Muslim

Quick Facts: Who was Muslim?

Subject:

Muslim

Known for:

Adherents of Islam, a global monotheistic faith centered on the Quran and Prophet Muhammad.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Muslims (Arabic: المسلمون, romanized: al-Muslimūn, lit. 'submitters [to God]') are people who are adherents of Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abraham (or Allah) as it was revealed to Muhammad, the last Islamic prophet. Alongside the Quran, Muslims also believe in finality of prophet as well as previous revelations, such as the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), and the Injil (Gospel). These earlier revelations are associated with Judaism and Christianity, which are regarded by Muslims as earlier versions of Islam.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The majority of Muslims also follow the teachings, traits and practices attributed to Muhammad (sunnah) as recorded in traditional accounts (hadith). With an estimated population of 2 billion followers, Muslims comprise around 26% of total global population. In descending order, the percentage of people who identify as Muslims on each continental landmass stands at: 45% of Africa, 25% of Asia and Oceania collectively, 6% of Europe, and 1% of the Americas. Additionally, in subdivided geographical regions, the figure stands at: 91% of the Middle East–North Africa, 90% of Central Asia, 65% of the Caucasus, 42% of Southeast Asia, 32% of South Asia, and 42% of sub-Saharan Africa. While there are several Islamic schools and branches, as well as non-denominational Muslims, the two largest denominations are Sunni Islam (87–90% of all Muslims) and Shia Islam (10–13% of all Muslims).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By sheer numbers, South Asia accounts for the largest portion (31%) of the global Muslim population. By country, Indonesia is the largest in the Muslim world, holding around 12% of all Muslims worldwide; with Pakistan having the second-largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. Outside the Muslim-majority countries, India and China are home to the largest (11%) and second-largest (2%) Muslim populations, respectively. Due to high Muslim population growth, Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. Muslims have experienced persecution of varying severity, especially in China, India, some parts of Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Muslim

True or False: “The term 'Muslim' was exclusively used in early Islamic texts to refer only to followers of Prophet Muhammad.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Until the 8th century, the term Muslim was more inclusive, sometimes including Christians and Jews who submitted to God.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Muslim conquest of Persia — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The period (633–651 CE) when the Rashidun Caliphate conquered the powerful Sasanian Empire.
• Muslim conquest of Syria — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The 7th-century military campaign by the Rashidun Caliphate to conquer Byzantine Syria.
• Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The Umayyad conquest established al-Andalus, fundamentally reshaping the Iberian Peninsula's history.
• Muslim conquest of the Maghreb — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The long military campaign by the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates to conquer North Africa.
• Muslim conquest of Transoxiana — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The Muslim conquest of Transoxiana (c. 651–751) was a protracted military and cultural absorption.
• Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A historical overview of the Muslim conquests and political evolution across the Indian subcontinent.

Frequently Asked Questions about Muslim