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'''Islam''' (Arabic: الإسلام; ''al-'islām'') is ~~a monotheistic religion originating with~~ the Noachite system of Justice (Deen) as named in the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. It is has become the second-largest religion in the world today, with an estimated 1.4 billion adherents, spread across the globe, known as Muslims.<ref>Teece (2005), p.10</ref> Linguistically, Islam means "submission", referring to the total surrender of one's self to God (Arabic: الله, Allāh), and a Muslim is "one who submits (to God)".<ref name="EoI-Islam">"Islam", ''Encyclopaedia of Islam Online''</ref>

Muslims believe that God revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad and that Muhammad is God's final prophet. The Qur'an and the traditions of Muhammad in the Sunnah are regarded as the fundamental sources of Islam.<ref>Ghamidi (2001): [http://www.renaissance.com.pk/JulRefl2y6.html Sources of Islam]</ref><ref>Esposito (1996), p.41</ref> Muslims do not regard Muhammad as the founder of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham, Jesus, Moses, and other prophets part of whose messages had become distorted either in interpretation, textually, or both.<ref>"If…they [Christians] mean that the Qur'an confirms the textual veracity of the scriptural books which they now possess—that is, the Torah and the Gospels—this is something which some Muslims will grant them and which many Muslims will dispute. However, most Muslims will grant them most of that." Ibn Taymiyya cited in Accad (2003)</ref><ref>Esposito (1998), p12 - Esposito (2002b), pp.4-5 - Peters (2003), p.9</ref><ref name="EoI-Muhammad">"Muhammad", ''Encyclopaedia of Islam Online''</ref> Like Judaism, and Christianity, Islam is an Abrahamic religion.<ref>Gregorian (2003), p.ix</ref>

Zakat, or alms-giving, is giving charity to the poor and needy by able Muslims, based on the wealth that one has accumulated. It is a personal responsibility intended to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality.<ref>Ridgeon (2003), p.258</ref> It consists spending a fixed portion of one's wealth for the poor or needy, including people whose hearts need to be reconciled, slaves, those in debt, and travelers. A Muslim may also donate an additional amount as an act of voluntary charity, known as sadaqah, in order to achieve additional divine reward.<ref>"Zakat." ''Encyclopedia of Islam Online''.</ref>

There are two main types of zakat: zakat on traffic, which is a per head payment equivalent to cost of around 2.25 kilograms of the main food of the region (wheat or dates or rice) paid during the month of [[Ramadan ]] by the head of a family for himself and his dependents; and zakat on wealth, which covers: money made in business; savings; income; livestock; gold and silver, and so on.<ref> Jonathan E. Brockopp, Tamara Sonn, Jacob Neusner(2000), p.140 </ref><ref>Levy (1957) p. 150</ref><ref>Jonsson(2006) ,p.244 </ref>

The payment of zakat is an obligation for all Muslims. In current usage it is interpreted as a 2.5% levy on most valuables and savings held for a full lunar year, if the total value is more than a basic minimum known as nisab (3 ounces or 87.48 g of gold). At present (as of 16 October 2006), nisab is approximately US $1,750 or an equivalent amount in any other currency.<ref>Zakat Calculator http://www.ramadhanzone.com/zakat_calculator.asp 2006-10-16</ref>

===Sawm===

Three types of fasting (Sawm) are recognized by the Qur'an: Ritual fasting (e.g. see Quran 2:183-7), fasting as compensation or repentance(e.g. see Quran 2:196), and ascetic fasting(e.g. see Quran 33:35).<ref> Fasting, ''Encyclopedia of the Qur'an'' </ref> Ritual fasting, is an obligatory act during the month of [[Ramadan]], as enjoined in the Qur'an:<ref name=Caesar_1>Farah (1994), pp.144-145</ref>

<blockquote>''O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint'' — Qur'an 2:183</blockquote>

[[Image:Dates.jpeg|right|220 px|right|thumb|Muslims traditionally break their fasts in [[Ramadan ]] with dates, as was the practice (Sunnah) of Muhammad.]]Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to be especially mindful of other sins.<ref name=Caesar_1/> The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness to God, remind them of the needy, express Gratitude to God, atone for their past sins, and realize their frailty and dependence to God.<ref> Esposito, Islam the striaght path (extended edition), p.91 </ref> During [[Ramadan]], Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, harsh language, gossip, and to try to get along with each other better than normal. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. The fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities and its purpose being to cleanse your inner soul, and free it of harm.<ref> Allameh Tabatabaei, Islamic teachings, p.211, p.213 </ref> Fasting during [[Ramadan ]] is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic such as pre-pubescent children; those with a medical condition such as diabetes; elderly people; and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Observing fasts is not allowed for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those in combat, and travelers who intended to spend fewer than five days away from home. Missing fasts usually necessitates that they be made up soon afterwards, although the exact requirements vary according to the circumstance of their abstention.<ref>Khan (2006), p.54</ref><ref>[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_21.html#HEADING20 For whom fasting is mandatory], USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts </ref><ref>Qur'an 2:184</ref><ref>"Islam." Encyclopædia Britannica, Fasting section. </ref>

===Hajj===

[[Image:Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.jpg|right|220 px|thumb|The ''hajj'' to the Kaaba in Mecca is an important practice for Muslims to perform]]

The [[Hajj ]] is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.<ref name=Caesar_2>Farah (1994), pp.145-147</ref> When the pilgrim is around ten kilometers from Mecca he wears ''ihram'' consisting of two white sheets.<ref name=Britannica_india>Hoiberg (2000), pp.237-238</ref> Some of the ritual of Hajj are walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, visiting holy places and sacrificing an animal in commemoration of Ibrahim's sacrifice. Furthermore, it includes throwing seven stones at each of the three pillars symbolizing devil at Mina and cutting (some or all) head’s hairs.<ref name=Britannica_india/>

The pilgrim, or the ''hajji'', is honored in his or her community. For some, this is an incentive to perform the Hajj. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine his or her intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvement.<ref>Goldschmidt (2005), p.48</ref>

[[Image:Eid_Prayers_at_the_Badshahi_Mosque.jpeg|thumb|right|220px|Eid prayers on the holiday of Eid al-Fitr at the Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan. The days of Eid are important occasions on the Islamic calendar.]]

The formal beginning of the Muslim era was chosen to be the Hijra, or migration from Mecca to Medina of Muhammad and his followers because it was regarded as a turning point in the fortunes of Muhammad's movement.<ref name="Peters2"> F.E.Peters(2003), p.67 </ref> It is reported it was caliph Umar who chose this incident to mark the year 1, AH (Anno Hegira) of the Islami calendar<ref>Adil (2002), p.288</ref> corresponding to 622 CE.<ref name="Peters2"/> It is a lunar calendar,<ref name="Peters2"/> but differs from other such calendars (e.g. the Celtic calendar) in that it omits intercalary months, being synchronized only with lunations, but not with the solar year, resulting in years of either 354 or 355 days. Therefore, Islamic dates cannot be converted to the usual CE/AD dates simply by adding 622 years. Islamic holy days fall on fixed dates of the lunar calendar, which means that they occur in different seasons in different years in the Gregorian calendar. The most important festivals in the Islamic calendar are ''Eid Al-Fitr'' (Arabic: عيد الفطر) on the 1<sup>st</sup> of ''Shawwal'', marking the end of the fasting month [[Ramadan]], and ''Eid Al-Adha'' (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) on the 10<sup>th</sup> of ''Dhu al-Hijjah'', coinciding with the pilgrimage to Mecca.<ref>Sunan Abu Da'ud 1134</ref><ref name="cul"/>

===Jihad===

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