Islam is the proper name to
use when referring to the religion (or way of life) practices by
Muslims. Islam is NOT a new religion, but the same truth that God
revealed through all His prophets to every people. The Arabic word
"Islam" translated into English in brief means two things: (1) - to
surrender your will to God; and (2) - to acquire peace in your soul.
Islam, or more accurately denoted in English as "Islaam", is a word
which comes from the root letters SLM, as
in the Arabic language the vowels are not written. See below:
ISLAAM =
SLM
The meaning of the word
Islaam is derived from the following words containing the same root
letters.
|
|
Root
|
Meaning
|
|
(action) ->
|
ASLAM
|
Submit, Surrender or Obey
|
|
(result) ->
|
SALAAM
|
Peace, Tranquility,
Security, Safety
|
|
(result) ->
|
SALEEM
|
Soundness, Perfection or
free of defects
|
|
(result) ->
|
SALLAMA
|
Salvation, Deliverance or
Perseverance
|
The legitimacy of using
this word comes from the Muslim Holy Book, the Qur'an. It is the name
that the Holy Qur'an uses to refer to the way which human beings are
meant to live (i.e. the religion to follow). All others things in the
Universe are also created on this natural state, in a state of complete
surrender to God's law. The properties which all things possess, from
the stars and planets, to the plants and animals, each molecule in
existence must follow certain rules and laws by which are assigned to it
by the Creator. However, human beings have the opportunity to be the
best of all of God's creation, or to be the worst of the worst through
the virtue of free will. For mankind has been given the knowledge of
good and evil as a test. Yet, they possess the freedom to choose between
the two, obtaining a status of Greatness, or humiliation and
destruction. It is only by submitting to God's will and obeying the laws
which He has prescribed for us can we as human beings attain true peace
and perseverance; Salvations through surrendering to God; to reject
being a slave to the creation and obtain perfection by being a servant
of the Creator. This is the meaning of the word Islam, which in
actuality is a comprehensive summery of the very same basic message that
all previous Prophets and Messengers of God taught.
A Muslim is a follower of
Islam, as the word "Muslim" comes from the word "Islaam". In Arabic, by
adding the letter (Mim) or the "M" sound before a word become as denoted
below:
Muslim=
MSLM
From the word "Islaam" a Muslim is the (one doing the action);
meaning the one who is submitting or obeying. A Muslim is anyone or
anything that submits their will to the will of the creator thereby
obtaining total peace and tranquility with complete security and safety.
Through their submission and obedience to God they will also obtain
Salvation and be delivered for destruction. Any soul who is not in a
state where they are surrendering their will to the will of the one who
created them (i.e. their Lord/God) is by definition defective and void
of security and safety. For the one who has the power to give them life,
has the power and the just right to punish for disobedience, ingratitude
and unthankfulness of the countless favors for which they have. For the
human being, it is only though living a life of gratitude, admission of
God's favors, and showing thankfulness by living a life submission to
His commands by which they can find true peace.
In Islam there are 6 key
Articles of Faith, which one must believe in to be considered a "Beliver".
Faith or Belief is clearly defined by the words of the Prophet (pbuh)
when he said, "Imaan (i.e. True & Correct Faith) is to
have certain belief in:
1) God and His absolute oneness-(perfect unity)
2) His Angels
3) His Books
4) His Messengers
5) The Day of Judgment or Repayment
6) Divine Decree
THE
PURPOSE IN LIFE:
The essence of Worship in
Islam is the expression of Love, Fear, & Hope for God. Our purpose in
life, after first recognizing our creator and understanding that He is
worthy of all praise & worship is to WORSHIP (and serve) Him alone.
Although the Almighty does not need our worship (God is Self-sufficient,
free of all needs), we as His creation on the other hand are the ones
that need to worship Him, and it is only us that will benefit from our
devotion, gratitude, and sincerity to God.
THE HOLY QUR'AN (51:56)
"And assuredly I
did not create …Mankind (human beings),
Except that they
should worship/serve Me."