The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.” Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah. Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will. Islam teaches that Allah’s word was revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. It is only this religion that can cover all the needs of man and encompasses the above purpose. Allah says:
قُلْ سيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنْشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَديرٌ
Say,” Travel over the land and then observe how He has originated the creation.” Then Allah shall bring about the genesis of the Hereafter. Indeed Allah has power over all things.” (Quran 29:20)
Islam is the only recognized religion in the sight of God. The essence of Islam is the very essence of humanity. Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life leading to a balanced way of living. Muslims believe that Islam is the ultimate and complete way of life for mankind. Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their life, both good and bad, as they are tests from God. Islam teaches a balance between fear and hope, protecting one from both complacency and despair. Allah says:
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ
“The truth is from your Lord. So whoever will let him believe, and whoever will let him disbelieve.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:29)
Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages people to use their God-given intelligence to think and ponder over their life and the universe. Humans should think, plan and make sound choices and then put their trust in God. If things happen as they want they should praise God. If things do not happen as they want they should still praise God, recognizing that He knows best what is good for the affairs of mankind.
There are some key principles of living a life that Islam is a complete truth:
- Islam is the way of life that implemented in all circles of life
- Islam solves all familial, social and international problems
- Islamic principles and teachings can provide real life
- Islam however, revealed as a balanced way of living
- Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life
- Islam teaches us to practice in our daily life
- Islam provides fair and objective solutions
- Islam leads to a balanced way of living
- Islam brings civilization and happiness
- Islam brings trust in Almighty Allah
- Islam holds a woman in high esteem
- Islam gives a person a clear perspective
- Islam free to no longer slaves to fashion
- Islam teaches a true living an Islamic life
- Islam allows a person to truly God’s love
- Islam emphasizes both evidence and faith
- Islam teaches that God is the Most Justice
- Islam teaches one should not harm others
- Islam Commitment means striving for peace
- Islam strengthening our relationship with Allah
- Islam emancipates the mind from superstitions
- Islam regards human beings are pure and good
- Islam sense us that everything is designed and made
- Islam sets a good example for those who succeed him
- Islam has set the highest possible standard of morality
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
“Verily, Allah loves those who repent and who purify themselves.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222)
Islam is the original religion that gives Muslims peace of mind and requires us to submit to the will of God. Islam provides a social order which cannot only tend to be universal but must become universal. Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and self-purification. The Islamic concept of God is that He is loving, merciful and compassionate. Patience or gratitude – this is the formula for a happy life. Allah says:
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ
“As for him who feared to stand before his Lord and he restrained himself from his desires, then Paradise will be his refuge.” (Surah An-Naziat 79:40)
Islam encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting happiness. Islam is not named after its founder or the community of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signifies obedience to God, the Creator of the Universe. One of its main beauties is that it acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness, and uniqueness of God with absolutely no compromises. This is reflected in Islam’s pure teachings of the attributes of God. Allah says:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
“Remember Me and I will remember you, be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful.” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:152)
Islam offers all the beauty found in these religions and none of the drawbacks. Islam is tolerant of other religions and regards them as religiously legitimate. God creates in humans the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to count His favours upon us, we cannot, because they are countless.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “Truly Allah loves the Muttaqin.“(Quran, 3:76)
- “Truly the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Quran: 3:19)
- “Guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Quran, 2:2)
- “Then We will save the ones who had taqwa.“ (Quran, 19:72)
- “It describes reconciliation as the best policy.” (Quran: 4:128)
- “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
- “Have taqwa of Allah so that you might succeed.” (Quran, 3:200)
- “Remember Allah often that you may succeed.” (Surat Al-Jumuah 62:10)
- “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah.” (Quran: 7:158)
- “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam will never be accepted of him and in the hereafter, he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
Islam is a religion of peace in the complete sense of the word. Every teaching of Islam is based on the principles of peace and avoidance. Violence and brutal killings have no place in Islam. The Quran emphasizes peace and reconciliation as basic to all social and even international relations. A true Muslim should seek to bring others close to him, not to drive them away from him. Allah says:
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا
“The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63)
Islam declares a person to be born with a clean slate. The human being was not born evil but rather he was created good and equipped by nature to fulfil his duties. Islam counsels us to follow a better path when people insult us by not responding to them in the same manner, but rather to respond to their evil with good. Islam does not record a human being as a degradation of the divine as it regards a human being as having instincts that are pure and good. Allah says:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
“He is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam) superior to all religion(s). And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness.” (Surah Al-Fath 48:28)
Islam does not present stumbling blocks to the mind. Anyone can understand Islam as it is a universal religion. Islam is not named after its founder or the community of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signifies obedience to God, the Creator of the Universe. May Allah grant us guidance in fulfilling this most important duty for the benefit of all humanity. We should pray to Allah to guide us towards the right path and help us become pious and righteous Muslims. Ameen!
