What is Islam?
What is Islam?
إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ
Inna ad-deena ʿinda Allāhi al-Islām
Indeed, the religion in the sight of God is Submission.
(3:19)
When reflecting on this āyah, we find that Islam is established as the only religion authorized by Allāh. This often raises an important question: What about Judaism and Christianity? Were they not also divinely revealed?
To understand this, we must first grasp the meaning of Islam. Contrary to some interpretations, Islam does not mean "peace." Instead, it signifies submission, specifically submission to Allāh. While peace (salām) is a natural result of submission, the Quran uses distinct terms to denote peace, such as:
Silm (Peace)
قِيلَ يَا نُوحُ اهْبِطْ بِسَلَامٍ مِّنَّا
Qīla yā Nūḥu ihbiṭ bisalāmin minnā
It was said, "O Noah, disembark with peace from Us, and blessings upon you…
(11:48)
Silm (Peace)
وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا
Wa-in janāḥū lilssilmi fa-ijnaḥ lahā
If they should incline to peace, so shall you be inclined…
(8:61)
The essence of Islam, however, is complete submission to Allāh’s will. For instance, when Allāh commanded Prophet Abraham with the word aslim ("submit"), he responded: aslamtu lirabbi al-ʿālamīn ("I have submitted to the Lord of the Worlds"):
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Idh qāla lahu rabbuhu aslim qāla aslamtu liRabbi al-ʿĀlamīn
When his Lord said to him, "Submit," he said, "I have submitted to the Lord of the Worlds."
(2:131)
A Timeless Submission
Islam is not confined to the Quran or Prophet Muhammad. Every prophet and messenger of Allāh was a Muslim—a submitter to the One Almighty God. The Quran confirms this universal message:
مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا
Mā kāna Ibrāhīmu yahūdiyyan walā nasrāniyyan walākin kāna ḥanīfan musliman
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian but was a monotheist Submitter and was not one of the mushrikeen.
(3:67)
قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللَّهِ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
Qāla al-ḥawāriyyūna naḥnu ansāru Allāhi āmannā biAllāhi wa-ishhad bi-annā muslimūn
And when I inspired the disciples: "Believe in Me and My messenger." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that we are Submitters."
(5:111)
وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
Wa-umirtu an akūna mina al-muslimīn
I have been commanded to be one of the Submitters."
(10:72)
Unity, Not Division
Allāh has never authorized divisions or sects among His believers. Instead, He commands unity under one faith:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا لَسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ
Inna alladhīna farraqū dīnahum wakānū shiyaʿan lasta minhum fī shayʾin
As for those who have divided their religion and broken up into sects, you shall have nothing to do with them.
(6:159)
The Universality of Islam
The essence of Islam—submission to Allāh—is a timeless and universal truth. This submission has been conveyed through the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Quran:
Old Testament:
"Submit to God and be at peace with Him..." (Job 22:21)New Testament:
"Therefore, submit to God..." (James 4:7)Quran:
Indeed, the religion in the sight of God is Submission. (3:19)
Conclusion
Islam, meaning submission to God, transcends time, cultures, and labels. It is the universal faith that invites all humanity to worship the One God and live in harmony with His divine guidance. Let us embrace this timeless call to submit fully to Allāh and find peace in surrendering to His will.