Islam and Islam are synonymous words. Read more in the article.
Many women and men who are not particularly versed in the topic of Islam and Islam are wondering: is there a difference between these concepts? Or are these words synonymous?
Read another useful article on the topic on our website: “List of Muslim holidays for 2021-2022” . You will find an easy-to-read table with dates.
From this article you will learn whether the religion is Islam or Islam - how to say it correctly, and in general, what it is and what the difference is. Read on.
Islam and Islam: what is it, a little history, briefly
Islam and Islam
The Islamic religion is one of the three most famous on the planet (the other two being Buddhism and Christianity). Islam is considered an Abrahamic religion, that is, it originates from spiritual traditions dating back to the Semitic patriarch Abraham (in Arabic - Ibrahim). Next, you can find out whether the terminology “Islam” and “Muslim” . But first, let's take a brief excursion into historical data. Islam and Islam - what is it?
- The Islamic religion has its origins in the seventh century AD in the Arabian Peninsula.
- The tribes that inhabited it then were not united into one state and worshiped different deities.
- According to various legends, in 610 , the Prophet Muhammad saw one of the angels next to Allah , who told the Prophet the revelations recorded in the first chapters of the Koran .
- After this, Muhammad , as the Messenger of Allah , began to preach a new religion among his fellow tribesmen.
- Carrying out his prophetic mission, he called on everyone to believe in the only God - Allah and thus receive salvation.
The ruling authorities of that time did not approve of what Muhammad , so he faced many difficulties. In 622, he had to flee from his hometown of Mecca to Medina, where he continued to preach and was received with greater favor. The Muslim calendar begins from this year. Later, Prophet Muhammad and his followers strengthened their influence and returned to Mecca in victory. After some time, most Arab tribes stopped worshiping their deities and converted to Islam.
After the death of Muhammad, Arab conquerors spread the Islamic religion throughout the Middle East, Iran, parts of the Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa, as well as almost the entire Iberian Peninsula (the territory of modern Spain and Portugal). Later, history made its own adjustments to the map of Muslim influence. They were expelled from Spanish territory, but expanded their influence in other places, such as the islands of Southeast Asia.
Number of Muslims
There were 1126 million Muslims worldwide in 1996, accounting for 19% of the total world population. By parts of the world and large regions they were distributed as follows: 778 million lived in Asia (excluding the countries of the former USSR) (22% of the population of this part of the world and 69% of all Muslims), in Africa - 309 million (41% and 27%, respectively) ), in Europe (including the entire territory of Russia) - 32 million (4.4% and 2.8%), in America - 7 million (0.9% and 0.6%), in Australia and Oceania - 0 .4 million (1.3% and 0.03%).
In Asia, the number of Muslims is most significant in Indonesia (150 million - 83% of the total population; all figures given refer to 1990), Pakistan (119 million - 97%), Bangladesh (101 million - 87%), India (99 million . - 12%), Iran (56 million - 99%), Turkey (55.5 million - approx. 100%), China (27 million - 2.4%), Iraq (18 million - 95% ), Afghanistan (16 million - 99%), Saudi Arabia (13 million - 93%), Yemen (13 million - almost 100%), Syria (11 million - 90%), Malaysia (10 million - 55%), in the Philippines (5 million - 8%), in Jordan (3.2 million - 94%), Thailand (2.2 million - 4%), Kuwait (1.9 million - 90% ), Lebanon (1.8 million - 60%), United Arab Emirates (1.6 million - 85%), Myanmar (1.6 million - 4%), Oman (1.4 million - 96% ), Palestine (1.4 million - 88%), Sri Lanka (1.3 million - 8%). In addition, the percentage of the Muslim population is high in the following Asian countries: Bahrain (approx. 440 thousand - 85%), Qatar (approx. 405 thousand - 91%), the Maldives Republic (214 thousand - over 99%), Brunei (approx. 190 thousand - 71%).
Among African countries, there are large groups of followers of Islam in Egypt (46 million - 85% of the total population), Nigeria (34 million - 40%), Algeria (25 million - over 99%), Morocco (25 million - about 100 %), Sudan (18 million - 70%), Ethiopia (16 million - 35%), Tanzania (9.6 million - 35%; in Zanzibar, Islam is practiced by 98% of the population), Tunisia (8.1 million). - 99.5%), Mali (8.1 million - 86%), Somalia (7.6 million - almost 100%), Niger (6.4 million - 90.5%), Guinea (5. 7 million - 83%), Cote d'Ivoire (4.9 million - 39%), Libya (4.4 million - 96%), Burkina Faso (4.3 million - 48%), Cameroon (2.7 million - 24%), Chad (2.6 million - 45.5%), Ghana (2.4 million - 16%), Mozambique (2 million - 13%), Mauritania ( 2 million - about 100%), Sierra Leone (1.8 million - 43%), Eritrea (1.7 million - 51%), Kenya (1.5 million - 6%), Uganda (1 .5 million - 8%), Malawi (1.2 million - 14.5%). In addition, African countries such as Gambia (about 820 thousand - 95%), Comoros (about 430 thousand - 98%), Djibouti (about 385 thousand - 95%), Mayotte ( 78 thousand - 97%).
