Islam is a major world religion that was promulgated by the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the 7th century CE. The Arabic term ‘islām’ literally means ‘surrender,’ which illuminates the fundamental religious idea of Islam—that the believer, called a Muslim, accepts surrender to the will of Allah (God). Allah is viewed as the sole God—creator, sustainer, and restorer of the world. The will of Allah, to which humans must submit, is made known through the sacred scriptures, the Qur’an, which Allah revealed to his messenger, Muhammad.
In Islam, Muhammad is considered the last of a series of prophets (including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, and Jesus), and his message simultaneously consummates and completes the ‘revelations’ attributed to earlier prophets. Retaining its emphasis on an uncompromising monotheism and a strict adherence to certain essential religious practices, the religion taught by Muhammad to a small group of followers spread rapidly through the Middle East to Africa, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, the Malay Peninsula, and China. By the early 21st century, there were more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
Although many sectarian movements have arisen within Islam, all Muslims are bound by a common faith and a sense of belonging to a single community. This article deals with the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam and with the connection of religion and society in the Islamic world. The history of the various peoples who embraced Islam is covered in more detail in other articles.
What Is The Holy Book Of Islam
The holy book of Islam is the Quran, considered by Muslims as the word of God (Allah) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of approximately 23 years. The Quran is written in Arabic and is composed of 114 chapters, known as Surahs, which vary in length and cover various aspects of life and faith. It serves as a guide for Muslims in all aspects of life, encompassing law, personal conduct, and the understanding of the universe. The Quran also emphasizes the importance of knowledge and learning, encouraging Muslims to seek understanding and wisdom.
