Islam

Apologetics Index breadcrumbs You are here: Apologetics Index | A-Z Index | Islam

Table of Contents for This Entry

Next: Islam - Basic Beliefs

Note: In preparation for an update to our entry on Islam, we are in the process of moving the exisiting entry from its old place into our current format.

Islam is the world's second largest religion, with an estimated 1.5 billion followers. [Source: Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents, at Adherents.com -- last accessed Sep. 20, 2007)

In the USA, Islam is among the fastest growing religions (1998). America is said to have 1200 mosques and Islamic centers, and 6-7 million adherents. However, these numbers are being disputed. (See also: Statistics).

Islam also claims significant growth in Africa and is growing - largely through immigration and a higher-than-average birthrate, in Europe (example: Netherlands).

The term "Arab" describes an ethnic or cultural identity. Not all Arabs are Muslims, and not all Muslims are Arabs. The terms are not interchangeable. (Matter of fact, Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation).

The word 'Islam' is derived from the Arabic 'Islama', which means 'submission.' The religion was founded by Muhammad, whom Muslims consider to be the last prophet of the one God, Allah.

Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 AD. "At the age of 40 he had a visitation from the Archangel Gabriel, who revealed to him the contents of the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, and gave him the task of cleansing Mecca of pagan shrines." (Source)

According to the Quran, "[T]he only religion acceptable to God is Submission" (to Allah). (Quran 3:19)

Note: During the update of this entry, most resources on this topic will still be available here.

Islam - Basic Beliefs

Bookmark, Share, Print or Email This Page

More About...

Topic: A-Z Index, I, Islam

Comment

Responses are currently closed, but you can comment on your own website, blog, or elsewhere (e.g. Google+, Facebook) and include a 'trackback' link to this page.
Note: If the current entry includes a Table of Contents (top, right-hand corner), the comments section is located on the first page of the entry (and may indeed be open. Do check.) Also, on some entries, the comments section is located on a separate page. Again, see the topic's Table of Contents -- if included.