The History of Islam
In the religion of Islam there is only one god they worship. This god is named Muhammad, Muhammad was born around 600 years after Jesus. Muhammad lived in the city of Mecca in the land of Arabia which is now Saudi Arabia. At that time, the people of Arabia did not believe in a single god or goddess, they believed in many gods or goddess' which they worshiped in a statue form called idols. Desert tribes and merchants traveled from all around Mecca , Arabia's holy city. They all met there to worship in many gods or goddess'. Muhammad was a successful merchant but he was not happy with the life in Mecca. He believed that the people in Mecca were not grateful and that they cared to much about money, gambling and that they drank to much . Muhammad also wondered about the idols they worshiped he questioned what the true religion was. Muhhamed prayed in a desert cave asking for answers. Finally one day, Muhammad's questions were answered, when Muhammad was about forty years old he heard a voice that told him to "recite". Muhhamad was very confused and scared so he rushed home to tell his wife, Kadijah. Kadijah and other family members told him that he was going to be a phrophet. For the next twenty years Muhammad heard the voice, and he thought that it was the angel Gabriel giving him messages from Allah. Allah is the chief god of many gods and goddess' which the Arabs worshiped. The voice said that Allah was the all powerful one and only god. Muhammad attempted to share his messages with the people of Mecca,but they didn't listen because Muhammad was telling them that they should stop gambling, fighting and drinking, he was also telling them how they should live their lives. One reason why the people of Mecca didn't listen was because most merchants made a lot of money selling religious articles and idols. Muhammad was pelted with dirt and stones and was threatened with death. In the year 622 Muhammad went to Medina, a city north of Mecca. They people there were very different, they were eager to listen to what Muhammad was telling them and they soon worshiped Allah. There they made the first Mosque [which is the Islamic house of worship]. Soon after, Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca and destroyed the idols and took over the city. There they also made a mosque and dedicated it to Allah.
Islam in our World Today
The followers of Islam are called Muslims. By the time Muhammad died, all of Arabia had followed Allah. Muhammad taught in poetic language that he thought came directly from Allah. Muhammed could not write this language, however the followers of Islam wrote the revalations on many different kinds of things. Later, these writings were put into a holy book called the Koran.The Koran has stories from Islam, Judaism and even Christianity. Muslims believe In five duties which is called the five pillars of Islam. These pillars tell Muslims how to live their lives and what is right and what is wrong. Only Mulims are allowed to enter Mecca and there they all unite together from all around the world to go to the holy city. There, they share there love and worship for the one and only all powerful god, Allah.