Meaning of Islam - Part Two

Reality of Disbelief

On  the contrary is another man, who was born in submission to Allah and lived all his life in submission to Allah but never felt this submission or had any idea of it. He knew not his Lord, nor believed in His Law or followed His Messengers. He did not use the knowledge and intellect that Allah gave him to recognize His Creator who carved for him his ears and eyes.

He rather denied His existence, he disdained His worship and refused to submit to His Laws in matters of his life in which he is given the right of disposition and choice. Or he associated others with Him in worship and refused to believe in His signs that indicate His Oneness.

Such a man is a Kaafir. For the meaning of ‘Kufr’ in the language, is ‘to cover and conceal’. So, this man is called a ‘Kaafir’ for he conceals his nature and covers it with arrogance and insolence; and the nature of the world and that of his own self are hidden from him.

You, therefore, see him using his intellectual and logical power only in that which contradicts his nature. He would not see anything but that which could corrupt his nature. It is now left to you to estimate the extent of deep error and clear transgression to which the disbeliever has degenerated.

This Islam which you are required to practice is not a difficult matter, but very easy for whomsoever Allah makes it easy for. Islam is the religion which the entire universe follows. God Almighty says the following in the Holy Scripture:

• “And to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly.” (Holy Quran 3:83)

• “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Holy Quran 3:19)

• “If they dispute with you (O Muhammad) say: I have submitted to Allah in Islam and have those who follow me.” (Holy Quran 3:20)

A man once asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about Islam. The Messenger of Allah answered: ‘It is to surrender your heart to Allah; and that Muslims should be safe from the harm of your tongue and hand.’ The man said: ‘Which Islam is best?’. He answered: ‘The Faith (Iman)’. He asked: ‘What is faith?’. He answered: ‘To believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and to believe in Resurrection after death.’ (Musnad Ahmad)

The Messenger of Allah also said the following while explaining the meaning of Islam:

1. “It is to submit your heart to Allah, to direct your face to Allah (in worship) and to give the obligatory Zakah.” (Sahih Ibn Hibban Hadith No. 160, Musnad Ahmad 5/5)

2. “Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to observe the prayers, to give the Zakah, to fast in the month of Ramadan and to perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to.” (Sahih Muslim)

3. “The Muslim is the one from the evil of whose hand and tongue all Muslims are safe.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith No.10 and Sahih Muslim Hadith No.10)

This religion-the religion of Islam-is the one besides which Allah accepts no other religion, not from former generations or later generations. For all Prophets were Muslims. Allah says about Prophet Noah (PBUH): “And to recite to them the news of Noah. When he said to his people: ‘O my people, if my stay (with you) and reminding you of the signs of Allah is hard on you, then I put my trust in Allah.’ Till He says, “And I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.” (Holy Quran 10:71-72)

The Lord also says about Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ (God’s Peace and Blessings be upon All of Them):

• “When Abraham’s Lord said to him; ‘Submit (be a Muslim)! He said: I have submitted myself as a Muslim) to the Lord of all the worlds.’” (Holy Quran 2:131)

• “And Moses said, O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims.’” (Holy Quran 10:84)

• “And when I (Allah) revealed to the disciples (of Jesus) to believe in Me and my Messenger, they said: ‘We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims’. (Holy Quran 5:111)

This religion – Islam – derive all its laws, beliefs and rules from the Divine Revelation: the Quran and Sunnah.