The most fundamental teaching of Islam is to believe in the Oneness of God, in the sense of His being the only Creator, Preserver, Nourisher, etc. But this belief is not enough. Many of the idolaters knew and believed that only the Supreme God could do all this and yet they associated other gods with Him. A Muslim believes in ONE GOD, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has no father or mother, no son or daughter. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِّن نِّسَاءٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ ۖ بِئْسَ الِاسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
“O you who have faith, let not people ridicule other people; perhaps they are better than them. Neither let women ridicule other women; perhaps they are better than them. Do not insult each other, nor mock each other with nicknames. Wretched is the accusation of wickedness after faith, and whoever does not repent has done wrong.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:11)
None is equal to Him. He is God of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race. Therefore, one must acknowledge the fact that it is God alone who deserves to be worshipped and thus abstain from worshipping any other thing or being. Likewise, Muslims believe that God has no father or mother, no son or daughter. None is equal to Him. He is God of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race. Allah says:
فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ
“Their Lord responded to them: Never will I cause to be lost the deeds of any among you, whether male or female; you are of one another.” (Surat Al Imran 3:195)
Islam is the original religion that gives Muslims peace of mind and requires us to submit to the will of God. Besides man, all creations of Allah SWT submit to the will of Allah. Islam is the original religion that gives Muslims peace of mind and requires us to submit to the will of God. Besides man, all creations of Allah SWT submit to the will of Allah. However, every Muslim must correct the evil. It is his duty, just as much as he must pray five times a day.
Here are some reasons, people choose Islam over other religions:
- Islam does not force a person to choose any religion
- Islam is tolerant of other religions and regards
- Islam accepts personal morality and values
- Islam teaches that God is the Most Justice
- Islam teaches one should not harm others
- Islam allows a person to truly God’s love
- Islam itself is an inherently inner peace
- Islam gives a solution to every problem
- Islam teaches that ultimately be judged
- Islam teaches us about good and bad
- Islam provides equal opportunity
- Islam the true way of life
- Islam bend to mutual caring
- Islam is the future of the world
- Islam trend to a believer in God
- Islam establishes a social order
- Islam considers to rights of others
- Islam views inter-religious dialogue
- Islam is to develop a peaceful society
- Islam is a God that promises Paradise
- Islam does not divide the soul and life
- Islam has a pure and clear Concept of God
- Islam always forbid to attack other religions
- Islam respects all human being’s innocence
- Islam gives equal treatment to other religions
- Islam has accountability and ultimate Justice
- Islam regards human beings are pure and good
- Islam sense us that everything is designed and made
Allah is the deity of all people and the Islamic concept of society must spread all over the world. The social order of Islam ends this and brings justice to all. A Muslim’s mission is to bring order and this international society established by Islam must be carried to the world and, therefore, the Islamic social order seeks universality. Islam provides a social order which cannot only tend to be universal but must become universal. Allah says:
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 Al Imran 3:72)
Muslims believe that the last revealed scripture sent by God in the Qur’an or Koran. It is the speech of God revealed in the Arabic language to Muhammad during his mission of twenty-three years. The Qur’an was written down by scribes and memorized during the lifetime of Muhammad. The Quran emphasizes moral, ethical and spiritual values to establish justice for everyone.
Islam is a religion of peace, Allah states the following in verses:
- “…The ways of peace…” (Quran: 5:16)
- “Truly the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Quran: 3:19)
- “It describes reconciliation as the best policy.” (Quran: 4:128)
- “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah.” (Quran: 7:158)
- “No reward I ask you for this (the Quran). It is only a reminder for the world.” (Quran: 6:90)
- “We have revealed to you the scripture with the truth that you may judge between people by what God has taught you.” (Quran 4:105)
- “So when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.” (Quran, 7: 204)
- “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them most kindly.” (Surat an-Nahl, 125)
- “And indeed We sent Nuh to his nation saying: ‘Warn your nation before there comes to them a painful torment.” (Quran: 71:1)
- “And indeed We sent Moses with our signs saying ‘Bring out your nation from darkness into light.” (Quran: 14:5)
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 says:
لَّئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَالْمُرْجِفُونَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَا إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
“If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease and those who spread rumours in Medina do not cease, We will surely let you overpower them. Then they will not remain your neighbours therein except for a little while.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:60)
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. 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 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. From the Islamic point of view, the drama of a person’s life is something that takes place after birth and not before. 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:
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.” (Surah Al-An’am 6:108)
For the Muslims, involvement, and success in the world will ensure success in the hereafter. If practised with sincerity, Islam guarantees happiness in this world and the next. Having granted this great gift of God to humanity what else could we do but say ‘we hear and we obey and all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. We should pray to Allah Almighty to guide us towards the right path and help us become pious and righteous Muslims. Ameen!
