The religious practice of Islam, which literally means "to submit to God", is based on tenets that are known as the Five Pillars ( arkan ), to which all members of the Islamic community ( umma) should adhere. Shahada (photo: Mustafa and Aziza, CC BY-SA 2.0) 1. Islam, major world religion that emphasizes monotheism, the unity of God ('Allah' in Arabic), and Muhammad as his final messenger in a series of revelations. As the literal word of God, the Qur'an makes known the will of God, to which humans must surrender (lending the name Islam, meaning 'surrender'). Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion, and its adherents, called Muslims, regard the Prophet Muhammad as the last and most perfect of God's messengers, who include Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others. The sacred scripture of Islam is the Qurʾān, which contains God's revelations to Muhammad. The sayings and deeds of the Prophet Islam can be described as the foundation of peace in the Muslim world. It conveys the message of doing good deeds, Respecting all the creatures, showing compassion and care towards less resourceful people, etc. The first way that the faith-reason question may be understood involves the extent, if any, to which the unaided human intellect can discover the various claims of a religion, whether theological or ethical. In answer to this question, Muslim philosophers and theologians defended three major positions. Muslim beliefs - Edexcel. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, who has many characteristics. Muhammad was the final prophet of Islam, to whom God revealed the Qur'an. There are two main branches Its function is best described in the Prophet's own words, namely that the mosque should be a garden of paradise. Islam's greatest architect was Sinan, a 16th century Ottoman builder who was responsible for the Sulaimaniye mosque in Istanbul. There are two basic groups of Islam: the Sunnis (about 80% of the world's Muslims) and the Shi'ites (about 20% of the world's Muslims). Although they share the same basic beliefs, they disagree on who was the rightful leader of Islam after Muhammad's death. What does Islam mean? Islam can best be described as A) a polytheistic nature religion with little ethical content. B) a desert religion focused on Muhammad as the son of God. C) an urban religion that first flourished in an agricultural oasis. D) None of these answers are correct. Islam can best be described as A) a desert religion focused on Muhammad as the son of God. B) None of these answers are correct. C) a polytheistic nature religion with little ethical content. D) an urban religion that first flourished in an agricultural oasis. 19fUvF.