Commonly, Islam refers to the monotheistic religion revealed to Muhammad ibn Abdullah between 610 and 632 AD. Much of a word in Arabic can be deduced from its linguistic meaning. The term Islam is derived from the three-letter Arabic root, S (س), L (ل), M (م), which generates words with meanings, including “submission”, “commitment,” “peace”. So an adherent to Islam, or a Muslim, achieves peace with one’s self through wholly submitting to God and accepting His guidance.
A Muslim belives in the existence of God, His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, the Day of Judgement and Predestination.
Prophet Muhammad mentioned the best summary of the core of Islam:
“Islam means that you should bear witness that there is no god but Allah (The One God) and that Muhammad is God's final messenger, that you should perform the ritual prayer, pay the annual charitable donation, fast during the month of Ramadan, and make the pilgrimage to the Ka’bah if you are able to go there."
The term Islam was instituted by the Qur’an, the sacred scripture revealed to Muhammad, the Last and Final Prophet. However, for Muslims, Islam is not a new religion. Rather, it represents the final and comprehensive explanation of God’s Oneness, a theme found in earlier monotheistic religious traditions.
Beyond the faith
Although Islam can be described as a religion, it is viewed by its adherents, which make up a fifth of the world’s population, in much broader terms. Beyond belief in specific doctrines and performance of important ritual acts, Islam is practiced as a complete and natural way of life, designed to bring God into the center of one’s consciousness and life. In essence, Islam is a world view centered around belief in the One God and commitment to His commandments.
