Islam In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, (Quran 1:1-6)

Islam Usually translated as "submission to God" (Quran, 3:19), from the Arabic word salam, meaning "peace." 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide, Islam is one of the fastest growing religions. Most Arabs are Muslims, but most Muslims are not Arabs. The largest Muslim populations live in Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. (6 million in the U.S.)

Islam Muslims worship God directly, therefore people and objects are not considered holy. There is no hierarchical authority or priesthood. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur'an and is generally chosen by the congregation.

Qu’ran Muslims believe that the Qu’ran is God's word as revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. The Qu’ran contains much of the basic information told in the Hebrew Bible as well as additional information.

six articles of faith of Islam Belief in one God- monotheism (Allah is Arabic for God) Belief in the Angels Belief in God’s Messengers- Muhammad and the ones before him Belief in the Day of Judgment & in the Resurrection Belief in the Books sent by God- including the Qurʾān, Bible, & Torah Belief in Destiny- whatever God does has a purpose

Five Pillars of Islam Shahadah (Declaration of Faith): "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his servant and messenger." The belief that the purpose of life is to serve and obey God. This is best achieved through the teachings of Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam Salah (Prayer): performed five times a day: dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic facing Mecca. Although preferable to worship together in a mosque, Muslims may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, and universities.

Five Pillars of Islam Zakah (Almsgiving): The principle that everything belongs to God, and that wealth is only held by humans in trust.  Muslims calculate their own zakah, resulting in payment of one-fortieth of one's income to the poor. An individual may give as much as he or she wants and does so preferably in secret.

Five Pillars of Islam Sawm (Fasting): During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.   The sick, elderly, travelers, and pregnant or nursing women are excused, but are expected to make up the days later. "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183)

Five Pillars of Islam Hajj (Pilgrimage): The pilgrimage to Makkah is an obligation for those who are physically and financially able to do so. The hajj begins in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, which is lunar, so the hajj and Ramadan fluctuate between summer and winter.

Islamic Sects Sunni- accept the elected successors of Muhammad as leaders of Islam. The majority of Muslims today are Sunni. Shiah- believe that religious leaders must be descendants of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and her husband Ali. They rule Iran and also have a sizeable presence in Iraq and Syria.