The Meaning of Islam

It is indeed my responsibility being a Muslim to share with you what is the meaning of Islam.  A lot of people have misconceptions about it.  But sharing with you its connotation probably will give proper insights, enlightenment and bring harmony and peace towards these misconceptions.  Some important Arabic terms with their corresponding English translations will be used  for the readers’ information and guidance like: salam, Jannah, hadith, and taghoot.

The word Islam means submission to Allah the Almighty, the Creator and Lord of all creation, with the entire soul and body, by obedience to what He commanded and prohibited in His Revealed Law, by compliance and willful yielding of one’s will to His Will and Judgments, and by acceptance of all that Allah has predestined for man on earth. Allah is the Most Beneficent and Merciful who knows all man’s rightful needs, who enjoins all that is good and warns against all that is evil. Thus His revealed Law is perfectly suited to the universal needs, rights and responsibilities of man.

The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur’an in relation to Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham)  :

(Behold! His Lord said to him: Submit. He said: I submit to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe.) (2:131)

The word “Salam” means “Peace" and is derived from the same Arabic three-letter root SLM as the word Islam. “Salam” is one of the attributes of Allah, blessed be His Names and Attributes and Exalted His Majesty, as the Qur’an states:

(Allah is He, there is no other god except Him; the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory is to Allah! High is He above the partners they attribute to Him.)   (59:23)

"Salam" is also one of the names of Jannah (Paradise). The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur'an:

(For them will be a Home of Peace with their Lord. He will be their Friend, because they practiced righteousness.)   (6:127)

The inhabitants of Paradise will greet each other with "Salam” when they meet their Lord, Allah as he mentioned:

(Their salutation on the Day they meet Him will be “Peace” and He has prepared for them a generous Reward.)   (35:44)

Muslims exchange the purified and noble greetings “As-Salamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you) when they meet, when they pass by one another, when they call one another. Even when a Muslim enters his own home and finds no one there, he says as-Salamu Alaikum since he offers this greeting upon the angels who are present in that place and upon himself. This form of greeting helps to relieve the hearts from all forms of enmity and grudges and rancor people may keep within them, replacing it with good will, mutual respect, tranquility, security and happiness. Often Muslims greet one another by saying the fuller version, which has been taught by the Prophet of Allah: 'As-Salamu Alaikum wa rahmatul'laah' i.e. “May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you, and His Mercy.”

In the Prophetic traditions (hadith) we find the words of the Messenger of Allah  which make the spreading of this greeting from among the traits of the perfection of faith:

“You would not enter Paradise until you acquire full faith, and you would not acquire full faith until you love one another. Should not I guide you to an action which if you establish among one another, you would love one another? Spread the greeting of “Salaam” (Peace) as much as you can amongst yourselves (in the community).” (Muslim)

And the Messenger of Allah  said:

“Offer food generously to others; initiate the greeting of “peace” amongst yourselves to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.”   (Bukhari & Muslim)

The purpose of Islam is to continually seek to please Allah, the Creator and Lord of the Universe, by universal good and righteous deeds. Allah says in his Glorious Book, the Qur’an:

(O People of the Book! There has come to you Our Messenger revealing to you much that you used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary). There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book by which Allah guides all who seek His pleasure to ways of “salam” (peace and safety), leads them out of darkness, by His Will, to the light, and guides them to a Path that is Straight.)   (5:15-16)

Islam comprises the complete comprehensive meaning of peace that includes the inner personal and spiritual peace and the outer social peace. As the Messenger of Allah (r) said:

“A true Muslim is the person from whom other Muslims feel secured against abuse and attacks from his tongue and hands, and a true immigrant is a person who forsakes what Allah the Almighty has declared unlawful.”   (Bukhari & Muslim)

Moreover, it includes the global vision of general universal peace for all humanity, since its basic principles include stability, mutual respect, and non-aggression to those who abide peacefully to just terms, especially those who have the basic understanding of a revealed religion from Allah as the basis of their civilization like the Christians and Jews.

