Islam
Islam is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions that originated in 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula. It was founded by Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE) in the city of Mecca. The religion is based on the belief that Allah (God) revealed divine guidance to humanity through Prophet Muhammad, which was compiled in the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
Islam reached India as early as the 7th century CE through Arab traders, particularly along the western coastal regions of India such as Kerala. Later, it spread more widely through military invasions, political expansion, Sufi movements, and trade networks during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods. Over time, Islam became deeply integrated into India’s social and cultural fabric, influencing architecture, music, literature, and spiritual traditions such as Sufism.
Islam emphasises monotheism (Tawhid) — the absolute unity and oneness of God. The religious life of Muslims is structured around the Five Pillars of Islam, which guide both spiritual devotion and social responsibility. Islam also stresses the importance of the Ummah, the global community of believers, fostering a sense of brotherhood and collective identity among Muslims.
Within Islam, different interpretations of religious authority and succession led to the formation of two major sects: Sunni and Shia. While their theological foundations remain largely similar, they differ mainly in the question of leadership after Prophet Muhammad.
In India, Islam today is the second-largest religion, constituting about 14.2% of the population, with significant Muslim populations in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Major Features of Islam
| Feature | Explanation |
| Monotheism (Tawhid) | Islam strictly believes in one God — Allah. The Quran is regarded as the direct word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad. |
| Five Pillars of Islam | These are the core religious duties guiding Muslim life and worship. |
| Community (Ummah) | Islam emphasises unity and brotherhood among believers forming a global Muslim community. |
| Ethical Living | Muslims are expected to follow moral conduct based on Quran and Hadith teachings. |
| Sectarian Traditions | Major groups include Sunni and Shia, differing mainly in leadership succession after Prophet Muhammad. |
Five Pillars of Islam
| Pillar | Meaning | Description |
| Shahada | Declaration of Faith | Affirmation that “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.” |
| Salah | Prayer | Muslims perform five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca. |
| Zakat | Charity | Obligatory charity to help the poor and maintain social justice. |
| Sawm | Fasting | Observed during the month of Ramadan, symbolising self-discipline and spiritual purification. |
| Hajj | Pilgrimage | Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those physically and financially capable. |
Major Muslim Pilgrimage Centres in India
| State/Region | Pilgrimage Centre | Location | Significance / Key Details |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Hazratbal Shrine | Srinagar | Located on the banks of Dal Lake; houses a relic believed to be a hair strand of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Charar-e-Sharif | Budgam (near Srinagar) | Shrine dedicated to Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali, a revered Sufi saint of Kashmir. | |
| Punjab | Dargah of Sheikh Farid | Faridkot | Shrine of Baba Farid, a prominent Chishti Sufi saint; visited by both Muslims and Sikhs, reflecting Punjab’s syncretic culture. |
| Delhi | Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah | Delhi | Dedicated to 13th-century Chishti Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya; famous for devotional qawwali performances. |
| Jama Masjid | Delhi | Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; one of the largest mosques in India and an important congregational prayer site. | |
| Fatehpuri Masjid | Delhi | Located near the Red Fort; built by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Shah Jahan’s wives. | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Dargah of Hazrat Salim Chishti | Fatehpur Sikri | Situated in Akbar’s capital complex; dedicated to Sufi saint Salim Chishti who is believed to have blessed Akbar with a son. |
| Aasfi Mosque | Lucknow | Located inside Bara Imambara complex; a major Shia Muslim pilgrimage site with grand architecture. | |
| Bihar | Bihar Sharif Dargah | Nalanda | Shrine of Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri, an important Sufi saint. |
| Rajasthan | Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer Sharif) | Ajmer | One of the most important Muslim pilgrimage centres in India; dedicated to the founder of the Chishti order in India. |
| Odisha | Qadam Rasul Mosque | Cuttack | Important Muslim pilgrimage site in Odisha; reflects Mughal-era architectural influence. |
| Andhra Pradesh / Telangana | Mecca Masjid | Hyderabad | Located near Charminar; named after the holy city of Mecca and capable of accommodating thousands of worshippers. |
| Tamil Nadu | Thiruvithamcode Mosque | Kanyakumari | Believed to have been established by Malik Deenar, a companion of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Kerala | Cheraman Juma Masjid | Kodungallur (Thrissur) | Considered the first mosque in India, built in 629 CE by Malik Deenar. |
| Karnataka | Gumbaz | Srirangapatna | Mausoleum of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali; known for Indo-Islamic architecture. |
| Maharashtra | Haji Ali Dargah | Mumbai | Located on an islet in the Arabian Sea; dedicated to Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. |
| Gujarat | Rani Rupmati Mosque | Ahmedabad | Built in the 15th century by Mahmud Begada in memory of Queen Rani Rupmati; notable Indo-Islamic architecture. |
UPSC Memory Tip
You can remember major Muslim pilgrimage centres by region:
- North: Hazratbal, Ajmer Sharif, Nizamuddin
- Gangetic region: Fatehpur Sikri, Bihar Sharif
- Coastal spread: Cheraman Juma Masjid, Haji Ali, Mecca Masjid
- Historical sites: Gumbaz (Tipu Sultan), Rani Rupmati Mosque
This distribution also reflects how Islam spread in India through trade, Sufi movements, and political centres.