What is Islam? Comprehensive Definition and Overview

Introduction: What is Islam

Religion often involves everything such as world views, texts, morals, cultural beliefs, prophecies, and revelations. However, the spiritual meaning of religion is a group of people with a particular belief. In addition to this, it covers a wide range of practices. It is a fact that religion plays a major role in human life. Islam is one of the largest religions all over the world. However, many people don’t exactly know what Islam is. In this short guide, you will get complete information related to Islam. It also includes a description of the 3 types of Islam. Muslims are believers in Islam.

The greatest thing about this religion is that it is not only a religion of a particular place, culture, or age. Any person from any part of the world can become a Muslim, whether it belongs to Africa, Europe, Asia, or America. Therefore, you can easily find the believers of Islam practicing their faith worldwide. Prayers are Islam’s most important form of worship, which is compulsory for every adult Muslim. 

One important thing to remember is that the Muslim prayer differs from the prayers of other religions. If you want to answer the question, What is the real meaning of Islam? In plain words, you will find Islam is a religion of belief and surrender. Despite that, Islam equally focuses on a human’s inner and outer being. There are five most important things in Islam, known as pillars of Islam. The name of them is enough to show their importance. All these pillars have their unique meaning. You can properly understand it by reading books by authentic scholars or sitting in true Muslim company.

What is the Real Meaning of Islam?

Islam is an Arabic word. Its simple meaning is submission and peace. As a term, Islam means the Messages of Allah that he was revealed to Muhammad (SAWW). What is Islam, in Short answer? Acceptance and obedience to Allah’s teachings are called Islam. All these orders Allah revealed to his last prophet Muhammad (SAWW). In contrast to other religions, Islam teaches Muslims worship. 

It offers a unique and comprehensive ideology that guides Muslims in every step of their lives. To know What is the main purpose of Islam? You need to understand the basic rules of Islam. Allah sets the rules and regulations of Islam based on the creed (Aqeedah). They are a gift from Allah; no man does make them. The (Aqeedah) of Islam is necessary to enter Islam. 

To enjoy the real fruit of Islam, you need to have true Aqeedah. Additionally, it is the easiest way to get convenient, accurate, and comprehensive answers to various questions about man’s existence and the universe around it.  

When reading what Islam is, you can also learn about the start and end of this universe and why Allah created humans. In this way, Aqeedah is the best way to solve the basic mystery of human nature creation. It also guides you on how to spend your proper daily life. 

It offers a practice implementation of its rules. In addition, there are plenty of theoretical ways to describe it. It is undeniable that Islam provides a complete and comprehensive system to guide humans on how to spend their life. One important thing to note is that Islam has three types of relationships. The answer question of what Islam is is quite simple. Islam is the religion that you have for all these three relationships. The types of relationships involve:

  • Relationship between man and Allah.
  • Relationship with his personal affairs.
  • Relationship with his society.

History of Islam:

Islam is the only monotheistic religion in the world that starts in the early 7th century. Islam comes from “al-silm,” which means surrender, and “istaslama,” which means peace. 

Searching for the answer to what Islam is, you will see Islam stat spreading through Muhammad (SAWW)) by Allah. He is the last prophet of Allah and was born in Makkah in a middle-class family. 

His ancestors were a powerful tribe of nomadic herders and successful merchants. After he gets to the age of 40, he starts hearing voices and visions of the divine Angel of Allah. 

He went to Mount Hira to meditate to understand those voices and visuals. On one such journey, the Angel Gabriel comes in front of him and sends Allah’s message. 

After getting Allah’s message, Muhammad (SAWW) deliver that message to his people. He tells them that Allah is the only worthy of worship, and he is the messenger and prophet sent by Allah.

The answer to what is Islam is pretty simple if you get guidance from books by reliable authors. 

Teachings of Islam:

There is no doubt that Islam equally focuses on the inner and outer being of a human. It is the reason it provides guidelines in every aspect of life. Observing and practicing ensures peace of mind, whole body, and soul. 

If you want to know what Islam is, it is not only the religion of Muslims but also the religion of all mankind. Islam orders Muslims to follow the teachings of Muhammad (SAWW). 

Apart from this, Islam also orders Muslims to believe in the Prophets revealed and sent by Allah on earth for the guidance of human beings before Muhammad (SAWW). 

