- For other meanings, including people named 'Islam', see Islam (disambiguation).
Islam (Arabic: الإسلام al-’islām, pronounced [ʔislæːm] (
listen)[note 1]) is the monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur’an, a text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Arabic: الله, Allāh), and by the teachings and normative example of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. The word Islam literally means "submission (to God).",[1] and an adherent of Islam is called Muslim.
Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and that the purpose of life is to worship God.[2] They regard their religion as the completed and universal version of a primordial, monotheistic faith revealed at many times and places before, including, notably, to the prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Islamic tradition holds that previous messages and revelations have been changed and distorted over time.[3] Religious practices include the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five obligatory acts of worship.[4] Islamic law (Arabic: شريعة Šarīʿah) touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, encompassing everything from banking and warfare to welfare and the environment.[5]
The majority of Muslims belong to one of two denominations, the Sunni and the Shi'a.[6][7] About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country,[8] 25% in South Asia,[8] 20% in the Middle East,[9] 2% in Central Asia, 4% in the remaining South East Asian countries, and 15% in Sub-saharan Africa.[7] Sizable communities are also found in China and Russia, and parts of the Caribbean. Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world. With about 1.57 billion Muslims comprising about 23% of the world's population[7] (see Islam by country), Islam is the second-largest and arguably the fastest-growing religion in the world.[10][11][12][13][14]
