Spread of Islam Essay Example
AP World History
21 May 2012
The Spread of Islam The religion of Islam has spread all throughout the world. Over twenty-two percent of the people on earth follow the teachings of Islam and are Islamic, or Muslim. This fast spreading religion has been, and is still being shared with others around the world. There were many factors that influenced the rapid spread of Islam, including trade, its appeal, and Islamic conquest. There are five main rules, or fundamentals that help to make up the religion of Islam. These rules are called the Five Pillars. The first of the five is Iman or faith. "There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." is the declaration of faith to Islam, and its importance is to show that the main purpose in life is to serve and obey Allah, or God. (Islam 101)
The second Pillar is Salah or Prayer. A faithful Muslim must pray five times a day. Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. Praying is seen as a direct link between the worshipper and Allah. (Islam 101)
Zakah, or charity giving, is the third pillar of Islam. The giving of alms is seen as a necessity for every Muslim, and has a much deeper meaning:
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity." (Islam 101)
This expounds upon Muhammad’s belief that
21 May 2012
The Spread of Islam The religion of Islam has spread all throughout the world. Over twenty-two percent of the people on earth follow the teachings of Islam and are Islamic, or Muslim. This fast spreading religion has been, and is still being shared with others around the world. There were many factors that influenced the rapid spread of Islam, including trade, its appeal, and Islamic conquest. There are five main rules, or fundamentals that help to make up the religion of Islam. These rules are called the Five Pillars. The first of the five is Iman or faith. "There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." is the declaration of faith to Islam, and its importance is to show that the main purpose in life is to serve and obey Allah, or God. (Islam 101)
The second Pillar is Salah or Prayer. A faithful Muslim must pray five times a day. Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. Praying is seen as a direct link between the worshipper and Allah. (Islam 101)
Zakah, or charity giving, is the third pillar of Islam. The giving of alms is seen as a necessity for every Muslim, and has a much deeper meaning:
The Prophet said, "Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is an act of charity." The Prophet also said: "Charity is a necessity for every Muslim." He was asked: "What if a person has nothing?" The Prophet replied: "He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity." The Companions of the Prophet asked: "What if he is not able to work?" The Prophet said: "He should help the poor and needy." The Companions further asked: "What if he cannot do even that?" The Prophet said: "He should urge others to do good." The Companions said: "What if he lacks that also?" The Prophet said: "He should check himself from doing evil. That is also an act of charity." (Islam 101)
This expounds upon Muhammad’s belief that