Chapter 1: The Faith and the Faithful
Since the days of the Prophet Muhammad in the early 7th century of the Common Era (CE), Muslims have had no doubt or ambiguity concerning the name of their religion and the correct designation of those who follow it. The faith is called Islam; those who follow it are called Muslims. The two words derive from the same root. The term Musulman, variously spelled, is derived from Muslim. It is widely used among non-Arab Muslims, but not in Arabic.
But what does it mean? We are often told nowadays, sometimes in all honesty, that Islam means peace. Like so many other things being said about Islam at the present time, this statement contains an element of truth, but no more than that.
A word or two about the Arabic ...
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