Islam: The Fundamentals

Explanation: Islam is based on five pillars: the profession of faith (shahada), prayer (salat), almsgiving (zakat), fasting during Ramadan (sawm) and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).

Explanation: Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia, in the Hejaz region. It houses the Kaaba, Islam's most sacred site, toward which Muslims turn to pray.

Explanation: The Quran contains 114 surahs of varying lengths. The longest is Al-Baqara (286 verses) and the shortest Al-Kawthar (3 verses). The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years.

Explanation: During Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This fast is one of the five pillars of Islam. It commemorates the revelation of the Quran.

Explanation: The shahada (شهادة) is the profession of faith: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is his prophet." Sincerely pronouncing it is sufficient to become Muslim.

Explanation: Muslims turn toward Mecca (specifically toward the Kaaba) to pray. This direction is called the qibla. In early Islam, the qibla was oriented toward Jerusalem, before being changed in 624.

Explanation: The Hijra (622 CE) is the emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. This founding event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar, which is a lunar calendar.

Explanation: The Kaaba is a cubic building ("kaaba" means "cube" in Arabic) covered with a gold-embroidered black cloth (the kiswa). According to tradition, it was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael.

Explanation: Sunni Islam comprises 85-90% of Muslims. Shia Islam represents 10-15%, mainly in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Lebanon. The schism dates back to the question of Prophet Muhammad's succession.

Explanation: The minaret (from the Arabic "manara", lighthouse) is the tower of a mosque. The muezzin climbs it to make the call to prayer (adhan). Mosques have between one and six.

Explanation: The angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) transmitted the divine revelations to Muhammad over a period of 23 years, from 610 to 632 CE. Gabriel is also the angel of the Annunciation in Christianity.

Explanation: Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) marks the end of Ramadan. It is a joyous celebration with prayers, festive meals and gifts. The other major celebration is Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).

Explanation: Halal (حلال) means "lawful" or "permitted" in Arabic. It refers to everything allowed by Islamic law (Sharia), particularly regarding food. Its opposite is "haram" (forbidden).

Explanation: Muhammad is called the "Seal of the Prophets" (Khatam an-Nabiyyin). Islam recognizes previous prophets (Abraham, Moses, Jesus) but considers Muhammad as God's last messenger.

Explanation: Indonesia has the most Muslims with about 230 million followers, or 87% of its population. Contrary to popular belief, it is a Southeast Asian country, not a Middle Eastern one.