Mohammedan (also spelled Mahometan) is an English term for a Muslim that was commonly used in western literature until around the mid-twentieth century. Earlier generations of westerners falsely believed that the followers of Islam worshipped Muhammad,Do Muslims Worship Muhammad? Islamic Web.com when actually Muslims worship only God (or Allah); Muhammad is regarded as the last prophet.

The term is considered offensive to many Muslims, who say the words imply that Muhammad is worshipped, like Christians worship Christ. Because the religion established by Muhammed was traditionally regarded by Christians as a heresy, the label 'Mohammedanism' (with many variant spellings) was traditionally used much as other heresies were named for their founders or leading teachers: Arianism for its founder Arius, Donatism for its founder Donatus Magnus, Eutychianism for its leading teacher Eutyches, Marcionism for its founder Marcion, Montanism for its founder Montanus, Nestorianism for its founder Nestorius, Pelagianism for its founder Pelagius, Priscillianism for its founder Priscillian, Sabellianism for its principal teacher Sabellius, etc. This is based on a misunderstanding of the -ism suffix, as evidenced by Lutheranism (a term used by adherents and non-adherents alike), which has as little or less to do with a deification of or veneration for Martin Luther than Islam/Mohammedanism with deification of or veneration for Muhammad.

The term is used by some Qur'an Alone followers to describe orthodox Muslims and the perceived worship of Mohammad they maintain. They derive this opinion from the mainstream Muslims who uphold hadith and sunnah of Mohammad, and the addition of Mohammad's name to the shahadah, or Muslim profession of faith.

Notes

Islam