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
1
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
convert to Islam
the teachings of Islam
practice Islam
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Islam.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Islams
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ 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.
Class of 1610
Islam joined the language around 1610.
See the full Class of 1610 →
Synonyms
View more →
the Islamic faith
the Muslim faith
the Muslim religion
Muslimism
Islamism
Muhammadanism
Mohammedanism
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Islam:
