The message of Islam

Text is written by MYRTLE LANGLEY

ISLAM IS A RELIGION of submission. Its followers, Muslims, are “those who commit themselves in surrender to the will of Allah” (Allah is the Arabic word for God). The word “Islam” itself means “commitment” or “surrender”. Muslims see their faith as God`s final revelation, which meets all the spiritual and religious needs of humanity.

The religion began with the Prophet Muhammad, who was born in the city of Mecca in Arabia, in about 571. At about the age of 40 he found that he was being called to become a prophet and preach the message of the one true God.

At first, he met much opposition and in 622 he left Mecca with his followers for the nearby city of Medina. By 630 he had made them into a powerful religious and political community and was able to re-enter Mecca in triumph.