Islam

Islam is one of the three main monotheistic Abrahamic religions, along with Christianity and Judaism. It was spread by the Prophet Mohammed in the 7th century A.D. The Islamic holy book is the Quran, and according to Islamic tradition it entails the direct word of God as spoken to the Prophet. Islam is centered around five pillars which detail the five duties incumbent on every Muslim. The first is the Shahada, the Muslim profession of faith. The second is prayer: A practicing Muslim must pray towards Mecca five times a day. There is also Zakat, the alms-tax, according to which Muslims must share their wealth with those in need. Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar, and Hajj, the mandatory pilgrimage each Muslim must make at least once in their life, is fifth. The Ka’bah sanctuary in the city of Mecca is the most holy Islamic site, and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. The second most holy site is the prophet Mohammed’s mosque in the city of Medina. Third in line is Jerusalem, where, according to Islamic tradition, Mohammed ascended to heaven. Adherents to the Shi’ite school of Islam also regard Karbala in Iraq and Meshed in Iran as holy sites. The two main Islamic schools are the Sunni and the Shi’a. The differences between the two originated with the Prophet’s death in 632 A.D, when disputes arose as to who would be Mohammed’s rightful heir. Some worshippers thought that only a direct descendant of Mohammed should lead the movement, while others thought that a leader should be chosen by consensus. Those who supported a direct descendant wanted Ali to become caliph, but they lost out. When Ali eventually became caliph years later, he was massacred along with many of his followers in 680 at Karbala. Those who supported him eventually became Shi’ites. Since then, the two doctrines have evolved. They now contain disagreements and differences while still maintaining agreement on many essentials of Islam. In addition to the Sunni and the Shi’a, there are also additional branches of Islam such as the Druze and Alawi. Though they identify as Muslims, other Islamists often do not consider them proper followers of the faith. Other religious groups like the Baha'i are split-offs from Shi’a Islam. Sufi Muslims, a spiritual sub-sect of Islam, can have either Sunni and Shi’a backgrounds. Islam is the fastest growing major religion in the world. Its devotees make up the majority of the population in over 50 countries and number over 1.8 million. Over 85% of these Muslims are Sunnis, who are spread throughout the Arab world, as well as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan and more. Most Shi’ites are centered in Iran, Iraq and Bahrain. The majority of Muslims in and around Israel are Sunnis. Islam recognizes two holy days (Eids) each year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The dates of the Eids differ according to the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic calendar, like the Jewish one, is based on the lunar year.
Read More
Less

Iran pushes Islamic unity through high-level regional calls during Eid al-Adha

Iran uses Eid al-Adha diplomacy to strengthen regional ties, project unity, and influence nuclear talks with the US, while tensions with Israel persist.

  The Taliban's delegation preparing to depart for the 16th International Kazan Forum, May 17, 2025.

Kazan Forum 2025: Russia courts Islamic world as Taliban sends its first delegation

While President Trump signed deals with Gulf partners, Putin courted partnerships among the world’s Muslim nations in an attempt to reshape global trade dynamics.

By ARSHAD MEHMOOD / THE MEDIA LINE
21/05/2025

Taliban bans chess over fear of gambling, whether it is permitted in Islamic law

The suspension was announced by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which followed the dissolution of the Afghanistan Chess Federation.

Confronting antisemitism demands reviving legacy of Jewish-Arab symbiosis

The Holocaust and shared memory: Modern antisemitic narratives are foreign ideological imports, not organic products of Arab-Islamic thought.

Handling of Gaza funds and alleged ties to Muslim Brotherhood cause uproar at Dublin Islamic center

An official at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland is being encouraged to step down over alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Muslim and Christian Arab leaders join March of the Living

The delegation, led by Sharaka, featured participants from Morocco, Bahrain, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries

29/04/2025

Priceless Islamic manuscripts to be auctioned at Sotheby's 'Arts of the Islamic World & India' sale

The collection spans over 500 years, showcasing artistic traditions of Islamic dynasties from Spain to Indonesia.

Religious figures unite in Ein Rafa to foster interfaith understanding

Religious leaders from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam gathered in Ein Rafa on March 25 during Ramadan for an interfaith discussion that emphasized shared values, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

By GIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE  
30/03/2025

Herzog's iftar: Arab leaders share concerns amid rising tensions

The iftar dinner celebrated cultural diversity while tackling pressing regional issues. Arab leaders called for a united front against violence and extremism.

From ancient pagans to the Islamic Republic: The shaping of Iranian civilization

The Jerusalem Post Podcast with Tamar Uriel-Beeri and Sarah Ben-Nun.

Subscribe for our daily newsletter
Subscribe for our daily newsletter

By subscribing I accept the terms of use and privacy policy