Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion, founded by the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the world's major religions, with over a billion followers globally, known as Muslims. Islam is based on the belief in one God, Allah, and the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims consider to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to Muhammad.
Central to Islam are the Five Pillars, which serve as the foundation of faith and practice for Muslims:
1. Shahada (Declaration of Faith): The testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.
2. Salat (Prayer): The performance of five obligatory prayers each day, facing the Kaaba in Mecca, at prescribed times.
3. Zakat (Almsgiving): The giving of a portion of one's wealth to those in need, usually calculated as a percentage of one's savings.
4. Sawm (Fasting): The observance of fasting during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until.