What are the standards for what is or is not Islam

Submitted by James Lockhart (United States), Jan 23, 2015 at 11:29

All of these comments by politicians and others are meaningless absent a fixed set of standards that define what the TRUE ISLAM is. Islam's foundational documents (Quran, Hadiths, others?) are not a standard since they are open to interpretation.

1. Is there a standard for Islam other than the Five Pillars and if so is it written, who owns it, is it available to the public at large, and what percentage of the various Islamic sects or groups meet it and thus can be called "true Islam"?

2. If there is a "true Islam" then what are the educational requirements and other qualifications and what is the process of becoming an Ayatollah, Imam, or other leader?

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