Islam

Islam is a faith in Allah as the one true God who was revealed to mankind through his prophets, and most importantly his last and final prophet, Mohammed (PBUH).

The word Islam is related to the Arabic word salam which means peace. The words Islam, Muslim and salam are all related to the Arabic three-letter root slm which has a meaning of being ‘whole’ or ‘safe.’

Islam means submission to the will of Allah and obedience to his laws. All of creation (except man) operates in a ‘state of islam’ (submission to Allah and obedience to his laws). 

Man, capable of intelligence and choice, is invited to submit to Allah (become a Muslim).

If man submits to Allah by doing more good deeds than bad deeds throughout his life, he hopes to enter paradise upon his death.

Mohammed (PBUH) was the founder of Islam. He is believed to have been the last and final prophet of Allah meaning he was given Allah’s final word to mankind through the Quran replacing all holy books that came before. 

Mohammed’s (PBUH) life is to be emulated—with certain restrictions. This is done mainly by following the Hadith, the book written about his life and deeds.

Muslim is a person who submits to Allah and obeys his laws.

  The Creed (Confession of Faith) — Shahada

Saying the following creed from the heart in front of a Muslim converts one into a Muslim.

“There is no other god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet!”

Following the:

Prohibitions

Obligations

Hadith and

Quran 

shows one to be a faithful follower and true believer.

Misconception that Christians hold about Muslims

All Muslims are terrorists.  

Truth

Islamic terrorists are only a handful of fanatically religious people that take a few verses in the Quran very literally. Muslims are just as afraid of terrorists as everyone else.

Misconception that Christians hold about Muslims
Becoming a Muslim means you will enter paradise when you die.

Truth
Islam is a religion based on works. If one does more good works than bad, he may be able to enter into paradise but it is not a guarantee.

 Misconception that Christians hold about Muslims

All Muslims are Arabs. 

Truth

The simplest definition of an Arab is a person whose first language is Arabic. 

Islam first spread through Arabic speaking nations, and thus is equated with Arabs. 

However, there are many Muslim nations and Muslim people groups who do not speak Arabic nor live in nations considered to be Arab (belonging to the Arab League which is comprised of 22 nations as of 2018). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_states_of_the_Arab_League)  

While the majority of Arabs is Muslim (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/01/31/worlds-muslim-population-more-widespread-than-you-might-think/),only about one in five Muslims is Arab. (https://www.answers.com/Q/How_many_Arabs_are_Muslims)