What Is Islam?

by Kamran Vafai

Salaam,

Literally, the intended meaning of "Islam" is meekness. In general, it could mean submission, peace, good health, etc. Islam is not only a religion, but more so a "Diin" - system, body of laws, jurisprudence, government, state, etc. The word religion is a very minute translation, which leaves off a whole spectrum of the essence. To this day, our humble human experience is able to decipher only so much out of the word "Diin," and the history thereof. The main axis of "Islam" is the belief in the Almighty God, Creator of all universes, beings, and attributes. His essence is far above, and beyond any created being's capacity, orability, or gender.

The foundation of "Islam," is the belief that God communicates his decrees to his creatures through messengers, who also represent him. Some angels are messengers, as well as creatures we may not know about. Some humans are messengers, beginning with Adam, and ending with Mohammed, peace be upon them. Each of these messengers were empowered with certain responsibilities, befitting their time and the scope of their duty. Each have their own followers, even to this day. Some of those followers have accepted other messengers, who have come later, while others have stayed with their original one. However, the succession of the messengers does not undermine their importance, nor does it contradict the nature of their message.

Therefore, Islam is the belief in the essential nature of God, and Prophethood, as all in all unity. For example, the root of all knowledge, known through experience and learning up to now, stems from that which has been conveyed through the prophets. Historically, every prophet has sparked the light of dynamic inner human potentials and interactions. Jesus, peace be upon him, was born through immaculate conception from virgin Mary. In Islam, he is considered the last prophet to the children of Israel.

The followers of Islam are comprised of people who were originally pagans, idolaters, followers of previous prophets, including Christians, children of Israel, Zoroastrians, etc.

Copyright © 1996, 1997 Kamran Vafai All Rights Reserved

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This page was update November 10, 1997

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