Bismilllah,
Assalamu alaikum...peace be upon you all
have you ever wondered what Islam is? are you a Muslim who was asked the question many times but dont know the answer? are you someone who would like to know the basics of Islam? or are you just trying to find out more? whoever you're and whatever reasons you have, inshallah, I promise you that you shall benefit from this. Just a note, the following is from a book a read on Tawheed (the oneness of God), fiqh (Jurisprudence), and aqeedah (fundamentals of Islam).
What is Islam?
Islam simply means to submit to Allah (God) in obedience and to surrender to Him by making all worship to Him and Him alone, and to break free from shirk (associating partners with God). This is evident in Surah hajj and Al-imran... Allah ta'ala says: "So, your God is one God. Therefore, submit to Him and give glad tidings to the good-doers" (Hajj,34).
"Oh you who believe! fear Allah as he should be feared and do not die except while you're Muslims" (Al-Imran 102).
This is the basic definition of Islam....
Islam is basically away of life...it shows us who we're, our purpose in this life and of course where we are headed. Its basically our pathway to the world to come....we're given guidance in the book of God revealed to the last and final prophet. Allah says "This is the book. In it, there is sure guidance without a doubt, to those who fear Allah" (Al-baqara, 2).
Who is a Muslim?
Islam is not for Arabs, or Africans, or just a certain group of people at a certain time in a certain place. Rather, Islam is a universal religion that does not discriminate based on color or anything else. In Islam, there is just one race and that is the human race. Lets look at what the Qur'an says concerning race. Allah, the exalted says "Oh mankind! We created you from a single pair of male and female and made you into nations and tribes, so you may know one another. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)" (49:13).The purpose of our difference is not to despise one another simply because one is white or black or Arab or non Arab, rather it is for us to 'know one another' as fellow human beings, to love one another, to help one another, to be kind to one another and to respect one another despite our differences.
So, the Muslim is one who submits to the will of God. A Muslim is someone who follows the way of Islam which is ordained by God almighty.
This is Islam and Muslims in a nutshell....:)
-peace out!
