Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all his prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.
In the early 8th century, the Arab traders bought Islam to India. However, it was not until the 12th century that it became a force to reckon with in the Indian subcontinent. Unlike Buddhism, a religion which emerged as an offshoot of Hinduism, the concept, customs, and religious practices of Islam were unique to this faith which professed universal brotherhood and submission to Allah - the God Almighty.
The Muslim invaders in the 12th century and the Mughal rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries helped in the spread of Islam in India. In its first phase, Islam was aggressive. But the mystics of Islam, or the Sufi saints, helped in spreading the message of peace and universal love.
The spirit of brotherhood propounded by Sufi saints and preachers like Kabir and Nanak helped in loosening the rigidity of the Caste System. The interaction of the two faiths led to a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic elements in almost every sphere of life and culture. After an initial period of conflict and confrontation, today the two religions have accommodated and enriched each other.
Link(s):
http://www.gainpeace.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104:what-is-islam&catid=34:what-is-islam&Itemid=107
In the early 8th century, the Arab traders bought Islam to India. However, it was not until the 12th century that it became a force to reckon with in the Indian subcontinent. Unlike Buddhism, a religion which emerged as an offshoot of Hinduism, the concept, customs, and religious practices of Islam were unique to this faith which professed universal brotherhood and submission to Allah - the God Almighty.
The Muslim invaders in the 12th century and the Mughal rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries helped in the spread of Islam in India. In its first phase, Islam was aggressive. But the mystics of Islam, or the Sufi saints, helped in spreading the message of peace and universal love.
The spirit of brotherhood propounded by Sufi saints and preachers like Kabir and Nanak helped in loosening the rigidity of the Caste System. The interaction of the two faiths led to a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic elements in almost every sphere of life and culture. After an initial period of conflict and confrontation, today the two religions have accommodated and enriched each other.
Link(s):
http://www.gainpeace.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104:what-is-islam&catid=34:what-is-islam&Itemid=107