Every religion was named after a particular person who founded it or a particular nation in which it was found. Zoroaster was the founder of Zoroastrianism, and Buddha of Buddhism. Since Judaism emerged in the tribe of the Judas, it was therefore called Judaism. Moreover, Christianity was attributed to Christ. However, this is not the case with Islam.
Islam has never been associated with any particular man or nation. Rather, every person who surrenders to Allah, complies with Allah’s orders, avoids His prohibitions and submits themself to Allah Alone, has then surrendered himself to Allah. When that person follows the seal of the prophets and messengers (Muhammad ) and practices the religion of truth (Islam) that he brought, by truly believing in his message and emulating him, then he is a true Muslim, whatever the time or place and whatever his color or race may be.
Islam is the religion which this entire universe is ordered to follow. Allah says: {Do they seek other than the religion of Allâh (the true Islâmic Monotheism worshipping none but Allâh Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned.}(Âl-’Imrân:83)
It is well known that everything in this universe is submissive to a particular rule and a fixed law. The sun, the moon, the stars and the earth are subjugated according to a steady law. They do not have the ability to move out of or leave that law, not even by a hairbreadth. Similarly, man himself, if you consider his life, is certainly fully submissive to the laws of Allah. He neither breathes nor feels his need for water, food, light and heat, except according to the divine laws that organize his life. All his limbs are driven by these laws, because the functions they perform are only carried out according to what Allah has predestined for them.
These comprehensive laws to which he surrenders and which everything in this universe obeys, from the largest of planets in space to the smallest grain of sand in the ground, were created by Allah, the Sublime, All-Capable King. If everything in the heavens, the earth and all that is between them yields to these laws, it then follows that Islam is the religion of the entire universe, since Islam means to surrender to and comply with the commands of the Ruler and to avoid His prohibitions, without any objection. The sun, the moon and the earth are submissive to Him and so are the air, water, light, darkness, heat, trees, stones and cattle. All are submissive to their Lord. Allah says: {And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.}(al-Jaathiyah:13)
Indeed, that man who does not know his Lord and denies His existence and proofs, or worships other gods and associates them with Him, is still submissive in terms of the nature with which he was created, though he might not realize this.
Man is pulled back and forth by two matters:
The first is the natural disposition that Allah created in all people, which is to surrender and be subservient to Allah, and love to worship Him as well as draw closer to Him, loving what He loves of truth, goodness and honesty, and hating what falsehood, evil, injustice and oppression he hates. This is in addition to the resulting natural instincts that include love of money, family and children, and the desire to eat, drink, marry, etc. and the necessary functions that are required for all of the above by the body parts.
The second is man’s will and choice. Allah has sent him messengers and revealed books so that he may distinguish between right and wrong, guidance and misguidance, and good and evil. Allah provided man with reason and understanding so that he may be clear-sighted about his choice. If he wills, he may take the path of goodness, that will lead him to truth and guidance, or he may take the paths of evil, that will lead him to evil and ruin: {And say: “The truth is from your Lord.” Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. Verily, We have prepared for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong doers), a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them (disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh). And if they ask for help (relief, water), they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces. Terrible is the drink, and an evil Murtafaq (dwelling, resting place)!}(al-Kahf:29)
If man is considered in relation to the first command, he is found to be fashioned to surrender to his Creator, naturally disposed to be committed to that, without any deviation, just like other creatures.
