The first part of your question is: Is Islam a religion? The
answer is: Islam is not a religion in the usual sense. Religion
is defined as "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature,
and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the
creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving
devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral
code governing the conduct of human affairs." Islam is much more
than a religion as defined above. Islam is a way of life based
on the guidance of God given in the books of God and the example
of the prophets of God. Islam literally means "Submission" (to
the One True God). It was the religion of all the Prophets of
God including the first man and Prophet Adam, the Patriarch
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and last Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon
them all). Usually religion is understood to mean a private
relationship between man and God. Islam is entirely different
from this kind of religion, because it is comprehensive in the
sense that it involv