Find the answers to all your questions regarding Islam.
Islām comes from the Arabic root word as-la-ma, meaning to “submit” or “surrender” oneself. However, Islāmically, it means to submit oneself to the Creator with Tawhid (Islāmic monotheism), yield to Him with obedience and to renounce Shirk (polytheism) and its people.
The core message of Islām is to worship Allāh (Alone) by directing all acts of worship solely to Him (i.e., Tawhid) and to follow the teachings of His Prophet. Muslims believe that the call of Tawḥīd was shared by all the prophets and messengers; from Ādam to the last Prophet and Messenger, Muḥammad (may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon them all).
Allāh, the Most High is the One True Deity worthy of worship Who has no partners or equals. He is commonly referred to as ‘God’, but in Islām He is called Allāh, the One and Unique, Who alone possesses the Utmost Perfection.
They (the creation) are in utmost need of Him and turn to Him regarding that which concerns them. From His perfection, He neither begets nor was He begotten; He is completely independent of all needs. And there is none co-equal or comparable to Him either in His names, attributes or actions.
He is Muḥammad ibn Abdillah, the last of the Prophets and Messengers whom there is none after (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He was sent to call mankind and jinn to worship Allāh (Alone) by directing all acts of worship solely to Him. He was a devout worshipper, honest, just, merciful and patient person. He was also the ideal husband, father, teacher, judge and leader – the perfect role model.
It is the last revelation to mankind. Its primary message is to worship Allah (Alone) without any partners or intermediaries. It also teaches many other things such as giving charity, being thankful (for our numerous blessings), being patient, modest, truthful and much more. It is the literal word of Allah that is unmatched in its linguistic style, guidance, wisdom and eloquence.
One of the amazing miracles of the Quran is that it has never been changed or tampered with since its revelation over 1400 years ago! It also contains numerous scientific and historical facts that were unknown to the people of that time, and have only been discovered in recent times with the aid of technology. These are some of the compelling evidences which show that the Quran is from the Creator, Allah.
1. A Clear & Pure Understanding of the Creator:
One of the most unique factors that sets Islām apart from other religions/faiths is its clear and authentic understanding of the Creator, Allāh the Most High. Islām depicts the Creator as One Who possesses complete perfection in HIs Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes. By extension, Islām also rejects attributing to the Creator any idea or belief that entails imperfection and deficiency (e.g., fathership, birth, death, reincarnation, etc).
“Say (O Muhammad): He is Allāh, (the) One.
Allāh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master whom all the creation needs).
He begets not, nor was He begotten.
And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”
{Surāh al-Ikhlāṣ: 1-4}
We believe that this belief appeals to the fitrah (innate belief in the Creator) that Allāh created us upon. It depicts a Creator Who is All-Powerful, independent of the creation and whom all the creation needs for their existence. And not One Who was born, ate, drank, slept and crucified on a across!
2. A Close & Personal Relationship with the Creator achieves Happiness:
Islām regards having a close and personal connection with the Creator as an integral part of achieving and sustaining happiness in life. Islām advocates for an individual to have sustained consciousness of his or her Creator for a happy life in this world and blissful one in the hereafter.
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allāh do hearts find rest”
{Surāh ar-Ra’ad: 28}
3. A Positive Outlook on Life:
Islām provides a positive outlook on hardships and adversaries in life, such that even the harm experienced from a prick of a thorn is considered as an expiation of sins! Where pain and suffering can negatively affect the mental wellbeing of an individual, Islām chooses to mitigate such negative experiences by highlighting the positive consequences. The Prophet of Islām, Muhammad (may the peace & blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:
“There is no calamity that befalls a Muslim, but Allāh expiates (sin) thereby, even a thorn that pricks him”
{Bukhārī & Muslim}
4. Forgiveness of Sins:
One of the key benefits of Islām is forgiveness of sins. Allāh the Most High forgives all types of sins – even the greatest sin a person can think of! Allāh the Most Sublime says:
“O son of Ādam, if you come to me with enough sins to fill the Earth and then you meet me without associating anything (in worship with Me), I will come to you with enough forgiveness to fill the Earth”
{Tirmidhī – graded sahīh by Al-Albānī}
Islām highlights the importance spirtual self-purification through tawbah (sincere repentance). Tawbah enables a person to turn to his Lord in repentance without the need for intermediaries such as the practice of confessions or other mediums. There is no need for the sins of an individual to be exposed to a seemingly righteous person or priest. Since Allāh the Most High is All-Seeing, All-Hearing and All-Knowing, He is much capable of hearing the sincere repentance of His servants.
5. Assurance of Ultimate Justice:
Islām recognises that the Creator is the Most-Just Whose application of justice is the most complete. Such that all perpetrators who have committed human atrocities in the past will get their due justice, including those whom they have transgressed against. Even the hornless goat oppressed by the one possessing horns will get back its right from its oppressor.
“Verily, the bankrupt of my nation will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting, and charity, but also with insults, slander, consuming wealth, shedding blood, and beating others. The oppressed will each be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds run out before justice is fulfilled, then their sins will be cast upon him, and he will be thrown into the Fire”
{Muslim}
Life doesn’t always guarantee justice. It is for this reason there will be a Day of Judgement and Recompense where every individual is rewarded or punished, otherwise life would lack justice and seem unjust.