Islam is one of the most misunderstood religions of the world.
            
are many myths and lies that exist about Muslims today that need to be .
            
cleared up and straightened out.  A Muslim is someone who follows the .
            
religion of Islam.  The relationship between these two words is that .
            
Islam is actually an Arabic word that means, "to submit", and Muslim is .
            
also Arabic for "one who submits".  Islam is a religion in which, like .
            
any other religion, has beliefs and traditions that have been passed .
            
down through the generations.  In this paper, I am going to explain .
            
some different parts of the Islam religion, and maybe clear up some of .
            
the misunderstanding that may exist.  Among the things I am going to .
            
discuss are: Muhammad, the last prophet, the Five Pillars of Islam, the .
            
family life of Muslims, marriage between Muslims, and lastly, some .
            
traditions and festivals that Muslim's celebrate.
            
	The main belief of Muslims is that Islam is a religion based on .
            
the prophets that God had sent down to the people.  Muhammad was the .
            
last and final prophet and his words and ideas came directly from God, .
            
and since his time, his revelation has not been corrupted.  It was this .
            
revelation and Muhammad himself that started the Islam religion and .
            
gained its followers.  The story of his life is a very interesting tale .
            
and according to the book, The Islamic Tradition, written by John B. .
            
Christopher, "Muhammad was born, probably about the year 507- (1972, .
            
page 16) in the city of Mecca.  His family was poor and humble, but a .
            
well-connected family.  When Muhammad was little, his father, .
            
Abdulllah, was returning from a journey to Medina and died.  Just six .
            
years later, his mother, Amna, also passed away, leaving Muhammad with .
            
his uncle, Abu Talib.  "Muhammad was said to be illiterate, yet from an .
            
early age, he showed a remarkable aptitude for concentration." .
            
(Christopher, 1972, page 17)  While growing up, Muhammad had a .
            
reputation of being very honest and had good integrity.