(O you who believe! Enter into “as-Silm” (the peace of Islam by submission to Allah) completely and whole-heartedly, and do not follow the footsteps of the Satan, for he is indeed an avowed enemy to you.)   (2:208)

The invitation of Islam, Allah’s universal religion, is extended to all. Allah Most Exalted said in His Majestic Book:

(Say (O Muhammad) ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah...)   (7:158)

And He said:

(Truly the religion before Allah is Islam.)   (3:19)

And He  said:

(And Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.)   (3:85)

Islam builds a foundation for friendly relationships between men on the principles of public and mutual interests of all the parties concerned. Never is there to be any compulsion or force for the acceptance of Islam. Islam wishes well for all regardless of color, creed, geographic location and nationality. Its laws and principles promote universal modes of righteousness, benevolence and justice. Muslims are commanded to love for the cause of Allah and hate for the cause of Allah, and never for any other special interests, worldly desires or whims. One does not love or hate the person per say, but loves the good and hates the evil shown by the behavior of that person. Allah the Almighty states:

(Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant.)   (7:199)

Islam brings people from the darkness of ignorance and injustice, to the true light of guidance and justice. Allah the Wise and Sublime states:

(Allah is the Protector and Ally of those who have faith: He leads them from the depths of darkness into the light. The disbelievers are the patrons and allies of the taghoot (Satan, idols, tyrants): from light they lead them into the depths of darkness. They will be Companions of the Fire to dwell therein (forever).)   (2:257)

Islam educates all Muslims to be peaceful, forgiving, patient and caring. Islam seeks all means to establish social justice in the society and protect the rights of all citizens of the Islamic state and encompasses them all in its welfare system. Islam exhorts upon Muslims to be good to others without expecting a favor rather seeking the reward from Allah, their Lord Most Bountiful. Islam educates Muslims to respect and honor the divine instructions and laws so that every member in the society feels secure, safe and peaceful, except those who, by their criminal activities, deserve to be punished with justice for transgression. Islam educates Muslims to be selfless and to like for others as they wish for themselves so that the entire society benefits: the old are to be kind to the young and minor; the young are to be merciful, respectful and helpful to the old; the rich to be generous to the poor; all should seek to aid the needy. Islam aims for the ideal society wherein the statement of Allah's Messenger (r) would be fulfilled:

“The example of the believers in their love and affection to one another is like that of the organs of one body. If one organ aches, the rest of the body becomes feverish, and is affected.”

We all know that death is the final destiny of every living being, the crucial question is: what happens after death? Muslims like all believers in scriptures believe in the Resurrection after death wherein all will meet just rewards or punishments in an eternal life, either in the bliss of Gardens of Paradise or the blazing fires of Hell. As for those who sincerely accept Islam as a way of life, they surely took the safe path that leads to happiness and the bliss after death. As for those who commit evil acts in this world against innocent people and without any just basis, they would be punished and penalized for what they have committed against innocent people. However, if one commits any act of disobedience against the Commandments of Allah, the Almighty; it is totally up to the Will and Mercy of Allah. If He Wishes to torture the evildoer by His justice, there is no one to intercede on his behalf unless Allah permits. And if Allah wishes to pardon such an evildoer, He would do so out of His Mercy and Generosity.

As for those who turn away from Islam, or turn their backs to it and die as non- Muslims, we do believe that such people would stay in the Fire of Hell eternally.

For the above reasons,  Islam  urges  every sensible, thoughtful and respective human being to seek true salvation for his soul by correct actions and based on the Mercy of Allah, the Most Merciful. It encourages  every person to seek the Right and Straight Path that leads to Paradise; that is the Path of Allah; the Path of Islam; the total submission to Allah. This is the Path that leads to happiness for eternity. Allah the Almighty says of those enemies who spread false propaganda against Islam:

(Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light by their mouths: but Allah will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the disbelievers may detest (it).)  (61:8)

The Messenger of Allah  said:

“By the One in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is! No member of this nation (to be called), no Jew or Christian who hears of me and does not believe in what I was sent with, but he will be of the people of the Fire.”

(Muslim)