, all encourage strict chastity, modesty and privacy with regard to any relationships between genders, holding forth...

Women draped in Salafi, Palestinian, and Tunisian flags walk the streets in Tunis, January 2013.

Political Islam

Political Islam Political Islam is any interpretation of Islam as a source of political identity and action. It can refer to a wide range of individuals and/or groups who advocate the formation of state and society according to their understanding of Islamic principles. It may also refer to the use...

An anti-Islam protest in the United States

Islamophobia

Islamophobia Islamophobia is the fear of, hatred of, or prejudice against the religion of Islam or Muslims in general, especially when seen as a geopolitical force or a source of terrorism. The scope and precise definition of the term Islamophobia, including the relevance of race, is the subject of debate. Some scholars consider it to be a form of xenophobia or racism,...

Pigeons Istanbul Feeding Old Woman Feeding Birds

Animals In Islam

Animals In Islam This article covers the treatment of animals in Islam. According to Islam, animals are conscious of God. According to the Quran, they praise Him, even if this praise is not expressed in human language. Baiting animals for entertainment or gambling is prohibited. It is forbidden to kill any animal except for food or to prevent it...

Police Thief Arrest Gun Policeman Robbery Burglar

Capital Punishment In Islam

Capital Punishment In Islam Capital punishment in Islam was traditionally regulated by Sharia, the religious law in Islam that comes from the Hadith that lists the sayings and practices of Muhammad. Crimes according to the Sharia laws which could result in capital punishment include murder, rape, adultery, homosexuality, etc. Capital punishment is in use in many Muslim-majority countries, where...

Educational Mosque on Cairo Citadel

Education In Islam

Education In Islam Education in Islam has played a central role since the beginnings of the religion, owing in part to the centrality of scripture and its study in the Islamic tradition. Before the modern era, education would begin at a young age with study of Arabic and the Quran. For the...

Great Mosque of Cordoba, interior, 8th - 10th centuries (38)

Islamic Architecture

Islamic Architecture Islamic architecture comprises the architectural styles of buildings associated with Islam. It encompasses both secular and religious styles from the early history of Islam to the present day. The Islamic world encompasses a wide geographic area historically ranging from western Africa and Europe to eastern Asia. Certain commonalities are shared by Islamic architectural styles across all these...

Tiles with some calligraphy in the courtyard of the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul (Turkey)

Islamic Art

Islamic Art Islamic art is a part of Islamic culture and encompasses the visual arts produced since the 7th century CE by people who lived within territories inhabited or ruled by Muslim populations. Referring to characteristic traditions across a wide range of lands, periods, and genres, Islamic art is a concept used first by Western art historians since the...

Good Evil Typography Morality Ethics Devil

Good And Evil In Islam

Good And Evil In Islam This article covers the relationship between good and evil in Islam. The relationship between good and evil has always intrigued people, and it is one of the central principles upon which religious doctrine and belief systems are built. Religion plays a central role in shedding...

Turkey Istanbul Hagia Sofia Mosaic Angel Dome

Common Ground Between Islam And Christianity

Common Ground Between Islam And Christianity For many, Islam and Christianity have little in common. More than a few Christians misperceive Islam as a religion of the sword and of oppression, while many Muslims see Christianity as permissive and rampant with sin. Yet, much of this misperception arises from the...

Allah is One

The Perfect Names And Attributes Of Allah

The Perfect Names And Attributes Of Allah This article covers an explanation of the perfect Names and Attributes of Allah. “He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, The Fashioner, to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and glory....

Zulfiqar

Alawites

Alawites The Alawis, Alawites (علوية, Alawīyah), or Nusayris (نصيرية, Nuṣayrīyah) are an ethnoreligious group primarily in the Levant which originated from Shia Islam. The Alawites revere Ali (Ali ibn Abi Talib), considered the first Imam of the Twelver school. The group is believed to have been founded by Ibn Nusayr during the 9th century. Ibn Nusayr...

Imam Ali

Sunni View Of Ali

Sunni View Of Ali This article covers the Sunni view of Ali. Sunni Muslims hold Ali ibn Abi Talib in high respect as one of the Ahl al-Bayt, a foremost authority on the Qur’an and Islamic law, and as one of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs. Sunnis consider Ali the fourth and final...

Arba'een Walk

Arba’een Pilgrimage

Arba’een Pilgrimage The Arba’een Pilgrimage, or the Arba’een Walk or Karbala Walk, is the world’s largest annual public gathering. It is held at Karbala, Iraq at the end of the 40-day mourning period following Ashura, the religious ritual for the commemoration of martyrdom of the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Muslim Imam, Husayn ibn Ali‘s in 61 AH...

Battle of Karbala

Mourning Of Muharram

Mourning Of Muharram The Mourning of Muharram (also known as Azadari, Remembrance of Muharram, or Muharram Observances) is a set of commemoration rituals observed primarily by Shia people. The commemoration falls in Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Many of the events associated with the ritual take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia or Imambargah. The event marks...

This painting by Yousef Abdinejad is entitled "Martyrdom of Imam Ali". It depicts Ali being assassinated by Ibn Muljam. There are also angels prohibiting Ibn Muljam from hitting Ali by sword.

Shia Days Of Remembrance

Shia Days Of Remembrance The following page lists various days of Shia days of remembrance, celebration, and mourning. Twelvers The following is a list of days of celebration, mourning, and remembrance as observed by Twelver Shia Muslims: List of celebration, mourning, and remembrance as observed by Twelver Shi’a Muslims Date Type Event...