What does ISLAM mean?
The word “Islam” is an Arabic word
which means resignation or submission of one’s will to the one and only true
God, known in Arabic as “Allah” and anyone who obeys Allah in the way taught
by the prophet is a "Muslim". Islam
also implies "peace”. True peace lies only in following Allah’s
Commands. Hence, Islam was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
in Arabia in the seventh century. Islam
is the religion, which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of
Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind.
The Almighty says:
“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam”. (3:19)
Is “Islam” named after a person?
The religion of Islam is not named
after a person or a people, nor was it decided by a later generation of man, as
in the case of Christianity, which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after
Guatama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor
was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism
after the Hindus. The name lslam was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly
mentioned in His final revelation to man. Allah – glory be to Him and may He
be exalted! says:
"This
day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and
have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (5:3)
"If
anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will
It be accepted of Him" (3:85)
"Abraham was not a
Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (3:67)
Who are the Muslims?
A Muslim is someone who follows the
religion of Islam. To be a Muslim
you must believe that Allah
is the only God and accept the message of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of
Islam. The word Muslim means
‘someone who surrenders to God’.
How do
Muslim Families live?
It
is said that Islam is not only a religion, but a complete way of life, and this
can be seen in the way some Muslim families live.
The practice of Islam begins at birth and continues until death, it shows
us how to live all aspects of our lives in the best possible way.
It affects the way people behave, how they dress and what they eat.
According to the Prophet, ‘no father can give his child anything better
than manners’, and Muslims always try to teach their children good manners.
Education is very important, too. Muslims
must not gamble, talk about people behind their backs, be lazy or meddle in the
business of others, but they should help those in need.
