Islam

The Meaning of Islam Difference between Islam and Iman Islam and other Religions Basic characteristics of Islamic Ideology

The Meaning Of Islam

The Arabic word Islam comes from the words Silm and Salam, which mean Peace.
Islam means submission or surrender& obedience to God. In literal sense, it means complete surrender to the will of God. In simple terms, Islam means to be obedient and faithful to the commands of God Quran says : 1. O you who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly. (2:208)

2. Do they seek other than the religion of Allah, while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to him shall they all be returned. (3:83) 3. The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will):(3:19)

Difference between Islam & Iman

Iman mean acceptance and confirmation of something with ones heart. Islam mean obedience and submission Iman is not valid without Islam, not Islam without Iman Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them; (2:3)

Differences between Islam & other Religion

Islam is the Last set of instructions revealed by Allah. According to Quran it is the continuation of all revealed religions as Quran declares:

We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations and the Messenger a witness over yourselves. (2:143) It is much more different from all the other religions. Some of the prominent differences are: *Other Religions were for a specific place but Islam is for the entire world. *Other Religions were for a specific time but Islam is forever *Other Religions have been changed but Islam is preserved for all times to come. *The books of other Religions have been changed but Quran has been preserved for all times as Quran says: Indeed we have revealed Quran and verily we will preserve it. (15:9)

Basic Characteristics of Islamic Ideology

1. Revealed Religion. Islam is a revealed religion by the creator himself . Islam is the only Deen revealed by Allah through the messengers. Quran says: Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam (submission to His Will). (3:19) 2. A Complete Way of Life Islam is not confine private life but is rather a complete way of life It covers all the fields of human existence. Islam provides guidance in every aspect of life: social, moral, religious economic, political, legal, national and international; not only it guides the believer in his public life but also in his private life. Quran says: O you who believe! Enter perfectly into Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulation of the religion of Islam. (2:208)

Basic characteristics of Islamic Ideology (contd)

3. Universality and Humanism The message of Islam is for the entire mankind. Allah is the creator and sustainer of the whole world and Muhammad (Saw) is His Messenger . Quran says: And we have sent you (not) but as a mercy for the all mankind. (21:107) Islam enjoins equality whatever may be the color, nationality, language or race. On the occasion of his last pilgrimage, the Prophet (S. A. W.) declared: O people! Beware! You all have one God. No Arab has preference over a non- Arab or a non Arab over an Arab or a white over a black or a black over a white, except from taqwa (piety). (Ahmed)

Basic characteristics of Islamic Ideology (contd)

4. Simplicity and Practicalism Islam is a religion without any theories and mythology. It is clear and simple. It is free of all superstitions and irrational beliefs. Islam is a practical religion and we would be judged upon by Allah on the basis of our actions.

5. Balance between Individual & Society Its unique feature a balance between individualism and collectivism. it cares for individual personality of man and holds everyone personally accountable to God. According to the Holy Quran: Man shall have nothing but he strives for. (53:39) And again:

The alms seeker and the destitute have their due rights in their wealth. (51:19)

Islam is the only true Divine religion.

Muslims never claim that Islam is a new religion, but believe that it is the first and the oldest religion which was revealed to the first man and the first Prophet, Adam (as ) who arrived on the planet earth by the order of Allah Subhanahu taala. Muslims believe in the basic teachings of Prophet Ibrahim (as), Prophet Musa (as), Prophet Isa (as) and that Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet of all prophets who testified and completed the Divine message. i.e. all prophets from Hazrat Adam (as) to Hazrat Muhammad (sws ) have the same basic beliefs. The Holy Quran is the only Divine book which is present in its original form and has never been changed . No other book claimed as Divine book is available in its original form or in the same language in which it was revealed.

Islam is the only true Divine religion.

Islam covers each and every aspect of human life and gives complete guidance in every field of human interest. It has complete code of perfect life. No other religion has such complete course of social laws. The basic beliefs and social laws of Islam never collide with each other. Also, the basic beliefs and fundamental teachings of Islam and the established facts of science show compatibility with each other. This is not true with any other religion of the world. Islam tells us very clearly, from where we have come, why we are here, and where we will ultimately go. Islam clearly defines the aim of our creation and the purpose of our life. All other religions do not answer these basic questions so clearly

Islam is the only true Divine religion.

Islam is the only true monotheistic religion which teaches us to believe in the absolute oneness of God. Christians claim that they believe in one God but they also believe in trinity, i.e. they say 1+1+1 =1 which is not correct. Similarly Hindus claim that they also believe in one God but they worship many gods. We shall now prove that the original teachings of Judaism, Christianity and many other religions testify the basic beliefs of Islam. These religions are now different because they have been changed by the people to fulfill their selfish demands.