text: what is islam?   islam is the religion started by muhammad about 610 ad in the arabian penninsula. muhammad, (who first thought that he had been demon posessed, but was convinced by his first wife, kahdija, that he was visited by gabriel) claimed to have recieved a visit from the angel gabriel, who gave him a revelation from allah. muhammad clamed to be returning to a pure form of worship to the god of abraham, and preached for a return to monotheism. muhammad also claimed to be correcting the errors of judaism and christianity, and to be the final prophet of allah (god), or the "seal of the prophets".  the word "islam" means "submission to allah" in the textbook sense, but in practical terms, really means "submission to allah, the qur'an, and the teachings of muhammad".  islam is the religion, and its practitioners are known as "muslims" (one who submits).  islam has 6 "pillars", but usually only refer to 5 of them, as the 6th is offensive to many (even to many muslims).  1. confession: "there is no god but allah, and muhammad is his prophet" (valid only when spoken in arabic with full conviction). - shahada  2. prayers: 5 (or 3) times daily (highly ritualistic, but there is some freedom to pray in your own way after the ritual prayer is completed). - salat  3. almsgiving: (typically 2 1/2% of your wealth, but this is not a hard and fast rule). - zakat  4. fasting during ramazan (ramadan): (refraining from food, drink, smoking, sex, etc. between 1st and 5th (or 3rd) prayers for the lunar month of ramazan) - sawm  5. pilgrimage: making the trip to mecca for worship at the kaaba once in a lifetime (if it is possible) - hajj  6. struggle: some considerable debate is raging on this pillar, and some even deny that it is a pillar. (some interperet it litterally, and these are the ones who blow up buildings - fundamentalist and devout muslims; some claim it to mean the "internal struggle" or "struggle against evil" - more moderate and devout, but less educated, muslims; others avoid this topic altogether) - jihad.  six beliefs: god (allah), angels/demons (jinn), prophets, holy books, judgement, decree.  the life of muhammad (sunnah - the 'trodden path') - hadith.  qur'an (arabic only).  law (shari'a): (four sources of law: qur'an, sunna (from the hadith), qiyas (analogy), and ijma (consensus).