Islam

Islam is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions, and the second-largest after Christianity, with an estimated 2 billion adherents (Muslims) worldwide as of 2026, representing roughly 25% of the global population.34

The word “Islam” comes from the Arabic root meaning “submission” or “surrender” — specifically, voluntary submission to the will of God (Allah in Arabic). A Muslim is someone who submits to God in this way.

Origins and History

Islam emerged in the early 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula, primarily in the cities of Mecca and Medina (in present-day Saudi Arabia). It was founded by the Prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632 CE), whom Muslims regard as the final messenger in a long line of prophets that includes figures from the Jewish and Christian traditions, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

According to Islamic belief, Muhammad received divine revelations from God through the angel Gabriel starting around 610 CE while meditating in a cave near Mecca. These revelations continued over 23 years and were later compiled into the Quran (or Qurʾān), Islam’s holy scripture. Muslims view the Quran as the literal, unaltered word of God — perfect and eternal.

Muhammad’s message emphasized strict monotheism (tawhid), social justice, and moral reform in a society then dominated by polytheism and tribal conflicts. After facing persecution in Mecca, he and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 CE — an event known as the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. By the time of Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Islam had unified much of Arabia. In the following centuries, it spread rapidly across the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe (including Spain), Central Asia, and Southeast Asia through trade, conquest, and missionary activity.

10 Core Beliefs

Muslims share six main articles of faith:

• Belief in one God (Allah), who is unique, all-powerful, merciful, and without partners.
• Belief in angels as God’s servants.
• Belief in the revealed books, with the Quran as the final and most authoritative.
• Belief in prophets and messengers, with Muhammad as the “Seal of the Prophets.”
• Belief in the Day of Judgment and the afterlife (paradise or hell).
• Belief in divine decree (qadar) — God’s ultimate knowledge and will, alongside human free will and responsibility.

These beliefs stress accountability, compassion, and ethical living.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The practical foundation of Muslim life consists of the Five Pillars, which are obligatory acts of worship and devotion for Sunni Muslims (the majority branch). They are:

1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith) — “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.” Reciting this sincerely is how one becomes a Muslim.
2. Salah (Prayer) — Muslims pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night), facing toward the Kaaba in Mecca. Prayer involves recitation from the Quran, bowing, and prostration, fostering discipline, humility, and connection with God. Congregational prayer, especially the Friday noon prayer (Jumu’ah), is common in mosques.
3. Zakat (Almsgiving) — A mandatory charity of approximately 2.5% of one’s savings annually, given to the poor, needy, and other specified categories. It purifies wealth and promotes social welfare.
4. Sawm (Fasting) — During the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar), Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs. This teaches self-control, empathy for the less fortunate, and spiritual reflection. The Quran was first revealed during Ramadan.
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage) — Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, during the prescribed days in the 12th lunar month. It involves rituals symbolizing unity, equality, and devotion, such as circling the Kaaba.

These pillars integrate faith, worship, charity, self-discipline, and community.0

Sacred Texts and Traditions

• The Quran consists of 114 chapters (surahs) revealed in Arabic. It covers theology, law, morality, stories of past prophets, and guidance for personal and social life.
• The Sunnah (traditions and example of Muhammad) and Hadith (recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet) provide additional practical guidance. Together with the Quran, they form the basis for Sharia (Islamic law), which addresses ethics, family life, finance, and governance.

Diversity Within Islam

While all Muslims share core beliefs, the faith encompasses significant diversity:

• Sunni Muslims (about 85–90%) emphasize the consensus of the community and follow the Sunnah. They form the majority in most Muslim-majority countries.
• Shia Muslims (about 10–15%) believe leadership after Muhammad should have passed to his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, and his descendants. Shia communities are prominent in Iran, Iraq, and parts of South Asia and Lebanon.
• Sufism is the mystical dimension of Islam, present in both Sunni and Shia traditions. Sufis focus on spiritual purification, inner devotion, love of God, and practices like meditation, poetry, and whirling (in some orders).

Other smaller groups and cultural variations exist, shaped by local traditions in regions from Indonesia (the largest Muslim-majority country) to sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and beyond. Islam has no central clergy or single authority like a pope; interpretation relies on scholars (ulama) and personal study.25

Global Presence and Culture

Muslims live in every corner of the world, with the largest populations in Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Islam has profoundly influenced art, architecture (mosques with domes and minarets, calligraphy, geometric patterns), science, philosophy, and law during the medieval Golden Age, preserving and advancing knowledge in mathematics, medicine, and astronomy.

In the United States, particularly New York City, the Muslim community is vibrant and highly diverse — one of the most ethnically varied in the world. Estimates suggest around 750,000–800,000 Muslims in NYC itself (about 9% of residents), with over 1.5 million in the broader metro area. Communities include immigrants and descendants from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and converts. Mosques, Islamic centers, halal restaurants, and cultural events contribute richly to the city’s fabric, alongside interfaith efforts and civic participation.35

Islam emphasizes values like justice, compassion, knowledge-seeking, family, and community (ummah). Like any major religion, it has inspired both profound cultural achievements and, at times, varied interpretations in politics and society. Today, Muslims navigate modern challenges while maintaining faith in a rapidly changing world.

This is a broad overview; Islam’s depth invites ongoing study through its texts, history, and the lived experiences of its followers. If you’d like to dive deeper into any aspect — such as the Quran, specific practices, history, or contemporary topics — let me know!