Even though it is the world’s second-largest religion, countless people around the planet know very little about Islam. In fact, what many people do believe they know about Muslim traditions and beliefs is often incorrect. This is largely due to the Western media’s depiction of Islam and its followers since the early 2000s. If you’re looking to learn some basic points of info about this ancient and widespread religion, explore some of these facts and gain a bit of insight.
Looking at the Basics
As stated, Islam is the world’s second-biggest religion. There are currently more than 1.8 billion people who identify as Muslim around the planet. The only religion larger than Islam is Christianity, with an estimated 2.4 followers worldwide. The word “Islam” itself is said to be an Arabic word that loosely translates to mean “to voluntarily submit oneself to God.” Like Christianity, there are several denominations of Islam. The two largest groups are the Sunni, who comprise the majority of Muslims, with the second-biggest group being the Shia. Other sects of note include the Sufi, Wahhabi, Barelvi, and Salafi.
Praying and the Five Pillars
Prayer is a crucial component of daily life for most followers of Islam, with the average Muslim praying at least five times per day. The act of prayer itself is often referred to as “Salah.” Prayer is so important for Muslims that it is actually the second of the “Five Pillars of Islam,” a set of core beliefs that all followers of Islam must adhere to. The first pillar is a declaration that basically states that Muhammad is God’s Messenger and there is no god but God.
Alms is another pillar, which states that followers of Islam must commit charitable acts to members of their communities who need help. The fourth pillar is fasting, which tells healthy adult Muslims to refrain from consuming food or drink during the daytime hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The final pillar is pilgrimage. Under this rule, all healthy and financially capable adults must take at least one trip to the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Though only a portion of adults make it to Mecca, pilgrimages remain a core concept of Islam.
Reframing a Few Misconceptions
There are many widespread misconceptions about Islam around the Western world. Unfortunately, many of these perspectives are negative and based on misinformation. For one, Islam as a religion has nothing to do with the oppression of women. However, leaders in certain countries where Muslims comprise the majority of the population often create laws that restrict women and use archaic interpretations of holy texts to justify these decisions.
Another concept that Westerners do not typically understand is “jihad.” In the West, this word is often translated to mean “holy war” and is used in the context of religious extremists taking their own lives or the lives of others in the name of religion. In truth, the word actually means “struggle.” Many use the word to refer to the struggle an individual feels within when trying to be in line with God.
Taking a Different Approach to Storytelling
When compared to the other religions of the world, Islam is somewhat unique because it does not have any true mythology. At least, the stories that are contained in the Quran are not the same fantastic and larger-than-life tales found in other holy texts like the Bible and the Torah. This does not mean there are no stories in the Quran, as there are plenty, it is just that the tone of these tales tends to follow a more rational and grounded approach.
Understanding the Truth
Though a huge religion, Islam remains shrouded in mystery for many Westerners. By learning more about what Muslims truly believe, it becomes easier to clear the air of any misconceptions you might have.
