Islam is the second largest religion of the world whose followers
are called Muslims. The largest number of Muslims are in Asia and
Africa and particularly in middle east and north Africa. The founder of Islam, Muhammad, was born about 570 A.D. in Mecca. His parents died when he was young and was raised by relatives. When Muhammed was about 40 years old, God began to speak to him. God told him to transmit His message to people of
Arabia. In 622 A.D. the people of Mecca, where he was living with his family got so upset with his teachings that Muhammed and his followers had to flee. His escape to the city of Madina is known as HIJRA and this day is considered as the beginning of Islam. Eight years later (630 AD), Muhammed returned to
Mecca and took over the city with a large number of his followers without any resistance. Muhammed called God as Allah and declared Mecca a holy city and Kaaba a shrine for Allah. God also dictated a book to Muhammed which was written
down later and is known as KORAN. From then on the followers of Islam built a mighty Empire that streched from Spain to India at its peak.

FIVE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM

• There is no God but God(Allah), and Muhammed is His prophet.
  
• Prayer to Allah five times daily
  
• Charity- helping the poor and providing for upkeep of places of prayer.
  
• Fasting- never drink alcohol or eat pork and certain other foods; and no
  eating, drinking or smoking during daylight for one month (Ramadan).
  
• Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a life time.
  

After Muhammed's death, the Muslims tried to develop specific policies based on what Muhammed said and did at various times. These were compiled into a collection known as Hadith. From Hadith and Koran, the scholars in 7th and 8th century developed a set of rules for worship and for life. These rules are now known as SHARIA or Islamic law. To govern the state, the Muslims
elected the succesor whom they called Caliph. Muhammed's son Ali was selected as the fourth Caliph. The majority, Sunnite consider first three Caliph as genuine whereas a minority, called Shiites believe that it was Muhammed's wish that Ali be the first Caliph. The separation of Islam into 'Sunnite' & 'Shiite' has no exact parallel in other religions. Under these two denominations there are several sects with somewhat different beliefs.