Islam is not a new religion; rather, it is the same truth that Allah (God Almighty) revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.
The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission' and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context, it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.
.Who are the Muslims?
One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim; while significant minorities are to be found in China, North and South America Europe and the former Soviet Union, which occupied whole Muslim states and made them minorities.
What do Muslims believe?
Muslims believe in One Unique Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the Prophets through whom His Revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in Allah's (God's) complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of Prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist and Jesus, peace be upon them. God's final Message to man - a reconfirmation of the eternal Message and a summing-up of all that has gone before - was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.