Etymology

The Kaaba in Mecca is the direction of prayer and destination of pilgrimage

See also: Muslims §  Etymology

In Arabic, Islam (Arabic: ‫إسالم‬, "submission [to God]") is the verbal noun originating from the verb ‫سلم‬
(salama), from triliteral root ‫م‬-‫ل‬-‫( س‬S-L-M), which forms a large class of words mostly relating to
concepts of wholeness, submission, sincerity, safeness, and peace.[34] Islam is the verbal noun
of Form IV of the root, and means "submission" or "total surrender". In a religious context, it means
"total surrender to the will of God".[1][35] A Muslim (Arabic: ‫)مُسْ لِم‬, the word for a follower of Islam, is
the active participle of the same verb form, and means "submitter (to God)" or "one who surrenders
(to God)." The word Islam (submission) sometimes has distinct connotations in its various
occurrences in the Quran. In some verses, there is stress on the quality of Islam as an internal
spiritual state: "Whoever God wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam." [i][35] Other verses
connect Islam and religion (dīn) together:[ii]
"Today, I have perfected your religion for you; I have completed My blessing upon you; I have
approved Islam for your religion."[ii]
Others describe Islam as an action of returning to God—more than just a verbal affirmation of faith.
[iii]
 In the Hadith of Gabriel, Islam is presented as one part of a triad that also includes imān (faith),
and ihsān (excellence).[36][37]
The word silm (Arabic: ‫ )سِ ْلم‬in Arabic means both peace and also the religion of Islam.[38] A common
linguistic phrase demonstrating its usage is "he entered into as-silm" (Arabic: ‫ )دَ َخ َل فِي الس ِّْل ِم‬which
means "he entered into Islam," with a connotation of finding peace by submitting one's will to
the Will of God.[38] The word "Islam" can be used in a linguistic sense of submission or in a technical
sense of the religion of Islam, which also is called as-silm which means peace.[38]
Islam was historically itself called Mohammedanism in the English-speaking world. This term has
fallen out of use and is sometimes said to be offensive, as it suggests that a human being, rather
than God, is central to Muslims' religion, parallel to Buddha in Buddhism.[39] Some authors, however,
continue to use the term Mohammedanism as a technical term for the religious system as opposed
to the theological concept of Islam that exists within that system.
Articles of faith
Main articles: Aqidah and Iman
Faith (iman) in the Islamic creed (aqidah) is often represented as the six articles of faith, notably
mentioned in the Hadith of Gabriel. Belief in these articles is necessary and obligatory upon all
Muslims.

Concept of God
Main article: God in Islam

Medallion showing "Allah" (God) in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The central concept of Islam is tawḥīd (Arabic: ‫)توحيد‬, the unity of God. Usually thought of as a
precise monotheism, but also panentheistic in Islamic mystical teachings.[40][41][42]:22 God is described
in Chapter 112 of the Quran: Say, “He is God—One and Indivisible; God—the Sustainer ˹needed by
all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.” No human
eyes can see God till the Day Of Judgement.[43] According to Islam, God is transcendent, therefore
Muslims do not attribute human forms to God. God is described and referred to by several names or
attributes, the most common being Ar-Rahmān, meaning "The Entirely Merciful," and Ar-Rahīm,
meaning "The Especially Merciful" which are mentioned before reciting every chapter of the Quran
except chapter nine.[44][45]
Islam teaches that the creation of everything in the universe was brought into being by God's
command as expressed by the wording, "Be, and it is,"[iv][46] and that the purpose of existence is to
worship God without associating partners to Him.[v][47][48] God is not a part of the Christian Trinity.[49]He
is viewed as a personal god who responds whenever a person in need or distress calls him.[vi]
[46]
 There are no intermediaries, such as clergy, to contact God, who states: "Your Lord has
proclaimed, Call upon Me, I will respond to you." [vii] Consciousness and awareness of God is referred
to as Taqwa. Allāh is traditionally seen as the personal name of God,[50] a term with
no plural or gender being ascribed. It is used by Muslims and Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews
in reference to God, whereas ʾilāh (Arabic: ‫ )إله‬is a term used for a deity or a god in general.[51]