Islam

Islam was founded at the beginning of the 7th century by Prophet Mohammed and is the youngest of the three monotheistic religions. His followers call themselves Muslims. Islam sees itself as the completion of the Jewish and Christian religion. Mohammed (about 570-632 AD), announced the revelations of the one and only God (Allah) gradually after his 40th birthday, which were sent to him according to Muslim traditions by the Archangel Gabriel. Since Mohammed was not accepted in the then pagan dominated (= belief in many gods) Mecca, he travelled to Yathrib (now Medina) in 622. The emigration is the beginning of the Islamic era. Islam requires from its followers absolute obedience. The Koran is regarded as the direct word of God and is therefore only authentic in Arabic. All translations into other languages are described as just appropriate. In addition to the Quran Muslims regard the Sunnah as a source of law and rule which tells the tradition of Muhammad's life and work. An important part of the Sunnah, the Hadiths are a collection of Muhammad’s sayings and comments.