Islam (/ˈɪslɑːm/;[note 1]
Arabic: الإسلام, al-ʾIslām IPA: [alʔisˈlaːm] ( listen)[note 2]) is a
monotheistic and Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur'an, a religious text
considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Allāh), and, for the
vast majority of adherents, by the teachings and normative example (called the
sunnah, composed of accounts called hadith) of Muhammad (c. 570–8 June 632 CE),
considered by most of them to be the last prophet of God. An adherent of Islam
is called a Muslim (sometimes spelled "Moslem"). Muslims believe that God is one
and incomparable and that the purpose of existence is to worship God.
Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a
primordial faith that was revealed many times before through prophets including
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. As for the Qur'an, Muslims consider it to
be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God.Religious concepts and
practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are obligatory acts of
worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of
life and society, from topics ranging from banking and welfare, to family life
and the environment.
Islam began in the early-7th century. Originating in Mecca, it quickly spread in
the Arabian peninsula and by the 8th century the Islamic empire was extended
from Iberia in the west to the Indus river in the east. The Islamic Golden Age
refers to the period traditionally dated from the 8th century to the 13th
century when much of the historically Islamic world was experiencing a
scientific, economic and cultural flourishing.The expansion of the Muslim world
involved various caliphates and empires, traders and conversion to Islam by
missionary activities.
Most Muslims are of two denominations:Sunni (75–90%)or Shia (10–20%). About 13%
of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country, 32% in South
Asia, 20% in the Middle East, and 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sizable Muslim
communities are also found in Europe, China, Russia, and the Americas. Converts
and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world. With
about 1.6 billion followers or 23% of the global population,Islam is the
second-largest religion by number of adherents and, according to many sources,
the fastest-growing major religion in the world.