Islam
literally means submission (of one's self to the One Creator
- Allah). Islam is also derived from the Arabic word for
peace; thus, the religion called "Islam" is
grounded in the concept of peace in and through one's
submission to the authority and will of Allah (God).
Founded
in the seventh century AD, Islam is also the most recent
and, some would say, most vital. Contrary to popular belief,
Islam was not introduced by the Prophet Muhammad (S).
Muhammad (S) was in fact the last prophet in a line of
prophets - the first of whom was Prophet Adam (S). The
revelation of Islam has taken place, at various times,
through different messengers of Allah such as Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Jesus and finally Muhammad peace be upon them.
The
teachings of Islam are based on the nature of mankind.
Islam is a set of teachings that has been revealed by
Allah to mankind.
Today,
Islam has more than 1 billion believers worldwide. "Muslim"
is a word taken from the word Islam. It applies to the
person who is ready to take orders from God and follow
them.
