What is Islam ?
Islam is a religion and a way of life. It means submission, devotion, and
obedience  to  God,  the  Lord  of  the  heavens  and  the  earth.  Therefore,
obedience  to  God,  the  Lord  of  the  heavens  and  the  earth.  Therefore,
a  Muslim  is  someone  who  submits  himself  to  God.  That  is  the  reason
a  Muslim  is  someone  who  submits  himself  to  God.  That  is  the  reason
why every prophet and messenger of God and their followers were by
why every prophet and messenger of God and their followers were by
definition ‘Muslims’, as stated in the Qur’an.
“Whoever submits His whole self to Allah and is a doer
“Whoever submits His whole self to Allah and is a doer
of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no
of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no
fear, nor shall they grieve”
[The Qur’an, 2: 112].
[The Qur’an, 2: 112].
Islam is the religion of God and the same message which all the prophets
Islam is the religion of God and the same message which all the prophets
and  messengers  of  Almighty  God  came  with,  including  Adam,  Noah,
and  messengers  of  Almighty  God  came  with,  including  Adam,  Noah,
Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus and finally Muhammad - may
Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus and finally Muhammad - may
the peace and blessings of God be upon them. Therefore, Muslims believe
the peace and blessings of God be upon them. Therefore, Muslims believe
in, love, and respect all the prophets and messengers of Almighty God.
in, love, and respect all the prophets and messengers of Almighty God.
“The messenger believes in what has been revealed to
“The messenger believes in what has been revealed to
him  from  his  Lord,  and  (so  do)  the  believers;  they  all  believe  in
him  from  his  Lord,  and  (so  do)  the  believers;  they  all  believe  in
Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers; We make
Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers; We make
no difference between any of His messengers; and they say: We
no difference between any of His messengers; and they say: We
hear  and  obey,  our  Lord!  your  forgiveness  (do  we  crave),  and  to
hear  and  obey,  our  Lord!  your  forgiveness  (do  we  crave),  and  to
you is the eventual course”
[The Qur’an, 2:285].
[The Qur’an, 2:285].
 Islam  aims  to  preserve  the  basic  rights  of  human  beings,  establishing
 Islam  aims  to  preserve  the  basic  rights  of  human  beings,  establishing
security and peace in society and the world as a whole. Islam urges its
security and peace in society and the world as a whole. Islam urges its
followers to be kind, polite, decent, and good citizens in a society. Prophet
followers to be kind, polite, decent, and good citizens in a society. Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said : “The best among
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said : “The best among
you are those who have the best manners and character” [Bukhari, 56].
you are those who have the best manners and character” [Bukhari, 56].
 What is Islam all about ?
Islam calls for, and nurtures a loving and direct relationship between ‘God’
Islam calls for, and nurtures a loving and direct relationship between ‘God’
and ‘humans’ with no intercessors or intermediaries
“Surely to Allah alone sincere devotion (and obedience) is
due”
[The Qur’an, 39:3].

When you pray, you pray directly to God, and when you want to repent from
your sins, you ask God directly for forgiveness.
“And  when  My  servants  ask  you  concerning  Me,  then
“And  when  My  servants  ask  you  concerning  Me,  then
surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he
surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he
calls on Me” [The Qur’an, 2:186] and “And your Lord says, Call upon
calls on Me” [The Qur’an, 2:186] and “And your Lord says, Call upon
Me; I will respond to you”
Me; I will respond to you”
[The Qur’an, 40:60].
 Islam is the religion of pure human nature and clarity. It urges and calls its
 Islam is the religion of pure human nature and clarity. It urges and calls its
followers to ask about all issues or problems they may encounter or endure,
followers to ask about all issues or problems they may encounter or endure,
from the simple problems of their every day life to the deepest, most complex
from the simple problems of their every day life to the deepest, most complex
and also the most incomprehensible questions of their existence.
and also the most incomprehensible questions of their existence.
“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know”
“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know”
[The Qur’an, 16:43]
‘People of knowledge’ refers to the experts in the various fields known for
‘People of knowledge’ refers to the experts in the various fields known for
their expertise.
 In  Islam,  the  whole  doctrine  is  clearly  explained,  therefore  there  are  no
 In  Islam,  the  whole  doctrine  is  clearly  explained,  therefore  there  are  no
obscure or mysterious components to the belief.
obscure or mysterious components to the belief.
“Allah would explain to you and guide you by the examples of those
“Allah would explain to you and guide you by the examples of those
who  were  before  you,  and  would  turn  to  you  in  mercy.  Allah  is  All-
who  were  before  you,  and  would  turn  to  you  in  mercy.  Allah  is  All-
knowing, All-wise. And Allah would turn to you in mercy; but those
knowing, All-wise. And Allah would turn to you in mercy; but those
who follow vain desires would have you go immensely astray. Allah
who follow vain desires would have you go immensely astray. Allah
would lighten your (difficulties): For man was created weak (in flesh)”
would lighten your (difficulties): For man was created weak (in flesh)”
[The Qur’an, 4:26-28].
Islam  is  not  a  religion  of  monasticism  or  separation  from  the  worldly
Islam  is  not  a  religion  of  monasticism  or  separation  from  the  worldly
life.  On  the  other  hand,  it  does  not  allow  the  uncontrolled  indulgence  of
life.  On  the  other  hand,  it  does  not  allow  the  uncontrolled  indulgence  of
worldly  pleasures  and  desires.  It  teaches  us  to  nourish  and  satisfy  our
worldly  pleasures  and  desires.  It  teaches  us  to  nourish  and  satisfy  our
soul  and  spiritual  needs  as  much  as  we  need  food  and  provision  for  our
soul  and  spiritual  needs  as  much  as  we  need  food  and  provision  for  our
body.  It  is  a  complete  social  system  which  promotes  a  lifestyle  based  on
body.  It  is  a  complete  social  system  which  promotes  a  lifestyle  based  on
moderation, embracing both religious and mundane affairs, and considers
moderation, embracing both religious and mundane affairs, and considers
them complementary to one another: neither aspect should prevail at the
them complementary to one another: neither aspect should prevail at the
expense of the other.
“But  seek,  with  that  (wealth)  which  Allah  has  bestowed  on  you,
“But  seek,  with  that  (wealth)  which  Allah  has  bestowed  on  you,
the  home  of  the  Hereafter,  and  forget  not  your  portion  of  legal
enjoyment in this world, and be kind as Allah has been good (kind) to
you, and seek not mischief in the land”
[The Qur’an, 28:77].

