The word Islam literally means “submission” to God. Muslims are those who submit, that is, those that adhere to the religion, and to be a Muslim is to believe that there is one unique God who is worthy of all worship. Islam is one of the three Abrahamic faiths because Muslims believe that the religion is a continuation of the message brought by past prophets such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
The book that contains the essential beliefs and laws of Islam is called the Quran, which is believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Mohammed by God. Islam is isn’t simply a religion, but a way of life for its followers. Therefore, Muslims live in adherence to Islamic law (“Shariah” in Arabic) that is based on the Quran and the teachings of Mohammed and provides guidance from God on matters such as family, finances, health, the environment, caring for society, and various acts of worship. Other than believing in God, Muslims also believe in all of God’s prophets, angels, books of guidance, the Day of Judgment and the Resurrection of the living, and divine fate.
What does being a Muslim Mean?
A person becomes Muslim simply by professing that God is one and that Mohammed is His last messenger. This profession of faith is the most important part of Islam, so, a new Muslim wouldn’t be expected to suddenly perform every single action in Islam perfectly. As long as he or she firmly believes in God and tries to worship Him according to the Prophet’s teachings,, there’s mercy in that they are allowed time to learn.. There are approximately 1.57 billion Muslims in the world, all of whom come from a variety of ethnic, cultural, and national backgrounds. Islam is a religion that doesn’t require people to abandon their specific backgrounds and cultures, but instead, provides guidelines on how to live a rich life with the goal of achieving peace through devotion to God.
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