The difference between Muslim and Islam is simple: Islam is the name of the religion, and a Muslim is a person who follows it. Islam means "submission to God," and Muslim means "one who submits to God," so the two words are closely related but never interchangeable. You would say "she practises Islam" and "she is a Muslim," never the other way round.
This short guide explains the Muslim vs Islam question, where both words come from, how "Islamic" fits in, and a few older terms that are best avoided. It is useful for non-Muslims writing or speaking about Islam, and for Muslims who are often asked to explain it.
Key takeaways
- Islam is the religion; a Muslim is a follower of that religion.
- Both words come from the Arabic root s-l-m: Islam is the act of submitting to God, and Muslim is the one who submits.
- "Islamic" is an adjective for things connected to the religion, such as Islamic law, Islamic art or Islamic history.
- "Muslim" can also be an adjective, usually for people and communities, as in "a Muslim family" or "the Muslim world."
- The Quran uses the word "Muslims" for earlier believers too, including Abraham and the disciples of Jesus.
What does Islam mean?
Islam is an Arabic word meaning submission or surrender. In a religious sense, it means willingly giving yourself to God, called Allah in Arabic, by believing in Him and following His guidance. The root letters s-l-m are shared with salam, meaning peace, which is why Muslims often say the word carries a sense of peace that comes from surrender to God.
The Quran uses Islam as the name of the religion:
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account.
For a fuller picture of the faith itself, see our guide What is Islam.
What does Muslim mean?
Muslim is formed from the same root and means "one who submits." In Arabic grammar it is the doer of the action, so if Islam is submission, a Muslim is the person submitting. The feminine form in Arabic is Muslimah, though in English "Muslim" is used for everyone.
The Quran tells believers that this name was given to them by God:
And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
What is the difference between Islam and Muslim?
The clearest way to see the difference is to compare how each word works in a sentence.
- Islam is a noun naming the religion: "Islam teaches belief in one God."
- Muslim is a noun naming a person: "My colleague is a Muslim."
- Muslims is the plural: "Muslims pray five times a day."
- Muslim as an adjective describes people or groups: "a Muslim country," "Muslim students."
- Islamic as an adjective describes things tied to the religion: "Islamic teachings," "Islamic architecture."
A helpful comparison is Christianity and Christian. Christianity is the religion and a Christian is the follower. In the same way, Islam is the religion and a Muslim is the follower. The common mistake is saying "an Islam" or "Islams" for people, which is not correct.
Islamic vs Muslim: which adjective should you use?
Both words can describe things, but they lean in different directions. "Islamic" usually points to the religion itself or something based on its teachings, while "Muslim" usually points to people.
- Use Islamic for ideas, texts and practices: Islamic law, Islamic finance, Islamic calendar, Islamic scholarship.
- Use Muslim for people and their communities: Muslim women, Muslim-majority countries, Muslim voters.
The difference matters. Calling something "Islamic" suggests it reflects the religion's teachings, while calling it "Muslim" only says that Muslims are involved. For example, a dish eaten in a Muslim-majority country is not necessarily "Islamic food," and the actions of an individual Muslim are not automatically "Islamic." Careful writers use this difference to avoid blaming a whole religion for one person's choices.
Is it Islam or Islamic?
If you need a noun, use Islam: "She is learning about Islam." If you need an adjective, use Islamic or Muslim: "She is reading Islamic history" or "She visited a Muslim community centre." "Islamic" is never used on its own as a noun, and "Islam" is not normally used as an adjective, so "an Islam scholar" should be "an Islamic scholar" or "a Muslim scholar."
The Quran calls earlier prophets and believers Muslims
One idea that surprises many readers is that the Quran uses "Muslim" for people who lived long before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Because the word simply means one who submits to God, the Quran applies it to every prophet and sincere believer.
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists.
The disciples of Jesus are described the same way:
And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, "Believe in Me and in My messenger Jesus." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah]."
Abraham and Ishmael prayed, "Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You" (Quran 2:128), and Moses told his people to rely on God "if you should be Muslims" (Quran 10:84). In this broad sense, Islam is seen as the shared message of all the prophets in the Quran, and in the narrower sense it is the religion completed through Muhammad.
Words to avoid: Mohammedan and Moslem
Older English books sometimes call Muslims "Mohammedans" and Islam "Mohammedanism." Muslims find these terms inaccurate because they suggest that Muslims worship Muhammad, as Christians worship Christ. Muslims worship God alone and regard Muhammad as a human messenger, so "Muslim" and "Islam" are the respectful terms.
"Moslem" is an older spelling of Muslim. It is not wrong in meaning, but most style guides and most Muslims now prefer "Muslim," which is closer to the Arabic pronunciation.
Read the verses yourself on Quran Universe
You can read every verse quoted here on Quran Universe, with the Arabic text, the Sahih International translation, word-by-word meanings, a short verse card and Tafsir Ibn Kathir. A good starting point is Surah Ali Imran, verse 67, where Ibn Kathir explains why Abraham is called a Muslim.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Islam and Muslim?
Islam is the religion, and a Muslim is a person who follows that religion. Islam means submission to God, and Muslim means one who submits to God. You practise Islam, and you are a Muslim.
What does Muslim mean?
Muslim is an Arabic word meaning "one who submits," specifically one who submits to God. It comes from the same root as Islam and salam, meaning peace. In English, Muslim is used both as a noun for a person and as an adjective for people and communities.
What does Islam mean?
Islam means "submission" or "surrender" to God. It is the name of the religion taught in the Quran and by the Prophet Muhammad. The word is related to the Arabic word salam, which means peace.
Is it correct to say Islamic or Muslim?
Both are correct adjectives, but they are used differently. "Islamic" usually describes things connected to the religion, such as Islamic law or Islamic art, while "Muslim" usually describes people, such as Muslim students or Muslim communities.
Is it offensive to say Mohammedan?
Many Muslims find "Mohammedan" inaccurate and dated because it implies that Muslims worship Muhammad. Muslims worship God alone and see Muhammad as a prophet and messenger. "Muslim" and "Islam" are the accurate and respectful terms.
Can someone be a Muslim without being Arab?
Yes. Islam is a religion, not an ethnicity, and only about one in five Muslims is Arab. The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia, and Muslims live in almost every country in the world.