What Is Islam? A Simple Introduction

Nearly a quarter of the world’s population is Muslim, yet many people have never had Islam explained to them simply, by someone who actually believes it. This page is that explanation: what Islam is, what Muslims believe, and why it matters to them.

One God, the same message

At the heart of Islam is a single idea: there is only one God, and He alone deserves to be worshipped. In Arabic, God is called Allah — the same word Arabic-speaking Christians use for God in their Bibles and prayers. You can read more in Who Is Allah?

Muslims do not see Islam as a new religion that began in the seventh century. They see it as the same message God gave to every prophet, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all). The Qur’an puts it this way:

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ ﴿٢٥﴾

And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."

This is why a Muslim’s faith includes respect and love for all of these prophets. The Qur’an asks Muslims to say:

قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٦﴾

Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."

What the word “Islam” means

The word Islam comes from an Arabic root that carries the ideas of submission and peace. Islam means willingly submitting yourself to God — and, through that submission, finding peace with Him, with yourself and with others. A Muslim is simply “one who submits” to God. We explore this in more depth in What Does the Word “Islam” Mean?

Where Muslims find guidance

Muslims have two main sources for their beliefs and practices:

• The Qur’an — the words of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over about 23 years and preserved in its original Arabic. See What Is the Qur’an?
• The Sunnah — the teachings and example of the Prophet ﷺ, recorded in collections of reports called hadith. Muslims see his life as the Qur’an put into practice. See Who Was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

What Muslims believe and do

Muslim belief is often summarised in the six articles of faith: belief in God, His angels, His revealed books, His messengers, the Day of Judgement, and His decree. You can read about them in The Six Articles of Faith.

Muslim practice is built on the five pillars: the declaration of faith, the five daily prayers, giving to those in need (zakah), fasting in the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able. See The Five Pillars of Islam.

But Islam is not only rituals. It is a whole way of life that covers how a person eats, works, treats their parents, raises their children and deals with neighbours and strangers. Good character is at its centre. The Prophet ﷺ tied faith itself to how we treat others:

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself

A faith for every people

Islam is not tied to one nation, race or culture. Muslims live on every continent, and most are not Arab. The Qur’an teaches that our differences are meant to bring us closer, and that the only thing that makes one person better than another in God’s sight is goodness and God-consciousness:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ ﴿١٣﴾

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

Why it matters

For Muslims, Islam answers life’s biggest questions: Who made us? Why are we here? What happens after we die? It teaches that we were created by a loving, merciful God, that life is a meaningful test, and that every good deed counts. You can read more in What Is the Purpose of Life in Islam? and What Happens After Death in Islam?

Islam also teaches that faith cannot be forced — it has to be a free and sincere choice of the heart (Qur’an 2:256).

If you are curious, the best next step is simply to keep reading and asking questions. A good place to begin is Why Is Islam Called a Religion of Mercy? — because mercy is the thread that runs through everything Muslims believe.