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The religion of Islam (a word which means "to submit", connoting submission to Allah through his prophet) was founded by Muhammed in c. 610 C.E., primarily as a reaction to disillusionment with the traditions of various Arabian clans in the early 600's C.E. A syncretization of Arabian mythology and Hellenic religion, Islam came into being when Muhammed recieved new revelation from Allah, and claimed to continue to string of prophetic revelation which began in Judaism and continued through Christianity, culminating in Islam.
The new revelation recieved by Muhammed is contained within the Koran, the sacred writings of the Islamic religion. Muhammed and his followers make the claim that the Koran is a deriviation of a heavenly Book that is with God, and that this Book has been revealed partially within Judaism and Christianity as well. The Koran is supreme revelation from God, and is the final spiritual and legal authority for life. Translations of the Koran are distortions--the true revelation is only contained in the Arabic, since it is dictation from Allah and does not contain any words that originate from men.
The existential premise of Islam is that people live in moral and spiritual darkness, and are incapable of themselves of seeing or knowing what is right or wrong, or of knowing God. Therefore, God, or Allah, must reveal himself, and this he does through prophets who speak his words and give humanity direction. Revelation is necessary in order for men and women to live rightly before Allah, and in proper relation to each other. Allah previously revealed himself through various prophets, as evidenced in the Jewish Old Testament, including Moses and others, then through Christ, as evidenced in the New Testament. Islam teaches that he now reveals himself primarily through his prophet Muhammed, and in order to submit to that revelation and be saved, one must accept Allah as the one and only God, and Muhammed as His prophet.
In accordance with this acceptance of revelation through the prophet Muhammed, the Muslim is taught to believe in the sacred writing, the Koran, confess the creed, pray every day, fast and give alms. These are necessary aspects of living in submission to Allah. A Muslim must live according to what is taught in the Koran in communion with other Muslims.
There are three general types of Muslims, including the Shi'ite, which are considered to be more traditional and militant (comprising 14% of all Muslims); the Sumni, considered more reformed and less militant (comprising about 85% of all Muslims); and the Sufis. The Sufis are not considered to be true Muslims by some; they are a mystical and more experiential branch, known for the enlightenment sought through the practice of an intricate dance known as a "swirling dervish".
The emphasis of Islam on the existence of a personal God who is not merely a magnified man, but a creative force who reveals Himself in space and time, places the religion of Islam firmly in the major Western religous traditions. Other aspects of the Islam religion include strict laws for living an orderly life, the use of deductive reasoning in problem solving in accordance with the revelation contained within the dicatated revelation of the Koran.
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