Difference between Islam and Muslim

Many people found it difficult to differentiate between Islam and Muslim as both terms are interrelated or in other words we can say that a Muslim is the subset of Islam. To understand these two terms, we need to get the broader concept of what religion is. Here it should be noted that religion is the fundamental set of beliefs agreed upon and practiced by individuals or the group; this set of beliefs primarily comprises the issues mentioned below. The purpose of the universe, especially when viewed as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, generally involves devotional and ritual observances, and often contains a moral code that governs conduct of human affairs; all these are the important point of religion. Currently, there are more than 4,200 religions in the world, of which Islam is the second most popular religion after coming in second after Christianity. And the one who follows or practices Islam is called a Muslim.

What is the Islam?

Islam is the second most popular religion in the world with more than 1.6 billion followers worldwide. Christianity is the only religion that has more followers compared to Islam. But according to the latest reliable study, the way Islam is flourishing, it will overtake Christianity as the world’s most popular religion by 2070. The religion of Islam is based on the individual’s submission to good and obedience to its law and not to do what is fulfilled. Throughout the years, Islam was seen as the peaceful religion as it even claimed to behave well towards enemies. The other outstanding features that make this religion prominent among other world religions is the message of equality regardless of color or race, women’s right of inheritance and the need for her followers to educate themselves and others as well. Although, today some carefully selected organizations are portraying a negative image of Islam. Of them, ISIS and the Taliban are the prominent organization, which are tarnishing the image of Islam at the highest level.

Who is muslim?

The person who accepts and practices Islam is known as a Muslim. In other words, we can say that Muslims are the subset of established Islam in the case of the Islam-Muslim relationship. The person submits to the will of ALLAH and obeys what he is obliged to do, while he refrains from doing what is prohibited in religion. If one wants to enter the Islam religion, he/she needs to believe and declare that ‘there is no God apart from ALLAH and Muhammad is the Messenger of God’. It should be noted that someone who is willing to become a good Muslim must follow the five pillars of Islam, and must also follow the ways of the Last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, peace be upon him. Shahadah, Salat (prayers), Zakat (charity),fasting and visiting the Holy Kabaah are the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are further divided into dozens of sects, there are mainly two sects of Muslims, one is Shia and the other is Sunni. All the sects have the similar basic belief such as following the teachings of Quran, the unity of ALLAH and Muhammad PBUH as the last prophet.

islam vs muslim

1. Islam is the religion that obliges its followers to follow the teachings of the Qur’an, the unity of ALLAH and Muhammad PBUH as the last prophet, while the one who accepts and practices this religion is called a Muslim.
2. Islam is the second largest religion as it has more than 1.6 billion followers (Muslims).
3. Islam is only one, although Muslims are further divided by sects and beliefs.
4. Shahadah, Salat (prayers), Zakat (charity), fasting and visiting the Holy Kabaah are the five pillars of Islam.