| Islam
is the world's second biggest religion after Christianity with 1.2 billion followers
across the planet. There
are up to 2.6 million Muslims in the UK. Most come from India or Pakistan,
or are descendants from immigrants from those countries. An
Arabic word, Islam means surrendering oneself to the will of God, achieving
peace and security by doing so. FAMILY
life, law and order, ethics, dress, and cleanliness are all governed by the social
and legal systems provided by Islam. THE
countries with the largest Islamic populations are in Asia and include Indonesia
(170million), Pakistan (136million), Bangladesh (105 million) and India (103million). SAUDI
Arabia is home to Islam's two holiest places, Mecca and Medina. A pilgrimage to
Mecca is expected to be carried out by all physically able Muslims at least once
in their life. IN
Islam there is only one God - Allah. Allah's last prophet was Muhammad, a man
through whom God revealed his will. Muslims revere Muhammad but do not worship
him. MUHAMMAD
was not only a religious leader but a political leader too. He did not, however,
found Islam. Which was created by Allah at the beginning of time? Earlier prophets
include Adam, who is believed to be the first Muslim, Noah, Abraham and Moses.
MUSLIMS
are guided in following Allah's will by the holy book; the Qur'an (Koran) which
they believe is the unaltered word of God. They believe the words were dictated
to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. EVERY
Muslim must perform the Five Pillars of Islam. They are: Shahada, the Muslim profession
of faith Salat, a prayer ritual performed five times a day by all Muslims over
the age of 10; Sawm, abstaining each day during Ramadan, the ninth Muslim month;
Zakat, giving alms to the poor; and Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
THE Muslim
place of worship is called a mosque. The word comes from the Arabic for "place
of prostration". FOR
one month each year Muslims fast as part of a special time for prayer and self-examination,
known as Ramadan.
JIHAD
is the Muslim word for struggle
| 
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