ISLAM
Islam was formed around 620 A.D. It originated in the Arabian Peninsula. Islam has 1,500,000,000 followers. They call the god they believe in Allah.
Classification
Islam is a monotheistic religion. They only believe in one god.
Founding Story
God sent the angel Gabriel to a man named Muhammad. The angel told Muhammad that he was Gods chosen prophet. Muhammad preached the word of God. He got many followers from his preaching. The religion is said to have formed by this story.
Key Figures
Key Figures in Islam:
Muhammad
Moses
Noah
Muhammad
Moses
Noah
Religious Books
The Quran is the religious text to the Islams. The verses are called ayahs and the chapters are called suras. Muslims see the Quran as the most important miracle of Muhammad. They believe that the Quran is the word of God.
Guidelines to daily life
Muslims play at least five times a day. They do not eat any alcohol or pork. Women need to cover their chests. Everyday they are required to wear a hijab. A hijab is a headcovering.
Beliefs about the afterlife
Muslims believe in Judgement Day where dead people are divided into either Paradise or Hell. They also believe that not until Judgement Day, the souls stay in their graves waiting to be resurrected. Those who are made to go to hell suffer in their graves until Judgement Day and those who are made to go to Paradise stay in peace in their graves.
Key Holidays
The two official holidays of Islam are Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr. On the day of Eid Al- Adha they sacrifice an animal to remember Abraham's trials. It is celebrated in the beginning of October. It ends a day after the celebration starts. Eid Al-Fitr is the day where Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan. They eat traditional sweet dishes, spend time with friends and family, give gifts etc. It is a three day celebration. It starts in July.
Symbols
One important symbol is the Allah. The word is Arabic and it means "the god." The name Allah was discovered in the Epic of Atrahasis.
Sites
Holy cities:
Medina
Mecca
Jerusalem
Medina
Mecca
Jerusalem
Branches
The main branches are Sunnis and Shiites.