Definition and the Meaning of “Islam” – Imam Ibn

Baz (rahimahullaah)
abdurrahman.org/2020/01/16/definition-and-the-meaning-of-islam/

January 16, 2020

1- Definition of Islam

Q: Please, illustrate to me the meaning of Islam.

A: Islam means total submission to Allah (Exalted be He) through belief in His
Oneness, and showing subservient and servile obedience to Him. This is the
meaning of Islam.

The Arabic root word ‘Aslama‘ means to show submission and surrender to someone
and obey his commands. Accordingly, Islam means surrender and submission to Allah’s
Will by means of believing in His Oneness, being devoted to Him, obeying His
commandments and abandoning what He has prohibited. Such is Islam, about which
Allah (Exalted be He) says: (Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.)

Besides, a Muslims are thus called as they show complete submission to Allah and obey
Him, abiding by His Commandments and refraining from what He has prohibited.

Islam is also a name for all the Commandments of Allah (Exalted be He) and His
Messenger (peace be upon him), including Salah (Prayer), Sawm (fast), Zakah
(obligatory charity), Hajj (pilgrimage), faith and so on. Such categories fall under Islam.

In this regard, Allah (Exalted be He) says: (This day, I have perfected your religion for
you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your
religion.)

He (Glorified be He) also says: (And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will
never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers, )

Therefore, a Muslim is a person who submits himself to Allah (Exalted be He) as far as
words, practical behavior and belief are concerned. In other words, Islam stands for total
submission to and abidance by His Commandments in all aspects of life.

(Part No. 1; Page No. 10)

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Source: English Translations of Collection of “Noor ala Al-Darb” Programs, Volume 1. By:
Sheikh `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah ibn `AbdulRahman ibn Bazz (May Allah forgive and

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reward al-Firdouse to him and his parents).He was The Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Chairman of Department of Scholarly
Research and Ifta’.

This English Translations are collected from alifta.com (website is down since longtime),
Portal of the General Presidency

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