Introduction:Islam, as defined by Dictionary.com literally means "submission" or "surrender" ("Islam"), while the term Muslim means "one who submits to God" ( "Muslim"). Contrary to what is claimed as fact, Angela West of Urban Dictionary, a site that contains the average people's definition or perception of words, defined Islam as: “A religion of perpetual indignation and violence. His followers have a dangerous preoccupation with death” (“West”). That said, there is an extreme difference between what is defined as fact and the modern perception of Islam. To understand Islam today, one must first look back in time to the founding of Islam, the teachings of Muhammad, and generally what life was like in that period that made this religion flourish. Overview The Patheos online library describes Islam as “A monotheistic religion that originated in the Middle East or modern-day Saudi Arabia in the 7th century AD” (Davis-Stofka). Currently, Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity, with approximately 1.5 billion followers worldwide with followers on every continent Islam, as defined above means “surrender” or “submission,” was founded on the teachings of Muhammad, a leader. religious, political and military.The Quran is referred to as the sacred text of Islam, containing the teachings of Muhammad that were revealed to him by Allah or “God”. true God without equal. This is a similar trait that Christianity and Judaism share with Islam, and is also why they are called monotheistic religions, for the belief in a single god. Similar to Christianity and Judaism , Islam has various branches or sects with...... middle of paper ......religious-movements/islam/divisions-within-islam>.(Slick)GARDENER, ROBERT, dir . ISLAM: EMPIRE OF FAITH. Dir. Stefano Kotsonis, Writ. Jonathan Grupper and director. . Public Broadcasting Network, 2012. Film. Dec 11, 2013.(GARDENER)Hopfe, Lewis. Religions of the world. 12. 13. Pearson Education, 2012. 328-364. Print.(Hopfe 328-364)nd, . “Al-Ĥaj.” Koran. Quran.com. Network. 11 December 2013..nd, . “Al-`Alaq.” Koran. Quran.com. Network. December 11, 2013.."Islam." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. December 11, 2013. “Muslim.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. December 11, 2013. .West, Angela. NP Network. 11 December 2013. .(West)