The term "ummah" is an Arabic word that means "community" and is commonly used to refer to the collective community of Islamic people. It is distinguished from "shaŹ»b," which means a nation with common ancestry or geography. In the context of pan-Islamism and politics, the word "ummah" can be used to mean the concept of a Commonwealth of the Muslim Believers. In the Quran, "ummah" typically refers to a single group that shares common religious beliefs, specifically those that are the objects of a divine plan of salvation. The term "ummah" is mentioned in the Quran 62 times and almost always refers to ethical, linguistic, or religious bodies of people who are subject to the divine plan of salvation. The meaning of the term appears to transform throughout the chronology of the Quran. When it is first used in the Quran, it is hardly distinguishable from the term "qawm," which can be translated to "people".
In the context of Islam, "ummah" refers to a united group that follows the worldview, holds similar values, and ethically lives their lives according to Islam. It is a community of believers bound together with a common purpose to worship God and with a common goal to advance the cause of Islam.
The term "ummah" is also used in the Quran to refer to Jews, Christians, or Muslims, and even Abraham, meaning "community" or "nation".
In summary, "ummah" is a term that holds significant religious and communal importance in Islam, referring to a collective community of Islamic people who share common religious beliefs and values, and are subject to the divine plan of salvation.
