What is Islam? Why was this religion named Islam?

What is Islam?

Islam means ‎submission, obedience, surrender and compliance with the command and ‎prohibition of the commander without objections. Allah has named the true ‎religion, ‘Islam’ for it is an obedience to him, submission to His Commands ‎without any resistance, purifying acts of worship for Him, believing in His ‎words and having faith in Him. Islam then became a proper name for the ‎religion brought by Muhammad {P.B.U.H}.‎

Why was this religion named Islam?

Adherents of various religions all over the ‎world have named their religions, either with the name of a man or a particular ‎race like Christianity, which was named after Jesus Christ; and Buddhism was ‎named after its founder Buddha; and Zoroastrianism was named after its founder ‎and flag banner, Zoroaster. Judaism had also emerged among the tribe of Judah ‎and so on. The All-Mighty Allah Himself called it Islam when He said,

{{Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. (Submission to His Will)}} (Holy Qur’an 3:1)

It is only Islam that is not attributed to any particular man or ‎nation. Its name indicates a special characteristic that the meaning of Islam ‎denotes. It is evident in this name that no man has any role in bringing this ‎religion into existence and that it is not peculiar with any nation to the ‎exclusion of others. Its only goal is to make all people of the earth have ‎characteristics of Islam. So, whoever is characterized with the qualities of ‎Islam among ancient people and contemporary people is a Muslim, just as he ‎shall be called a Muslim, and anyone who possesses its qualities among the coming ‎generations.

The Message of Islam:

The most important message of Islam is the absolute Unity of God-that there is only One Supreme Being who has no partners and is not dependent on anyone or anything. He is the creator of everything and the whole universe is under His control. Since the total submission of one’s will to Allah represents the essence of worship, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah. In essence, Islam calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator.

Allah is the only one deserving man’s worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. Hence prayers to the non-living such as the sun, fire, and to humans whether they are Jesus, Moses or even Muhammad are rejected, as Allah informs us in the opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an,:

{{You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).}}

(Holy Qur’an 1:4)

Yasser Gabr & Houda Karkour, Islamic Propagation Office in Rabwah, Riyadh