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'''Ismailis''' are a Shi'a branch sometimes called "seveners" as opposed to "twelvers" for the main (Jafari) Shi'a group; the Jafari list twelve Imams (spiritual leaders) but the Ismaili recognise only the first seven of those and have a different lineage after that. Today there are about 15 million '''Nizari Ismailis''' (who consider the Aga Khan the 49th Imam) mainly in the [[Indian Subcontinent]], plus a few smaller Ismaili groups, such as the '''Druze''' in the [[Levant]].
'''Ismailis''' are a Shi'a branch sometimes called "seveners" as opposed to "twelvers" for the main (Jafari) Shi'a group; the Jafari list twelve Imams (spiritual leaders) but the Ismaili recognise only the first seven of those and have a different lineage after that. Today there are about 15 million '''Nizari Ismailis''' (who consider the Aga Khan the 49th Imam) mainly in the [[Indian Subcontinent]], plus a few smaller Ismaili groups, such as the '''Druze''' in the [[Levant]].
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Perhaps the best-known Ismaili is Hasan-i Sabbah, who was educated in [[Samarkand]] with Omar Khayyam as a classmate and later led a Persian revolt against the Seljuk Turks. There are many rather
colourful
stories about him, and the English words "hashish" and "assassin" are both derived from his name. His fortress at Alamut, near [[Qazvin]] is now a tourist attraction.
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Perhaps the best-known Ismaili is Hasan-i Sabbah, who was educated in [[Samarkand]] with Omar Khayyam as a classmate and later led a Persian revolt against the Seljuk Turks. There are many rather
colorful
stories about him, and the English words "hashish" and "assassin" are both derived from his name. His fortress at Alamut, near [[Qazvin]] is now a tourist attraction.
'''Salafi''' is a fundamentalist Sunni movement; the name comes from ''salaf'', meaning predecessors, referring to the idea that Muhammad and his early followers are the model for genuine Islam. Salafists call for a return to the fundamentals of Islam — the ''Qur'an'' and Hadith — and to Islamic Sharia Law. Salafists are adamantly opposed to such things as reverence for saints, the creation of shrines, and carrying amulets for luck or protection; they consider all of these as later innovations which pollute the original pure Islam.
'''Salafi''' is a fundamentalist Sunni movement; the name comes from ''salaf'', meaning predecessors, referring to the idea that Muhammad and his early followers are the model for genuine Islam. Salafists call for a return to the fundamentals of Islam — the ''Qur'an'' and Hadith — and to Islamic Sharia Law. Salafists are adamantly opposed to such things as reverence for saints, the creation of shrines, and carrying amulets for luck or protection; they consider all of these as later innovations which pollute the original pure Islam.
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#Faith (''Shahada'') — Shahada is a testimony, a declaration of faith in the religion and trusting that there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger (in Arabic, ''La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasullulah''). Recitation of this statement of faith is the most common declaration of faith for all Muslims, and the Arabic calligraphy for it is frequently found on modern Islamic flags such as of Saudi Arabia or Iraq. Militant Islamist organizations such as Al Qaeda, Taliban and others also use this creed on their flags, but there is nothing fundamentally militant about this central statement of Islamic faith. Saying the Shahada three times in front of two adult Muslim witnesses and sincerely meaning it is considered sufficient for a conversion to Islam by many Muslims.
#Faith (''Shahada'') — Shahada is a testimony, a declaration of faith in the religion and trusting that there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger (in Arabic, ''La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasullulah''). Recitation of this statement of faith is the most common declaration of faith for all Muslims, and the Arabic calligraphy for it is frequently found on modern Islamic flags such as of Saudi Arabia or Iraq. Militant Islamist organizations such as Al Qaeda, Taliban and others also use this creed on their flags, but there is nothing fundamentally militant about this central statement of Islamic faith. Saying the Shahada three times in front of two adult Muslim witnesses and sincerely meaning it is considered sufficient for a conversion to Islam by many Muslims.
#Prayer (''Salah'') — Salah is Islamic prayer. Muslims pray five times daily, facing the Kaaba in Mecca. The practice of Salah can be done anywhere, but it is mostly done at mosques and for that good reason, mosques and smaller prayer halls have been created in every town in every Muslim-majority country. The prayers include some specific movements including bowing. On Fridays, Muslim men are expected to pray at a mosque; Muslim women are not obligated to go to the mosque but frequently do.
#Prayer (''Salah'') — Salah is Islamic prayer. Muslims pray five times daily, facing the Kaaba in Mecca. The practice of Salah can be done anywhere, but it is mostly done at mosques and for that good reason, mosques and smaller prayer halls have been created in every town in every Muslim-majority country. The prayers include some specific movements including bowing. On Fridays, Muslim men are expected to pray at a mosque; Muslim women are not obligated to go to the mosque but frequently do.
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#Charity (''Zakat'') — Zakat is charity that every Muslim, based on their wealth, is required by Islamic law to do annually. Usually money is given to charity
organisations
as well as to needy people.
