Wanting to start out this blog on a simple note, I will do my best, insha'allah, to first tell you what Islam means. For many around the globe, when they hear the word Islam they automatically associate it with terrorists, women covered head to toe, forcing a woman (or girl) into an unwanted marriage, etc. It is important when learning about Islam, or any religion for that matter, to know when to differentiate between culture and religion. Insha'Allah, I will be able to do my part in this world and spread the good news. . .Islam is BEAUTIFUL!
Okay, so what is Islam? What does this word mean?
According to a great book I came upon called A Guide for the New Muslim, "The word "Islam" is the verbal noun of the verb aslama." Simple, right?
Well for us non Arabic speaking homosapiens, this could pose a problem. What does aslama even mean?
Aslama literally means "He resigned or submitted himself." In Islamic terms, in respect to Allah, aslama means "He became submissive to God." Simply put, Islam is a decision one makes when he/she wants to be fully submissive to God and His laws for us and is, therefore, referred to as a Muslim.
It is interesting to point out that from this perspective, all prophets from Abraham to Muhammad (peace be upon them) were, in fact, Muslims. Once again, coming from the book mentioned above, the author can put it into better words than I.
“In this sense, the religion of all of the prophets of God was Islam and they were all Muslims. Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, for example, were all Muslims and their religion was Islam, the true and sincere submission to God. Thus, Allah says in the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him), "The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - that which We have sent by inspiration to you - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus” (42:13)."
Up next? Who, exactly, is Allah?
Up next? Who, exactly, is Allah?
