Islam
Tags
Humanities
Cegep/1
Word count
166 words
Reading time
2 minutes
Monotheistic religion
Egalitarian, casteless
Theologically simple
No requirement for priests
History
Arrived in South Asia by trade
Spread by trade, conquest, conversion and mostly missionary activity of Sufis
Attracted those marginalized by caste and socio-economic conditions
Influence on South Asia
- Religion
- Inspired the creation of Sikhism
- Inspired the creation of bhakti
- Increased emphasis on monotheism
- Culture
- Miniature painting style
- Architecture
- Qawwali
- Introduction of Persian
- Urdu
- Society
- Increased rejection of the caste system
- Politics
- Centralized government with non-hereditary local representatives
Deities
One god and one prophet Muhammad
Branches
- Shia
- Usually more liberal
- Sunni
- Usually more orthodox
Concepts
Five Pillars
- Belief in God and Muhammad
- Prayer 5 times per day
- Fasting once per year during the month of Ramadan
- Charity
- Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime