Are Muslim and Islam the Same? Similarities & Key Differences

PDF download Download Article
Plus, how to use “Muslim” and “Islam” correctly in conversation
PDF download Download Article

Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion, and you’ve probably heard the term “Muslim” in a similar context. But is there a difference between “Islam” and “Muslim”— or are they the same thing? If you want to learn the distinction between these popular religious terms, keep reading for a complete explanation, including definitions and how to use the terms correctly. 

Islam vs. Muslim: An Overview

"Islam" refers to the name of the religion, while "Muslim" is used to define a follower of Islam. These terms can't be used interchangeably, as one is an adjective and one is a noun. You could say, "He is Muslim, so he fasts during Ramadan, the holy month in Islam," or, "In Islam, Muslims pray five times a day."

Section 1 of 6:

Are “Islam” and “Muslim” the same thing?

PDF download Download Article
  1. “Islam” is the name of the religion, and “Muslim” refers to the followers of that religion. This means that “Islam” is a noun and “Muslim” is an adjective. There are a number of different sects of Islam–like Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi–but all followers are considered Muslims. [1]
    • Similarly, “Christianity” defines the religion and “Christians” describes its followers, Same for “Judaism,” which is the name of the religion, and “Jews," which are the followers.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 6:

How to Use “Islam” and “Muslim” Appropriately

PDF download Download Article
  1. Although these terms are related, 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 to use these words correctly: [2]
    • “ 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 !”
Section 3 of 6:

Definition of "Islam"

PDF download Download Article
  1. Islam is defined as the religious faith of all Muslims. 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, and their unique personal god is named Allah, which is Arabic for “god” or “deity.” [3]
    • The five pillars of Islam are a declaration of faith, prayer five times a day, charity, fasting, and a pilgrimage to Mecca.
    • "Islam" is the Arabic word for "submission."
    2. Advertisement
Section 4 of 6:

Definition of “Muslim”

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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. [4]
    • "Muslim" is the Arabic word for "one who submits to God."
Section 5 of 6:

Islam vs. Islamism

PDF download Download Article
  1. Despite how similar the two sound, there is one stark difference: Islam is a religion and Islamism is a political belief that stems from conservative— and often intolerant— Muslim ideals. Islamism is a radical approach to integrating politics and religion in every facet of life in the Islamic world, as they don’t believe in the separation of church and state, so to speak. Islamists are typically anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-Western culture. [5]
    • It’s important to note that while all Islamists are Muslim, only a small subset of Muslims are thought to be Islamists.
    2. Advertisement
Section 6 of 6:

FAQ

PDF download Download Article
  1. Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion, and recent data revealed the population of Muslims to be around 1.8 billion, or about 24% of the world population. This number is expected to grow by about 32% in the coming decades, with nearly 3 billion projected Muslims in the year 2060, making up 31% of the world population. Currently, Indonesia holds the world’s largest population of Muslims, with about 242 million. [6]
  2. The three main monotheistic religions are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and they have plenty in common. All three are considered Abrahamic religions, meaning that Abraham is an important figure in each of their scriptures. Other figures, like Moses, are believed to be prophets by all three religions. Moreover, all three religions originated in the Middle East, share holy sites, and adhere to similar principles, like pilgrimage and practicing spiritual discipline.
  3. Yes, as “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for “God,” just like “Yahweh” is the Hebrew word for “God” used by Jews. Despite the different spellings and languages, all three of the major monotheistic worship the same God, although their portrayals can vary significantly across their respective holy books. [7]
  4. Yes, there are several branches of Islam. The main two sects are Sunnism and Shiism, created after a disagreement over who should be Mohammed’s successor. Shi'is thought that it should be a blood relative, while Sunnis thought that their next leader should elected based on merit. Today, about 80% of Muslims are Sunni. [8]
  5. Arabic is the main language of Islam, as the Quran is written in Arabic. However, there are tons of Muslims who are not native Arabic speakers and only use Arabic in reference to the Quran or for other religious purposes. Persian, or Farsi, Turkish, and Urdu are three other important languages spoken in the Islamic world and have borrowed many words from one another.
  6. The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a religious and political movement founded in Detroit, Michigan during the 1930s by Wallace D. Fard. Although it borrows certain concepts, principles, and terms from Islam, scholars do not consider it a sect of Islam. Instead, it’s categorized as a new religion with high profile members, like Malcolm X and Muhammed, who advocate for black nationalism. NOI is known for making controversial comments about the white race, such as referring to them as “blue-eyed devils.” [9]
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Perform Wudu
      How Do You Do Ghusl After a Period?
      How to
      Do Mutah
      What Are the Ten Rules of Islam?
      How to
      Greet in Islam
      16 Powerful Duas for Protection, Safety, & Well-Being
      Nikah Requirements and Procedure (and What to Expect If You’re a Guest)
      How to
      Perform Ghusl
      How to
      Become a Muslim
      What Does Jazakallah Khair (جزاك اللهُ خيرً) Mean? Plus, How to Reply to It
      A Full Translation of the Ayatul Kursi & Its Many Benefits
      What Does "Inshallah" Mean & How Do You Use It?
      A Guide to the 7 Levels of Heavens in Islam
      What Does Mashallah (مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ) Mean?
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/islam
      2. ↑ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-06/house-of-gods-exploring-hijab-islam-muslim-women/103376332
      3. ↑ https://www.history.com/topics/religion/islam
      4. ↑ https://www.brandeis.edu/spiritual-life/resources/guide-to-observances/ramadan.html
      5. ↑ https://www.fpri.org/article/2015/08/islam-and-islamism-a-primer-for-teachers-and-students/
      6. ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/04/06/why-muslims-are-the-worlds-fastest-growing-religious-group/
      7. ↑ https://theconversation.com/in-spite-of-their-differences-jews-christians-and-muslims-worship-the-same-god-83102
      8. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-16047709
      9. ↑ https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/nation-islam/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,986 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement