Islam
I was raised in a Christian home. My parents were devout Christians and attended church almost every day of the week. I was taught Christian beliefs from a very early age and researched it thoroughly in my late teenage years. I myself practice some Christian beliefs (although I don't consider myself a Christian) and I love to research and learn about other world religions and their practices, beginnings, and traditions. History and religion are admittedly my two favorite subjects. Islam and Judaism have interested me particularly because they share some ties with Christianity, specifically Islam.
Muslims and Christians believe in the same God. Both Christians and Muslims recognize that there is only one God, or Allah, and this is whom they worship. God is the center of life and consequently every thing revolves around him. The word Muslim itself means "one who submits to God." While Christians use the Bible to guide them, Muslims use the Qur'an, which is the Islamic holy book. The word Qur'an means "recitation." It is meant to be read aloud. The Qur'an is similar to the Bible in that the Qur'an retells and expands upon many of the biblical stories in the Old Testament. The Qur'an is different from the Bible in that it is not narrative in style or thematic. It is a combination of Arabic poetry, stories, advice, warnings, and more. Muslims also recognize the prophets found in the Bible. They also believe in Jesus, who is mentioned 93 times in the Qur'an. Although the Muslims believe Jesus existed, they do not believe he was crucified and resurrected. Muslims claim that Jesus was a divine prophet, and that God spared him from being crucified by calling him up to heaven. In Islam there is also a very special prophet: Muhammad.
Muhammad is considered the main prophet of Islam. The Qur'an was revealed to him through the angel Gabriel, who is also mentioned at least once in the Bible, on many occasions between the years 610 and 632. Because Muhammad is believed to have been illiterate, his revelations were written down or memorized by his followers. Muslims believed that the Qur'an that they use today is the same as it was dictated to Muhammad. Muslims also never have attempted to translate the Qur'an from Arabic to any other language, because they believe that translations written by man would be accompanied by human fallibility. Although the Qur'an is very sacred to Muslims, it is only but one special part of Islam.
There are two main sects of Islam: the Sunni and the Shi'a. The Sunni make up seventy-five percent of the Muslim population. The Sunni believe and practice the five pillars of Islam: the profession of faith in Allah, prayer, the paying of alms, fasting, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. The five pillars are intended to increase one's faith. The first pillar is the profession of faith and it is pretty simple: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet." To convert to Islam, one must make this testament of faith. This is called the shahadah which is pronounced daily.
The second pillar is prayer. Muslims pray five times a day: at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and in the evening before going to bed. Muslims often use a prayer rug so that there won't be any contact with the impure floor. Prayers are always said in Arabic and must be learned.
The third pillar is the paying of alms, also known as charity. This is heavily emphasized and required of every Muslim who has the ability. Charity is mentioned more in the Qur'an than any other commandment or expectation. While Christians tithe by giving ten percent of their monthly earnings to the church, Muslims give their earnings to those who need it most.
The fourth pillar is fasting. The month-long fast occurs during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims cannot eat, drink, or satisfy other needs during this time. At the end of the month they have the great ide of the breaking of the fast, and a huge feast is prepared.
The last and final pillar is the pilgrimage to Mecca. This is done during the month of Zul Hijjah, and it is demanded of every Muslim at least once during their lifetime if they have the ability to do it.