Concept of Islam

1. Submission + obedience (to Allah) = (true and everlasting) peace

- Peace with Allah implies complete submission to his will
- Peace with man is not only to refrain from evil or injury but also to do good
2. Whole Universe follows religion of Islam
- Heavenly bodies follow unalterable path.
- Matter, energy and life obey laws and grow/change/live/die according to them
- Man’s birth, growth, life and death regulated by biological laws
- These laws are the laws of Allah, therefore whole universe follows the religion of Islam
as it literally just means submission and obedience to Him
3. A Muslim is one who submits to Divine injunctions; 2 types: inherent + voluntary
- Inherent is fixed like laws of nature: Sun rises and set at fixed time; fire burns; tongue
speaks; etc.
- Voluntary injunctions are called Shariah; is optional; you may choose to follow or not
follow; like worship
- Person is called Muslim only when he goes beyond inherent and does voluntary
- Man, on this earth and coming of Divine injunctions was simultaneous
- All nations received guidance;
“….and there never was a people, without a warner having lived
amongst them (in the past)” (35:24)
- All previous prophets preached Islam and their followers were Muslims
- One who follows the code revealed by Allah follows the religion of Islam
4. Man needs 2 things for development of human life
- Resources to maintain life and fulfil material needs of individual/society: Allah has
provided nature with all kinds of resources
- Knowledge of the principles of individual and social behaviour to enable man to have
self-fulfilment and maintain justice and tranquillity in human life: Allah raised prophets
and revealed to them the code of life which can guide people to the right path
5. Universal Religion
- Not tied to its founder (like Buddhism/Christianity) or tribe/race (like Judaism) or land
(like Hinduism)
- Is not owned by any person/people/country not is it the product of human mind
- Teachings are simple
- No hierarchy of priest or complicated rituals.
- Awakens in man faculty of reason and pushes him to use his intellect
6. Does not divide life between worldly and spiritual matters
- Does not require man to avoid material things and discourages asceticism
- Holds that spiritual elevation is to be achieved by living a life of piety in the midst of
people and not by renouncing the world
“…Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter…” (2:201)
- Complete way of life
- Objective is not just purification of soul but the reform and reconstruction of society
- Does not just deal with forms of worship but also with the problems of world around us
- Lays down rules for individual progress but also for advancement of humanity
7. Establishes balance between individual and society
- Guarantees fundamental rights of individual + awakens sense of social responsibility
- Considers all men equal regardless of race, ethnicity or social status
8. Based on 2 solid foundation: Belief and Action
- Belief without action/Action without belief = no value
 - Fundamental beliefs:
Oneness of Allah; belief in prophethood; and belief in life after death.
- Man who consciously accepts these beliefs must follow them by actions which will
complete his faith: (5 Pillars)
(a) Declaration of faith: pehla kalma
(b) Namaz; Pray 5 times a day
(c) Roza; fasting during Ramzan
(d) Zakat
(e) Hajj
(f) Any action done with awareness that it fulfils the will of Allah is also worship
9. Flexibility in application of Permanent basic principles with the need of the age
- Allah has only revealed broad principles and has endowed man with the freedom to
apply them in every age in the way and spirit suited to the conditions of that age
10. Preservation of original teachings
- Quran is available without adulteration
- Books on hadith and Sirah