name Common

Islam

IHS-lahm

Islam (name) means a monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad and the Quran, followed by Muslims worldwide. Example: “Islam teaches belief in one God and the importance of prayer, charity, and pilgrimage.”

name

A monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad and the Quran, followed by Muslims worldwide.

"Islam teaches belief in one God and the importance of prayer, charity, and pilgrimage."

"She converted to Islam after years of studying different faiths."

How to use Islam

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe religion followed by Muslims, based on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad.

Common mistake

Islam is the religion; a follower of it is a Muslim, not "an Islam." "Islamic" is the adjective form.

Easily confused with

Muslim →

Common pairings

convert to Islam the teachings of Islam practice Islam

Word forms

Islams plural

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_____ teaches belief in one God and the importance of prayer, charity, and pilgrimage.

Etymology

From Arabic islam, "submission" or "surrender" (to the will of God) — first used in English around 1610.

Origin: Arabic · First attested 1610

Class of 1610 Islam joined the language around 1610.

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Synonyms

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the Islamic faith the Muslim faith the Muslim religion

Frequently asked questions

What does “Islam” mean?

The word “Islam” means a monotheistic religion founded on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad and the Quran, followed by Muslims worldwide. In plain terms, the religion followed by Muslims, based on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad.

How do you pronounce “Islam”?

“Islam” is pronounced IHS-lahm (/ˈɪs.lɑːm/ in IPA).

How do you use “Islam” in a sentence?

Here is “Islam” used in a sentence: “Islam teaches belief in one God and the importance of prayer, charity, and pilgrimage.”

What part of speech is “Islam”?

“Islam” is a name.

Where does the word “Islam” come from?

The word “Islam” dates back to around 1610 and comes from Arabic. From Arabic islam, "submission" or "surrender" (to the will of God) — first used in English around 1610.

Is “Islam” a common word?

“Islam” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between Islam and Muslim?

'Islam' is the name of the religion; 'Muslim' is the word for a person who follows it. In other words, Islam is the faith and its teachings, while a Muslim is a believer. You would say someone practices Islam, and that this makes them a Muslim.

What are the five pillars of Islam?

The five pillars are the core practices of the faith: the declaration of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salat), giving to charity (zakat), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once if able. Together they shape a Muslim's worship and daily life.

What are the main branches of Islam?

Islam has two major branches: Sunni and Shia. The great majority of Muslims are Sunni. The split arose in the earliest years of the faith over who should lead the community after the Prophet Muhammad. Both branches share the same core beliefs, including the Quran and the five pillars.

What does the word 'Islam' mean?

The word 'Islam' comes from Arabic and means 'submission' or 'surrender' — specifically, willing submission to the one God, called Allah in Arabic. It shares a root with 'salaam,' meaning peace. So the name expresses the idea of finding peace through devotion to God.

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Vocabulary lists that include Islam:

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