Islam: beliefs, history, and major branches

ISLAM literally means peace and its broader meaning encompasses submission to one God. The most important facet of Islamic beliefs is monotheism. Islam strictly believes in the existence of one God who alone is Creator and Manager of the Universe. Unlike some other monotheist religions, Islam doesn't allow partnership of any kind in the concept of divinity and divinity is the right of Allah Almighty alone.

The religion has its roots in the times of Abraham when it was first revealed. Slowly and gradually, it gained strength and became a major religion in the world. However with the emergence of other religions and mixed views in circulation, Islam went into slight oblivion only to come into limelight again with Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). It was around 600 AD that Islam witnessed resurgence and came back to life with a force that has only increased in strength over the centuries. Prophet Mohammed is considered the last of prophets in Islam and he was given the responsibility of spreading the word of God, which he did with complete sincerity and devotion. It was during his time that message of Islam went to farthest corners of the world and soon people began embracing the religion in droves.

The main principles or beliefs of Islam are:

There is only one God and none is worthy of worship but Him

Prophet Mohammed is the last of the prophets

Man must believe in something called destiny

Muslims must pray five times a day by turning their face to Kabba in Mecca

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is mandatory

Paying Zakat and performing Hajj are mandatory only if you have the means

Jihad is important but under certain conditions

Islam doesn't promote violence or compulsion. It is said that there is no compulsion in Islam and those who enter the religion must do so out of their own free will. Jihad is an important concept, which is not holy war as many non-Muslims might think. Jihad means struggling in the way of Allah. That struggle can be in form of fighting physically, fighting with money or fighting against temptations. Fighting physically is allowed only when provoked or when war is clearly declared. Suicide bombing and other forms of violence where hundreds of innocents are killed in the name of God are strictly forbidden in Islam.

Islam is natural religion that doesn't force people to do something that is beyond their means. Hajj and payment of charity are meant only for those who have the resources to carry out these duties. Mecca and Medina are two cities where Hajj takes place but these places are strictly meant for Muslims and non-Muslims cannot enter. There is a very important reason behind it. The cities were earlier open to everyone but after a bad incident where Prophet Mohammed's tomb was attacked by some non-Muslims, these cities were forever closed for anyone other than Muslims.