Islam is the way of life that Allah, the One true God, revealed to all prophets throughout history and completed through His final Messenger, Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). It means submitting oneself sincerely and lovingly to Allah alone, obeying His guidance, and worshipping none besides Him.
- Meaning of the word “Islam”
- In Arabic, Islam comes from the root sa-la-ma, which carries meanings of:
- peace and safety
- security and protection
- purity and wholesomeness
- submission and surrender
- In the religious sense, Islam means: peace and safety through willing submission to Allah, by worshipping Him alone and accepting His laws.
- Islam as the path of all prophets
- Islam is not a new religion that began with Prophet Muhammad. It is the same pure monotheism taught by:
- Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all other prophets (peace be upon them all).
- All of them called people to:
- worship only Allah, without any partners
- obey His commands
- avoid false gods, idols, and all forms of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
- Islam as a complete way of life
- Islam is not just rituals or a weekly worship; it covers:
- beliefs (‘aqeedah)
- worship (‘ibadah)
- personal character and manners (akhlaq)
- family life, business dealings, social and legal matters
- It guides a person from birth until death, and even shows how to greet, how to speak, how to deal with others, and how to purify the heart.
- What Islam asks from a person
- To believe firmly in:
- Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and His divine decree (qadar).
- To testify:
- “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasul Allah”
(There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).
- To live according to this testimony: praying, giving charity, fasting, performing Hajj if able, and obeying Allah in all aspects of life.
- The result of true Islam
- Inwardly: peace of heart, purpose in life, and a direct relationship with Allah without intermediaries.
- Outwardly: upright behavior, justice, mercy, good character, and brotherhood among believers.
- Ultimately: salvation in the Hereafter and eternal peace and security in Paradise for those who sincerely submit and remain steadfast.
In summary, Islam is the pure submission to Allah alone, upon the guidance revealed to His final Prophet Muhammad, and it is the complete, final, and preserved path that leads to true peace in this life and the next.