There are two main sects of Islam, the Sunni and Shi"ite. The origin of the Shi"ite and Sunni dates back to the death of Muhammed in 632 AD. Because Muhammed didn't select a successor, a split occurred in the Arab world. There was a choice between Muhammed's nephew and son-in-law, Ali and the clan leader Hanefi. Hanefi murdered Ali's son and this triggered a separation between the people (Shia, 1).
In Shism, the senior imam (religious leader) makes the decisions on questions regarding the interpretation of the Koran (Holy Book). In Sunnism those decisions are taken by four senior imams, who are based at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo. ".
Where did Islam come from?.
Islam is the last of the world's great religions to arise. It rose from Christianity and Judaism, and believes in one God, Allah. Many prophets from Judaism and Christianity are also prophets in Islam, including Jesus, who is considered the next to last prophet. Muhammed is the last (Baralt, 69).
Throughout history, the people of Arabia lived in small villages or wondered as flock tending nomads. They followed many different religious practices, most based on animism, the belief in gods identified with either animals or objects, or tribal myths (Baralt, 69). .
Guidelines of Islam.
The main points of Islam are called the "Five Pillars of Faith":.
1. Shahadah (Kemal, 26) - "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammed is his Prophet." .
This is a declaration of faith.
2. Salat (Kemal, 26) - Muslims are to formally pray in the direction of Mecca, the most holy of cities to a Muslim. This is where Mohummed began the Islam faith. Muslims are called to pray five times a day, and they wash their hands, feet, and face before each prayer.
3. Zakat - Muslims are to give alms to the poor, either directly or through their mosque. .
4. Saum - During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Mulsim lunar year, believers fast from sunup to sundown.
5. Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca is expected at least once in a lifetime (Orr, 91).