What Is Islam?
Quick Answer
Islam is one of the world's largest religions, with nearly 2 billion followers called Muslims. Muslims believe in one God, called Allah in Arabic, and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Their holy book is the Quran, and they practice their faith through prayer, charity, fasting, and other acts of worship.
Explaining By Age Group
Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation
You know how some of your friends or neighbors might do things a little differently from your family? Some people follow a religion called Islam, and those people are called Muslims. There are almost 2 billion Muslims in the world, which means a LOT of people!
Muslims believe in one God. In Arabic, the language the religion started in, God is called Allah. Muslims believe God sent a special messenger named Muhammad to teach people how to live a good and kind life.
Muslims have a holy book called the Quran. It is very special to them and they treat it with great care. The Quran teaches them to be kind, to share with people who need help, and to pray to God.
Muslims pray five times every day! They face a special city called Mecca and talk to God. They also have a holiday called Eid where families get together, eat yummy food, and give presents. It is a really happy time!
Ages 6-8 More Detail
Islam is one of the biggest religions in the world, with nearly 2 billion followers. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. You probably know some Muslims, maybe a classmate, a neighbor, or a friend's family.
Muslims believe in one God, which they call Allah in Arabic. They believe that God sent many messengers to teach people how to live, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but that the last and most important messenger was the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad lived about 1,400 years ago in what is now Saudi Arabia.
The holy book of Islam is the Quran. Muslims believe it contains the exact words of God, spoken to Muhammad through an angel. They treat the Quran with great respect and often learn to read it in Arabic, even if Arabic is not their first language.
There are five main things Muslims try to do, often called the Five Pillars of Islam. They believe in one God and Muhammad as God's messenger. They pray five times a day. They give money to help the poor. They fast during a month called Ramadan. And if they are able, they try to make a trip to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their life.
Muslims worship in a building called a mosque. Inside a mosque, you will find beautiful patterns and decorations, but usually no pictures of people or animals. Muslims take off their shoes before entering and pray on mats or carpeted floors, bowing toward the city of Mecca.
Islam teaches kindness, honesty, and taking care of your family and neighbors. Muslims celebrate holidays like Eid al-Fitr, which comes at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which celebrates willingness to obey God. These holidays are full of food, family, and giving.
Ages 9-12 Full Explanation
Islam is the world's second-largest religion, with nearly 2 billion followers called Muslims. The word Islam comes from an Arabic word meaning "peace" and "submission to God." Muslims live on every continent, but the largest populations are in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia. Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia, actually has the most Muslims of any country in the world.
Muslims believe in one God, called Allah in Arabic. They believe God sent many prophets over thousands of years to guide humanity, including well-known figures like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. However, Muslims believe the final prophet was Muhammad, who was born in Mecca (in modern-day Saudi Arabia) around the year 570. Muhammad received messages from God through the Angel Gabriel, and these messages were collected into the Quran, Islam's holy book.
The practice of Islam is built on what are called the Five Pillars. First is the declaration of faith: there is no god but God, and Muhammad is God's messenger. Second is prayer five times a day, facing Mecca. Third is giving to charity, usually a percentage of your savings each year. Fourth is fasting from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan. Fifth is making a pilgrimage to Mecca, called the Hajj, at least once in your life if you are physically and financially able.
Like Christianity, Islam has different branches. The two main ones are Sunni and Shia. About 85 to 90 percent of Muslims are Sunni. The split happened over a disagreement about who should lead the Muslim community after Muhammad died. While Sunni and Shia Muslims share the same core beliefs and read the same Quran, they have some different traditions and practices.
Islam has contributed enormously to world culture and knowledge. During the Middle Ages, Muslim scholars made groundbreaking advances in math, science, medicine, and art while much of Europe was in a period of less progress. The number system we use today, including the concept of zero, came to Europe through Muslim mathematicians. Beautiful mosques with domes and minarets are some of the most stunning buildings in the world.
If you have Muslim classmates, you might notice them praying at certain times, not eating during the daytime in Ramadan, or avoiding certain foods like pork. These are all ways they practice their faith. Getting to know what Islam actually teaches is a great way to understand and respect your neighbors, because Islam, at its heart, is about peace, generosity, and devotion to God.
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Tips for Parents
Islam can be a challenging topic to discuss with your child. Here are some practical tips to help guide the conversation:
DO: Follow your child's lead. Let them ask questions at their own pace rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for yet. If they seem satisfied with a simple answer, that's okay — they'll come back with more questions when they're ready.
DO: Use honest, age-appropriate language. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid making up stories or deflecting. Kids can sense when you're being evasive, and honesty builds trust.
DO: Validate their feelings. Whatever emotion your child has in response to learning about islam, acknowledge it. Say things like 'It makes sense that you'd feel that way' or 'That's a really good question.'
DON'T: Don't dismiss their curiosity. Responses like 'You're too young for that' or 'Don't worry about it' can make children feel like their questions are wrong or shameful. If you're not ready to answer, say 'That's an important question. Let me think about the best way to explain it, and we'll talk about it tonight.'
DO: Create an ongoing dialogue. One conversation usually isn't enough. Let your child know that they can always come back to you with more questions about islam. This makes them more likely to come to you rather than seeking potentially unreliable sources.
Common Follow-Up Questions Kids Ask
After discussing islam, your child might also ask:
What is the difference between Islam and Christianity?
Both Islam and Christianity believe in one God and share some of the same prophets, including Abraham and Jesus. The main difference is that Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, while Muslims believe Jesus was a great prophet but not God's son. Muslims follow the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad, while Christians follow the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.
Why do Muslims pray five times a day?
Muslims pray five times a day because they believe God asked them to. The prayers happen at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and night. Each prayer takes only a few minutes and is a way for Muslims to stay connected to God throughout the entire day, not just once a week.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning they do not eat or drink during the daytime. It is a time for getting closer to God, being extra kind, and thinking about people who do not have enough food. At the end of Ramadan, there is a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr.
What is a mosque like?
A mosque is the place where Muslims go to pray and worship together. Mosques are often beautifully decorated with patterns and calligraphy. People take off their shoes before entering and pray on the floor facing Mecca. Many mosques also serve as community centers where people gather, learn, and help each other.
Do Muslim women have to wear a headscarf?
Some Muslim women wear a headscarf called a hijab as part of their faith, believing God asked them to dress modestly. Others choose not to wear one. It varies by family, culture, and personal choice. In some countries it is required by law, while in most countries it is a personal decision.
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