Contents 

1. Introduction 
2. From Mecca to Medina: A Brief History of Islam
3. The Spread of Islam
4. Cultural and Religious Influences
5. Islamic Beliefs and Practices
6. Sects in Islam 
7. Islam in Modern Period 
8. Sources 

Introduction 

Islam is one of the oldest and most prominent religions in the world. It dates back almost 1500 years, with its roots beginning in 622 CE with the founding of the city of Medina by Prophet Muhammad. Islam is a monotheistic faith that focuses on peace, justice, and compassion for all people.

The core beliefs centre around respecting God (Allah) as the ultimate power and recognizing that Muhammad is his messenger. It promotes kindness towards others and emphasizes charity, fasting, prayer five times daily – facing Mecca from any location on earth – and pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a lifetime if possible. Its followers strive to lead moral lives guided by Islamic Law known as Sharia Law which covers all areas of life such as family law, finance, education etc., though there are varying degrees of how strictly this law is followed depending on where one resides geographically.

 From Mecca to Medina: A Brief History of Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion originating from the Arabian Peninsula. The word “Islam” comes from the Arabic root “Salema,” which means peace or submission. Muhammad PBUH was orphaned at an early age and raised by his uncle Abu Talib. As a young man, he worked as a caravan merchant and married a wealthy widow named Khadijah. At the age of 40, Muhammad had a religious experience that changed his life forever. He began to preach about Allah and his message of submission to God’s will.

The journey from Mecca to Medina marks a critical moment in Islamic history. Known as the Hijra, this journey saw Muslim followers leave their homes for a new homeland where they could practice their faith freely. Along with providing refuge for Prophet Muhammad and his followers, Medina also served as a launching point for many of Islam’s teachings that are still practised today – such as prayer five times a day and fasting during Ramadan.

 The Spread of Islam

The Islamic faith is one of the major religions of the world, and it has had an immense global influence. The religion sprang from the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, and since that time it has spread to all corners of the earth.

The spread of Islam was largely due to its cohesive organization and a strong emphasis on community building by Rashidun Caliphate. With unified spiritual guidance from clerics and religious leaders, followers could easily understand their role in practising and spreading their beliefs. As Islamic forces grew in power, they began to take over much of the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, Europe and parts of Africa. This expansion was facilitated by both military conquests as well as missionary work by traders or religious teachers.

 Cultural and Religious Influences

Islam is a widely practised religion with followers around the world. It has had an undeniable impact on global cultures, both past and present. Through its teachings and core beliefs, Islam has impacted many facets of culture such as language, art, music, philosophy and more.

The religion of Islam was founded in the early 7th century by its adherents’ belief in the Prophet Muhammad as the messenger of God. Since then it has grown to become one of the most influential religions in history, shaping societies across regions like South Asia, North Africa and Europe. Its teachings have been adapted into multiple languages and its cultural influences can still be seen today through literature, architecture, poetry and much more.

Throughout history, there have been numerous examples that display Islam’s influence from religious practices such as fasting during Ramadan to scientific advances made possible by Islamic scholars throughout various centuries.

Islamic Beliefs and Practices

Islam is a religion that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices. The core beliefs of Islam, known as the ‘Five Pillars’, are the declaration of faith (shahada), prayer (salat), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), almsgiving (zakat) and pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in one’s lifetime (Hajj). These five pillars form the basis for Islamic practices, which can vary by culture or sect. Other important religious duties include adhering to Sharia law, observing modesty and purity laws and performing daily rituals such as reciting passages from the Quran. Muslims also believe in angels, jinn and other spiritual entities, life after death through resurrection on Judgment Day and predestination. Along with these beliefs come certain practices such as daily prayers, giving charity regularly and attending Friday congregational prayer services in mosques.

Sects in Islam 

Sects in Islam are a major source of religious and political contention within the Muslim community. Islam is one of the three Abrahamic faiths, originating from Prophet Muhammad and his teachings from 610CE to 632CE. As one of the most widely practised world religions, its sects vary greatly between various Islamic countries, resulting in diverse interpretations of practices and beliefs.

The two main branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia; each with their own distinct set of customs based on varying hadith (oral traditions) or Quranic interpretation. Sunnis make up an estimated 85-90% majority across all Muslim countries, while Shias comprise approximately 10-15%. Other smaller Muslim sects include Zaidism, Isma’ilism and Ahmadiyya; each with their own unique doctrines that have developed over centuries through both cultural and political influences.

Islam in Modern Period 

Islam has been an integral part of the human experience since its origin in the Middle East over 1400 years ago. In its modern period, Islam is a complex global religion with more than 1.6 billion adherents who adhere to their faith in a variety of ways. To understand how Islam is practised today, it is important to look at the changes that have taken place within Muslim societies and how this has impacted beliefs and customs.

Muslims today practice a range of interpretations from orthodox to progressive which are shaped by socio-cultural contexts, tenets of Islamic jurisprudence and personal interpretation. For example, certain sects advocate for a more liberal approach to dress codes or gender roles while others remain steadfast in their traditional practices. Additionally, Muslims living in different parts of the world may view certain issues differently based on local laws or cultural norms.

Sources

Introduction to Islam by M.Cherif Bassiouni

Islam a Very Short Introduction by Malise Ruthven