Islam is one of the world's major religions, founded in the 7th century by the prophet Muhammad in what is now Saudi Arabia. People who practice Islam are called Muslims, and they believe in one God, whom they call Allah (the Arabic word for God). Muslims follow the teachings of the Quran, their holy book, which they believe contains God's words as revealed to Muhammad.

Islam shares some history and beliefs with Judaism and Christianity. All three religions trace their roots back to Abraham, and Muslims honor many of the same prophets, including Moses and Jesus, though they view Muhammad as God's final prophet.

The Five Pillars of Islam form the core of Muslim practice: declaring faith in God, praying five times daily, giving to charity, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once if possible. These practices help Muslims express their devotion and stay connected to their faith community.

Today, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over 1.8 billion followers living in countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. While Muslims share core beliefs, they express their faith in diverse ways shaped by different cultures, languages, and local traditions. The two largest branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split early in Islamic history over questions of leadership in the Muslim community.