In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent Meaning of Islam The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the Almighty Allah, Creator /Maker/Inventor/Originator/Designer/Initiator of the universe. Islam is the worship of Almighty Allah alone. Anyone worshiping any person, place or thing other than one true Allah is a non believer. Since everything other than Almighty Allah, the Creator of all things, is Allah's creation; it may be said that Islam in essence, calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man's worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. Islam is an all-embracing way of life. It extends over the entire spectrum of life, showing us how to conduct all human activities in a sound and wholesome manner. It does not allow a hierarchy of priests or intermediaries between Allah and human beings, no farfetched abstractions and no complicated rites and rituals. Source of Islam The legal sources of Islam are the Qur'an and the Hadith. The Qur'an is the exact word of God; its authenticity, originality and totality are intact. The Hadith is the report of the sayings, deeds and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet's sayings and deeds are called Sunnah. The Seerah is the writings of followers of Muhammad about the life of the Prophet. Hence, it is the life history of the Prophet Muhammad which provides examples of daily living for Muslims. Some Islamic Principles A. Oneness of God: He is One and the Only One. He is not two in one or three in one. This means that Islam rejects the idea of trinity or such a unity of God which implies more than one God in one. B. Oneness of mankind: People are created equal in front of the Law of God. There is no superiority for one race over another. God made us of different colors, nationalities, languages and beliefs so as to test who is going to be better than others. No one can claim that he is better than others. It is only God Who knows who is better. It depends on piety and righteousness. C. Oneness of Messengers and the Message: Muslims believe that God sent different messengers throughout the history of mankind. All came with the same message and the same teachings. It was the people who misunderstood and misinterpreted them. Muslims believe in Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ismail, Jacob, Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad. The Prophets of Christianity and Judaism are indeed the Prophets of Islam. D. Angels and the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe that there are unseen creatures such as angels created by God in the universe for special missions. Muslims believe that there is a Day of Judgment when all people of the world throughout the history of mankind till the last day of life on earth, are to be brought for accounting, reward and punishment. E. Innocence of Man at Birth: Muslim believe that people are born free of sin. It is only after they reach the age of puberty and it is only after they commit sins that they are to be charged for their mistakes. No one is responsible for or can take the responsibility for the sins of others. However, the door of forgiveness through true repentance is always open. F. State and Religion: Muslims believe that Islam is a total and a complete way of life. It encompasses all aspects of life. As such, the teachings of Islam do not separate religion from politics. As a matter of fact, state and religion are under the obedience of Allah through the teachings of Islam. Hence, economic and social transactions, as well as educational and political systems are also part of the teachings of Islam. Practices of Islam God instructed the Muslims to practice what they believe in. In Islam there are five pillars, namely: A. Creed (Shahada): The verbal commitment and pledge that there is only One God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, is considered to be the Creed of Islam. B. Prayers (Salat): The performance of the five daily prayers is required of Muslims. C. Fasting (Saum): Fasting is total abstinence from food, liquids and intimate intercourse (between married couples) from dawn to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan. D. Purifying Tax (Zakat): This is an annual payment of a certain percentage of a Muslim's property which is distributed among the poor or other rightful beneficiaries. E. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The performance of pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a life time if means are available. Hajj is in part in memory of the trials and tribulations of Prophet Abraham, his wife Hagar and his eldest son Prophet Ishmael. 1. Spiritual Life Islamic prescription: Prayer, fasting, charity giving, pilgrimage, love for God and His Messenger, love for truth and humanity for the sake of God, hope and trust in God at all times and doing good for the sake of God. 2. Intellectual Life Islamic prescription: True knowledge based on clear proofs and indisputable evidence acquired by experience or experiment or by both. The Quran points to the rich sources of knowledge in the whole universe. Islam demands faith in God on the basis of knowledge and research and leaves wide open all fields of thought before the intellect to penetrate as far as it can reach. 3. Personal Life Islamic prescription: Purity and cleanliness, a healthy diet, proper clothing, proper behavior and good healthy sexual relations within marriage. 4. Family Life Islamic prescription: A family is a human social group whose members are bound together by the bond of blood ties and/or marital relationship and nothing else (adoption, mutual alliance, common law, trial marriage. . . . etc.) Marriage is a religious duty on all who are capable of meetings its responsibilities. Each member of the family has rights and obligations. 5. Social Life Islamic prescription: Man is ordained by God to extend his utmost help and kindness to other family members, relations, servants and neighbors. No superiority on account of class, color, origin or wealth. Humanity represents one family springing from one and the same father and mother. The unity of humanity is not only in its origin but also in its ultimate aims. 6. Economical Life Islamic prescription: Earning one's living through decent labor is not only a duty, but a great virtue as well. Earning is man's private possession. The individual is responsible for the prosperity of the state and the state is responsible for the security of the individual. The Islamic economic system is not based on arithmetical calculations alone but also on morals and principles. Man comes into this world empty-handed and departs empty-handed. The real owner of things is God alone. Man is simply a trustee. 7. Political Life The sovereignty in the Islamic State belongs to Allah; the people exercise it by trust from Him to enforce His laws. The ruler is only an acting executive chosen by the people to serve them according to Allah's law. The State is to administer justice and provide security for all citizens. Rulers and administrators must be chosen from the best qualified citizens. If an administration betrays the trust of Allah and the people, it has to be replaced. Non-Muslim can administer their personal life of marriage, divorce, foods and inheritance according to the Islamic law or to their own religious teachings. They may pay Zakah or a different tax tributes "Jizyah". They are entitled to full protection and security of the State including freedom of religion. 