Islam Religion
Islam is not only a religion but also a civilization since it is represented by over one billion Muslims and over 50 Muslim states. Emerging as a civilization influenced by religious beliefs and practices, Islam influenced different groups of people in diverse stages of history and in different countries. A major part of the Islamic faith is the strong belief in an afterlife. Muslims spend their life preparing for their death and the bliss they will face if they follow the rules and life style of a model Muslim.
Before the influence of Islam, the people of the Arabian Peninsula followed many different religions through the tribe that they belonged to. The thought that there were many gods was common to the tribal religions (Alkouatli 10). However, Muhammad became the profit of Islam when the angel Gabriel spoke to him. One major part of what Gabriel said to Muhammad was that there was only one God. The belief in one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger and prophet of God is the bases of Islam. After that, Muhammad thought it was his duty to spread the religion. To follow Islam a Muslim must follow certain rules to get accepted into the afterlife and pass the Final Judgment (Braswell 7).
The Five Pillars of Faith were five rules the Muslims had to follow to secure a place in the afterlife. They were the belief in one God and that Muhammad was the messenger, Fasting, Prayer, Pilgrimage, and Alms (Alkouatli 72-81). Allah, the only one God is the main belief of Islam along with Muhammad being the messenger. To become Muslim, people must show testimony in public and private agreeing that they believe there is no god but God and Muhammad is the last messenger (Alkouatli 72). They must say the Shahadah at least once in their lifetime. It is a short statement affirming the greatness and oneness of Allah (Gordon 78).
Before the influence of Islam, the people of the Arabian Peninsula followed many different religions through the tribe that they belonged to. The thought that there were many gods was common to the tribal religions (Alkouatli 10). However, Muhammad became the profit of Islam when the angel Gabriel spoke to him. One major part of what Gabriel said to Muhammad was that there was only one God. The belief in one God, Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger and prophet of God is the bases of Islam. After that, Muhammad thought it was his duty to spread the religion. To follow Islam a Muslim must follow certain rules to get accepted into the afterlife and pass the Final Judgment (Braswell 7).
The Five Pillars of Faith were five rules the Muslims had to follow to secure a place in the afterlife. They were the belief in one God and that Muhammad was the messenger, Fasting, Prayer, Pilgrimage, and Alms (Alkouatli 72-81). Allah, the only one God is the main belief of Islam along with Muhammad being the messenger. To become Muslim, people must show testimony in public and private agreeing that they believe there is no god but God and Muhammad is the last messenger (Alkouatli 72). They must say the Shahadah at least once in their lifetime. It is a short statement affirming the greatness and oneness of Allah (Gordon 78).