Islam
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
India's second-largest religion. Islam reached the Malabar coast with Arab traders in its early centuries and India today has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.
| Followers (Census 2011) | 17,22,45,158 (14.23%) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Founded in Arabia in the 7th century CE; reached the west coast of India with Arab traders, and spread further from the 8th century onwards |
Main festivals
- Eid ul-Fitr
- Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid)
- Muharram
- Milad-un-Nabi
- Shab-e-Barat
- Urs at Sufi shrines
Places of worship and pilgrimage
Underlined names open their own page.
Key beliefs and practices
- Tawhid: belief in one God (Allah).
- Muhammad is the final Prophet, and the Quran is God's word revealed to him.
- The five pillars: declaration of faith (shahada), five daily prayers (salah), giving to those in need (zakat), fasting in Ramadan (sawm) and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) for those able.
- Belief in angels, earlier prophets, the Day of Judgement and the life hereafter.
- Indian Muslims include Sunni and Shia communities; Sufi traditions of the Chishti and other orders have deeply shaped Indian music, poetry and culture.