The word ummah is used to mean a way or religion, as in the aayahs (interpretation of the meanings):

“They say: “We found our fathers following a certain way and religion [ummah]”[al-Zukhruf 43:23]

“Truly, this, your Ummah [Sharee‘ah or religion (Islamic Monotheism)] is one religion”[al-Anbiyaa’ 21:92]
Mohamed Hoblos's lecture on state of the Ummah in Newcastle University.
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