As a servant of the Almighty Allah, we all should try to achieve His pleasure upon ourselves. And indeed, if we can do this, it will be the ultimate success for us. To acquire this massive success, Allah SWT has given us the correct path. However, the Qur’an we have got is the solution to every question and problem we face in life. The Merciful Allah has given us the right instructions so that we can reach our expected destination of Jannah. The almighty wants to have us together in heaven. To fill that mission, He fixes up universal and eternal management of life for us. The name of this system of management is Islam. So, let’s get into the concept of Islam.
What We Mean by Islam
Islam is a Religion
We know that; religion is a belief or theology that believes and worships in a superhuman controlling power (god or gods) following with great devotion. Similarly, the monotheistic concept of Islam believes in a single God (Allah) who is the most powerful entity over all things and in worship Him. Islam believes that Allah is unique, all-powerful, merciful, and has guided humanity through various Prophets, revealed scriptures, and natural signs. This religion was fulfilled over the last and final prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the Holy Qur’an and Divine messages from the Almighty Allah. This is the only religion determined by God himself. According to Qur’an:
“Truly, the only religion with Allah is Islam.”– Al Imran:19
Religion of Peace
The concept of Islam is the concept of peace. This is a universal and all-accepting manner of Islam that comes from the word SILM which means peace. However, like many widely spoken truths, the meaning and scope of the word ISLAM need to be properly understood. Because the right words also have the potential to take on wrong or incomplete meanings. The Holy Qur’an has described The teachings and the features of its provision of Islam in various verses. These teachings and features prove that Islam is truly a religion of peace although all the religions of this world tell some tales of peace.
Read the Complete Article: Islam is a Religion of Peace
Way of Life
Many of us judge Islam as a religion only. But the definition and the concept of Islam have a clear and far-reaching conception that is related to some basic and mandatory obligations. Therefore, receiving the theme “There is no God except Allah and Muhammad (PBUH) is His servant and messenger” is not enough of being a complete Muslim. To become a complete Muslim, we must have to spend our entire life through a specific system that is provided by our Lord Almighty. And the name of this system or way of life is Islam. The Qur’an declares–
“whoever seeks a DEEN (way of life) without Islam, it will never be accepted by Him”– Al Imran:75
Islam Means to Surrender
In the concept of Islam, we also mean Islam to be surrendered to our Lord Almighty. A Muslim will always consign his will to Allah SWT. He should remain grateful and humble to the Lord Almighty in his every situation of life. No matter whether in peace or sorrow, he should always remain loyal, flexible, and grateful. And only should seek the Help and Mercy of Allah SWT. From the cradle to the grave Islam teaches us to lead our life through a definite system so that we can become surrender to the almighty and reach the destination of Jannah. In the Qur’an Allah, the Almighty is ordering the believers to become completely surrendered persons (Muslim) before their death.
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except being Muslims (the surrendered).”–Al Imran:102
Islam is the complete code of life
Islam is a provision for a peaceful life. One and a half thousand years ago, Islam was revealed as a complete and suitable way of life for all people of all eras. Upon the last and final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty perfected this religion for the Muslims. The words and guidance of the great Creator Allah and the teachings of the last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are not only limited to beliefs and moral rules but also include applicable and suitable laws for human beings. As a result, nothing is missing in human life in the provision of Islam. The Holy Qur’an states:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
Today I have perfected your religion for you, and completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your DEEN (way of life). ‘– Surah Ma’ida, verse:3
Contents of Islam
The concept of Islam consists of three eternal themes. These are-
Tawheed
Tawheed means monotheism or Oneness of Allah SWT in the concept of Islam. The first and foremost thing in Islam is to confess and believe in the heart that Allah alone is the Creator, Sustainer, Lawgiver, and Giver of death and birth and the only entity to be worshipped. The declaration of Tawheed comes in the Holy Qur’an as-
“Say: He is Allah, the one; Allah is the Self-Sufficient Master; He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” -Surah Al Ikhlas: 1-4
Risalaat
Risalast is the process of sending Prophets and Messengers through the ages to reach the message of Tawheed to the world. It is one of the central themes in the concept of Islam. As the Messenger and Prophet on earth, Hazrat Adam (As) was the first and Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was the last and final Messenger. The basic and first thing here is, Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant of Allah SWT. the second is, He is the Messenger sent by Allah SWT. The third is, He is the last and final Prophet. The last and final theme of Risalaat in the concept of Islam is, Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger for the entire mankind of the world. Allah SWT states in the Holy Qur’an:
“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets.” -Al Ahzaab:40
Akhirah
The Hereafter is the ultimate theme of Islam. Islam believes that worldly life ends with death, but the journey to the afterlife begins with that. In the concept of Islam, the worldly life of mankind is mainly guided by the expectation of the afterlife. The result of worldly life will be revealed in the Hereafter. Good deeds will have good and bad deeds will have harsh and bad results. In this regard, the Holy Qur’an states:
“So, whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.” – Surah Al-Zalzala: 7,8
The Belief in the Concept of Islam
The belief in Islam consists of seven articles of belief. These are-
- Allah as the one, unique, and most powerful entity who has created us for His worship;
- His Angels who exist in countless numbers and various types and worship Allah and carry out His commands.