Among the states formed after the collapse of the USSR, there are many Muslims in Uzbekistan (14 million - 68% of the total population), Russia (13 million - 9%), Kazakhstan (6.7 million - 40%), Azerbaijan (5.7 million - 80%), Tajikistan (4.4 million - 82%), Turkmenistan (2.8 million - 76%), Kyrgyzstan (2.6 million - 60%). In Russia, Muslims are mainly concentrated in the Volga region, the Urals, Western Siberia and the North Caucasus.
In Europe, significant groups of followers of Islam include France (4.3 million - about 8% of the population), Germany (2 million - 2.5%), Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro: 1.8 million - 17%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1.7 million - 40%), Great Britain (1.4 million - 2.5%), Albania (estimated 1.3 million - 40%), Italy (1.1 million). - about 2%).
In Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Muslims are mainly representatives of the indigenous population (in Yugoslavia, mainly Albanians of Kosovo), in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy - they are overwhelmingly immigrants. In France, Islam is practiced mainly by Arabs from North Africa and South-West Asia, as well as people from African countries, in Germany - mainly Turks, Kurds, Arabs, the so-called Slavic Muslims (from Bosnia and Herzegovina), in Great Britain - primarily in turn, immigrants from Pakistan and some immigrants from India, in Italy - Arabs, Somalis, immigrants from Eritrea.
In America, there is a truly large group of Muslims only in the United States. Estimates of the number of adherents of Islam in this country vary greatly: from 1.2 million to 6 million people. The most plausible figure is 4.5 million (less than 2% of the population). By nationality, these are Arabs, Persians and other immigrants from foreign countries, as well as African Americans in the United States who converted to Islam (according to some estimates, about 1/3 of all Muslims in the country).
As of the beginning of 2014, according to the Boston Center for the Study of World Christianity (Gordon-Conwell-Seminar), there are 1.7 billion Muslims in the world [2].
Religion: Islam or Islam: which is correct?
Religion Islam
Both words that name this religion are synonyms and are used to denote one concept. The term "Islam" comes from the Arabic word "islam" , which is translated from Arabic as "submission" (or "submission to the will of God" ). This word is the original, main and correct name of the Muslim religion.
It is worth noting that it would be more correct to use the terminology “Islam” , because it is the official name of this type of belief. It is Islam that is presented in the holy book of the Koran as the only and complete faith, as well as mercy for all mankind.
It is worth knowing: Islam is not a type of Islam; interpreting these words in this way would be incorrect.
Among the Arabs, such a term as “Muslim” simply does not exist, but in Russian this word means adherents of Islam. When choosing which word to use, it is better to give preference to the terminology “Islam” , since this is what this religion is called and it is officially widespread throughout the world.
Religion Islam and Islam are the same thing or not: what is the difference, how are they different?
People who preach Islam are Muslims, so there can be no differences in the meaning of terminology; the essence lies in the origin of these word forms. What is the difference, what are the differences?
The Arabic word forms "Islam" and "Muslim" have the same meaning. They refer to a religion that was started by the Prophet Muhammad in the city of Mecca in the 7th century AD . Why then is this religion called differently? Linguistic features played a role here. The words “Islam” and “Muslim” with the same meaning turn out to have minor semantic differences, as well as different origins.
- From the very beginning, the religion was called “Islam ,” which is translated from Arabic as “submission . A person professing such a faith was called a “Muslim” (“follower of Islam”).
- The spelling of terms in Arabic is very similar, but adaptation to European languages, including Russian, has led to similar discrepancies.
- Many linguists will point out that these words have a related meaning, since both one and the other have a certain sequence of consonant sounds - [s], [l], [m], and besides, they are used to denote the same concept .
Below is even more interesting information. Read on.
