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The word ISLAM has a two-fold meaning: peace, and submission
to the One True God. This submission requires a fully conscious
and willing effort to submit to the One Almighty God. One must
consciously and alertly give oneself to the service of Allah
(Arabic name of The One God). This means to act on what Allah
enjoins all of us to do (in the Qur'an) and what His beloved
Prophet, Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) encouraged
us to do in his Sunnah (his traditions, lifestyle, and sayings).
Once we humble ourselves, rid ourselves of our egoism and submit
totally to Allah, and to Him exclusively, in faith and in action,
we will surely feel peace in our hearts. Establishing peace
in our hearts will bring about peace in our external conduct
as well.
Islam is careful to remind us that it is not a religion to be
paid mere lip service; rather it is an all-encompassing way
of life that must be practiced continuously for it to be Islam.
The Muslim must practice the five pillars of the religion:
i. The declaration of faith in the oneness of Allah and the
prophet hood of Muhammad
(peace & blessings
be upon him)
ii . Prayer offered five times daily
iii . Fasting the month of Ramadan
iv . Alms-tax
v . Pilgrimage to Makkah atleast once in a lifetime for those
able to do so
The Muslim must also believe in the six articles of faith:
i. Belief in Allah
ii. Belief in the Holy Books (Torah, Gospel and Qur’an)
iii. Belief in all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah
iv .Belief in the Angels
v. Belief in the Day of Judgment
vi. Belief in Allah’s divine decree, whether for good
or ill.
In the Qur'an,
Allah says:
"We have sent you (Muhammad)
as a mercy for all nations."
[Surah 21: verse 107]
Thus Islam is not restricted to any particular race or nation,
as many other religions are, but is universal, meaning that
its message applies to all humanity, at all times, in all places.
Since Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last prophet
and messenger, his message applies to all future generations.
All previous prophets, from Adam, Noah and Abraham to Moses
and Jesus, were also Muslims:
"Not a single messenger did
We send before you without this inspiration sent by Us to him
that there is no god but I, therefore worship and serve Me."
Quran [Surah 21: verse
25]
Since the Qur'an is the final testament, with every word and
every letter unadulterated and unchanged, and protected by Allah
from any change or tampering, it is the final revelation, and
no other law will ever supersede it.
Islam has are other injunctions and commandments which concern
virtually all facets of one's personal, family and civic life.
These include such matters as diet, clothing, personal hygiene,
interpersonal relations, business ethics, responsibilities towards
parents, spouse and children, marriage, divorce and inheritance,
civil and criminal law, fighting in defense of Islam, relations
with non-Muslims, and so much more. Islam is a complete way
of life!
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