What Does the Word "Islam" Mean?

Most religions are named after a founder, a people or a place. Islam is different: its name describes an attitude of the heart — a relationship between a person and God. Understanding that one word goes a long way to understanding the whole faith.

The root s-l-m: submission and peace

Arabic words are built from roots, usually of three letters, that carry a core meaning. The word Islam comes from the root s-l-m (س ل م). From this root come many related words:

Strictly speaking, Islam means submission — handing yourself over to God willingly and wholeheartedly. But because it shares its root with salam, Arabic speakers naturally hear in it the ideas of peace, safety and wholeness too. Muslims understand the two as connected: when a person surrenders to their Creator, they find peace — with God, within themselves and with others.

It is worth being honest here: Islam does not simply mean “peace”, as is sometimes said. It means submission to God, and peace is the fruit of that submission.

Submission, not humiliation

In everyday English, “submission” can sound like defeat. In Islam it means something closer to trust. A person who submits to God is like a patient who trusts a good doctor, or a traveller who follows a reliable guide. The Qur’an describes the one who submits as someone who also does good:

بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌۭ فَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿١١٢﴾

Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.

Notice that the verse joins inner surrender to God with outward goodness towards others. Islam is meant to show in how we live, not only in what we believe.

Who is a “Muslim”?

A Muslim is simply someone who submits to God. In the Qur’an the word is not limited to the followers of Muhammad ﷺ. It is used for earlier prophets and their followers as well. For example, the Qur’an describes Abraham (peace be upon him) like this:

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّۭا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّۭا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًۭا مُّسْلِمًۭا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٦٧﴾

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists.

The disciples of Jesus (peace be upon him) are also described as declaring themselves Muslims who submit to God (Qur’an 3:52). This is why Muslims see Islam as the original message of all the prophets, not a new invention — see One Message, All the Prophets.

It also explains why Muslims do not like the old term “Mohammedanism”. Muslims do not worship Muhammad ﷺ; they follow him as God’s messenger and worship God alone.

Peace in practice

The link between Islam and peace is not only a matter of grammar. It shows up throughout Muslim life:

• Muslims greet one another with as-salamu alaykum — “peace be upon you”.
• One of God’s names in the Qur’an is As-Salam — the One who is perfect and the source of peace (Qur’an 59:23).
• Paradise is called Dar as-Salam, the Home of Peace (Qur’an 10:25).
• The ritual prayer ends with the greeting of peace, as-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah — “peace and the mercy of God be upon you”.

The Prophet ﷺ also described a true Muslim by whether those around him are safe from his words and his actions:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. And a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Allah has forbidden

The words “Muslim” and “safe” in this saying come from the same root: a Muslim is someone from whom others are salim — safe and unharmed.

A name that is an invitation

Because Islam is named after a relationship with God rather than a person or nation, it is open to everyone. Anyone, from any background, who sincerely turns to the one God and submits to Him is, in the language of the Qur’an, a “muslim”. To learn more about the God Muslims submit to, continue with Who Is Allah?, or go back to the overview in What Is Islam?