Islam in Thirty Minutes

To leave with a first, sound and coherent picture of Islam as Muslims themselves define it — a foundation for everything after it in the museum.

• Define Islam, iman and ihsan as the hadith of Jibril explains them.
• List the five pillars of Islam and describe each in a sentence.
• Place the descent of the revelation and the Hijra where they belong in the story.

This trail is ordered to be read in about thirty minutes, and every step is a documented page in the museum. Read the summary on each page then move to the next, returning to "Go deeper" whenever you wish. Approximate duration: 30 minutes; 12 steps. This is an experimental trail within "Tour and Learn".

1. What Is Islam?

Islam (the religion): start with the word itself — how the Prophet defined it in the hadith, and the supports it rests on.

2. What Is Iman?

Iman: Islam is outward works and iman is inner assent; read how the hadith of Jibril distinguishes them, and note the hadith scholars' position quoted on the page.

3. What Is Ihsan?

Ihsan: the third rank in the same hadith, with which the ordering of the religion is completed.

4. The Five Pillars

The five pillars of Islam: now you see the whole picture in one line — the five works on which Islam is built.

5. The Testimony

The two testimonies: the first pillar, by which a person enters Islam.

6. The Prayer

The prayer: the second pillar — how it recurs through day and night, and what distinguishes the obligatory from the voluntary.

7. The Zakat

The zakat: read how the hadith distinguishes it from voluntary charity, and who its recipients are.

8. Fasting Ramadan

Fasting Ramadan: the fourth pillar — the month in which the Qur'an was sent down, and who is granted leave to break the fast.

9. The Hajj

The Hajj: the fifth pillar — the pilgrimage to the Sacred House for whoever is able, which leads you to Mecca.

10. Who Is the Prophet?

Muhammad: after the pillars, meet the bearer of the message as the museum presents him.

11. How Did the Message Begin?

The beginning of the revelation in the cave of Hira: the cave of Hira and the descent of the revelation — the first moment of the story.

12. The Hijra and the Start of the Calendar

The Prophet's Hijra: the event from which the Hijri calendar begins, and the end of the trail.

Try next: The Meccan Period: From the Cave to the Hijra.