The Facts about Islam – Islam, with 1.57 billion adherents and faithful followers is the world’s second largest religion, right behind Christianity. The word “Islam” and its meaning are carefully articulated in the Koran, the religious or Holy Book that guides the lives of all followers.

Islam is considered to be the verbatim word of the single incomparable God – Allah and by the Prophet of Islam – Mohammed. Those who are followers are called Muslim a word that means “one who submits to God.” In fact, Muslims believe that Islam is the Universal version of a monotheistic faith because previous messages and revelations (by competing religions) were distorted.

Islamic religious practices include: Five Pillars of Islam – a listing of five duties that need to be observed and practiced and that unite all Muslims into a community. Islamic Law (Sharia Law) touches on every single aspect of daily life – from dietary requirements and restrictions to banking to warfare and even to welfare … and much, much more. Islamic Law touches everything that people do and provides rules and restrictions that must be followed.

There are two main Islamic or Muslim sects. The smaller sect is Shi’a. This group, while numerically large, comprises only 10% to 13% of the world’s total Muslim population. The dominant sect is the Sunni sect. It comprises from 87% to 90% of all Muslims living today. And that is close to one billion people worldwide.

Islam is a religion that exists in every corner of the globe. However, Muslims are most numerous in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. There are also large Muslim communities in parts of Asia, including the Indian sub-continent. In a span covering about forty years, Muslim populations have exploded in countries throughout Europe, including France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Spain and more. Their numbers in these countries are increasing so dramatically that European Muslims are becoming a political force.

The country with the largest Muslim population in the world is Indonesia. 13% of the world’s Muslims live here. That is a lot of people. While the world’s most dominant religion, Christianity continues to thrive and grow, many believe that the fastest-growing religion is the one that is currently number two. That religion is Islam.

There is something else to consider: while virtually all religions preach peace, tolerance, charity and understanding, there are some in the worldwide Muslim community who disdain all other competing religions and who, in fact, want one religion to dominate and prevail in ever corner of the world. That religion is, of course, Islam.

It is important to note, however, that Islam (for the vast and overwhelming majority of Muslims) is a religion like any other; one that seeks to provide salvation and hope for its followers … a religion that also preaches tolerance and understanding for everyone, including non-Muslims.
It is for that reason that Islam is, today, one of the world’s great religions; one that is creating more followers, more quickly, than any other religion.