Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with about 1.8 billion Muslims world wide. Islam started in Mecca, in modern world Saudi Arabia, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad's ( SAW ) life. Today the fait is spreading rapidly throughout the world.
The word " Islam " means "submission to the will of God". Followers of Islam are known as"Muslims ". Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as " Allah ". They believe that nothing can happen without Allah's permission, but humans have free will.
Islam teaches that Allah's word was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (
( SAW ) through the angel " Gabriel ". Muslims believe several Prophets were sent to teach Allah's law. They respect some of same Prophet as Jews and Christians, including Abraham, Moses, Noah and Jews. Muslims contend that Muhammad ( SAW ) was the last and final Prophet of Allah.