Islamic studies

CHAPTER # 4

Introduction to Islam
This is our 4th chapter of Islamic studies, In the previous session we discussed
the major religions in the world.

In sha Allah, in this chapter Islam as a religion will be discussed, as well

as we will also discuss the attributes of believer of Islam.

I am sure You might have heard two words Iman and Islam. The literal
meanings of Iman are affirmation and peace. Similarly, the meanings of
Islam are Peace & prosperity. From the point of view of Shari'ah, there
is no real difference between Iman and Islam, however, according to the
few scholars there is only a slight difference and that is ‘believing and
confirming the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad from the core of
heart is Iman, while expressing and following these teachings with the
tongue and demeanor is Islam. Some scholars have described the
difference in such a way that the journey of Iman starts from the inner
most and culminates in the shape of the deeds, whereas, the journey of

Islam starts from the outward and terminate in the inmost ends of heart
& soul.

Keeping this difference in mind, it can be said that a person who

professes faith in appearance but does not have faith in his heart, will not
be called a momin, but he can be called a Muslim because of his
dealings.
This difference cannot be considered as principle to be applied in all
situations and on all entities, because in the Qur'an itself the word
Muslim is used for some of the Prophets and for the Muslim Ummah. At
this point care shall be taken about those who have been announced
pious and the Prophets. One shall never fall prey of considering them
only outward Muslims. Therefore, Islam is used interchangeably with
Iman and so is for followers who can be called Momin or Muslim.

Now we will see the attributes that are found in a believer. One of the
basic attributes of a believer is that his or her life is in accordance with
the will of Allah Almighty. Therefore, he or she surrenders his or her
desires to the will of Allah Almighty. This is one of the basic and
comprehensive attribute of a believer, this results in automatic creation
of all virtuous attributes in him. The purpose of all the commands that
Allah Almighty has given to His servants is that man should be adorned
with good qualities and purified from bad qualities and whoever once
vows that he will abide by all the commands of Allah Almighty Then
inevitably all those good attributes will be created in it. The attributes
which are ingrained in a believer as a gift bestowed to him or her are for
surrendering desires through utter obedience to Allah Almighty. There
are numerous attributes of believer which can be placed under five areas
:of entire life span
1 – Attributes of Belief

2 – Attributes of Worship

3 – Attributes of dealing and demeanor

4 – Attribute related to Societal dealings

5 – Attributes related to morals/morality

Attributes of Belief

The basic attribute of a believer related to beliefs is described in the

Holy Qur'an as.

َ ۚ ِ‫ك َو َما اُ ْن ِز َل ِم ْن قَ ْبل‬

َ‫ َو بِااْل ٰ ِخ َر ِة هُ ْم یُوْ قِنُوْ ن‬-‫ك‬ َ ‫َو الَّ ِذ ْینَ ی ُْؤ ِمنُوْ نَ بِ َما اُ ْن ِز َل اِلَ ْی‬

And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and
what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in
faith.

all the beliefs and instructions which Allah has revealed to His Prophets
for guidance to human beings, he or she also has firm belief that after
death he or she is accountable for every single deed. This belief deters
he or she from doing anything wrong no matter what the situation or
time or relation are.

Attributes of worship

In this attribute he or she considers him or herself the servant of Allah

alone, does not bow down to anyone other than Allah, nor does fear
anyone, nor does intend to seek refuge and help from anyone. He or she
complies all the ways of worship prescribed by Allah Almighty with
complete sincerity, humility and devotion.

The Quran endorses this attribute as:

ٌ‫۔۔والَّ ِذينَ ي ُْؤتُونَ َما آتَوْ ا َوقُلُوبُهُ ْم َو ِجلَة‬

َ َ‫۔والَّ ِذينَ هُ ْم بِ َربِّ ِه ْم اَل يُ ْش ِر ُكون‬ ِ ‫َوالَّ ِذينَ هُ ْم بِآيَا‬
َ َ‫ت َربِّ ِه ْم ي ُْؤ ِمنُون‬
‫أَنَّهُ ْم إِلَ ٰى َربِّ ِه ْم‬

‫َرا ِجعُونَ ۔‬

The translation of these verses is:

And they who believe in the signs of their Lord

And they who do not associate anything with their Lord

And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because
they will be returning to their Lord -
This means irrespective of mode of worship (bodily or financial) Momin
endeavors to excel.

Attribute of dealings

In this head the traits of Momin are that he or she is honest, truthful,
trustworthy, keeps his or her promises, does not forfeit the rights of
others.

These characteristics are stated in the Holy Qura’an as:

, َ‫َوالَّ ِذينَ هُ ْم أِل َ َمانَاتِ ِه ْم َو َع ْه ِد ِه ْم َرا ُعون‬

The translation of this verse is:

And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive

They do not breach trusts and keep their promises.

The word "trust" encompasses meanings related to anything for which a

person has taken responsibility or he or she has been trusted. There are
many types of such trusts,

so, the Holy Qur'an has used the plural form for it so that it includes all
types of trusts. It includes financial trusts.
In addition to this, A very common thing which we do not consider
important is secrecy of the words trusted by others that is if someone has
told a secret to someone, it is also his trust. And revealing this secret to
anyone without a legitimate excuse is a betrayal of this trust.

The attribute of a believer is that he keeps his agreement and acts in

accordance with the agreement. Because he believes that even if he
makes a small profit as a result of breaking his promise, this would
result shear loss in this world and in the hereafter.

Repentance alone is not possible unless the rightful owner is given his
right. Or until he gladly forgives himself, there is no way this great sin
can be forgiven.

Attributes of Societal Dealings

This deals the way Momin interacts with other social beings.

The set of attributes under societal dealings can beautifully be

summarize in the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad’’’’ It was narrated that
'Abdullah bin 'Amr said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] says:
"The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are
safe‫‘‘۔‬
All the rules of the Islamic social system revolve around the basic
principle that every Muslim should be careful not to inflict any kind of
physical or psychological harm on others in any way or manner. Passing
derogatory comments to anyone, backbiting, unnecessarily developing
suspicion, looking for someone's shortcomings, etc. These are sins and
are being strictly prohibited in the Holy Quran.

Attribute of ethics or morality

The last sphere of human life span is "morality" and in this sphere the
teaching of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬
are:

Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said, "The believers who show the

most perfect Faith are those who have the best behavior,

Morality means humility instead of arrogance, generosity instead of

stinginess, bravery instead of cowardice, compassion instead of
harshness, patience instead of haste, and chastity instead of obscenity.

In short, a believer should have as many of the best attributes of human

dignity as possible. And if a person lacks these attributes, his faith is
deemed incomplete. And a person who is deprived of these attributes,
even if he is legally called a Muslim, but he is not an approved kind of
Muslim by Allah and His Messenger.