Are “Islam” and “Muslim” the same thing?
No, they are not exactly the same thing, but they are very closely related. “Islam” is the name of the religion, and “Muslim” refers to the followers of that religion, just like “Christianity” defines the religion and “Christians” describes its followers. Similarly, “Judaism” is the religion and “Jews” are its followers. “Islam” is the noun and “Muslim” is the adjective. Islam is the Arabic word for "submission" and Muslim translates into "one who submits to God." There are a number of different sects of Islam– like Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi– but all followers are considered Muslims.
Definition of “Islam”
Islam is the name of the world’s second largest religion. Islam is defined as the religious faith of all Muslims. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have a lot in common, as they are the three main Abrahamic religions, meaning that Abraham is an important figure in each of their scriptures. Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammed in 7th century Mecca, which is modern day Saudi Arabia. Islam’s primary religious text is called the Quran, which is the equivalent of Christianity’s Bible, and their unique personal god is named Allah, which is Arabic for “god” or “deity.” Islam has a following of 1.8 billion and is largely practiced in the Arabic-speaking world, including North Africa and the Middle East, as well as in many other parts of Asia. Indonesia holds the world’s largest population of believers of the Islamic faith, with about 242 million followers. The five pillars of Islam are a declaration of faith, prayer five times a day, charity, fasting, and a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Definition of “Muslim”
“Muslim” is the name for the followers of Islam. The term “Muslim” is used to describe the group of people that follow the Islamic faith. Muslims live by the teachings of the Quran, which involves embracing a halal, or lawful, lifestyle, and avoiding haram, an unlawful lifestyle. This ranges from the way Muslims behave to what they eat. Although not all Muslims practice the same way, they generally follow a strict moral code which includes following the 5 pillars of Islam to varying degrees. Muslims fast during Ramadan, their sacred month. Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during the day as a means to strengthen their relationship with Allah, as a form of discipline, and as a way to stand in solidarity with those less fortunate. When the fast is broken at the end of the day, a big festive meal follows, called an iftar. Muslims pray 5 times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after the sun sets. They pray facing Mecca, and praying can be done individually or in groups at a mosque.
How to Use Appropriately
Use “Islam” as a noun and “Muslim” as an adjective. Although these terms are very similar, they can’t be used in the same way. “Muslim” refers to a person, while “Islam” refers to a belief system. If you’re still a bit confused, try to remember that the former is a descriptor and the latter is what’s being described. Here are a few examples of how you can use these similar religious words in conversation correctly, seamlessly, and without offense: “Muslims don’t eat pork as it is forbidden by Islam.” “Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting from dawn to sunset. Fasting is one of the main pillars of Islam.” “My Muslim friend, Adnan, is doing his pilgrimage to Mecca this year– it’s a rite of passage in Islam!” “Muslim women can choose to dress modestly, which is encouraged by Islam.” “In order to convert to Islam, all you have to do is recite the Shahada. Afterwards, you’re considered a Muslim!”
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