An Islam Primer Everything you always wanted to know, from
Islam's 'golden age' to the meaning of 'jihad.' Islam is the
second-largest religion in the world. Religion estimated
followers: There are two main branches of Islam: Largest Muslim
populations (in millions) by Country Number of Muslims:
Followers of Islam share a core of basic beliefs on which they
base their daily lives. ("shahadah," in Arabic) - "There is no
deity but Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger." Followers
repeat this phrase several times a day to remind themselves of
God's central position in their lives. ("salah") - Muslims are
required to pray formally five time a day-at dawn, midday,
afternoon, evening and night. ("zakah") - Muslims pay a
specified amount of money, typically 2.5 percent of their
accumulated wealth each year, to assist the poor and sick.
("sawn") - During the monthlong Ramadan, Muslims are to refrain
from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activities from dawn
to sunset. ("hajj") - Islam requires every believer to ma