A brief explanation of Islam

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1) The deen  (religion) of Islam: It is the way of life that Allah sent the Prophet Mohammed (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) with. By it Allah terminated the validity of all others 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 ny Him from anyone, Allah the Most High, said:

"Mohammed is not the father of any man amongst you. Rather he is the Messenger of Allah and the khaatim (last and final) of the Prophets." (Al Ahzaab,40)

" This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."( Al Maatidah,3)

"Indeed the religion with Allah is Islam" (Al ´Imraam, 19)

"Whosoever seeks a religion other that Islam, never it will be it accepted for him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."(Al 'Imraam, 85)

And Allah, the Most High obligated all of mankind to take Islam as their religion. So Allah said, whilst addressing His Messenger (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam):

" Say: o mankind! Indeed I have been sent to you as the Messanger 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 causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger- the Prophet that 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." (Al 'Araaf, 158)

And in Saheeh Muslim (1/93), from Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu anhu) that Allah's Messanger (Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said. By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad! There is no one from this nation, be Him a Jew or a Christian, who hears of me and then dies without believing in  the Message that I was sent with, except that he will be one of the Companions of Hellfire.

And Eemaan (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 no sufficient. This is way even though Abu Taalib (the Prophet's uncle) affirmed what was sent to the Prophet Mohammed (Salla Allahu 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 eemaan, in the Prophet (Salla Allahu alayhi wa salam).

(2) The religion of Islam contains all what 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:

"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." (Al Maa'idah,48)

That Islam is suitable for implementation in any age, anywhere 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 benefict 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 vistory for those who truly adhere to it, and that He would make it dominant over all others 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." (At Tawbah, 33)

And Allah, the Most High, said:

" Allah has promised to those amongst you who truly have eemaan (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 stablish their religion for them and grant them the authority to practise their religion which  He chose and ordered them with. And He will certain 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." (An Noor,55)

 (4) The religion of Islam is a complete religion comprising both 'aqueedah (beliefs) and Sharee'ah (laws).It commands them with Tawheed (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 trust and prohibits them from acting treacherously. It commands them with 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 realtion and prohibits them from severing them. It commands them withgood treatment to neighbours and prohibits the causing of harm to them. In short, Islam orders all 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 He prohibits you from all shameful and evil deeds, oppression and transgression. Thus he admonishes you, that you may take heed and be reminded." (An Nahl,90)  

SOURCE: Sharh Usooul Eemanan of Shaikh Uthaymeen (Rahimahu Allah)(pp 4-7)