1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21432February 19, 2003Islam: A PrimerClyde MarkSpecialist in Middle Eastern AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryThere are about one billion Muslims in the world
2、, concentrated primarily in NorthAfrica, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. Islam teaches that Allahselected Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca, as the last of the prophets followingAdam, Moses, Jesus, and others, to deliver Gods message to mankind. The reportincludes short descriptions of
3、the historical background, the tenets of Islam, jihad, thestatus of women in Islam, and other aspects of Islam. The report will not be updated.Historical BackgroundAccording to Islamic belief, in 610 A.D., Muhammad, a 40-year-old merchant of theQuraysh tribe in Mecca, in the Arabian desert (now east
4、ern Saudi Arabia), wascommanded by the angel Gabriel to “recite” the message of Allah (Arabic for God).Gabriel said mankind had lost sight of Allahs previous messages to earlier prophets,Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, and Jesus, among others, and that Muhammadwas to spread Allahs message to al
