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his disciples memorized them; they later wrote down the messages in a collection called the Qur’an (or Koran). The word Qur’an means “recitation” and comes from the Arabic word iqira , meaning “recite”—the first word that the Angel Gabriel spoke to Muhammad. Muslims believe the Qur’an is the perfect word of God. Muslims are expected to follow five important precepts, or “pil- lars.” The first is shahada (“testimony”), a prayer that expresses the belief at the heart of Islam: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” Devout Muslims recite the shahada each day. The second pillar is salah (“prayer”). Adult Muslims are required to pray five times during the day. The third pillar is zakat (“charity”), a donation given to people in need. The fourth pillar is sawm (“fasting”), a requirement that Muslims abstain from food, drink, and certain other activities during day- light hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar Islamic cal- endar. The fifth pillar is hajj (“pilgrimage”), a journey that Muslims who are physically and financially able must make to Mecca and other important Islamic sites at least once during their lifetime. There are many sects of Islam, although the major split is between the Sunni Muslims and the Shiite Muslims. This division occurred more than 1,300 years ago, and the area of Iraq was a key battleground as Sunnis and Shiites fought for control of the reli- gion. Today, it is estimated that more than 80 percent of the world’s Muslims are Sunnis, while about 15 percent are Shiites. Iraq is one

Words to Understand in This Chapter

monotheistic—believing in the existence of only one God. salinity—the level of salt in water or soil.