Islam is often encountered through headlines, cultural practices, political debates, or the behaviour of individual Muslims. But none of these, by themselves, can tell us what Islam actually teaches. To understand Islam fairly, we must begin with its own foundations: Who is Allah? Why were human beings created? What is revelation? Why were prophets sent? What does the Qur’an claim about itself? And what does Islam ask of a person in belief, worship and conduct?
Herein under is a suggested roadmap to understand Islam in most easy steps:
Begin with the foundations before judging the details
At the heart of Islam is Tawḥīd—the belief that there is one Creator, one Lord and only One worthy of worship. From Tawḥīd follows Risālah: Allah did not leave humanity without guidance, but sent messengers to teach people how to know Him and live rightly. Muslims believe this long chain of guidance included Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus عليهم السلام and culminated in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an presents itself as the final revelation in this continuing call to worship Allah alone.
Islam is therefore more than a set of rituals. The Prophet ﷺ explained the religion through three interconnected dimensions: Islam, Īmān and Iḥsān. Islam concerns willing submission and outward practice; Īmān concerns the convictions of the heart; and Iḥsān is to worship and live with the awareness that Allah sees us. The Six Articles of Faith further explain the Muslim worldview: belief in Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day and Divine Decree.
Qur'an and Sunnah of The Prophet ﷺ
The Qur’an lies at the centre of this understanding, but Islam does not separate the Qur’an from the Prophet who conveyed and explained it. Muslims worship Allah alone and follow Muhammad ﷺ because the Qur’an itself commands obedience to the Messenger. The Sunnah therefore does not compete with the Qur’an; it shows how Qur’anic guidance was understood and lived.
Islam and life
A sincere study of Islam should also go beyond definitions. Islam speaks about justice, mercy, honesty, family responsibilities, forgiveness, repentance, knowledge, economic fairness, care for the vulnerable, accountability and the life to come. Worship itself extends beyond prayer and fasting: when done sincerely and lawfully, ordinary duties, good character, service to others and responsible living can all become part of serving Allah.
If you are beginning your study, following subjects provide a useful path - for convenience of our readers, we have already published exclusive posts on each of the following queries for providing answers at one place. These are some of the very basic questions that are asked. As you grow near or within Islam, your horizon will keep expanding - but remember, everything is to be learnt GRADUALLY not instantly. Simply click the highlighted text that will take you to the concerned topic:
- - Who Is Allah? — Understanding Tawḥīd
- - What Is Risālah? — Why Allah Sends Messengers
- - Five Pillars of Islam
- - The Six Articles of Faith
- - Islam, Īmān and Iḥsān — The Complete Framework
- - Why Muslims Follow the Sunnah Alongside the Qur’an
- - How Should the Qur’an Be Read and Understood?
- - What Does Worship Really Mean in Islam?
- - Does Islam Ask for Blind Faith?
- - Why some things are Halal and some Haram in Islam: Beyond Food and Drink
- - What Happens After Death?
- - How Does Islam Shape Everyday Life?
The purpose of this section is not to ask you to accept Islam before understanding it. It is to help you examine Islam from its own primary sources, with reason, context and an open mind. Read the Qur’an, study the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, consider the explanations of reliable scholars, and ask difficult questions where necessary.
A final thought
Understanding Islam begins when we stop asking only “What do Muslims do?” and begin asking “What does Islam say about God, human purpose, revelation, morality and our final return?” Once these foundations become clear, the many individual teachings of Islam begin to form one coherent picture: one Creator, one human purpose, divine guidance, moral responsibility and a life ultimately returning to Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Photo |
Resource references for further reflection|
For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment