Do not be deceived! Islam does not mean peace; it means"submission."

In context, it is the submission to believe only in the Islamic god, Allah, as well as submission to the strict rules of governance set by Shari'a law.

 

The present Muslim population throughout the world is estimated to be approximately 1.2 Billion and Islam is reportedly the fastest growing of all religions. However, claims to this explosive growth are not necessarily due to a massive amount of new converts but more to the fact that the Muslim population is growing at a faster rate than families of other faiths. Current statistics indicate that the general population growth in European countries is on the decline and giving way to the rise in Muslims through birth and large amounts of new immigrants. France is one of the countries where the Muslim population has now reached ten-percent with Muslims beginning to exert more and more political influence in politics. It is quite possible that France will be the first modern European country to fall under Islamic rule within ten to fifteen years.

 

As with any religion, Muslims adhere to their holy book, The Qur'an (Koran) which is said to have been divinely revealed to the founding prophet, Muhammad, in the year 610, Common Era. An in-depth account is explained in the topical section: "An 'Angelic Revelation:' Birth of Islam."

Other sources of guidance are derived from the written accounts of Muhammad's sayings, known as "Ahadith," and also through the Sunnah (examples based upon the lifestyle of Muhammad,) and by the Shari'a (Shariat) laws that are founded upon Qur'anic principles.

Islam is comprised of varying sects, or, religious orders, just like in any other mainline religion. There are four sects within Islam that comprise the largest representation of Muslims; Sunni, Shiite, Wahhabi and Sufi. (see the topical section: "Islamic Sects and Sub-Groups") While these divisions each view one another as having strayed from the true teachings of Muhammad, they still share the core belief that all people and governments must eventually be made to submit to Islam.