Introduction to Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, meaning there is only one God, that is Allah (SWT). And none other is worthy of worship except him and that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last messenger of God. Islam is a religion of Peace and love while maintaining the balance of Justice within society. The word “Islam” means “submission” (to the will of God). Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times before through other Prophets including Adam (AS), Abraham (AS), Moses (AS) and Jesus (AS). The sources of Guidance in Islam include the Holy Book (Quran) and the Sunnah (Hadiths) of the Prophet (PBUH). Islam is not only a way to worship our creator. Instead, it is a complete way of life and indeed a beautiful way of life. It doesn’t only tell us to fulfill the rights of our creator, Allah (SWT). But, has a strong emphasis on the rights of the people.
Islam is the world’s second-largest religion with over 1.8 billion followers (24.1% of the world’s population).
Kaaba Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Photo by Haiden
Islam outlines, every person’s duties and rights. And as to how they play a role in society. It is not about secluding oneself on a mountain top and only praying all our lives. Rather, it is about fulfilling both our religious and social obligations. It teaches us to love the elderly and the orphans and to give them their due rights. To give the oppressed a helping hand. It is a source of peace for both the mind and the heart.
It focuses not only on our relations with our spouse or relatives. But, also our relations with the needy, the poor, and even our neighbors. Islam teaches us to have good manners, in fact a very crucial and essential part of one’s faith. It teaches us to fulfill our promises and have a lawful earning. It teaches us to be truthful and to abide by the law. It teaches us to be just and kind.
In the Quran, Allah (SWT) says:
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful,
Quran (4:36)
Islam has such rules and regulations which if were to be implied would create a peaceful and prosperous environment for everyone to live in. Such rules which would end the most terrible crisis’s of this world such as world hunger.
From a hadith:
Ibn ‘Abbas informed Ibn az-Zubayr, “I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.'”
Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 112
And if everyone in the world were to follow this making sure that their neighbor isn’t hungry it would verily be the end of world hunger that we are facing in different parts of the worlds. Indeed, a very beautiful religion it is.
It also establishes rules and regulations which safeguard us from the evils of this world. It develops love in our worldly relationships, such as of that between the spouses.
In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women.
Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 1162
In fact, Islam is the very religion which raised the rank of a woman in society, gave her honor, and gave her the right to inherit property. As it can be seen in the last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Such a beautiful religion that it asks the Husband to give his wife, a bridal gift at the time of marriage. Islam is the religion of peace which forbids injustice. Islam is a source of guidance for all mankind till the day of resurrection whether it be trade, political, or social affairs. Guidance is available for every aspect of life. Whether you’re rich or poor, a student or a teacher, a ruler or a citizen, there is guidance for every single aspect of life.
Islam is such a religion which doesn’t allow anyone’s feeling to be hurt while maintaining justice. For example, if there are three people sitting together. It is not considered okay for two of them to talk privately, leaving the third one left out. Unless they take his permission first.
And this is just the beginning, the beauty of Islam can’t possibly be encompassed in a single page.