Islam is the original religion that gives Muslims peace of mind and requires us to submit to the will of God. As Muslims we believe in One Unique God; Allah. Happiness, tranquillity and inner peace can be achieved by converting to Islam. At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual’s relationship with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting happiness. Allah says:
إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
“Indeed, the religion near Allah (is) submission/Islam. And not differed those who were given the Book except after [what] came to them [the] knowledge out of envy among them. And whoever disbelieves in (the) Verses (of) Allah, then indeed, Allah (is) swift (in taking) account.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:19)
The Almighty God dispatched His messengers to guide people to the Right Path. The Almighty Allah due to His Wisdom and Mercy has chosen some of the noblest men to be the recipients of His revelation called prophets and Messengers of God. Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. Allah says:
وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
“And enjoined [it] Ibrahim (upon) his sons and Yaqub, “O my sons! Indeed, Allah has chosen for you the religion, so not (should) you die except while you (are) submissive.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:132)
The religion that God has prescribed to mankind is ‘ISLAM` (submission and obedience to God). It is only this religion that can cover all the needs of man and encompasses the above purpose. Therefore, the only recognized religion in the sight of God is Islam. Allah says:
وَلَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ
“Do not curse those they invoke besides Allah, lest they insult Allah in hostility without knowledge.” (Surat al-An’am 6:108)
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.
The importance and benefits of Islam, emphasize the proximity between religion and daily life:
- Islam trends for a believer to trust and hope in God
- Islam emphasizes one should not harm others
- Islam is tolerant of other religions and regards
- Islam teaches us true happiness in Islamic life
- Islam is not a particular nation, colour or race
- Islam has a message to all people at all times
- Islam is the fastest-growing religion on earth
- Islam respects all human being’s innocence
- Islam accepts personal morality and values
- Islam teaches that God is the Most Justice
- Islam encourages a balance between hope
- Islam teaches a true living an Islamic life
- Islam is promised Paradise to a believer
- Islam itself is an inherently inner peace
- Islam set life which is free from all evil
- Islam is to develop a peaceful society
- Islam allows experiencing God’s love
- Islam teaches that we will be judged
- Islam emancipates superstitions
- Islam itself is inherent in peace
- Islam bend to mutual caring
- Islam make our life better
- Islam the true way of life
- Islam will help go to Heaven
- Islam trend to a believer in God
- Islam provides equal opportunity
- Islam encourages in God’s mercy
- Islamic rules being a good Muslim
- Islam considers to rights of others
- Islam is to develop a peaceful society
- Islam close relationship with the Creator
- Islam emphasizes both evidence and faith
- Islam also furnishes good and evil conduct
- Islam commitment means striving for peace
- Islam emancipates the mind from superstitions
- Islam help and make go to Heaven Inshaa’Allah
- 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
Islam counsels us to follow a better path when people insult us by not responding to them in the same manner, but rather responding to their evil with good. Gentleness and forbearance are the general rules we need to follow in most situations. Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and self-purification. 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)
Allah created humans with intellect and free will to test them as to who will willfully choose to follow His guidance. This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships.
Islam is a religion of peace in the fullest sense of the word. Allah states the following in verses:
- “…The ways of peace…” (Quran: 5:16)
- “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)
- “And speak to people in the best manner.” (Quran 2:83)
- “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)
- “and states that God abhors any disturbance of the peace.” (Quran: 2:205)
- “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah.” (Quran: 7:158)
- “Whoever transgresses the limits of God does verily wrong his soul.” (Quran: 65:1)
- “No reward I ask you for this (the Quran). It is only a reminder for the world.” (Quran: 6:90)
- “…When you speak, speak with justice, even if it is against someone close to you…” (Quran 6:152)
- “He is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.” (Quran: 48:28)
Islam provides a social order which cannot only tend to be universal but must become universal. This is the reality of Islam. Then, it is necessary to look for the reason why some Muslims who are away from the spirit of Islam is involved in terror and oppression in their ignorance and souls instead of in the religion of Islam. Allah says:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
“He (is) the One Who (has) sent His Messenger with guidance and (the) religion, the truth that He (may) make it prevail over the religions all. And sufficient is Allah (as) a Witness.” (Surah Al-Fath 48:28)
In the Quran, God Almighty states that the cruel nations that do not rule by justice will have a sad ending. Patience or gratitude – this is the formula for a happy life. Muslims should respect others and try to maintain peace and should follow the straight path. Allah says:
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُ فِيهَا مَا نَشَاءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَاهَا مَذْمُومًا مَّدْحُورًا
“Whoever should desire the immediate life, We will hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then, We have made for him Hell in which he will enter to burn, censured and banished.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:18)
Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those who sincerely want to repent. The beautiful steps for repentance include being sincere, remorseful, refraining from committing the sin as well as having the intention not to repeat it. Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and self-purification. This process happens directly between the individual and God – there is no need for sins to be shared or “confessed” to a righteous person/priest. Allah said:
وَقَالَت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ آمِنُوا بِالَّذِي أُنزِلَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَجْهَ النَّهَارِ وَاكْفُرُوا آخِرَهُ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
“A faction of the People of the Book say to each other: Belief in that which was revealed to the believers at the beginning of the day and reject it at its end that perhaps they will abandon their religion.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:72)
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. Although this life is a test, God has provided sufficient signs and guidance to people who are open-minded and sincere to be able to acknowledge the truth. Unlike other religions, there are many clear proofs, signs, and miracles that the book of Islam. Allah said:
لَيْسَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِالطَّعَّانِ وَلَا اللَّعَّانِ وَلَا الْفَاحِشِ وَلَا الْبَذِيءِ
“The believer does not taunt others, he does not curse others, he does not use profanity, and he does not abuse others.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1977)
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. Gentleness and forbearance are the general rules we need to follow in most situations. But, like most rules, there are a few exceptions when harsh words are warranted. We should pray to Allah Almighty to guide us towards the right path and help us become pious and righteous Muslims. Ameen!