Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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MUSLIM BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS
Origin
Islam is the second largest religion in the world with over 1 billion followers, in the UK 1,591,000 Muslims (2001 Census). Islam means 'submission to the will of God'. Its followers are known as Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah. Muslims believe its founder; Mohammed (571-632 CE) was the last prophet of the succession of Jewish and Christian prophets. Mohammed was born in Mecca. Over a period of twenty-three years, from the age of forty, through the Angel Gabriel, he received God's revelation, known as the Qur'an (Koran). He preached his message in Mecca, attracted followers, but because of growing resistance from established authorities, he migrated to Medina. This migration is known as the Hijra, the date from which the Muslim calendar begins.
Sects
Muslims are divided into many sects, for political rather than doctrina reasons. Main among them are: Sunni: About 85% Muslims; they recognise the first four 'rightly guided' caliphs and the Qur'an, Sunna, Qiyas and lima as the four sources of law; Shi'as: About 15% Muslims: they believe the revelation was completed in the time of Mohammed and that he instituted a succession of individual Imams (spiritual leaders) within his family, such as Ali and his descendants, and the supreme authority of the Qur'an. Shilas are divided into different sects such as: Ismaili Khojas, Ahmadiyas. Sufis represent a mystical trend in Islam.
Zaidis, Wahhabis, and
Beliefs
Muslims have six main beliefs: Belief in Allah as the one and only God; Belief in angels; Belief in the Qur'an; Belief in the Prophets, Muhammad as the final Prophet; Belief in the Day of Judgement (The day when the life of every human being will be assessed to decide whether they go to heaven or hell), and Belief in Pre-destination.
God: Allah is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent unique God; He is creator and ruler of everything in the Universe. Allah is merciful, just, rewards and punishes fairly; has no shape or form, can't be seen or heard. A believer can approach Allah by praying, and by reciting the Qur'an.
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