Muslims in Europe: - International Institute - University of Michigan

10. Size of Group:
According to John Esposito's recently published book, The Oxford History of Islam, Islam has
approximately 1.2 billion followers. It is the second largest and fastest growing religion in the
world. 29
II. Beliefs and Practices of Islam
"Islam is a religion based upon the surrender to God who is one. The very name of the religion,
al-Islam in Arabic means at once submission and peace, for it is in submitting to God's will that
human beings gain peace in their lives in their world and in the hereafter. The message of Islam
concerns God, who in Arabic is called Allah, and it addresses itself to humanity's most profound
nature. It concerns men and women as they were created by God -- not as fallen beings. Islam
therefore considers itself to be not an innovation but a re-assertion of the universal truth of all
revelation which is God's oneness." 30
In order for Muslims to submit themselves to Allah and reassert their faith in Islam, there are
various practices and beliefs that each Muslim should follow. Islam for Muslims isn't just a
belief; it is a way of life. What they believe, dictates how they should live for Allah. The
following are generally accepted practices; however, each sect and subgroup may adapt them to
fulfill their own beliefs.
Shari'a:
This is "a sacred law to guide Muslims in all times and places. It establishes the context for Islam
as a political force. Where the Qu'ran may be seen as the constitution of Islam, the Shari'a is the
corpus of laws that explicates it." 31
The Shari'a is essentially what unites all the diverse communities of Islam. It is the core of how
to be a Muslim regardless of your sect or subgroup. However, in the contemporary world, the
Shari'a has come under much debate as to how it can and/or should be re-interpreted in order to
adapt to the modern era.
Five Pillars of Islam : these are obligations of every Muslim that uphold the structure of Islam. 32
1. tashahhud - Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of
Muhammad;
2. salat -Five-times-daily prayers. Starting at just before sunrise, just after noon, midafternoon,
just after sunset, and after nightfall;
3. zakat - Concern for almsgiving to the needy;
4. sawm -Self-purification through fasting. This usually done from before sunrise to sunset each
day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar;
5. hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able.
Sunna :
"The combination of the Hadith and the Qu'ran interpreted as the way of life of the Prophet that
Muslims take as their model or code of Muslim Orthodoxy." 33 44