Chapter 11: What is Islam?

“Did you think thatWe had created you in play, and that you would not be returnedunto Us?”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Muminoon(23):115.

This chapter shall, in great brevity, present someof the fundamental teachings of Islam. The following chapter willthen present some of the details of a Muslim’s faith.

What does “Islam” mean?:

The word “Islam” itself means “Submissionto Allah.” The religion of Islam is not named after a personas in the case of “Christianity” which was named afterJesus Christ, “Buddhism” after Gotama Buddha,”Marxism” after Karl Marx, and “Confucianism”after Confucius. Similarly, Islam is not named after a tribe like”Judaism” after the tribe of Judah and “Hinduism”after the Hindus. The Arabic word “Islam” means thesubmission or surrender of one’s will to the will of the onlytrue god worthy of worship, “Allah” (known as God “theFather” in Christianity). Anyone who does indeed submit tothe will of Allah as required by Islam is termed a “Muslim,”which means one who has submitted to the will of Allah. Many peoplein the West have developed the sad misinformed trend of callingIslam “Muhammadenism” and it’s followers “Muhammadins.”This is a totally foreign word to Muslims and unrecognized bythem. No Muslim has ever called his religion “Muhammadenism”or called himself a “Muhammadin.”

What is the basic concept of Islam?:

Islam teaches us that this life is a life of worship.We are placed on this earth in order to worship Allah and obeyHis command. During this earthly life we are subjected to a seriesof trials. We have the option of enduring these trials and conformingto certain laws, and our reward will be great in the next life,or we may decline to endure these trials and choose to not conformto the law, then we will be made to regret it in the next life.Each person will be solely and completely responsible for theirown final reward. We are also told that God has designed theselaws to make this life a better, safer, and more tolerable onefor us. If we elect to conform to them then we will see the resultin this life even before moving on to the next.

We are told that the earthly life is a life of faithand work, and the next life is one of reward and no work. We havebeen placed on this earth to worship God, fast, pray, be industrious,good, kind, respectful, and a source of uprightness and morality.We are told that God has no need of our worship. Our worship cannot increase the kingdom of God nor add to His power, however,it is in our best interests both in this life and the next thatwe do.

Unlike some other religions which claim that Godentered in a covenant with a certain group of peopleand that this group is genetically better than all other humanbeings, or closer to God, Islam on the other hand teaches thatno color, race, tribe, or lineage is better than any other. Islamteaches that all humans are equal in the sight of Allah and thatthe only thing that can distinguish them in His sight is theirpiety and worship.

“O humankind! Verily! We have created youfrom a male and female, and have made you nations and tribes thatyou may know one another. Verily! the noblest among you in thesight of Allah is the most God-fearing. Verily! Allah is The Knower,The Aware.”

The Qur’an, Al-Hujrat(49):13.

Levels of Islam:

Islam consists of three levels, each building uponthe lower ones. They are:

1) Islam:

1. Testify that there is no god but Allah and thatMuhammad is the messenger of Allah
2. Establish the daily prayers
3. Pay Zakat (Obligatory charity due the poor)
4. Observe the fast of Ramadan
5. Perform pilgrimage to the Ka’aba(in Makkah) once in your life if you are able

2) Faith (Iman):

1. To believe in Allah
2. To believe in His angels
3. To believe in His Books (Scriptures)
4. To believe in His Messengers
5. To believe in the Day of Judgment
6. To believe in the Divine Decree (Divine fate)whether good or evil

3) Excellence/Goodness (Ihsan)

To worship Allah (God) as if you see Him, for ifyou can not see Him, He assuredly sees you.

In Sahih Muslim, Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattabnarrated:

“My father, Umar ibn al-Khattab, told me:One day we were sitting in the company of Allah’s Apostle (pbuh)when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes,his hair was extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travelon him, but none among us recognized him.

This man came and sat beside the Apostle (pbuh)kneeling before him and placing his palms on his thighs. He thensaid: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam. The Messenger of Allah(pbuh) said: Islam implies that you testify that there is no godbut Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and youestablish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, andperform pilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (tobear the expense of) the journey. He (the inquirer) said: Youhave told the truth.

