"God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a map. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. [This lamp is] kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth [of itself] though no fire touched it. It is light upon light. God guideth unto His light whom He will. And God speaketh to mankind in allegories, for God is the knower of all things."

Qur'an 24:35

Founding Where: Arabia (now Saudia Arabia). When: 610 C.E. By Whom: the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH. Important Texts: the Qur'an, containing the revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad, and the Hadith containing the sayings and traditions of the Prophet.

Modern Facts Major Divisions: Khawarij, Shi'ah, and Sunni. Where Found: Primarily in northern Africa, the Near and Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, but also parts of Europe, the North America, China, and Southern Africa. Population: 1,100 million total: 940 million Sunnite, 120 million Shiite, unknown Khawariji, other.