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हिन्दीMuslim — Meaning of the Word
Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is pronounced MUS-lim, with a clear “s”. You may also see the older spelling “Moslem”, which most Muslims today prefer not to use.
Meaning
Muslim comes from the same root as Islam and salam (peace). It means “one who submits” — a person who gives his or her will to God. Muslims make up nearly a quarter of humanity, and they are spread across every continent. The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia, not an Arab country.
Being a Muslim is not only about belief; it is also about how you treat others. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave a simple description:
…A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands.…
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How Muslims use it
A person becomes Muslim by sincerely declaring that there is no god but God and that Muhammad ﷺ is His messenger. There is no ceremony or membership fee, and no priest is needed. Muslims also use the word in its wider sense to describe earlier prophets and their followers who submitted to God.
Example
“My neighbour is a Muslim, so she fasts from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.”
To learn more, read What Is Islam? or How to Become a Muslim.
Key takeaways
- A Muslim is one who submits to God.
- Muslims come from every race and nation — most are not Arabs.
- Islam teaches that a true Muslim keeps others safe from harm.
