The Rise of Islam

Islam technically began around A.D. 610 after Muhammad went into the hills to pray.  Dissatisfied with how Arabs had become, particularly with the rich not helping the poor, Muhammad, a wealthy merchant, left his old life behind and begin spreading what has now developed into the Quran.  While the religion has continued to develop over the years, the five basic pillars remain:  Belief, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.  For more on the rise of Islam visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_Islam