# Islam

/ˈɪsˌɫɑm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/islam
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the religion

noun · CEFR A2

the religion of Muslims, which teaches that there is only one God and that Muhammad is his prophet.

For teachers: the monotheistic Abrahamic religion followed by Muslims, characterized by adherence to the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

- Islam is one of the largest religions in the world today.
- Scholars often discuss the historical development of Islam alongside other Abrahamic traditions like Judaism and Christianity.

### 2. the Muslim world

noun · CEFR B2

the whole group of people, countries, and cultures that follow this religion.

For teachers: the collective body of Muslim believers, their countries, and their shared civilization.

- The history of Islam includes many great scientific and artistic achievements.
- The conference aimed to explore the diverse cultural expressions found across the house of Islam, from West Africa to Southeast Asia.

## Examples

- Islam is a major world religion with many different traditions.
- The history of Islam includes a rich period of scientific and artistic growth during the Middle Ages.
- Scholars often examine the spread of Islam through trade routes and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
