What is Islam?
The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from an
Arabic root word meaning "peace" and
"submission." Islam teaches that one can only find
peace in one's life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in
heart, soul and deed. The same Arabic root word gives us "Assalaam
Alaykum," ("Peace be with you"), the universal Muslim
greeting.
Who is a Muslim?
A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam is
called a Muslim, also from the same root word. So, the
religion is called Islam, and a person who follows it is a Muslim.
How Many and Where?
Islam is a major world religion, with over 1 billion followers worldwide
(1/5 of the world population). It is considered one of the
Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths, along with Judaism and Christianity.
Although usually associated with the Arabs of the Middle East, less than
10% of Muslims are in fact Arab. Muslims are found all over the
world, of every nation, color and race. Muslim majorities are
found throughout the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia and the
Pacific Islands. Large numbers are also found in Western Europe,
the former Soviet Union, and North America.
Who is Allah?
Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated
merely as "God." Allah has other names that are used to
describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the
Merciful, the Compassionate, the Judge, the Governor, the Eternal, etc.
Allah is without beginning, without end, and He alone sees and knows all
things. Allah is transcendent, yet close to mankind. "...He
knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what
comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with
you wheresoever you may be. And Allah sees well all that you
do" (Quran 57:4). Since Allah alone is the Creator,
it is He alone that deserves our devout love and worship. Anything
other than Him is simply His creation.
"That is Allah, your Lord! There is no god but He,
the Creator of all things; then worship Him, and He has power to dispose
of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all
vision; He is the Sublime, Well-Aware" (Quran
6:102-103).
Islam holds to a strict monotheism - Allah has no partners and is not
divided into a trinity.
"Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal,
Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none
like unto Him" (Quran 112:1-4).
Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human
beings or nature is considered idolatry
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