Topic
The essentials
The big picture: what Islam is, who Muslims are, and how to begin learning without any background.
Guides
What is Islam?
One God, a meaningful life, and a responsibility to care for others. An introduction to the heart of Islam.
4 min readThe essentialsSunni and Shia: what is shared, what differs.
A fair introduction to the two largest Muslim traditions, their common ground, and their real differences.
3 min readThe essentialsIslam through history: a short overview.
From seventh-century Arabia to a global community of nearly two billion: the main chapters, briefly.
3 min readQuestions & answers
Is Islam only for Arabs?
Islam is a faith, not an ethnicity. Its message is addressed to people of every background.
Read the answer Getting startedDoes faith have to be a free choice?
Learning about a religion should leave room for reflection and honest questions.
Read the answer Getting startedDo all Muslims practise in the same way?
Shared foundations coexist with diverse traditions, interpretations, and cultures.
Read the answer Getting startedWhat is the difference between Islam and Muslim?
Islam is the faith; a Muslim is a person who follows it.
Read the answer Getting startedCan I visit a mosque if I’m not Muslim?
Many mosques welcome curious visitors. Check local arrangements and ask a host what to expect.
Read the answer Getting startedHow many Muslims are there, and where do they live?
Close to two billion, about a quarter of the world, most of them in Asia and Africa.
Read the answer Getting startedWhat is the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
They share the core of Islam and differ chiefly over who should have led the community after the Prophet.
Read the answer Getting startedWhat is a mosque, and what happens there?
A mosque is a place of prayer and community. The Arabic word masjid means a place of prostration.
Read the answer Getting startedWhat is an imam?
In everyday use, the person who leads prayer and often teaches in a mosque; in Shia Islam the word also has a deeper meaning.
Read the answer Getting startedIs Islam a new religion?
Historically it emerged in the seventh century; Muslims understand it as the renewal of the faith of all the prophets.
Read the answer Getting startedHow can I talk with a Muslim friend about their faith?
Ask open questions, listen to their own experience, and don’t make them a spokesperson for everyone.
Read the answer