Islam is one of the oldest organized religions to be established in the Philippines.

Islam reached the islands in the 14th century with the arrival of Indian, Malay and Javanese merchants, and Arab missionaries from various sultanates in the Malay Archipelago, although the spread of Islam in the Philippines is due to the strength of Muslim India. India brought Islam to Southeast Asia, specifically Malaysia and Indonesia, and in turn the latter two brought Islam to the Philippines. Muslims form 5% of the Philippine population, while the rest of the general population are mostly Roman Catholic (84%) and Protestant (8%).

The Arabs were the first people who introduced Islam in the Philippines. The first Arabs who arrived in the Islands eventually traded with the Chinese way back in the time of the Sung Dynasty (960 1280). Then came the Muslim missionaries from the places of Malacca, Jahore and Borneo that came to the Philippines with the Islam religion. Based on the Tarsila or the genealogies, the first one who introduced, Islam in the country was Tuan Mashaika who married the daughter of Raja Sipad of Patikol in Buansa( currently Jolo island).

The next Muslim missionary who arrived was Karim-ul Makhdum in the year 1380 in Simunol, an island in Sulo. Makhdum is an Arab scholar that went to the Philippines after he spread Islam in Malacca. He spread Islam until the time of his death. Makhdum was responsible for the founding of the first mosque in the Philippines at Tubig-Indangan on Simunul Island. His arrival was followed by other Muslim missionaries. One of them was Raja Baginda, a Malayan prince from Menangkabaw, Sumatra. By this time, a flourishing Muslim community in Sulu evolved and by the middle of the following century the Sulu sultanate was established.

The first crowned sultan was Syed Abubakar, an Arab from South Arabia, who was said to be a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Upon his ascension to the throne, Abubakar used the regnal name Sharif Hashim There are other Muslims who arrived in the country, including Shariff Muhammad Kabungsuwan Ibrahim, son of a royal blooded Arab from Hadramaut. He also spread the Islam religion in Sulo. Together with his soldiers, he invaded Cotabato in the year 1475. He was able to control the place and forced the pagan natives to believed in Islam. He married the pagan princess PutriTonina and he founded the sultanate of Maguindanao. Muslim missionaries continuesto arrived in the country until the arrival of the Spaniards.

But before the coming of Sharif Kabungsuwan, local genealogies or tarsilas of Maguindanao speak of a certain Sharif Awliya, also from Johore, who is said to have introduced Islam to the people of Mindanao around 1460. His story, though appearing mythical, is quite consequential when related to the question of who first came to plant the seed of Islam in Mindanao. He was averred to have come to Mindanao in the air in search of "Paradise" on the hill of Tantawan (now PC Hill or Colina Hill in Cotabato City). There on the hill he met an houri (celestial maiden), married her and they begot a daughter by the name of Paramisuli, a name reserved to the royalty. Sharif Awliya, not long after, quitted the place, leaving behind his wife and daughter.

The Maguindanao genealogies continue to narrate that, soon after, another Arab, Sharif Maraja, also from Johore, arrived. He landed and stayed at a settlement called Slangan or what is now in the vicinity of the Post Office in Cotabato City and, soon afterward, married Paramisuli, the daughter of Sharif Awliya. Another tradition, this time from Lanao, speaks of another Sharif Alawi who came possibly by way of Maguindanao to Lanao and up to the mouth of Tagoloan River in the present-day Misamis Oriental and proceeded afterwards to Bukidnon. There is scanty evidence to prove this journey especially his missionary activities in Bukidnon, where there are pockets of Muslim communities found today.

Before the advent of Islam, the people of Mindanao and Sulu were animists. There was no community ever reported orally or in writing to be monotheist. They worshipped stones, stars, moons and other inanimate objects. Diwata and anito were essential features of their belief system.

And with Islam came the new world outlook, power structure and the cleansing force in weeding out pagan rituals and ceremonies. It gave way to the uncompromising belief in one single Supreme Being called Allah, on the equality and brotherhood of the faithfuls, on the establishment of goodwill and prosperity to all. and revolutionized the lifestyles of the faithfuls in all spheres of existence. As proof of its persuasiveness, Islam gained new adherents who proved to be among its ablest and bravest defenders as shown in the succeeding three centuries of continuous warfare with the colonizers.

 Muhammad,

is known to be the prophet or the one who was sent b God th the Muslims. His full name is abu alQasim Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd alMuttalib ibn Hashim. He was born in the year 570 A.D in Mecca Western Arabia. He founded the Islam religion. The Commandments and the word of God was written in the Koran (Quran), the holy book of the Muslims. Muhammad preached that there is only one God, Allah.

The teachings of Koran includes the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadah or the proclamation of faith-There are no other God than Allah and Mohammad is his prophet. Salat or Prayer- There should be 5 times of prayer in one day facing in the direction towards Mecca, the holy city of Islam. The muezzin called the Muslims in the time of praying. The first prayer is done before the sun rises, the second prayer is done in the middle of the day, the third prayer is done in the afternoon, the fourth prayer is done after the sun set, and the fifth or the last prayer is done before going to bed. Zakat or Giving- It is needed to give to those who are in need such as the beggars, victims of typhoons, earthquakes and other casualties. Abstinence or Ramadan- There is one month of abstinence celebrated by the Muslims. This celebration is called the Ramadan. this is one of the most holy celebration, commemorating the day when Allah give the Holy Quran to Mohammad. Abstinence started when the sun rises and ends when the sun sets. Eating, drinking, smoking, merry-making activities as well as heavy works are being prohibited. When the sun sets, doing the mentioned activities are resumed. The Hariraya Puasa is the end of the Abstinence. The Muslim usually prepares for this event. This is the most celebrated time where the people prepares a lot of foods. Hadji or the trip to the holy Land Mecca- Mecca is the center of the Muslim faith. Here, a marmol stone or rock is one of the center of attraction. It was believed that Abraham shielded here when he was pursued with his enemies. It is a wish of every Muslims to visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once in their life. For every Muslims that had visited and worshipped in Mecca, he will be allowed to connect the word Hadji to his name.