Understanding Islam

[1] The din (religion) of Islam: It is the way of life that Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam with. By it, Allah terminated the validity of all other religions, perfected this religion for His worshippers, completed His favour upon them and has chosen only this religion for them - no other religion will be accepted by Him from anyone. Allah - the Most High - said:

"Muhammad is not the father of any man amongst you. Rather he is the Messenger of Allah and the khatim (last and final) of the Prophets."

"This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."

"Indeed the religion with Allah is Islam."

"Whosoever seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."

And Allah - the Most High - obligated all of mankind to take Islam as their religion. So Allah said, whilst addressing His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam:

"Say: O Mankind! Indeed I have been sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah; to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped except Him; it is He who gives life and cause death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger - the Prophet who can neither read nor write - who believes in Allah and His Words. So follow the Messenger of Allah so that you may be rightly-guided."

And in Sahih Muslim (1/93), from Abu Hurayrah radhiallahu 'anhu that Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "By Him in whose Hand is the life of Muhammad! There is no one from this nation, be he a Jew or a Christian, who hears of me and dies whilst not having 'iman (faith) in what I have been sent with, except that he will be one of the companions of the Hellfire."

And 'iman (faith) in the Prophet implies: affirming that which he was sent with, along with acceptance of it and submission to it. Without these two matters, mere affirmation is not sufficient. This is why even though Abu Talib (the Prophet's uncle) affirmed what was sent to the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and that Islam was the best of religions, yet he did not accept his message nor submit to it; and thus he did not have 'iman in the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

[2] The religion of Islam contains all that was beneficial from the previous religions. It is suitable for implementation in any age, any where and by any nation. Allah - the Most High - said, whilst addressing His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam:

"And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it, testifying to the truth contained therein whilst exposing the falsehood that has been added therein."

That Islam is suitable for implementation in any age, any where and by any nation does not mean that it becomes submissive to nations - being altered and changed by them - as some people falsely think. But rather it means that whenever it is truly adhered to then it brings benefit and goodness to that nation, as well as reforming and correcting it - in whatever age or place.

[3] The religion of Islam is the religion of truth. It is the way of life that Allah - the Most High - guaranteed His help and victory to those who truly adhere to it, and that He would make it dominant over all other religions. Allah - the Most High - said:

"It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that it may prevail over all other religions, even if the pagans detest it."

And Allah - the Most High - said:

"Allah has promised to those amongst you who truly have 'iman (true faith and belief) and act in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, that He will grant them rulership upon the earth, just as He granted it to those before them, and that He will establish their Religion for them and grant them the authority to practice their Religion which He chose and ordered them with. And He will certainly change their situation to one of security, after their fear. Providing that they worship and obey Me, not associating anything else in worship with Me. Then, whoever rejects this favour by disobedience to their Lord - then they are the rebellious transgressors."

[4] The religion of Islam is a complete religion comprising both 'aqidah (beliefs) and shari'ah (laws).

• It commands them with tawhid (to single out Allah alone for worship) and prohibits them from shirk (associating partners with Allah, in that which is particular to Him).
• It commands them with being truthful and prohibits them from lying.
• It commands them with 'adl (justice) and prohibits them from injustice and oppression.
• It commands them with fulfilling trusts and prohibits them from acting treacherously.
• It commands them keeping promises and prohibits them from breaking them.
• It commands them with kindness and good treatment of parents and prohibits them from disobedience to them in that which is not sinful.
• It commands them with joining the ties of relations and prohibits them from severing them.
• It commands them with good treatment of neighbours and prohibits the causing of harm to them.

In short, Islam orders alls that is good, from manners and morals, and prohibits all that is evil from it. Likewise, it orders all actions which are righteous and good and prohibits all actions that are evil and harmful. Allah - the Most High - said:

"Indeed Allah enjoins upon you justice, kindness and the giving of good to relatives and near ones. And He prohibits you from all shameful and evil deeds, oppression and transgression. Thus He admonishes you, that you may take heed and be reminded."

From Sharh Usul ul-'Iman (pp. 4-7). This translation was published in Al-Istiqaamah Magazine, Issue No. 1, Dhul-Hijjah 1416H / May 1996CE.