He (Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: It amazed us thathe would put the question and then he would himself verify thetruth. He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He(the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah,in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment,and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree, either good andevil. He (the inquirer) said: You have told the truth. He (theinquirer) again said: Inform me about al-Ihsan(performance of good deeds). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Thatyou worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don’tsee Him, He, verily, sees you. He (the inquirer) again said: Informme about the hour (of the judgment). He (the Holy Prophet) remarked:The one who is asked knows no more than the one who is inquiring(about it). He (the inquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications.He (the Holy Prophet) said: That the slave-girl will give birthto her mistress and master, and that you will find barefooted,destitute goat-herders vying with one another in the constructionof magnificent buildings.

He (the narrator, Umar ibn al-Khattab) said: Thenhe (the inquirer) went on his way but I stayed with the messengerof Allah for a long while. The prophet Muhammad then, said tome: Umar, do you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allahand His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: Hewas Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order to instruct youin your religion.”

What are the pillars of Islam?:

Islam is built upon five major pillars. A Muslimis taught that anyone who dies observing these five basic pillarswill enter heaven. As mentioned, they are:

1) To bear witness that there is no entity worthyof worship except Allah(God) alone, and that Muhammad (pbuh) wasHis messenger. This establishes obedience to God Almighty alone.

2) To perform five prescribed prayers to God everyday according to a specific prescribed method and at specificprescribed times. This continually reminds us to bear God in mindin all actions, either before or after any given prayer.

3) To pay two and a half percent (2.5%) of ones wealthto charity every year if their savings exceed a certain minimumlevel which is considered above the poverty level. (This is thebasic concept, the actual calculation is a little more complex).

4) To fast the month of Ramadhan(from the Islamic Lunar calendar) every year from sun rise untilsunset. This involves not eating, drinking, or having maritalrelations, from sun rise until sun set.

5) To perform a pilgrimage to Makkah(in the Arabian Peninsula) once in a Muslim’s lifetime if it isfinancially possible and their health permits. During this period,Muslims come from all over the world to join together for sixdays in a prescribed set of acts of worship. All Muslim men aremandated to wear the same garment which was designed to be veryplain, simple, and cheap to obtain.

Mu’ad ibn Jabal said: I said to Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him): Inform me about an act which would entitleme to enter into Paradise, and distance me from the Hell-Fire.He (the Prophet) said:

“You have asked me about a matter [whichostensibly appears to be] difficult but it is easy for those forwhom Allah, the Exalted, has made it easy. Worship Allah and donot associate anything with him, establish prayer, pay the Zakat,observe the fast of Ramadhan and performHajj to the House (Ka’aba).”

(Narrated by Ahmed, al-Tirmathy, and ibn Majah)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):

Muslims are taught that prophets are humans who havebeen selected by God for a special purpose. They are given miraclesto assist them in their message but these miracles are not performedthrough their own power, but through the power of God. The prophetsof God have no divine powers of their own, nor even the powerto decide who will go to heaven or to hell. They are merely thereto convey the message entrusted to them by God to the best oftheir ability.

In a similar manner, Muhammad (pbuh) was assistedby God with a number of miracles and entrusted to convey His messageto mankind. Muhammad (pbuh) himself, however, was just a regularhuman being. He could not issue passes to heaven. He could notcondemn people to hell. He could not change what was in people’shearts. He could only convey the message and hope that they wouldbelieve.

Muhammad (pbuh) lived like any other man or womanof his people. He dressed like they dressed. He ate the same foodthey ate. He lived in the same manner and in the same sort ofhouses they did. It would be impossible for someone who did notknow him to pick him out of a crowd.

Muhammad (pbuh) taught his followers through example.If he commanded his followers to do something, he would be thefirst to abide by this command. He never broke his word, he wasby far the most charitable man among his people. He was the mostGod-fearing and the least attached to this life. He never in hislife accepted charity, but worked for a living. He never lied.It was not at all uncommon for him to spend months on end enduringsevere hunger never seeing a single cooked meal. He taught hisfollowers to be merciful to their children and respectful to theirelders. He commanded them to never taste alcohol, gamble, engagein usury (interest), fornication, envy, deceit, or back-biting.Muhammad (pbuh) taught that no human being needs any other humanbeing to intercede for him with God. He showed them that God iswithin the reach of all his creation. He hears and sees all andanswers His servant’s prayers. Muhammad (pbuh) further severelycautioned against promoting any of God’s creation or groups thereofto higher levels of divine authority and closeness to God thanothers, or the excessive glorification of any human being. Thisincludes the prophets of God themselves. He taught that the verybest of God’s servants are those who continuously seek out knowledgeand that God sees all that they do.