Islam places men and women all equal before their Lord regardless of their
race,  tongue,  national  origin,  appearance,  wealth  and  social  status.  The
criterion for differentiation among them arises in their compliance with the
divine regulations.
“O  mankind!  We  have  created  you  from  a  male  and  a
“O  mankind!  We  have  created  you  from  a  male  and  a
female, and have made you into nations and tribes so that you may
female, and have made you into nations and tribes so that you may
know one another. Verily, the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is
know one another. Verily, the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is
the best in conduct. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”
the best in conduct. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”
[The Qur’an, 49:13].
The  most  pivotal  benefits  that  Islam  provides  for  the
The  most  pivotal  benefits  that  Islam  provides  for  the
individual are:
1.
  True happiness and inner peace.
2.
  Practical guidance in leading a good life.
  Practical guidance in leading a good life.
3.
  A correct understanding of human nature.
  A correct understanding of human nature.
4.
  Forgiveness from all previous sins.
5.
  The gateway to eternal Paradise.
6.
  Salvation from Hell-fire.
In order to gain such benefits and much more, there is primarily one basic
In order to gain such benefits and much more, there is primarily one basic
step to take: It is to bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides
step to take: It is to bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides
Allah and that Muhammad is his servant and messenger. This is what we
Allah and that Muhammad is his servant and messenger. This is what we
call ‘Testimony of Faith’, which is the first pillar in Islam. Prophet Muhammad
call ‘Testimony of Faith’, which is the first pillar in Islam. Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Islam has been built on five (pillars), testifying that there
“Islam has been built on five (pillars), testifying that there
is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the
is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the
messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayers, paying the Zakat (the
messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayers, paying the Zakat (the
annual  poor  due),  making  the  Pilgrimage  to  the  House  (in  Mecca,
annual  poor  due),  making  the  Pilgrimage  to  the  House  (in  Mecca,
once in a lifetime) and fasting in Ramadhan”
[Bukhari, 8 - Muslim, 16].
[Bukhari, 8 - Muslim, 16].
It is important not to let our mind be framed by barriers or limitations that
It is important not to let our mind be framed by barriers or limitations that
may discourage us, such as the use of the Arabic language. The meaning of
may discourage us, such as the use of the Arabic language. The meaning of
‘Allah’ is in fact simply ‘Almighty God’ and it is an exclusive title which no-one
‘Allah’ is in fact simply ‘Almighty God’ and it is an exclusive title which no-one
else besides Him has been given, in all of human history.
else besides Him has been given, in all of human history.
 When  I  use  the  word  ‘Allah’  I  mean  the  same  God  that  created  Adam
 When  I  use  the  word  ‘Allah’  I  mean  the  same  God  that  created  Adam
and  Eve,  the  same  God  that  sent  prophets  such  as  Abraham,  Job,  Lot,
David, Jesus and Mohammad peace and blessings be upon them. I do
not mean a different God than the God that spoke to Moses, and split the
4
sea for him. I mean the exact same God that saved Noah in the ark and
Jonah in the Whale. I mean the exact same God that created Jesus in the
womb of Virgin Mary.

 I do not intend to twist your mind or change your faith, my purpose and
 aim is to make you acquainted with the message of Islam for
 the sake of knowledge, and it is up to you whether to accept it or reject it.