8. International Life Islamic prescription: Man has a common origin, human status and aim. Other people's interests and rights to life, honor and property are respected as long as the rights of Muslims are intact. Transgression is forbidden. War is only justified if the state security is endangered. During war destruction of crops, animals and homes, killing non-fighting women, children, and aged people are forbidden. It is a fact that during the last 1400 years no man has arisen whose life and works bear even the slightest resemblance to that of a prophet. Nor has anyone presented a book which could be remotely considered a divine communication. Still less has there been a man to claim legitimate authority as a law-giver fro mankind. The mission of Muhammad, as well as of other prophets who brought the universal message of Islam, does not end with the announcement of the message. He has to guide the people by explaining to them the implications of the Islamic creed, the morale code, the divine injunctions and commandment, and the form of worship that sustains the whole system. He has to exemplify the faith so others can pattern their participation in the evolution of Islamic culture and civilization. The believers must grow under his guidance into an organized community so that Allah's word will prevail over all other words. When we read the Quran or the Prophetic traditions, we find instructions regarding all aspects of life: political, social, economic, material, ethical, national and international. These instructions provide us with all the details needed to perform a certain act. Everybody can readily understand the Quran and follow in the footsteps of the Prophet , to the best of his or her ability, assured by Allah that He will accept the deeds that each soul has the ability to offer (what means): "On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear." [Quran 2:286] The Prophetic traditions go as far as showing us all the steps we need to follow, even the etiquette of using the bathroom: supplications to be said upon entering it and leaving it, how to clean ourselves properly and so on. In a nut sell we can say, Islam governs a Muslim's life in all its aspects. This is the reason why it is not only a religion but also a way of life. Islam does not recognize any kind of separation between religion and life. Islam does not believe in wishful thinking. It clearly states that righteous conduct must be followed by belief in Allah. Allah Says (what means): "And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it (in bribery) to the rulers in order that (they might aid) you (to) consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know (it is unlawful).” [Quran 2:188] ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-’Aas narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger saying: "Fornication will not appear among any people without their being punished by famine, and bribery will not appear among any people without their being punished by terror.” [At-Tirmithi] The Prophet said: “Allah says: ‘I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection: 1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous; 2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price; and 3. One who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.’” [Al-Bukhaari] Paying Salaries/Wages of Employees/Laborers on Time Allah Says (what means): “O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity if you take a disliking to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.” [Quran 4:19] Kindness to the Family, Parents, Relatives, Orphans, the Poor, the Needy and the Weak Related Verses of Quran The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will): nor did the people of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account. Sura-3, Al Imran,Verse: 19 So if they dispute with thee say: "I have submitted my whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the people of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" if they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants. Sura-3, Al Imran,Verse: 20 Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah?―While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have willing, or unwilling, bowed to His Will (accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back. Sura-3, Al Imran,Verse: 83 Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma`il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord; we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)." Sura-3, Al Imran,Verse: 84 If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost. (all spiritual good). Sura-3, Al Imran,Verse: 85 Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend. Sura-4, An-Nisa,Verse: 125 Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah, that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject Faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful Sura-5, Al Maida,Verse: 3 Say: "Shall we indeed call on others besides Allah― things that can do us neither good nor harm― and turn on our heels after receiving guidance from Allah― like one whom the evil ones have made into a fool, wandering bewildered through the earth, his friends calling `Come to us' (vainly) guiding him to the Path." Say: "Allah's guidance is the (only) guidance, and we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the worlds;― Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:71 Those whom Allah (in His Plan) willeth to guide,― He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying― He maketh their breast close and constricted as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe. Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:125 This is the way of thy Lord, leading straight: We have detailed the Signs for those Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:126 For them will be a Home of Peace in the presence of their Lord: He will be their Friend because they practised (righteousness). Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:127 Say: "Verily my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight― a religion of right― the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah." Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:161 Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:162 No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His Will. Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:163 Say: "Shall I seek for (my) Cherisher other than Allah when He is the Cherisher of all things (that exist)?" Every soul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another. Your goal in the end is toward Allah: He will tell you the truth of the things wherein ye disputed. Sura-6, Al-Anaam,Verse:164 Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the unbelievers may detest (it). Sura-9, At-Taubah,Verse:33 Say: "Who is it that sustains you (in life) from the sky and from the earth? Or who is it that has power over hearing and sight? And who is it that brings out the living from the dead And the dead from the living? And who is it that rules and regulates all affairs?" They will soon say "Allah." Say "Will ye not then show piety (to Him)?" Sura-10,Yunus,Verse:31 Such is Allah your real Cherisher and Sustainer: apart from Truth, what (remains) but error? How then are ye turned away? Sura-10,Yunus,Verse:32 So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) God's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by God: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not. Sura-30, Al Rum,Verse:30 It is He Who has sent His Apostle with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion: and enough is God for a Witness. Sura-48, Sura-Al-Fath,Verse:28 It is He Who has sent His Apostle with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that he may proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it). Sura-61, Sura- As-Saf ,Verse:9 Conclusion This compilation, although far from being complete, proves that Islam as the perfect religion for the whole mankind is indeed complete. Allah Almighty has chosen Islam as the only religion acceptable to Him. Islam is the best way of life for all. It gives as the best solution to all sorts of problems men life.It guides us to a well-balanced life, one that makes us happy.Hereafter. It is the way to attaining supreme success in the everlasting world to come. In brief, Islam, as the complete way for all, is Allah’s Mercy to the whole of mankind. Complier: Dr. Md. Makhluk Hasan Source: Internet Articles of various writer