- The prophets as the guidance for the misguided mankind throughout the eras. These individuals had received revelation from Allah and conveyed it to the people. Hazrat Adam (A) was the first and Hazrat Muhammad (SA) was the last and final prophet.
- Divine books that contain messages of Allah as the guidance for human beings.
- The predestination of the Almighty that is determined by Him thousands of years ago of creating the human being.
- The Hereafter as an infinity destination that will begin with the term of death
- And on the day of judgment as a certain period of getting the exchanges of this worldly doings.
Basic foundations of Islam
On the authority of Umar Ibn al-Khattab: He said: Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad) said the pillars of Islam are five. Namely- There is no true god but Allah, and bearing witness to the word of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, performing Salat, paying Zakat, performing Hajj, and observing the fast of Ramadan (fasting). -Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 08
1. Testimony
The first and obligatory foundation of Islam is to testify to the Tawheed of Allah SWT. It is also known as the sentence of Shahadah in teh concept of Islam. Kalima e Shahadah means saying (testifying) this sentence with the mouth and believing in the heart.
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, He is One, He has no partner. I also bear witness that Muhammad is the best servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
2. Salat
Salat is the main act of worship in the concept of Islam. It is an obligatory order for every Muslim to pray 5 times a day. Prayer (Salat) is the second and most important of the five pillars of Islam. Five daily prayers are Fajr prayer, Dohar prayer, Asr prayer, Maghrib prayer, and Isha prayer. The great order of Salat five times a day was imposed through the Miraj of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. There are many verses in the Holy Qur’an about Salat. One of these is-
And you establish Salat at both ends of the day at the beginning of the night. Indeed, good deeds cancel out evil deeds. This is advice for those who take advice. (Surah Hud 11:114)
3. Fasting
Sawm (Arabic سوم), or Siam, is the third of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is the abstinence from all kinds of food, drink, sin, lust, and also from all bad pleasures from dawn till sunset. According to Islamic law, every adult Muslim must fast every day of the month of Ramadan. Besides this obligatory fasting, there are some other variations of fasting in Islam like Sunnah, Nafal, and Mustahab. The order of fasting is given in the Qur’an as follows-
“So, whoever of you sights the month (Ramadan), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month.” From: Surah-Al Baqarah: 185
4. Zakat
Zakat is one of the five pillars of the concept of Islam. This is the practice of distributing to the poor and needy a fixed portion of every free, adult Muslim male and female person’s income and property every year if it exceeds the Islamic Shariah prescribed limit (nisab amount). Generally, 2.5 percent (2.5%) or 1/40th of the total assets must be distributed if the property exceeds the prescribed limit for 1 Hijri year. Among the five pillars of Islam, Hajj and Zakat are only conditional, and obligatory for the wealthy. The word “Zakat” is mentioned 32 times in the Holy Quran. And zakat is mentioned most often after Salat.
Surely Sadaqah (zakat) is for the poor, the needy, the dependents, those who have been inclined (towards Islam), those who are in the way of Allah, and for the wayfarers – this is Allah’s decree. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Surah Tawbah: 60)
5. Hajj
Hajj or pilgrimage is an obligatory act of worship or religious worship for Muslims. It is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is also compulsory for every physically and financially able Muslim male and female to perform Hajj once in a lifetime. 8th to 12th of Arabic Zilhajj is the appointed time for Hajj. Hajj requires travel and stay in Saudi Arabia’s city of Makkah and nearby Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, etc. In the Qur’an Allah says-
“And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah” -From: Surah Al Baqarah: 196
Conclusion
The clear concept of Islam presents Islam to a man as an ideal religion, an infrastructure of peace and prosperity, and the only chosen way of life of God Almighty. Belief in the fundamentals of Islam and surrendering all one’s instincts to Allah alone is the ultimate success as the best creation. May the great Lord grant us all the ability to build our lives according to the great teachings of Islam. (Ameen)
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