What is Islam?
What is Islam?:
The name of the religion is Islam, which comes from an Arabic root word meaning “peace” and “submission.” Islam teaches that one can find peace in one’s life by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed. The same Arabic root word gives us “Salaam alaykum,” (“Peace be with you”) (refer LUKE 24:36) , the universal Muslim greeting.
- ISLAM IS NOT A NEW RELIGION
- ISLAM MEANS TO SUBMIT TO GOD
- ADAM & EVE, ABRAHAM, DAVID, SOLOMON,MOSES, JESUS ARE ALL PROPHETS OF GOD/ISLAM
- THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETS IS THE SAME- ONENESS OF GOD
- ONLY RELIGION ACCEPTABLE IN THE EYES OF GOD IS ISLAM
Who is a Muslim?:
A person who believes in and consciously follows Islam is called a Muslim, also from the same root word. So, the religion is called “Islam,” and a person who believes in and follows it is a “Muslim”.
How Many and Where?:
Islam is a major world religion, with over 1.5 billion followers worldwide (1/5 of the world population). Muslims are found all over the world, of every nation, color and race. It is the fastest growing religion on the face of the earth.
Who is Allah?:
Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as “God.” Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, etc. Islam holds to a strict monotheism. Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is considered idolatry.
- ALLAH IS OMNIPOTENT ie he is able to do all things
- ALLAH IS THE FIRST AND THE LAST
- ALLAH IS THE ALL POWERFUL
- THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO HIM
- EVERYTHING OTHER THAN ALLAH IS CREATED WHEREAS ALLAH IS UNCREATED
The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) Message of Peace
A major part of the Prophet’s mission was to bring peace to the world. To inculcate such feelings, the Prophet would preach to his followers, “You are all Adam’s offspring and Adam was made of clay.” And in his prayers to his Creator, he said, “O Lord, all Your servants are brothers.”
Islam means to derive peace through the submission to Allah.
Islam promotes goodness and morality. It prevents us from lying, cheating and deceit. It creates a just and moral society ever fearful of God and His commandments. We live with love of God coupled by a fear of punishment. That’s a fair and equitable system that would promote peace and justice within a society.
Islam teaches us about the nature of Allah and how to worship Him and remember Him in everything that we do. Islam instructs us to pray to Him 5 times a day and in His name to give alms to the poor and assist all of creation in whatever manner we can.
With this we are judged and our fate is either eternal Heaven or even Hell. Our destiny is in our hands. If we choose to accept Him and worship Him and to abandon any other god in our lives than our path to salvation has begun. Islam will bring us closer and eventually we can be in the company of God himself forever and ever.
Are we ready to enter the Kingdom of God? Are we ready to accept 1 God who is the Creatir sustainer and nourisher of all that we see and even what we don’t? Are we ready to bring about the final acceptance and declaration that we worhsip none but Allah and will obey His commands only?
This choice is yours…and yours only.