If, on the other hand, he is considered in relation to the second matter, he is found to be free to choose whatever he wishes, either to be a Muslim or an infidel. Allah says: {Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.}(al-Insaan :3 )
Thus, people are of two types:
One who knows his Creator, and believes that He is his Lord and Owner, and the true God that he worships Alone. He follows His laws in his life of choice, just as he is naturally disposed to inevitably surrender to the Lord and to follow what has been predestined for him. This is the perfect Muslim who has perfected his Islam. The knowledge he has is correct since he knows Allah, his Creator and Fashioner, Who sent him messengers and gave him the power of knowledge and learning. His mind is clear and his opinion is always correct because he thought and then decided not to worship any except Allah, Who honored him with the talent of understanding and to be able to have opinions about matters. In addition, his tongue is the mouthpiece of truth, since he does not verbally acknowledge any lord except the One true Lord, Allah, Who blessed him with the power of speech and the ability to express himself easily. Now it is as if nothing remains in his life except truthfulness, since he is submissive to the laws of Allah concerning that which he has a choice of in his affairs. The bond of acquaintance and intimacy then stretches between him and the other creatures in the universe, since he does not worship any except Allah, the All-Wise, All-Knowing, Whom all creatures serve, and to Whose commands they bow and to Whose destiny they yield, those creatures which Allah has made subservient to you, O mankind. Allah says: {And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh, while he is a Muhsin (good-doer, i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allâh’s sake without any show-off or to gain praise or fame etc. and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allâh’s Messenger Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)]. And to Allâh return all matters for decision} (Luqmaan:22)
Islam is the religion that Allah revealed to all of mankind (i.e. that they worship the one and the same God, Allah, taking no others as gods with Him). Allah says: {And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God Allâh), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islâm). And (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitûn [those who obey Allâh with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism]}(al-Hajj:34)
It is, in fact, the religion of all the prophets and messengers. Allah says: {Say (O Muslims): “We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhîm (Abraham), Ismâ’îl (Ishmael), Ishâq (Isaac), Ya’qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya’qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsâ (Moses) and ‘Isâ (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm).”}(al-Baqarah:136)
All of the messengers of Allah believed in the One God, Allah, and declared their submission and surrender (observance of Islam) to Allah, and supplicated to Him. Allah says the following about Prophet Noah (pbuh): {71] And recite to them the news of Nûh (Noah). When he said to his people: “O my people, if my stay (with you), and my reminding (you) of the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh is hard for you, then I put my trust in Allâh. So devise your plot, you and your partners, and let not your plot be in doubt for you. Then pass your sentence on me and give me no respite.” 72] “But if you turn away (from accepting my doctrine of Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allâh), then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allâh, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims (i.e. those who submit to Allâh’s Will).”}(Yûnus:71-72)
Allah (Glorified be He) also says the following about Prophet Abraham (pbuh): {When his Lord said to him, “Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!” He said, “I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).”}(al-Baqarah:131)
Moreover, Abraham even ordered his sons to continue in the religion of Islam after his death. Allah says the following about this: {132] And this (submission to Allâh, Islâm) was enjoined by Ibrâhîm (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya’qûb (Jacob) (saying), “O my sons! Allâh has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islâm (as Muslims – Islâmic Monotheism).” 133] Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya’qûb (Jacob) [‘alayhis-salâm]? When he said to his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We shall worship your Ilâh (God – Allâh), the Ilâh (God) of your fathers, Ibrâhîm (Abraham), Ismâ’îl (Ishmael), Ishâq (Isaac), One Ilâh (God), and to Him we submit (in Islâm).”}( al-Baqarah:132-133)
Allah (Glorified be He) says the following about Prophet Moses (pbuh) : {And Mûsâ (Moses) said: “O my people! If you have believed in Allâh, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allâh’s Will).”{ (Yûnus:84)
He also says the following about Prophet Jesus (pbuh): {And when I (Allâh) inspired Al-Hawâriyyûn [the disciples of ‘Isâ (Jesus)] to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: “We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.”{ (Al-Mâ’idah:111)
What is more, Islam is the final divine message delivered to mankind by His messenger Muhammad (pbuh), which was conveyed to all people and was perfected and approved by Allah to be the final complete religion for his slaves. Allah says: {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.}(Al-Mâ’idah:3)
In this noble verse Allah says that He approved Islam for all humanity, until the end of time. Allah declared that Islam is the true religion, and that He will not accept any other religion from anyone, whatsoever. Allah says: {Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm}(Âl-’Imrân:19)
The Almighty also says: {And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.}(Âl-’Imrân:85)
