What is Islam?

What is Islam The creation of human beings is not a result of incidents happening by chance, but it is consequence of an intelligent design. The vast and complex universe that we live in clearly indicates that there must have been a creator of all these things as the saying goes ‘The Design indicates the Designer’. We know who our parents are, we know who our children are, we know who our friends and relatives are, but do we know who our Creator is, have we ever reflected and asked this vital question to ourselves ‘Who is our Lord?’. Knowing God Almighty is of significant importance in Islam, it obliges a person to become conscious of his actions and prevent him from wrongful deeds. The Glorious Qur’an mentions, "And those who have no knowledge say: "Why does not Allah speak to us (face to face) or why does not a sign come to us? So said the people before them words of similar import. Their hearts are alike, We have indeed made plain the signs for people who believe with certainty.” [Surah Baqarah 2:118]

The Divine Name.
The word Islam is neither named after a person, place or a tribe unlike other religions which are named after a certain personality or geography, nor it is a name chosen by the people who follow it. The word Islam is derived from the root Arabic word ‘Salam’ meaning Peace and ‘Slim’ meaning Submission, as such the word ISLAM means Peace acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of almighty God Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). It is the only religion on the face of the earth whose name is mentioned in its religious scripture. The Glorious Qur’an mentions this word in Surah Al’e Imran 3: 19 Indeed the Religion (way of life) before Allah is Islam (submission to His will)

The Pure Concept of God.
The concept God in Islam is very clear, pure, unambiguous, simple and easy to understand that instantly appeals to the senses of a person searching for the truth. It brings people from the worship of creation to the worship of Creator. The Islamic concept of God is pure monotheism that clearly states that there is nothing worthy of worship and devotion except God almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Ikhlas 112:1-4 Say:
He is Allah the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.

The Perfect Religious Scripture
The religious scripture of Islam is the Glorious Qur’an which is the last and final revelation from Almighty God Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). It is a message with complete guidance for the entire humanity revealed to the last and final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Glorious Qur’an is the ultimate beacon of guidance covering all aspects of everyday human life. It is a treasure of divine knowledge and wisdom that made an unparalleled influence on human civilization and history bringing positive transformation in the lives of millions of human beings world over since its revelation more than 1400 years ago. It is the only religious scripture on the face of the earth which is untampered without any distortion and has maintained its purity for more than 1400 years.

The Last and Final Messenger of God.
God Almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) sent several prophets and messengers on the face of the earth like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Moses, Jesus (May peace be upon them all) and he gave the Scriptures and revelations to some of them, however their message was for the people of their time and for the place where they were sent as a prophet. Finally Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) sent the last and final messenger prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the last and final message ‘the glorious Qur’an’ for th entire humanity and made his life as an example to be followed till eternity.
The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Ahzab 33:21
Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.

The True Purpose of Life
Human beings need to know the purpose for their existence in order to make the sense and meaning of this life. All of us have been created with a specific purpose and it is extremely important to know the reason for our existence. Without this knowledge our lives become meaningless and animal acts of eating, drinking and procreating become the purpose of our existence. Islam is the only divine religion that mentions the purpose of our life which is logical and easy to comprehend. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Zariyat 51:56
I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.

The Complete System of Life.
Islam is a complete system of life covering social, economic, political and religious legislations, history, peace, marriage, worship, business, views of the universe and everything related to worldly and spiritual affairs of humans with no inconsistencies whatsoever? The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Al’e Imran 3:85
And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

The Universal Message
The message of Islam unlike other religions is universal and it is not confined to a particular race, tribe, people, place or period. The teachings of Glorious Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are for the entire humanity until the day of judgement. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Baqarah 2:185 Ramadhan is the (month) in which was revealed the Quran, guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).

Perfect Solution to the Problems of Mankind.
Islam has the perfect solution to the problems of mankind. Since Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) is the Creator of the everything, it is imperative that He knows what is best for his creation. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Ibrahim 14:1
Alif, Lam, Ra. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darkness into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy

The Simple Concept of Worship
The Islamic concept of worship is pure and simple with no ambiguity that appeals to the senses of human beings. Islam does not teach you to worship other human beings or prophets as God. It does not bind you into manmade beliefs and rituals that consider dead people or false deities as a means to reach God. In essence, Islam is a clear call to the worship of the Creator and the rejection of creation-worship in any form. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Yusuf 12: 40
That which you worship besides Him are only names which you and your forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority; the command belongs only to Allah: He has command that you worship Him; that is the right religion, but most men do not understand.

Way of all the Prophets of God
Islam is not a new way of life rather, it is the final message, which upholds and confirms the same essential beliefs that God almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) sent to humanity through all of His messengers. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Surah Al’e Imran 3:84 Say,
"We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him.