General Description of Islam

Islam was founded in 622 CE by Mohammed, a prophet of Medina. Muslims (followers of the faith of Islam) do not view Islam as a new religion, rather that it is the same faith taught by the prophets, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. The role of Mohammed as the last prophet was to formalize and clarify the faith and purify it by removing ideas which were added in error. The two sacred texts of Islam are the Qu'ran, which are the words of Allah "the One True God" as given to Mohammed, and the Hadith, which is a collection of Mohammed's sayings. The duties of all Muslims are known as the Five Pillars of Islam and are:

1.Recite the shahadah at least once.
2.Perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day while facing Mecca.
3.Donate regularly to charity via the zakat, a 2.5% charity tax, and through additional donations to the needy.
4.Fast during the month of Ramadan, the month that Mohammed received the Qu'ran from Allah.
5.Make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca if economically and physically possible.

Muslims follow a strict monotheism with one creator who is just, omnipotent and merciful. They also believe in Satan who drives people to sin, and that all unbelievers and sinners will spend eternity in Hell. Muslims who sincerely repent and submit to God will return to a state of sinlessness and go to Paradise after death. Alcohol, drugs, and gambling should be avoided and they reject racism. They respect the earlier prophets, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but regard the concept of the divinity of Jesus as blasphemous and do not believe that he was executed on the cross.