Islam Based on teachings of the prophet Muhammad ( ) Followers known as Muslims Qur'an Central belief: 1 God, called Allah All beliefs and teachings follow this Good and Evil Each individual is responsible for the actions of his or her life

Muhammad born in late 6th-century Retreated into a cave in Mount Hira, In search of enlightenment. Experienced a revelation and received the words of the Qur'an He returned to Mecca to spread his message. Muhammad persecuted and his followers who eventually migrated to Medina Muhammad conquered Mecca Converting its religious center, the Kaaba stone, into the new center of Islamic spirituality By the time he died, he had brought nearly all of Arabia into the religion of Islam

Five Pillars Faith- Followers must make the following statement of faith: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” Prayer- 5 times a day, facing towards the holy city of Mecca Alms- Give alms, or money, to the poor Fasting- Ramadan Pilgrimage- Hajj to Mecca once in life

Ramadan- Sacred month Fast from dawn to sunset Sign of obedience, humility and self-control Night of Power- most important night of Ramadan Believed to be the night the angel Gabriel first spoke to Muhammad