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#Charity (''Zakat'') — Zakat is charity that every Muslim, based on their wealth, is required by Islamic law to do annually. Usually money is given to charity
organizations
as well as to needy people.
#Fasting (''Sawm'') — Sawm is ritual fasting that is obligatory for Muslims to do during the month of [[Travelling during Ramadan|Ramadan]]. Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk during this month, and mostly engage in prayers and contemplation.
#Fasting (''Sawm'') — Sawm is ritual fasting that is obligatory for Muslims to do during the month of [[Travelling during Ramadan|Ramadan]]. Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk during this month, and mostly engage in prayers and contemplation.
#Pilgrimage (''Hajj'') — Once in a lifetime, Muslims are required to go to Mecca on a pilgrimage if they can afford the travelling, financially and physically. It is not at all uncommon to have an entire village collect funds for one of their inhabitants to go to Mecca "in their stead".
#Pilgrimage (''Hajj'') — Once in a lifetime, Muslims are required to go to Mecca on a pilgrimage if they can afford the travelling, financially and physically. It is not at all uncommon to have an entire village collect funds for one of their inhabitants to go to Mecca "in their stead".
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* [[Jerusalem]] While not a majority-Muslim city, it is considered one of three holiest sites in Islam and its Arab name "al Quds" is used with longing and veneration.
* [[Jerusalem]] While not a majority-Muslim city, it is considered one of three holiest sites in Islam and its Arab name "al Quds" is used with longing and veneration.
* [[Istanbul]] Formerly Constantinople, it was spiritual and political center of one of the biggest Muslim empires, the [[Ottoman Empire]], and features one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of Islam, the tomb of Mohammed's standard bearer Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, who died and was buried here during the first siege of Constantinople in the 8th century. The Eyüp mosque stands on the shore of the [[Istanbul/Golden Horn|Golden Horn]], outside the Old City walls. Inside them, there are several beautiful Imperial mosques, some of Byzantine origins.
* [[Istanbul]] Formerly Constantinople, it was spiritual and political center of one of the biggest Muslim empires, the [[Ottoman Empire]], and features one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of Islam, the tomb of Mohammed's standard bearer Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, who died and was buried here during the first siege of Constantinople in the 8th century. The Eyüp mosque stands on the shore of the [[Istanbul/Golden Horn|Golden Horn]], outside the Old City walls. Inside them, there are several beautiful Imperial mosques, some of Byzantine origins.
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* [[Urfa#Go next|Harran]] (Turkey) — while nowadays better known for its rural feel and traditional "beehive" houses, this village was one of the earliest
centres
of Islamic learning, where classical knowledge of astronomy, philosophy, natural sciences and medicine was translated from Greek into Arabic (usually through Syriac with the help of local Assyrians). The ruins of an ancient Islamic university exist. Nearby [[Urfa]] is also rich in Islamic architecture and myths associated with Abraham.
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* [[Urfa#Go next|Harran]] (Turkey) — while nowadays better known for its rural feel and traditional "beehive" houses, this village was one of the earliest
centers
of Islamic learning, where classical knowledge of astronomy, philosophy, natural sciences and medicine was translated from Greek into Arabic (usually through Syriac with the help of local Assyrians). The ruins of an ancient Islamic university exist. Nearby [[Urfa]] is also rich in Islamic architecture and myths associated with Abraham.
==Respect==
==Respect==
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===Islamic art===
===Islamic art===
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A common characteristic of much Islamic art is that they avoid depicting humans, and in some traditions also animals, in artwork. The injunction "''Thou shalt make no graven images''" is found in the ''Qur'an'', as it is in the Bible, and Muslims often give it a strict interpretation. As a result, art that uses a combination of geometric designs and
stylised
plant motifs is typical of Islamic art. In particular, most Muslims consider any depictions of the Prophet Mohammed to be forbidden. That said, there are many beautiful examples of historical [[Iran|Persian]] and [[India|Mughal]] paintings that include images of people and animals in gardens and other landscapes.
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A common characteristic of much Islamic art is that they avoid depicting humans, and in some traditions also animals, in artwork. The injunction "''Thou shalt make no graven images''" is found in the ''Qur'an'', as it is in the Bible, and Muslims often give it a strict interpretation. As a result, art that uses a combination of geometric designs and
stylized
plant motifs is typical of Islamic art. In particular, most Muslims consider any depictions of the Prophet Mohammed to be forbidden. That said, there are many beautiful examples of historical [[Iran|Persian]] and [[India|Mughal]] paintings that include images of people and animals in gardens and other landscapes.
A typical technique in Islamic art is to use highly decorative forms of Arabic lettering in calligraphy of ''Qur'an'' inscriptions and other holy names and phrases, especially the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, either by themselves or in combination with geometric designs.
A typical technique in Islamic art is to use highly decorative forms of Arabic lettering in calligraphy of ''Qur'an'' inscriptions and other holy names and phrases, especially the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, either by themselves or in combination with geometric designs.