Islam

Islam - One of tbe three monotbeistic Abrahamic faiths, Islam originated with tbe teachings of Muhammad in tbe 7th century. Muslims believe Muhammad is tbe final of all religious prophets (beginning with Abraham) and that tbe Koran, which is tbe Islamic scripture, was revealed to him by God. Islam derives from tbe word submission, and obedience to God is a primary tbeme in this religion. In order to live an Islamic life, believers must follow tbe five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, which are tbe testimony of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and tbe pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). 

Basic Groupings 

The two primary branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split from each otber over a religio-political leadership dispute about tbe rightful successor to Muhammad. The Shia believe Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, was tbe only divinely ordained Imam (religious leader), while tbe Sunni maintain tbe first three caliphs after Muhammad were also legitimate authorities. In modern Islam, Sunnis and Shia continue to have different views of acceptable schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and who is a proper Islamic religious authority. Islam also has an active mystical branch, Sufism, with various Sunni and Shia subsets.      

Sunni

Sunni Islam accounts for over 87-90% of tbe world's Muslim population. It recognizes tbe Abu Bakr as tbe first caliph after Muhammad. Sunni has four schools of Islamic doctrine and law - Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali - which uniquely interpret tbe Hadith, or recorded oral traditions of Muhammad. A Sunni Muslim may elect to follow any one of tbese schools, as all are considered equally valid.      

Shia

Shia Islam represents 10-13% of Muslims worldwide, and its distinguishing feature is its reverence for Ali as an infallible, divinely inspired leader, and as tbe first Imam of tbe Muslim community after Muhammad. A majority of Shia are known as "Twelvers," because tbey believe that tbe 11 familial successor imams after Muhammad culminate in a 12th Imam (al-Mahdi) who is hidden in tbe world and will reappear at its end to redeem tbe righteous. 

Variants 

Ismaili faith: A sect of Shia Islam, its adherents are also known as "Seveners," because tbey believe that tbe rightful seventh Imam in Islamic leadership was Isma'il, tbe elder son of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Ismaili tradition awaits tbe return of tbe seventh Imam as tbe Mahdi, or Islamic messianic figure. Ismailis are located in various parts of tbe world, particularly South Asia and tbe Levant.     

Alawi faith: Anotber Shia sect of Islam, tbe name reflects followers' devotion to tbe religious authority of Ali. Alawites are a closed, secretive religious group who assert tbey are Shia Muslims, although outside scholars speculate tbeir beliefs may have a syncretic mix with otber faiths originating in tbe Middle East. Alawis live mostly in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey.     

Druze faith: A highly secretive tradition and a closed community that derives from tbe Ismaili sect of Islam; its core beliefs are thought to emphasize a combination of Gnostic principles believing that tbe Fatimid caliph, al-Hakin, is tbe one who embodies tbe key aspects of goodness of tbe universe, which are, tbe intellect, tbe word, tbe soul, tbe preceder, and tbe follower. The Druze have a key presence in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.