INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM

WHAT IS ISLAM?

Islam, the word has two meanings:

1. Peace

2. Submission

Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one's life in this world and the hereafter by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. It means voluntary surrender to the Will of Allah and obedience to His commands. Allah, also, an Arabic word, is the unique name of God. Muslims prefer to use Allah rather than God.

Further Islam is not just a religion. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100 percent system of life. It teaches every aspects of life such as legal, political, economic, social and family life.

WHO IS A MUSLIM?

A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam, i.e. believe in Allah, the one God and follow his messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), is called Muslim.

The word Muslim also came from the same root word. So, the religion is called "Islam," and a person who believes in and follows it is a "Muslim."

IS ISLAM A NEW RELIGION?

No. some might think that Islam is a new religion which was started with the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). That is wrong. According to Islam, Allah Almighty created Adam (Peace be upon him), the first man, and he was a Prophet. The fundamental message what he propagated to his nation was the same as of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). That is, do not worship anything except Allah Almighty. Obey to his commands, etc. The same message was propagated by each prophets who were sent before to the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). However, the divine law and instructions revealed to each prophet and each nation were different. Each prophet was sent with the divine law or instructions to a particular nation. It was not valid to other nations or other generations. However, the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the last messenger and seal of the all the prophets. Allah Almighty completed the Religion of Islam through him. Al Quran, the final scripture which was revealed to the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has the complete set of instructions to whole mankind until the Day of Judgment.

Accordingly, Islam is the complete religion which testifies all the previous prophets and believes in one God Almighty.