What is the Koran
Who is a true Muslim? How does he live, work, build a family? All answers are given in the Koran. Every worthy citizen strives for the Absolute, that is, he shows tolerance towards others, observes all regulations and customs, he is a worthy husband and father. He is righteous who:
- always tells the truth;
- faithful to his wife;
- open and tactful;
- does not hold grudges for long;
- moderately modest;
- not greedy;
- pure in heart and soul.
As for family relationships, everything is contradictory here too. Speaking about classical, fundamental Islam, family is the basis of everything. Divorces are practically unacceptable, although they are not uncommon in the modern world. Wealthy people can have several legal wives at the same time (up to four), but today monogamous marriages are becoming more and more common (in Arab countries, maintaining all wives is an unaffordable luxury). The abuse of women, which has become a stereotype, is not welcomed everywhere today. In many Muslim countries, women are free to develop a profession, wear makeup, engage in art, and not wear a hijab (head scarf). And although the status of men and women in an Islamic state is very different (men have much more rights, but at the same time, responsibilities), the lion's share of women do not feel oppressed and oppressed, but under the constant protection of their family and in abundance. This attitude is formed in them from birth, and they do not know any other life.
Pillars of Islam
Pillars of Islam
Islam has 5 main creeds or pillars , which express the moral values of this religion. Thanks to them, the self-awareness of believers, as well as religious conscience, is formed. The pillars of Islam contain the main provisions of the laws, which are called Sharia :
- The first pillar is the shahada , the very formula of monotheism or dogma that everyone who converts to Islam must pronounce. Only after performing this ritual can he call himself a Muslim.
- The second pillar of Islam means that all Muslims are obliged to perform prayers to Allah five times daily.
- The third pillar is the annual zakat tax , which is intended to provide assistance to everyone who needs it.
- The fourth pillar is a fast called “Uraza” , which must be observed by adherents of this religion in the month of Ramadan - the 9th month according to the Muslim calendar.
- The fifth pillar is the pilgrimage or “Hajj,” which all Muslims are required to perform to the city of Mecca, where the main Islamic shrine of the Kaaba is located.
There are also six pillars of “iman” - faith in Allah and the truth of the Islamic religion. These include the Muslim belief in:
6 pillars of "iman"
If even one of these teachings is not accepted by a Muslim, then ultimately his faith will be considered invalid.
Unity of material and spiritual
Islam does not put a person in a dilemma: either material or spiritual. Here one does not exclude the other. Islam does not call for renunciation of life, it makes life complete. This religion denies asceticism and does not prescribe shunning the worldly. Piety, Islam teaches, does not lie in renunciation of the world, but in modesty and moderation. The Lord calls to turn to Him with the words:
“Our Lord! Grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter...” (Quran 2:201).
But while using earthly goods, a person should not avoid excess. The Lord says:
“...Eat and drink, but do not exceed, for Allah does not love those who excess” (Quran 7:31).
About modesty and moderation, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Fast, but also break your fast (at the prescribed time), observe prayer, but also set aside time for sleep; for your body has a right over you, and your eyes have a right over you; your wife has a right over you, and the one who visits you has a right over you.”
So, Islam is a religion that does not divide the way of life into secular and spiritual; and calls on a person to transform his existence, guided by the principles of morality. To succeed, a person needs to combine the moral and material, and not become an ascetic.
Humanity has suffered enough due to one-sided religions and beliefs. Some emphasized the spiritual side and rejected the material aspects. The world in their minds was just an illusion, a deception, a trap. Others - adherents of material ideology - on the contrary, rejected the spiritual side of life as something illusory. Such ideas, religions, beliefs only deprived people of peace, contentment and tranquility.
Even today, lack of balance manifests itself in one direction or another. As the French scientist De Brogby rightly noted:
“An overly intense material civilization will harm itself first of all if spiritual life does not develop in parallel, thereby ensuring the proper balance.”
Christianity went to one extreme, modern Western ideologies (secular-capitalist democracy and socialism) to the other.
“We have created an external structure of noble proportions, but we have neglected the basic requirement of internal order; we had carefully designed, decorated and polished the outside of the bowl, but the inside was full of exorbitant pretensions and excesses; We used our increased knowledge to create comfort for the body, but abandoned our soul to the mercy of fate.”
Islam strives to create a balance between the material and spiritual aspects. Everything that exists in the world is for man, says Islam, but man was created for a higher purpose: serving God, which will include following the principles of morality and justice. Although Islam places emphasis on preparation for eternal life, it does not forget about the worldly, temporary needs of man. He calls us to purify our souls and transform our lives, both personal and social, and establish good over evil. Thus, Islam does not rush to extremes, but sticks to the middle and strives to educate a moral person as a cell of a future just society.