In the first verse Allah stresses that the only religion He approves of is Islam. In the second verse, Allah said that He will not accept any religion other than Islam from anyone. He (Glorified be He) also says that the winners after death will be the Muslims, who will be satisfied in Paradise, while those who die as non-Muslims will be the losers in the Hereafter and will be tortured in Hellfire. It is for this reason that all the prophets declared their submission to Allah (adherence of Islam), and declared that they were innocent of those who do not embrace Islam. Therefore, those of the Jews and the Christians who seek salvation and happiness should embrace Islam, and follow the prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh), in order to be a true follower of the Prophets Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). This is due to the fact that Moses, Jesus, Abraham and Muhammad, and all of the other messengers of Allah, are indeed Muslims and they all called to Islam, the religion of Allah which they were sent with. It will not be accepted by Allah for any who exist after the mission of the seal of the prophets, Muhammad (pbuh), to the end of this world, to call themselves as being submissive/surrendering to Allah (i.e. Muslims) unless they believe in Muhammad as the prophet of Allah and follow him, and act on the laws of the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “By Him (Allah) in Whose hand my soul is, there is none from amongst the Jews nor the Christians (of these present nations) who hears about me and then dies without believing in the message with which I have been sent (i.e. tawheed), but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire.”( Muslim)
Islam, with which Allah sent His messenger Muhammad (pbuh) for all people, is a religion of faith in Allah and monotheism. Allah says: {65] He is the Ever Living, Lâ ilâha illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He); so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only, and not to show off, and not setting up rivals with Him in worship). All praise and thanks are Allâh’s, the Lord of the ‘آlamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). 66] Say (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]): “I have been forbidden to worship those whom you worship besides Allâh, since there have come to me evidences from my Lord; and I am commanded to submit (in Islâm) to the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).”}(Ghâfir :65-66)
It is the religion that entails sincerely worshipping Him Alone. Allah says: {39] “Are many different lords (gods) better or Allâh, the One, the Irresistible?” 40] “You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged) – you and your fathers – for which Allâh has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allâh. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism)”}(Yoosuf:39-40)
It is the religion that satifies sound minds, as when presented in its actuality and purity, it is followed by souls in obedience and submissiveness. Allah says: {that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.}(Yoosuf:40)
It is the religion which has evidence, proof and strong arguments. {Say: “Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful.”}(an-Naml:64)
It is the religion that gives comfort, happiness and peace of mind: {Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision),}(an-Nahl:97)
In the religion of Islam Allah permits all that is good and beneficial, while He forbids all harmful evils. He commands everything that is righteous, and forbids everything that is evil. It is an easy, flexible, and uncomplicated religion that entails no hardship or unusual effort; it does not inflict heavy loads on the people and does not burden one beyond his capability. Allah says : {Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) whom they find written with them in the Taurât (Torah) (Deut, xviii 15) and the Injîl (Gospel) (John, xiv 16) with them, – he commands them for Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibât (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allâh’s Covenant with the Children of Israel), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be the successful.}(A’raaf:157)
It is a fully comprehensive religion that fits in with every time and place, and will continue to fit in until Allah inherits the earth and those living on it. It encompasses all that humans need in their religious and worldly affairs.
It is the path to happiness and a peace of mind, science and civilization, justice and perfection, dignity and freedom. It is the path to all that is good and virtuous.
What a great and perfect religion Islam is!!
Thus, who is better with regards to religion than he who submits himself to Allah? Allah says: {And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allâh (i.e. follows Allâh’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism); and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer. And follows the religion of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) Hanîf (Islâmic Monotheism – to worship none but Allâh Alone). And Allâh did take Ibrâhîm (Abraham) as a Khalîl (an intimate friend)!}(An-Nisâ’:125)
This is a call from the Creator, who is more merciful to you than your own self, Who wants to bring you out of darkness into light. Allah says: }..Say (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh.” Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.”}(Âl-’Imrân:64)
The opposite of the slave of Allah who submits himself to Allah Almighty, is he who insists on covering his natural disposition towards Islam with a veil of disbelief and denial, despite the signs and miracles that occur one after the other that clearly point to the perfect truthfulness of this religion. This person chooses polytheism, and the darkness of illusions, myths and legends as a substitute for the light of truth, and certainty and guidance; i.e. instead of the Oneness of Allah Almighty.
He is satisfied to exist as a slave to humans like him, such as priests and monks, and even messengers, rather than a slave of Allah the Magnificent.
He has wiped out his natural disposition, twisted his mind, and acquiesced to desires and suspicions, which have caused him to abandon the natural disposition created in him by Allah, for every newborn is created with the natural disposition to incline towards Islam: {So, set you (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) your face towards the religion (of pure Islâmic Monotheism) Hanîf (worship none but Allâh Alone). Allâh’s Fitrah (i.e. Allâh’s Islâmic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illâh (i.e. the religion of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not.}(Ar¬-Rûm:30)
Now you can estimate on your own the extent of misguidance and sin the disbeliever has relapsed into. Allah says: }He it is Who has made you successors generations after generations in the earth, so whosoever disbelieves (in Islâmic Monotheism), on him will be his disbelief. And the disbelief of the disbelievers adds nothing but hatred, with their Lord. And the disbelief of the disbelievers adds nothing but loss.}(Fâtir or Al¬-Malâ’ikah:39)