Muhammad (pbuh) taught his followers to be industriousand to earn an honest living. He taught them that the best Muslimsare those who are not overly obsessed with earthly wealth sinceexcessive wealth usually leads to corruption. However, he alsotaught that a wealthy person who is not blinded by his wealthis not condemned by God and may even be able to utilize his wealthin acts of worship not available to the poor. In other words,Muhammad (pbuh) taught moderation in all things.

There is much more that could be said about the teachingsof Muhammad (pbuh), however, probably one of the most generalsummaries made by Muhammad (pbuh) in this regard was:

“Righteousness is good conduct, and sin isthat which weaves inside your chest and you hate for it to berevealed to mankind.”

No ‘religious’ hierarchy:

In Islam, there is no hierarchyof religious leadership such as the people of some other religionsmay have come to expect. There are no priests, bishops, monks,Popes, …etc. Muslims define a scholar of Islam as an ‘Imam'(not to be confused with the “Imams” of Iran who claimto have boundless supernatural powers and divine attributes).In any given neighborhood, the Imam is the person that a Muslimseeks for religious rulings. For example, if a Muslim dies andhis sons want to distribute his inheritance, they go to the Imamand he presents them with the verses of the Qur’an and the Sunnahwhich describe the required procedure. This man will also usuallygive religious lectures to teach the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

The Muslim Imams and scholars have no special divinepowers. They cannot forgive sins. They do not receive divine “inspirations.”They cannot issue passes to heaven. They do not have knowledgeof the unseen. The can not change the law. They are just regularMuslims who have distinguished themselves with their study andtheir knowledge.

No monasticism (monkhood)Monkhood:

Islam commands Muslims to obey Allah and follow hiscommand. It specifies acts of worship which are acceptable. Itencourages Muslims to work and be industrious. It forbids ‘monkhood’and excessive ‘spritualization’ or ‘Zen’ and other such practices.A Muslim is commanded not to forbid upon himself that which wasmade lawful by Allah, nor to introduce new and innovative actsof worship into the religion. This means that a Muslim shouldnot decide that even though Islam allows marriage, he will forbidit upon himself and remain celibate (he may choose not to marry,but he can not forbid it upon himself). If he wishes toperform extra worship, there are many avenues open to him, suchas nightly prayer, charity, abstinence from sin….etc. Muhammad(pbuh) once gave the example of two men. One was practicing monasticismand excessive worship, totally detaching himself from this worldlylife. The other was working for a living and paying for the foodand drink that the “monk” was consuming each day. Muhammad(pbuh) told his followers that the man who was making an honestliving and supporting the ‘monk’ was greater in reward in theeyes of Allah.

The law:

Islam, like Judaism, is a structured set of lawsand commandments. The basis of Islam is the five pillars mentionedpreviously. Anyone who dies observing the five pillars will enterheaven. Anyone who does not may enter Hell (there are exceptions).However, there are many subtle levels both above and below these.These levels are governed by the law.

Islam teaches us that Muslims will be rewarded inproportion to their good deeds, their restraint from evil deeds,and their faith. In this manner we will have people who will enterdifferent levels of heaven, as well as different levels of hell,in direct proportion to their faith and deeds.

We learn about the laws of Islam from the Qur’anand the Sunnah. The Qur’an is the Holy book of Islam which containsthe words of Allah Almighty and the broad guidelines of Islam.The Sunnah, is the traditions of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) whichincluded both his words and his actions. The Sunnah usually providesthe details for those laws which are drawn out in broad outlinesin the Qur’an. Each one of these two sources has a dedicated andvery complex science associated with it.

