Islam
Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad in 7th-century Arabia, and is the second-largest religion in the world by number of adherents.
Muslims believe that the Quran, Islam's central religious text, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over approximately 23 years, beginning around 610 CE.
Central to Islamic practice are the Five Pillars: the declaration of faith, five daily prayers, charitable giving, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) at least once for those who are able.
Islam spread rapidly across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia and Europe within a century of its founding, and today has over 1.9 billion adherents worldwide, with major branches including Sunni and Shia Islam.
