Research Guides: World Religions: Islam: The Basics

The 5 Pillars of Islam

So, let's start with the basics! Within Islam, The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices that exist to guide Muslims.

The Five Pillars of Islam
In this lesson, students explore and understand the basic beliefs of Islam as well as the Five Pillars that guide Muslims in their daily life: belief, worship, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage.
The Five Pillars of Islam
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are three of the world’s great monotheistic faiths. They share many of the same holy sites, such as Jerusalem, and prophets, such as Abraham. Collectively, scholars refer to these three religions as the Abrahamic faiths, since it is believed that Abraham and his family played vital roles in the formation of these religions.
What are the five pillars of Islam?
The most important Islamic practices are the Five Pillars of Islam. The five pillars of Islam are Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam:

History

Although its roots go back further, scholars typically date the creation of Islam to the 7th century, making it the youngest of the major world religions. Islam started in Mecca, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, during the time of the prophet Muhammad's life. Today, this religion is spreading rapidly throughout the world.

Chronology
An encyclopedia of Islamic history
Chronology of Major Empires and Dynasties in the Islamic World
This chronology aims to help you place the major empires and dynasties mentioned in this guide in a historical and geographical framework. The general regions ruled by each dynasty are indicated here, but it is important to note that boundaries often varied depending on territorial losses and gains. Most of the regions mentioned here are defined in the glossary.
Islam Quiz
How much do you know about the Prophet Muhammad? How about holy cities? Test your knowledge of Islam with this quiz.
Islam Timeline
Search through the entire ancient history timeline. Specify between which dates you want to search, and what keywords you are looking for.
Teachers Guide: Timeline of Islam
The start of Islam is marked in the year 610, following the first revelation to the prophet Muhammad at the age of 40. Muhammad and his followers spread the teachings of Islam throughout the Arabian peninsula. Soon after the death of the prophet Muhammad, there were military expeditions, called "futuhat," or literally "openings," into what is now Egypt and other parts of North Africa. In other parts of the world, Islam spread through trade and commerce. The following is a brief timeline that highlights some of the major occurrences in Islam's development, as well as the geographical spread of Islam to some of the countries featured in the film.

Sunni and Shia

Sunnis focus on following the Prophet's example whereas Shi'a focus on the lineage of Muhammad's family through a series of Imams. Since the 1970s, and especially since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, there has been growing tension between Sunni and Shi'a communities in parts of the Middle East.

The differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims
The conflicts between Shia and Sunni Muslims go back to the seventh century and the death of the Prophet Muhammad.
What Are the Differences Between Sunni and Shiite Muslims?
The division has its roots in a rift between the Sunni and Shia disciplines of Islam that opened 1,400 years ago.
What is the difference between Sunni and Shia Islam?
Sunni and Shia Muslims share many aspects of Islamic teachings in common and also have their differences. This article serves as a brief overview of the similarities and differences between the two groups.

Halal and Haram

Muslims in Islam also adhere to principles regarding their food, clothing, and daily habits, adhering to the teachings of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

HALAL = an Arabic term which means permissible or lawful in Islam. In reference to food, it is the Islamic dietary standard, as prescribed in the Shari'ah (Islamic Law).

HARAM = another Arabic term which means impermissible or unlawful in Islam.

Eating According to Religious Practices: Kosher and Halal
In today’s multicultural landscape, it is becoming more important for food service managers to understand the different dietary practices followed by Americans. As the U.S. population continues to grow and diversify, religious dietary restrictions, such as kosher and halal, are increasingly followed.
A Guide to Halal Food
The following is intended as a guide to help Food and Function caterers and coordinators
understand the special dietary requirements of their Muslim clients and guests.
Guide to Understanding Halal Foods
This guide provides information about foods acceptable to the Muslim community.
The Halal Food Guide – everything you can and can’t eat
People have a tendency to get bogged down in details. However, the guidelines are quite clear. Do not make life complicated, but make sure to base your decisions on what is in line with the Shariah. Here is a summary of what you can and can’t consume