The religion of Islam was founded by the prophet Mohammad. The word Islam in Arabic means submission. Muhammad taught that followers of Islam submitted to the one true God and his prophet Muhammad.
Muhammad recodered his teachings and the principles of Islam in a holy book called the Koran. The Koran dictates for the followers of Islam, Muslims, the path to follow for a virtuous life that will lead to Paradise after death. It teaches that Muslims should strive to be kind, courageous, patient, and giving. Muslims should believe in the absolute power of God as the sole creator of the universe. But God is also merciful and willing for man to repent his sins and purify himself in order to attain Paradise. A good Muslim should avoid gambling, drinking alcohol, usury, and murder. If a man is murdered, his killer must suffer the same fate. If a man is accidentally killed the person responsible must pay "blood money" to the victim's family.