Introduction to Islam

::What is Islam:

The “Deen” (religion) before Allah is Islam. [Qur’an 3:19]

The word Islam is derived from Arabic word “Salam” which means peace, safety, security. Islam is to “surrender” to the will of God.

The most complete way of life is found in the religion of Islam. Islam is a torch-bearer of human race, advocates justice, equity, fair play, moderation and tolerance in every walk of life be it in politics, religion, fulfillment of rights or preaching religion. Islam encourages Muslims to spread word and teachings of Islam with good advice, character and discourages extremism and mocking others for not accepting or following the truth.

Peace and tranquility are the defining characteristics of a civilized society and oppression represents barbarism and Prophet came with message of Islam and mercy for whole universe.

And We have sent you (O Muhammad ﷺ) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alameen (all mankind, jinns and all that exists)” [Surah al-Anbiya’ 21:107]

:: One God One Religion::

Since the God (the Creator) of whole mankind and everything that exists is One, the religion that God has ordained for his creation is also only one.

Time to time, God had sent many messengers to convey His message. Each prophet came with guidance and miracles that were relevant for his time, his nation or for his people, but the message was the same: That there is only one God, and worship is for him alone. This was always been single message and single religion "Termed as Islam" brought by all the prophets of God. Islam was the religion of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all).

Noble Quran, the final revelation of God states, “Seek they other then the religion of God, when unto Him submits whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and unto Him they will be returned. Say:  We believe in God and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and his sons, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between them, and unto Him we have surrendered.” (Quran 3:83-84)

“And for every nation there is a messenger.” (Quran 10:48) “And we sent Noah unto his people (and he said): O my people! Serve God. You have no other god save Him. Will you not ward off evil?” (Quran 23:23)

Man was to follow each prophet when he came, till the advent of another prophet Thus the latter prophet was followed since there was new guidance relevant to that latter time.  For example, when Jesus (pbuh) said to the Children of Israel:

“And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Torah and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come to you with a clear sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to God and obey me.” (Quran 3:50)

Since these messengers were sent only for their people and their time, mankind has since tampered with those previous revelations (Torah, Gospel etc.), and the message of those respective prophets has been perverted, leaving behind much confusion and rumors:

“And lo! There is a party of them who distort the Scripture with their tongues, that you may think what they say is from the Scripture when it is not. And they say: It is from God, when it is not from God; and they speak a lie concerning God knowingly.” (Quran 3:78)

Consequently, God has sent the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as His last messenger to mankind. This implies that he must come with a complete and clear guidance, and a clear proof, for all humanity and all times till the Last Day. Otherwise the message is void. Also, the message must be confirming the previous messengers of before. The revelation, guidance, and miracle he received is the Quran:

“O people of the Scripture! Now has our messenger come unto you to make things plain after an interval (of cessation) of the messengers, lest you should say: There came not unto us a messenger of cheer nor any warner?” (Quran 5:19)

Prophets after prophets came to reclaim lost humanity. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came with final revelation and seal that perfected Islam. The message contains the teachings of all the previous messengers, and in addition it contains what will be necessary until Judgement. Unlike previous messengers limited to particular era or nation, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been sent for all mankind and until existence of the world. Thus there will be no other messenger after him.

 “Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Lo! I am a messenger of God to you all- (the messenger of) Him unto whom belongs the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no God save Him.” (Quran 7:158)

“He is the messenger of God and the Seal of the Prophets. And God is Aware of all things.”  (Quran 33:40)

:: Islam is against extremism and barbarism::

Islam is religion of Moderation, Peace and Justice, Quran States "Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. [Quran 16:125]

Whosoever seeks, other than Islam, a deen, it will not be accepted from him and he, in the Hereafter, is among the losers.) [Qur’an 3:85]

 “…if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole mankind: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole mankind.” [5:32]

And, (O Muslims,) do not abuse these (false gods) that these (polytheists) worship besides Allah, lest these people should (also, in retaliation,) revile against Allah’s Glory wrongfully due to ignorance. Thus have We made the conduct of every sect (and faction) seem attractive to (their own eyes and they regard only that as truth). Then all have to return to their Lord, and He will inform them of (the results of) their deeds which they used to do. [Q.6:108]

::Who is Muslim::

To believe in religion of one god 'Almighty Allah' and the message which was revealed to Prophet Mohammad ﷺ is called Islam. The one who acknowledge his faith in Islam and admits that there is no God but 'Almighty Allah' & Muhammad ﷺ is his (last) Prophet & Messenger is called Muslim, in other words  the person who follows the message of Mohammad ﷺ and believes in its truthfulness is called Muslim.

For one to accept Islam and believe in its truthfulness, one has to believe in Almighty Allah, his Prophets, angels along with qualities, divine revelations, death, life in here after, blessings & punishment, day of judgement, hell & Heaven. These are called fundamental faith/basic beliefs which is the first tenant out of five tenants of Deen-e-Islam. These tenants are also called as 5 Pillars of Islam

5 Tenants/Pillars of Islam:

* Belief

* Salah

* Fasting

* Zakat

* Hajj

The articles of faith and other pillars are discussed in corresponding sections

::Conclusion::

Islam is a divine system, with it Almighty Allah sealed all other “deens” and religions, and he made it a comprehensive system that deals with all aspects of human life (Belief, intellectual, moral and practical).

This system is based on total submission to Almighty Allah alone, purifying worship to him only, and following the traditions (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).