Quran is the holy book of Muslims, which provide the solution to every religious and social issue. Here are some basic teachings of Islam:

  • Allah will never show his mercy to those who didn’t show mercy to others.
  • The best house among the Muslims house is one where treated orphans well. On the other hand, the worst house has a badly treated orphan.
  • None of you can truly be said to believe unless he wants for his brother, similar to what he wants for himself.
  • Among all lawful things, divorce is the one that Allah most hates.
  • A person who is best in Islam avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands.

The Declaration of Faith- Shahadah:

What is the Main Purpose of Islam?

If you want to know what Islam is, it is important to understand Islamic beliefs. It is because the value of anything is determined by the benefits it provides. There is no doubt about the countless benefits of Islam for humanity. Indeed, Allah’s every order has several benefits. It will include mentioning Allah’s names, looking at your parents’ faces with love, and many more. 

It means that every teaching of Islam provides lots of benefits to Muslims as well as the whole society. Undoubtedly, Islam is a perfect religion and pays enough attention to every aspect of life. The answer to what is Islam also includes the five basic beliefs of Islam that are known as the pillars of Islam. The whole structure of Islam stands on these five pillars. 

The Declaration of Faith- Shahadah:

Islam’s first and most essential pillar is the declaration of your faith in Allah and his prophet. In answer to what is Islam, you will see that shahadah is a must to become Muslim. It is called “Kalma.” 

With shahadah, your faith in Allah and his prophet is completed. The first part of Kalma means, “There is no worthy of worship except Allah; he is alone and has no partner or son. The second half declares the belief that Muhammad (SAWW) is the last prophet of Allah.” 

The first part of kalma means, “There is no worthy of worship except Allah, he is alone and has no partner or son. The second half declares the belief that Muhammad (SAWW) is the last prophet of Allah.”

Mandatory Prayers – Salah:

Offering salah five times daily is Islam’s second most important pillar. It signifies the submission of believers to Allah and includes in the answer of what is Islam. Every Muslim, male or female, must offer five salah according to the time described in Sharia. 

Charity- Zakat:

Charity is famous as the name of Zakat in Islam. It is mandatory in Islam for every financially strong Muslim to give a part of his income equal to the amount prescribed by Sharia. 

It is the third very important pillar of Islamic structure. Understanding Islam is also shown Zakat’s basic purpose, which is not only that wealth should circulate to the rich but also to help needy people satisfy their needs. The Zakat amount is set at one-fourth of the value you own.

Fasting – Sawm:

The fourth and most beautiful pillar of Islam is Sawm. Muslims much awaited the holy month of Ramazan and fasted the whole month. Fasting is necessary for every Muslim after reaching puberty. However, the major goal of the fourth pillar of Islam is to improve one’s purity. 

Sawm is also necessary to understand when you are searching for the answer to the question of what is Islam. It is because sawm also allows you to experience the pain and hunger of poor, needy, and helpless people. 

Pilgrimage – Hajj:

Performing Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is performed in the month of Zul-Hijjah in the Holy City of Makkah. The answer to what is Islam is complete with learning about Hajj. It is mandatory for physically and financially capable Muslims to perform Hajj once in a lifetime. It is a journey of hardship and Pilgrimage to Allah’s house in Makkah called Khana e Kaba. 

Islamic System:

Islam, as a revelation of Allah, guides all human beings with true knowledge through a system. The Islamic system is known as Shariah. It is a set of rules and regulations provided to humanity by Islam as guidance for life affairs. 

When searching for the answer to the question of Islam, it is essential to read about Shariah. However, Shariah involves all the rules, regulations, terms, and conditions. Everything a man requires in his life, including how to perform Namaz and fast described in Shariah. Not only has this but it also given guidance in his personal life like how to live with society and earn money. 

Shariah is the collection of orders Allah gives through the Quran and Sunnah. The act done by Muslims according to Shariah with good intentions is known as a swab or the act of reward.

On the other hand, the acts that contradict Shariah are sins. Remember that the sins committed by Muslims can be removed from their book of deeds through repentance.

Conclusion: What is Islam

To conclude, Islamis a religion that teaches its believers submission, love, and care. Believers of Islam must follow all the orders to become good practicing Muslims. The above information provided will help you to understand what is Islam. It is a religion of peace. Suppose you want to know the answer to the question What is Islam in Short answer? In simple words. In that case, it is defined as follows, Islam is the religion of acceptance of obedience to those teachings of Allah that he revealed to his last prophet Muhammad (SAWW). When you are finding the answer to what is Islam, you also find that Quran is the major holy book of Islam. Another important book is Hadith in Islam. Believers worship Allah by praying five times a day and reciting Quran. They have strong beliefs on the Day of Judgment and life after death.