ISLAM

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In the Qur’an, a term meaning total submission or surrender to God. Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion teaching that there is only one God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a messenger of God. It is the world's second-largest religion with 1.9 billion followers or 24.9% of the world's population, known as Muslims. Muslims make up a majority of the population in 50 countries.

In the Quran, the word Islam occurs only eight times as a noun. However, Islam occurs many more times as a verb, aslama. Islam is presented in the Quran more in terms of action, rather than as a religion. The Quran speaks of doing or performing Islam, rather than Islam as a system of beliefs.

The Quran also refers to the Islam of the individual, as a personal and lived faith. It calls upon Muslims as individuals to perform their Islam. This means to follow the message of God, to be ethical in one's life, and to practice the faith regularly.

A Muslim is therefore one who submits or surrenders to God, and actively practises his or her Islam. A Muslim enters into a personal relationship with the divine through his or her Islam. This is the inner aspect of faith or Iman, which is not visible or open to other people.

Islam teaches that God is merciful, all-powerful, and unique, and has guided mankind through prophets, revealed scriptures and natural signs. The primary scriptures of Islam are the Quran, believed to be the verbatim word of God, and the teachings and normative examples (called the sunnah, composed of accounts called hadith) of Muhammad (c. 570 – 8 June 632 CE).

Muslims believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times before through prophets including Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Muslims consider Muhammad as the final prophet of God. Islamic scholars have traditionally classified the Quran into two main categories: verses of legislation (ahkam) and verses of wisdom and spiritual guidance (ayat al-hikmah). The Quran is considered to be the most important source of Islamic law and ethics, and it is used to guide Muslims in all aspects of their lives.

The fundamental Islamic beliefs are expressed in the six articles of faith:

• Belief in one God (Allah)

• Belief in the angels

• Belief in the revealed books

• Belief in the prophets and messengers

• Belief in the Day of Judgment

• Belief in predestination

Islam has played an important role in the development of civilisation, and it has made significant contributions to art, architecture, science, literature, and philosophy. Islam is also a diverse religion, with a wide range of beliefs and practices. Muslims come from all walks of life, and they represent a wide range of cultures and ethnicities.

Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, and it teaches Muslims to respect all people, regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity. Islam also teaches Muslims to be kind and compassionate and to help those in need.