The existence of a human is the product of faith; whether a person is a theist or agnostic, one’s belief in it is involved.
Islam spread on the world map through the teachings of Prophet Mohammad and all those Muslims who later gave their lives to reach more and more people by spreading the words of Mohammad.
Key Takeaways
- Islam is a monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century, based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quran, with core beliefs including the Five Pillars of Islam.
- Muslim is a term used to describe a follower of Islam, an individual who adheres to the beliefs and practices of the Islamic faith.
- Islam is the religion, while Muslim is the term for an individual who follows that religion.
Islam vs Muslim
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran and the teachings of Mohammed. It is a religion where faith lies in the worship of a single divinity, and it originates from Abrahamic beliefs. Muslim is a believer of Islam and anyone who has surrendered themselves to the religion.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Islam | Muslim |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The root of the word Islam comes from the Arabic verbal noun s-l-m, which means the act of submission to divine power. | It also originates from the same s-l-m and refers to someone who has submitted himself to God. |
| Use | The word Islam denotes a religion. | It can be used by a single person or a group who has accepted Prophet Mohammed as a creator. |
| Verb\noun | It is a verbal noun as it doesn’t denote a person but is an act of submission. | The word Muslim can only be used as a noun to denote a person. |
| Category | Islam and its teachings remain the same throughout. | A Muslim is divided into categories of Shia and Sunni. |
| Imagery | Islam doesn’t allow idolatry and there remains no depiction of Prophet Mohammed. | A Muslim follows the aniconism theory, where he can illustrate himself but not the prophet. |
What is Islam?
Islam is a monotheistic religion where faith lies in worshipping a single divinity; it originates from Abrahamic beliefs and comes after the advent of Judaism and Christianity.
The founder of Islam is the so-called Messenger of God ‘Prophet Mohammed’ who was born around 570 CE in the city of Mecca and was sent to spread the teachings of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Arabic root letters ‘S’, ‘L’ ‘M’ form the word Islam which means to “surrender” and “submission” and follow a path of commitment to “peace”, “Allah”, and his commandments.
Islam is the world’s second-largest religion and is estimated to be the fastest-growing one after Christianity due to the exponential birth rate and ongoing conversions.
Just like any religion, the spread of Islam started with the oral culture and, later on, the holy text Quran scribed it.
Islam considers Mecca and Medina holy cities, among which Kaaba is the holiest site. It’s a cubic structure and is said to be the house of God.
Legend has it that Ibrahim and Ismail built it, and later on, Muhammad reconstructed it.
What is Muslim?
A Muslim is a person or a believer of Islam who has surrendered himself to divinity and is an absolute believer that God is one. A Muslim believes that his god is incomparable, and Islam is the universal version that encapsulates the teachings of all other Prophets like Abraham and Moses Jesus.
A Muslim is someone who has belief in the five commandments of Muhammed, which are called the Five Pillars of Islam :
- The Profession of faith: Faith in Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of the Almighty remains central.
- Prayer: Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca either individually or in groups
- Aims: Giving back and feeding the needy, donating a certain percentage of income.
- Fasting: Abstaining one’s appetite, drinking, and sexual activity is done during Ramadan. It’s the month of introspection, realising what we have and not letting our lust and worldly desires take the best of us.
- Pilgrimage: Every Muslim must visit the holy city of Mecca and visit Kaaba once in a lifetime.
Muslims have a massive population of 1.9 billion overall and are the second-largest faith believers, with 24% of Muslims worldwide.
Main Differences Between Islam and Muslim
- The main difference between Islam and Muslims is that the former is a religion of the beliefs of Abraham and follows a monotheistic approach. In contrast, the latter consists of people following the religion.
- By definition, Islam is the act of submission to the higher entity, and a Muslim is an individual who surrenders his whole to the teachings of Mohammed.
- As Islam represents faith and the act of submission, it’s considered a verbal noun. On the other hand, Muslim is a noun as it denotes the person following the commandments.
- Muslims are further divided due to disagreements regarding the next successor after Muhammad, while Islam and its teachings remain the same.
- Muslims can build their figures or illustrate themselves, but Islam disregards the iconism of Muhammad.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
While informative, the article could have delved deeper into the historical and cultural significance of Islam and its followers. A more nuanced approach would enrich the reader’s understanding.
I understand your perspective, Tara. Further exploration of historical and cultural contexts could indeed enhance the overall depth of the article.
This post offers a well-structured and insightful explanation of the core tenets of Islam and the definition of a Muslim. It’s a valuable resource for those seeking to understand this faith better.
I couldn’t agree more. The article effectively captures the essence of Islam and what it means to be a Muslim.
Absolutely, Qpowell. It’s refreshing to see an article that presents information on religion in a clear and accessible manner.
Although the article is informative, it could benefit from a more critical analysis of the historical and cultural aspects of Islam and its followers.
I see your point, Fred. A deeper exploration of historical context would indeed enhance the article’s depth.
I respectfully disagree, Fred. The article provides a concise overview and additional analysis may require a separate, more specialized article.
The article succeeds in providing a thorough examination of the fundamental aspects of Islam and Muslim beliefs. It offers an insightful perspective on the religion and those who adhere to its teachings.
I concur, Connor. The article’s comprehensive approach contributes to a deeper understanding of the religious and cultural nuances of Islam and its followers.
Absolutely, Connor. The article effectively captures the essence of Islamic faith and the identity of Muslim believers in a highly informative manner.
The article serves as an excellent primer on the fundamental beliefs of Islam and the identity of Muslims. It provides a clear and concise overview, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge base.
Absolutely, Molly. The article effectively encapsulates the essence of Islamic faith and the practices followed by its adherents.
This article effectively differentiates between Islam and Muslims, offering a nuanced understanding of each. The comparative analysis is insightful and contributes to a deeper comprehension of the religion and its followers.
I couldn’t agree more, Rkelly. The article achieves a commendable balance in presenting information on Islam and the identity of its believers.
Well stated, Rkelly. The comparative approach employed in this article enhances clarity and promotes a more informed understanding of Islam and Muslim beliefs.
This post gives a comprehensive overview of the origins and beliefs of Islam and Muslims. It is a great way to understand the fundamental aspects of the religion and the people who follow it.
I couldn’t agree more, Patricia. The information provided is well-researched and insightful.
The article delves into the spiritual and practical aspects of Islam and Muslim beliefs with clarity and precision. Kudos to the writer for this well-researched piece.
Well said, Idavis. The depth of information provided in this article is commendable.
I wholeheartedly agree. The article delivers a comprehensive understanding of Islam and Muslim beliefs in a highly accessible format.
This post provides a detailed account of the key differences between Islam and Muslim, shedding light on the core teachings and practices. It’s an excellent reference for those looking to expand their knowledge on the topic.
Indeed, Freya. The article effectively captures the nuances of Islamic faith and the identity of its followers.
The comparison table provides a clear understanding of the distinctions between Islam and Muslim. It’s an informative and educational read.
Absolutely, Lauren. This article helps dispel misconceptions and promotes understanding of different religious beliefs.