Islam or Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Mohammed in the early 7th century. The foundations of Islam are represented in the Qur'an, a holy book that serves as the basis for the Muslim faith.
"Islam" is an Arabic word meaning "submission" or "surrender" and refers to those who obey Allah, the only true God, the Creator, the Provider and the Reaper of life. One who follows the Islamic faith is called Muslim.
Origin of Islam
Prophet Mohammed, the highest religious leader of Islam, was born in the city of Mecca around the year 570. At 40 years of age he would have received the call of the angel Gabriel, who said he was sent by God for the people to find the "true God". Those who believed and obeyed the laws of the Qur'an would be rewarded with paradise.
In 622 Muhammad migrated to Medina fleeing from his opponents, a migration that became known as the Hegira, marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar. In Medina he became head of the new religious community. In 629 he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, where he was recognized as a religious leader. The prophet died in 632, after having spread Islam throughout much of the Arabian Peninsula.
See also the meaning of Caliph.
Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, is the holy city of Muslims, its foundation is attributed to the descendants of Ishmael, first son of Abraham. It was in Mecca that the Prophet Mohammed was born and is buried.
Quran in Islam
“Quran” or “Koran” is the holy book of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, the Koran is the collection of Allah's revelations to the Prophet Mohammed. Written in Arabic between 610 and 632, it is not considered a book of earthly inspiration, but the exact words of Allah, revealed by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Mohammed.
Muslims claim that in the Koran Allah speaks of His essence, His relationship to human beings, and how they will be held accountable to Him at the Last Judgment.
Learn more about Quran.
Characteristics of Islam
Islam has five pillars, which are essential religious duties designed to develop the spirit of submission to God, they are:
- Profession of faith: “There is only one God and Mohammed is his prophet” it is the fundamental creed of Islam;
- Ritual prayers: they pray five times a day – at dawn, at noon, in the afternoon, at sunset and at bedtime. Muslims pray collectively in the mosque or individually, usually on a rug, facing Mecca;
- Donations: an annual contribution called zakat it is offered by Muslims with possession;
- Fasting: during the Islamic month of Ramadan, healthy Muslims fast during daylight hours;
- Pilgrimage: A pilgrimage to Mecca should be undertaken at least once during the lifetime of every Muslim. There, pilgrims circle the sacred shrine (the Black Stone known as the Kaaba) seven times in the courtyard of the Al-Haram Mosque.
Some interpretations of this religion, mainly by the Radical Islam, consider the Jihad as a pillar of the Islam faith. The term means “struggle”, being used to describe the duty to carry out “holy wars” to spread the faith or defend Islamic lands. It is also used to indicate struggle for spiritual development.
Learn more about Jihad.
Symbols of Islam
Some symbols are quite representative for the Islamic faith. Among the main ones, we can highlight:
Crescent Moon with Star
Considered one of the main symbols of religion, the crescent moon with the star represents sovereignty and dignity, renewal of life and nature, referring to the lunar calendar, which governs religion islamic. The star also indicates the five pillars of religion: prayer, charity, faith, fasting and pilgrimage.
Hamsa or Hand of Fatima
Also considered one of the main symbols of Islam, the hamsa, like the five fingers of the hands, represents the five pillars of faith.
Fatima is the name of one of the daughters of the prophet Mohammed, the prophet of the Muslims, who have in Fatima a role model for their wives, as they believe that Fatima is without sin.
Quran
The Koran, or Koran, is the holy book of the Islamic faith. It is written in Arabic and contains the doctrine of Islam, which refers to the teachings that God directed to the prophet Mohammed.
Zulfiqar
Muhammad's sword, also known as zulfiqar, is a symbol that represents the distinction between right and wrong.
Muhammad transferred the weapon to a great warrior, who was also his cousin, named Ali and in doing so he said the famous phrase: “There is no hero but Ali; there is no sword, except zulfiq".
Subha
Like the rosary of Catholics, Islam has an object that it uses in its prayers. It's called a subha and it has 99 beads and each of them says one of the names of God. On account number one hundred, believers of the Islamic faith chant "Allah".
Islam in Brazil
The Islamic religion arrived in Brazilian lands during the first expeditions to the country, through Arab navigators.
However, the spread of Islam in Brazil only grew after the First World War, with the arrival in the country of several Lebanese and Syrian refugees.
Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 1.2 million practitioners of Islam in Brazil.
Islam, Christianity and Judaism
The roots of Islam, as well as those of Christianity and Judaism come from the prophet Abraham, a biblical character quoted in the Book of Genesis as the ninth generation of Shem, one of the sons of the patriarch Noah, who survived the waters of flood.
The prophet Mohammed, founder of Islam, would be a descendant of Ishmael, Abraham's first son. Moses and Jesus would be descendants of Isaac, youngest son of Abraham.
See also the meaning of Judaism and religious diversity.
