There is hardly a person on this earth today (as of 2022), who has not heard the word “Islam”. Yet in spite of this reality, Islam may be one of the most misunderstood beliefs and practices known to modern mankind. Hence, there is worldwide attacks on Muslims and Islam worldwide, both in the physical violent sense as well as the intellectual sense of propaganda promoted in mainstream journalism as well as the growing social media which the world is trending with followers.
The remedy for this can be nothing other than seeking knowledge from reliable and tolerant sources.
To quote Dan Brown from his book The Lost Symbol:
What we don’t understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. And what we cannot control…we attack.
Case-in-point: people on the left are afraid of people on the right, and vice versa; the working class fears the corporations; those who are challenged by technology are afraid of their computers and the workings of the internet; Christians are afraid of Muslims; and more and more – those who don’t understand another sect or entity are afraid of that sect or entity, and that fear begets unjustified judgement which leads eventually to violence rendered upon the misunderstood entity.
How to remedy this? The first step is self-reflection and recognition of the misunderstanding which is the basis of the fear, and of course a recognition and acknowledgement of the fear within ourselves.
Once that essential step has been accomplished, then the next relative step to remedy and release the fear is knowledge.
“We often fear what we do not understand; our best defense is knowledge.” – Tuvok, from StarTrek: Voyager
“Fear comes from the lack of knowledge and a state of ignorance. The best remedy for fear is to gain knowledge.” – Debasish Mridha
But we need to beware also to seek knowledge based in truth:
Leo Tolstoy, famous Russian author and philosophist, has been quoted:
Do not fear the lack of knowledge, fear false knowledge. All evil in this world comes from false knowledge.
Islam – A Way of Life
Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of the religion of Islam is that it is a way of life not only for the individual, but a governance of the society as a whole. Not like Judaism or Christianity, or even some of the other “isms” of the world such as Buddhism or Hinduism, in which religious rites are observed at certain times or places or according to specific incidences. Rather, Islam is a natural and complete way of life that encourages its followers to give due attention to their relationship with their Creator (Allah) at all times, even when interacting with other humans or animals or nature. It teaches and guides people to find true and lasting happiness and peace through being close to God, by following His guidance and performing good deeds.
This is reflective of the meaning of the word “Islam” in that it means submission (evidently to the Creator), and it comes from the root letters “S+L+M” (salam) which means “peace”.
One who voluntarily surrenders their will to Allah is called a Muslim, and Muslims worldwide come from all racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds. None are superior one to the other except in their devotion and piety to Allah, something which Allah alone knows and can judge.
As the Muslims worldwide constitute approximately one-fifth of the world’s population, Islam has grown to be one of the largest (and fastest growing) religions. The belief in and worship of the One True God is the purpose of life and cornerstone of Islam.
And, another differing feature of Islam is that the name of the religion, Islam, was not derived from a person or a tribe, nor was it designated by any human. Rather, it was divinely promoted by Allah Himself, as is evidenced from the Quran:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran 5:3)
The Essence of Islam
Although the essence of Islam is straight-forward and rather simple, still to truly learn about Islam entails covering many topics and issues. We will keep this particular article simple and focused on the basics, with further entries later on other important and related topics and issues.
The essence of Islam is two-fold, with a third relevant item to complete it, as is evident by Prophet Mohammed’s (peace and blessings upon him) answer to Angel Gabriel (peace upon him) when he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) about Islam:
“Submission means that you should bear witness that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God’s messenger, that you should perform the ritual prayer, pay the alms tax, fast during Ramadan, and make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to go there.”
And when he asked him about faith, his (peace and blessings upon him) respose was: “Faith means that you have faith in God, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and that you have faith in the measuring out, both its good and its evil.”
Then he went on further to ask him about doing what is beautiful and he (peace and blessings upon him) replied: “Doing what is beautiful means that you should worship God as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you.”
By the first portion of this translation, we see that the word “Islam” means “submission” and in particular “submission to God” by acceptance of His message.
To become a muslim, one must affirm his/her belief in the 6 articles of belief, and then to remain a muslim, he/she must adhere to the 5 pillars of Islam”
The Revelation of Islam
The message of Islam was delivered to mankind as divine messages to Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings upon him), who then in turn delivered the message word for word to his companions and followers, and implemented the message into daily practice (hence the transformation of the message into a life style).
It was then preserved in the hearts and tongues (memorized) by his followers and companions and then later was written and compiled into what we have today – the total original message of the revelation – the Quran.
The Quran is the only scripture known to mankind which has been preserved in its original revealed form and continues to be preserved worldwide as it was originally revealed.
Translations into any language are merely the translation of the meaning of the message – whereas the original Arabic has been preserved since its revelation – and is recited and memorized by Muslims worldwide, regardless of their nationality or what language is their mother tongue.
Categories of Worship
In Islam, and according to many Islamic traditions, which we take evidence from the related sayings and practices of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), worship is not limited to the practices as prescribed in the 5 pillars alone (prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage).
Other less obvious tasks and duties can count as an act of worship, of course dependent upon the individual’s intentions, as is evidenced by Prophet Mohammed’s (peace and blessings upon him) words:
“The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”
By this above quote, we can decipher that simple yet worldly acts such as removing particles or rubbish from a pathway, smiling in the face passersby, being kind to others, treating nature and animals humanely, and much more – can be turned into acts of worship, if one purifies his intention by doing so for the pleasure of Allah.
In the same vein of thought and understanding – if one performs a ritual form of worship (such as prayer, giving in charity, fasting, or pilgrimage) for the sake of impressing people or trying to make them somehow satisfied or happy, then that is the reward one will receive.
It is important and a validated aspect of Islam that one purifies his/her intention from any act that they do-and the reward will fall into place according to his or her intention from the outset.
A Source of Fulfillment and Satisfaction
When observed and practiced according to essential teachings, Islam fulfils the spiritual, physical, psychological and social needs of all people. It is a practical and rational way of life that denies any extremes. It is the only way of life which is accepted by Allah (which we have seen stated by Allah in His Book (Quran 5:3 – quoted above).
Islam is truly the only path that leads to everlasting Paradise:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether made male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward (in the Hereafter) according to the best of what they used to do.” – Quran, 16:97
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