Questions & answers

They are the five acts of worship at the heart of every Muslim's life: the declaration of faith that there is no god but God and Muhammad is His messenger; five daily prayers; giving charity (zakah, about 2.5% of one's savings each year) to people in need; fasting during the month of Ramadan; and the pilgrimage to Makkah (hajj) once in a lifetime for those who are able. Together they keep a Muslim mindful of God every day, every year and across a whole life.

Read more in The Five Pillars of Islam.

Jihad is an Arabic word meaning "striving" or "struggling." Most often it means the everyday effort to be a better person: resisting selfishness, controlling anger, studying, caring for family and standing up for what is right. Islam does allow armed struggle in limited cases, such as self-defense or ending oppression, but only under strict rules: it must be declared by legitimate authority, and harming civilians, women, children, the elderly or places of worship is forbidden. "Holy war" is not an Islamic term, and terrorism is condemned in Islam.

Read more in Jihad Explained.

Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born in Makkah, Arabia, around the year 570, and was known even before prophethood as "al-Amin," the trustworthy. At about age forty he began receiving the revelation of the Quran, and he spent the rest of his life teaching people to worship the one God and to live with justice, mercy and honesty. Muslims believe he was the last in the line of prophets that includes Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. He was a man and a messenger, not divine, and Muslims do not worship him.

Read more in A Brief Biography of Muhammad.

Muslim women who wear the hijab do so first as an act of devotion, because the Quran asks believing women to dress modestly. Many also describe it as a sign of identity and dignity: it asks the world to value them for their character and mind rather than their appearance. Modesty in dress and behavior is asked of Muslim men too, and the Quran is clear that there is "no compulsion in religion," so wearing the hijab is meant to be a sincere choice.

Read more in Hijab: Unveiling the Mystery.

Fasting in Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. From dawn to sunset, healthy adult Muslims go without food and drink, and try even harder to avoid gossip, anger and wrongdoing. The Quran says fasting was prescribed "as it was prescribed to those before you," so that we may grow in self-restraint and mindfulness of God. It also builds empathy for people who go hungry. People who are sick, traveling, pregnant or elderly are excused, and the month ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

Read more in Ramadan: The Month of Fasting.

Yes. Muslims respect and love Jesus as one of God's greatest messengers. The Quran affirms his miraculous birth to the Virgin Mary and his miracles, and Mary is honored as one of the most exalted women of all creation. A Muslim cannot be a Muslim without believing in Jesus.

Read more in What Do Muslims Think About Jesus.

No. "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for God, the same word Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use in their prayers and Bibles. Muslims worship the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and believe He is one, without partner, son or equal.

Read more in The One True God.

The word Islam has a two-fold meaning: peace, and submission to God. A Muslim is someone who freely and consciously chooses to submit to the one God, and through that submission finds peace in the heart, which in turn shapes how they treat others.

Read more in Definition of Islam.