History and beliefs

The religion of Islam started 1400 years ago in the city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. Islam means submission to God. People who belong to the Islamic religion are called Muslims. They believe there is only one God, known as Allah. Allah has sent messengers or prophets to the world and the final and most important messenger was called Muhammad (pbuh). When Muslims say Muhammad's name they often add "peace be upon him" (pbuh). They believe God revealed his message to Muhammad (pbuh) and it is recorded in their holy book, called the Qur'an. The city of Makkah is very important to Muslims, it is where Muhammad was born and Muslims should visit the city if they can. While they are there they visit the Ka'bah. Muslims belive that this is where the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) built the first place of worship to just one God. 

Muhammad (pbuh) was an ordinary man who lived in Saudi Arabia. The people around him worshipped many gods but like his ancestor Ibrahim (Abraham), Muhammad (pbuh) believed there was only one God. He would go to a quiet place called the Cave of Hira to think about God or Allah. One day the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared and told him to ‘recite’ or ‘read’.  The words he spoke were the words of the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book, which Allah had revealed to him. It happened again and again over many years. At first Muhammad (pbuh) was scared but soon came to understand how important this happening was. Muhammad (pbuh) became revered as a Prophet of Allah. Although prophets such as Ibrahim, Moses and Jesus had gone before him, because he was given the Qur’an,  Muslims believe Muhammad (pbuh) was the final and most important prophet. The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) life and teachings are an example to all Muslims today.

The Qu'ran is the Islamic holy book and is treated with great respect. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was given or revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by God, through the Angel Jibril. It was written down in Arabic, the language spoken by the Prophet and all Muslims learn to read the Qur'an in Arabic. Almost all of the chapters start with the same sentence "In the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind'. Some Muslims learn the Qur'an off by heart, they are known as hafiz.

When Muslims pray they start with the Arabic words, Allahu Akbar, meaning God is the greatest. They are expected to pray five times a day. This can be done at home, at school, at work or in the mosque. Muslims should kneel to pray on a clean space, such as on a prayer mat and they should wash beforehand. When Muslims pray they face in the direction of Makkah, the city where Muhammad (pbuh) was born.

Islam is based on the Five Pillars of Islam which Muslims must follow. These are:

1. Reciting the Muslim profession of faith in one God, Allah and in the Prophet. (Shahadah)
2. Prayer five times a day (Salah)
3. Giving to charity (Zakah)
4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm)
5. Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)

There are no pictures of Muhammad (pbuh) or Allah and nothing should be drawn or made which could be worshipped instead of Allah. Instead, images of flowers and patterns from nature are often drawn and used to decorate religious places. Water is also extremely important as being essential for life, it is God given.

All Muslims have the same beliefs; that there is one God, who they call Allah, and that Muhammad (pbuh) was his final and most important Prophet. But after Muhammad (pbuh) died, two groups of Muslims disagreed about who should be their leader and teacher. Over time differences in teachings have also developed. Today there are two main groups of Muslims, called Sunni and Shi’a.