The Branches of Islam

Islam, a monotheistic religion, was introdced by  the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in  610 A.D. and considered one of the Abrahamic religions. After announcing to his family that the angel Gabriel had given a revelation to him, Muhammad began preaching the words he received. Not long after this, the religious creed of Islam (also known as Mohammedanism) was distinguished from Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism. In 622, Muhammad's followers became known as Muslims (Moslems) - Arabic for “the submitting ones”. It was during this same era of time that Muhammad escaped from Mecca and from his enemies and went to Medina (also known as the Hijra).

Basically, the monotheistic formula which makes up the Islamic faith is, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet.” Islam contains the basic concepts of Judaism, Christianity, Persian Magianism and Zoroastrianism. The sacred books of Islam are the Torah/Pentateuch (first five books of the Jewish and Christian Bibles), the Psalms (Tehillim/Old Testament), the Gospels (New Testament) and, the Qur'an (Koran), which was revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel, purporting to represent the final word of Allah (God) to mankind.

There are six concepts/principles that apply to the Islamic creed (known as Shahadah):

1) the Oneness of Allah; 2) the idea of the gradual revelation from Adam to Muhammad; 3) the definiteness of the Qur'an; 4) the Doctrine of Angels (an inexhaustible source for Islamic superstitions); 5) the belief in the definite decisions of Allah concerning an unchangeable fate (also known as “predestination”); 6) the concept of immortality or those who die fighting for Allah and Muhammad are certain to go to Paradise.

The most well-known of the Muslim people are the Sunni, Shi'a and Sufi. The Sunnis, who represent the larger fraction of the modern world, are the preservers of conservatism. The Sunni branch was founded in 767 by Abū Ḥanīfa, a Persian Muslim, who interpreted the Qur'an and the Sunnah (a codification of manners, customs and moral and legal traditions).

The Shiites represent the other major group of Muslims. They attach importance to individual religious leaders and celebrate more festivals. The early history of the Shiites is obscure, but some claim the Shiite branch resulted not long after the death of Muhammad when the minority group disagreed with the majority's choice in selecting a Caliph (successor). The Shiites believe that the Caliph Ali was chosen personally by Muhammad, while the Sunnis did not.

The smaller sect of Sufi Islam makes up about 1% of the religion's overall percentage and is a branch of Sunni Islam. Some theologians define this sect as the mystical dimension of Islam, while other scholars contend Sufi is  "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God". This faction of Islam has been around for over a 1,000 years and the majority of Sufi Muslims can be found in the Middle East, India, and Indonesia.

The spiritual leader of Islam is known as the Imam and is recognized as a exemplar to be emulated. The Imam serves as a leader of prayer and worship in Muslim congregations. However, according to the Shiites, the Imam must be a direct descendant of Muhammad and Ali, the first Imam, and be sinless and infallible (a reincarnation of Allah himself) in his pronouncements on dogma and a sign of Allah’s goodness.

The last Shiite Imam, Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdī , was believed to have disappeared, and will one day return to vindicate his followers during what the Muslims refer to as the "Last Days", Christians ascribe to as the “End Times”, the Jews call the "Messianic Age".

While the Sunnis and Shiites disagree on the fundamental concepts of religious leadership, the Islamic sacred doctrine shares mainly the same congregational beliefs which include: the revealing of Allah to certain humans, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Jesus is respected as a human prophet, but not as a "savior", as the Christian faith believes. And the most characteristic trait of the Muslim is submitting to Allah’s will and to what Fate has decreed.

Five Pillars of Islam

Islam has several branches and much diversity within those branches. The two divisions (as mentioned above) are the Sunni and Shi'a, each of which claims different means of preserving religious authority. One of the unifying characteristics of Islam is known as the Five Pillars (or the fundamental practices of Islam). These five practices include: 1) a ritual profession of faith; 2) ritual prayer; 3) the zakat (charity); 4) fasting; and, 5) the Hajj (a pilgrimage to Mecca). Many Muslims are distinguished by their commitment to praying to Allah five times a day. 

Another defining characteristic of Islam is the primacy of sacred places including Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. All Muslims gather at mosques to worship Allah, pray, and study the scriptures of the Qu'ran. There is no distinction between the religious and secular aspects of life in Islam; all aspects of a Muslim's life are to be oriented to serving Allah.    

Islam originated in the Arabian peninsula, and now has significant influence throughout the entire world. The majority of Muslims are located in Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Africa and Turkey, with a sizable minority established in Europe, China, Russia, Indonesia, and the Americas. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world with close to 1.6 billion followers. (see Islam by country)

To sum up Islam, Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and the purpose of existence is to submit to and serve Allah.