“And We have sent down unto you (O Muhammad)the Reminder (one of the names of the Qur’an), that you may clarifyto mankind that which was sent down to them”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Nahil(16):44

Al-Bukhari narrated upon the authority of Abu Hurairah,that he said: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“Allah said: ‘I will declare war againsthim who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And themost beloved things with which My slave draws nearer to Me isthat which I have ordained upon him. My slave continues to drawcloser to Me through performing ‘Nawafil’ (supplementary worship)till I love him. So I become the sense of hearing with which hehears, and the sense of sight with which he sees, and the handwith which he grips, and the leg with which he walks. And if heasks Me, I will give him, and if he asks my protection, I willprotect him'”

The way of life:

Islam is not the same as some other religions fromthe point of view that it is not confined to a certain place ofworship or a certain act, or acts, of worship. Islam teaches it’sfollowers that every single aspect of their life, from eating,to drinking, to sleeping, and everything in-between can be donein one of two ways: Either a way that pleases God, or one thatdispleases Him.

Islam is also a social, economic, and political wayof life. Every single aspect of human existence is governed bythe law of Islam. A Muslim is commanded to respect his eldersand to show humility and respect to his parents. He is also commandedto show kindness and mercy to those who are younger or weakerthan himself as well as all of God’s beasts. A Muslim is commandedto have nothing whatsoever to do with usury, gambling, or alcohol.A Muslim, however, is not passive and weak. He is commanded thatif he sees the laws of God being violated or an injustice beingcommitted, he must stand up for the truth and fight to establishthe law of God, defend the oppressed, and establish justice andpeace.

A just but merciful law:

Islam, as mentioned above, involves a structuredset of laws and acts of worship. Some are more strict and rigidthan others. For instance, there can be no excuse whatsoever forworshipping any entity other than Allah alone. Here there is noroom for compromise. On the other hand, Islam is designed to alsobe flexible and lenient. For instance, if a Muslim is sick andcan not fast during the month of Ramadhanwithout incurring bodily harm to himself, then even though thisis one of the five pillars of Islam, heis not mandated to fast. In fact he is encouraged not to fast.The law allows for leniency in this, and most other cases.

Muslims are taught that each good deed is multipliedby Allah Almighty till it becomes the equivalent of anywhere fromten up to seven hundred similar good deeds (sometimes more). Anevil deed, however, is either counted as a single evil deed oris forgiven by Allah. A Muslim is further taught that as longas there is life there is hope. So long as death has not yet overcomehim, he can still repent from his evil deeds and, if his intentionsare sincere, Allah is willing to forgive all of his past evildeeds no matter if they exceed the drops of water in the ocean.

Islam teaches Muslims that God holds them responsiblefor their INTENTIONS and not necessarily for their DEEDS. Thisis revealed by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the following sayingwhich was narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

“The Prophet (pbuh) said, “O people!The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions, and every personwill get the reward according to what he has intended. So, whoeveremigrated for Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration wasfor Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated to achievea worldly benefit or for a woman to marry, then his emigrationwas for that which he emigrated for”.

“The good deed and the evil deed are notalike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better”

The noble Qur’an, Fussilat(41):34

“Verily! Allah does not forgive that a partnershould be ascribed unto Him. He forgives (all) save that to whomHe will. Whoso ascribes partners to Allah, he has indeed inventeda tremendous sin.”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Nissa(4):48.

“Whatever of misfortune strikes you, it iswhat your right hands have earned. And He forgives much.”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Shurah(42):30

“And those who, when they do an evil thingor wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness fortheir sins. Who forgives sins save Allah only? and they do notknowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such willbe forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens underneath which riversflow, wherein they will abide for ever, a bountiful reward forworkers!”

The noble Qur’an, A’al-Umran(3):135-136.

“He knows the treachery of the eyes, andthat which the chests do hide.”

The noble Qur’an, Ghafir(40):19.

“He is the One that accepts repentance fromHis Servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that you do.”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Shurah(42):25.

“The likeness of those who spend their wealthin Allah’s way is as the likeness of a grain which grows sevenears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increaseto whom He will. Allah is All Embracing, All Knowing.”

The noble Qur’an, al-Bakarah(2):261

“Say: My slaves who have been prodigal totheir own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgivesall sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. Turn unto Himrepentant, and surrender unto Him, before there comes unto youthe doom, when you cannot be helped. And follow the better (guidance)of that which is revealed unto you from your Lord, before thedoom comes on you suddenly when you know not, Lest any soul shouldsay Alas, my grief that I was unmindful of Allah, and I was indeedamong the scoffers! Or should say: if Allah had but guided meI should have been among the dutiful! Or should say, when it seesthe doom: Oh, that I had but a second chance that I might be amongthe righteous! (But now the answer will be): Nay, for My revelationscame unto you, but you denied them and were scornful and wereamong the disbelievers.”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Zumar(39):53-59.

Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s messenger (pbuh)said

“When Allah completed the creation, He wrotein His Book which is with Him on His throne: Verily, ‘My Mercyhas overcome my Anger’.”

Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Abu Hurairah furhter narrated : I heard Allah’s messenger(pbuh) saying:

“Allah has divided His Mercy into one hundredparts, and He kept ninety nine parts with Him and sent down onepart on the earth, and because of that one single part, His creaturesare merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up it’shoof away from it’s baby animal, lest it should trample it.”

Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari.

Names of God:

The people of Christianity have been taught to referto their deity as “God.” If you were to ask one of them:”What is your god’s name?,” they would respond “God!”(there are some exceptions). They object to Muslims worshipping”Allah,” and usually picture “Allah” as somepagan god. Some of them will even go so far as to curse “Allah,”not realizing that they are cursing “God.”

Now the question becomes: where did the name “God”come from? Did Jesus (pbuh) ever say “God”? Did Moses(pbuh) ever say “God”? No! The Jews and Arabs are bothSemitic tribes which descended from one father, Abraham(pbuh). Their languages are quite similar. The Old Testament tellsus that Moses (pbuh) referred to God as “El” or “Elohiym.”Jesus (pbuh) too, referred to God using a similar construct. Jesus(pbuh) spoke Aramaic, however, the ancient copies of the Gospelavailable to us today are mostly written in Greek. Very littleof Jesus’ actual words have been preserved to this day. However,we do know from Mark 15:34 that Jesus (pbuh) referred to God as”Eloi.” “Eloi” is an Aramaic word which means”My God.” It is pronounced as {el-o-ee’}. The Arabswould say the same word as “Elahi,” pronounced {el-ah-ee’}.So Muslims refer to God with virtually the exact same word Jesus(pbuh) used.

Muslims are taught that Allah Almighty has more thanone hundred names, the most well known among them being “Allah.”These names are to be found in many places throughout the Qur’an.They embody the major characteristics of Allah Almighty such as”The Gracious,” “The Merciful,” “TheMajestic,” “The Supreme”…etc.. These names areusually considered adjectives, unless they are applied to AllahHimself, in which case they are treated as proper nouns. For instance:

“Allah’s are the fairest names. Invoke Himby them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names.They will be requited what they do.”

The noble Qur’an, Al-Aaraf(7):180.

“Say (unto mankind): Supplicate unto Allah,or supplicate unto the ‘Rahman’ (Compassionate/Merciful/Gracious),unto whichever you supplicate (it is the same). His are the mostbeautiful names.”

The noble Qur’an, al-Isra(17):110.

“Allah! There is no god save Him. His arethe most beautiful names..”

The noble Qur’an, Taha(20):8.

“Not equal are the Companions of the Fireand the Companions of the Garden: The companions of the Garden,they are the triumphant. Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountainverily you would have seen it humble, rent asunder for fear ofAllah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to humanitythat they may reflect. He is Allah, other than whom there is noother god, He is the ‘Knower’ of (all things) both the unseenand the seen; He is the ‘Gracious’ the ‘Merciful’. He is Allah,other than whom there is no god, the ‘Sovereign’ the ‘Holy One’the (source of)’Peace,’ the ‘Guardian of Faith’ the ‘Overseer,’the ‘Majestic,’ the ‘Irresistible,’ the ‘Supreme’: Glory be toAllah! (highly exalted is He) above the partners they attributeto Him. He is Allah the ‘Creator,’ the ‘Innovator,’ the ‘Fashioner’.His are the Most Beautiful Names: Whatever is in the heavens andon earth do glorify Him: and He is the ‘Mighty’ the ‘Wise’.”

The noble Qur’an, al-Hashir (59):20-24.

To learn more about the teachings of Islam, pleaseread

1. “Towards Understanding Islam,” by AbulA`la Mawdudi
2. “Concept of Islam,” by Mahmoud Abu-Saud
3. “Islam: Basic Principles and Characteristics,”by Khurshid Ahmad.
4. “Islam: An overview,” by Muhammad IbrahimH.I. Surti.

Muslim-SA@acsu.buffalo.eduLast modified: Mon Nov 18 14:20:47 EST 1996