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1. Zakat (Charity): Muslims are required to donate a portion of their wealth (typically 2.5% of their surplus wealth annually) to the poor and needy. This act emphasizes social responsibility and economic justice.  

2. Sawm (Fasting): During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. This practice fosters self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and spiritual reflection.  

3. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. This pilgrimage commemorates significant events in Islamic history and fosters a sense of global Muslim community.  

Beyond the Five Pillars, other core beliefs include:

• Belief in One God (Allah): Islam is strictly monotheistic, emphasizing the absolute uniqueness and sovereignty of God.  

• Belief in Prophets: Muslims believe in a lineage of prophets sent by God throughout history, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, who is considered the final prophet in this line.
• Belief in Angels: Angels are believed to be divine messengers and servants of God.  

• Belief in Holy Books: Muslims revere previous scriptures like the Torah and the Gospels but believe the Quran is the final and most complete revelation of God’s word.  

• Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in a future day when all humanity will be judged by God for their actions in this life, leading to Paradise or Hell.  

• Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar): Muslims believe that God has ultimate knowledge and control over all events, while also acknowledging human free will and responsibility for their choices.  

The Schism After the Death of Prophet Muhammad:

The death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE created a significant crisis for the nascent Muslim community. Muhammad had not explicitly designated a successor, leading to disagreement over who should lead the community (Ummah). This disagreement eventually led to the major schism within Islam, primarily between the Sunnis and the Shia.  

• The Sunni Perspective: The majority of Muslims believed that the leadership should fall to the most capable and pious individual among the Prophet’s companions, chosen through consensus (Shura). They recognized Abu Bakr, a close companion and father-in-law of Muhammad, as the first Caliph (successor). This group later became known as the Sunnis, deriving their name from “Sunnah,” meaning the traditions and practices of the Prophet. They emphasized the importance of the Quran and the Sunnah as the primary sources of Islamic guidance.  

• The Shia Perspective: A smaller group believed that leadership should remain within the Prophet’s family, specifically with his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. They argued that Ali had been divinely appointed or at least was the most rightful heir due to his close relationship with Muhammad. This group became known as the Shia, meaning “partisans” or “followers” of Ali. They emphasized the importance of the Imamate, the belief that divinely inspired leaders from the Prophet’s lineage should guide the community.  

This initial political disagreement over succession gradually evolved into theological and legal differences, solidifying the Sunni-Shia divide that continues to exist today.  

Comparison of the Spread of Islam with the Initial Growth of Christianity and Buddhism:

The initial growth and spread of Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism share some similarities but also exhibit distinct characteristics:

Similarities:

• Charismatic Founders: All three religions originated with a charismatic founder who presented a new message or interpretation of existing spiritual traditions (Muhammad, Jesus, Siddhartha Gautama/Buddha).
• Emphasis on Universalism: While their initial focus might have been on a specific community, all three religions eventually developed a message that transcended ethnic and social boundaries, appealing to a wider audience.
• Use of Sacred Texts: The teachings and beliefs of each religion were eventually codified in sacred texts (Quran, Bible, Tripitaka), which played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating their doctrines.
• Importance of Community: The formation of a strong community of believers was essential for the survival and spread of all three religions. These communities provided support, encouragement, and a framework for practicing the faith.
• Missionary Efforts: While the nature and intensity varied, all three religions saw their followers actively spreading their beliefs through preaching, teaching, and establishing religious institutions.

Differences:

• Initial Political Context: Islam’s initial growth was closely intertwined with the development of a political and military power in the Arabian Peninsula under Muhammad and his immediate successors. This allowed for a relatively rapid territorial expansion alongside the spread of the religion. Christianity and Buddhism, in their early centuries, often existed under the rule of existing empires (Roman and various Indian kingdoms, respectively) and faced periods of persecution or patronage.  

• Role of the State: From its inception, Islam had a strong connection to the state. Muhammad was not only a religious leader but also a political and military figure. This integration of religious and political authority facilitated the spread of Islam through conquest and the establishment of Islamic governance in newly acquired territories. Early Christianity and Buddhism, on the other hand, initially spread more organically through individual conversions and the establishment of monastic orders and missionary networks, often independent of or even in opposition to the ruling powers.  

• Speed of Expansion: Islam experienced a remarkably rapid territorial expansion in its first few centuries, spreading across the Middle East, North Africa, and into parts of Europe and Asia. While Christianity and Buddhism also spread significantly, their initial growth was generally slower and more gradual over several centuries.  

• Nature of Conversion: While all three religions saw both voluntary and sometimes forced conversions, the early Islamic conquests often led to large-scale conversions, though the treatment of conquered populations varied. The spread of early Christianity and Buddhism often relied more on persuasion and the appeal of their doctrines.
• Geographic Focus: Early Christianity spread primarily within the Roman Empire and later into Europe. Early Buddhism spread throughout the Indian subcontinent and then into Central, Southeast, and East Asia. Islam’s initial and rapid expansion focused on the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean world