Islam: The True Religion 

Prof. Liaquat Ali Samma

 

Introduction

People have different concepts of Islam. They seem to have a colored view. What is true Islam? Is it the only true religion? These questions need to be answered in order to understand Islam as a true religion today. Furthermore, a majority of scholars, particularly the secularists, do not consider Islam for having any role in the government or the collective duties in a society. Islam is termed these days as a fundamentalist, and a terrorist religion by the westerners. We will, in this article, analyze and discuss these misunderstandings and discuss the true Islam as described by God in the Quran. We will consider the basic definition of Islam and religion with evidence from the Quran and compare them with their current understanding by the Muslims as well as the non-Muslims today. It is our profound and foremost duty to understand these terms correctly to avoid misconceptions.

Islam Today

Islam is not being understood in the true perspective of the Quran, which is the word of God, the only Authority to define it. It is generally considered by the Muslim religious scholars as a set of beliefs in the Quranic teachings, the Hadith (traditions of the Holy Prophet) and the Fiqh (jurisprudence). The Quran lays down the basic principles, the Hadith shows the practice and the sayings of the Prophet about the religion, and the Fiqh shows the opinions of the religious leaders of the five schools of thought about religious practices. Shia Muslims believe in their own books of Hadith narrated by their own leaders. Similarly, Shias believe in the opinions of Imam Jafar Sadiq and the Sunnies believe in the opinions of Imams Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafii, and Hanbal. The big questions are which Hadith is really true and which opinion is really true. By this I mean which practice or saying is in accordance with the basic principles of the Quran. Another question is how to interpret the Quran correctly, because every sect interprets the Quran in its own favor by referring to their choice of Hadith. Whereas, the fact is that the Quran was revealed in the Arabic language and therefore, it should be interpreted through linguistic principles and in the context of the verses. We only have to understand the original meaning of the word and that how that word is appropriately used in the verses.

Meaning of Islam

The meaning of Islam needs to be understood properly. This is not translated in the Urdu translations and therefore the meaning is not clear to the Urdu readers of the Quran. Similarly the Arabic readers fail to get the true notion of Islam. The word Islam is formed from the Arabic word root ‘salima’ meaning originally “to be safe and sound”. ‘Silmun’ means “obedience to the doctrines of Islam” (J. Penrice). Hence Islam means “obedience to God’s guidance”. If they obey God, they will be safe and sound.

 We find that submission and surrender are the two words, which are generally used in English for Islam. The word submission means obedience, the act of yielding or surrendering, or the quality of being submissive. Surrendering means giving up power over voluntarily or resigning. Thus, we find that the dominant concept is obedience to the Quranic laws, and its guidance in life. This excludes the traditions as well as the jurisprudence of the Fiqh, because the Quran has never pointed out to any such thing to follow except the Quran. The difference between submission and obedience is that submission implies obedience for the future commands as well as the present one’s. Submission is the willingness of taking all the orders any time that they are received. For obedience the Arabic word is “Itaa’t”. Hence Islam means obedience to all the laws given in the Quran.

Meaning of Deen

Allah says in 3:19,”Certainly, the religion (deen) with Allah is the submission (Islam) (to His Will and guidance). Those who had been given the book (of laws) differed only after knowledge had come to them, through transgression among themselves. Whoever rejects Allah (His revealed verses), will certainly find Allah swift at reckoning (will be punished).” This shows that the beliefs and the practices in life should be based on obedience of God’s guidance through revelations. The word “deen” is generally translated as religion, but actually it means the beliefs of one about conducting affairs in life and the practices in accordance with those beliefs in the society as a community and not only personally. Religion gives the impression of belief in God and following Him without any concern with the society, but for one’s good in the life after death. Whereas, in deen, we follow God’s guidance in this life as a whole nation and expect the rewards in this life as well as in the hereafter. Deen means “obedience to God’s laws”, the true faith, the religion (J. Penrice), moral laws (M. Asad). Hence, deen means a code of life given by God, and religion means faith in God and His worship ritually, which has nothing to do with man’s actions in the society as a whole. Religion is defined as belief in God or gods, divine powers to be obeyed and worshipped as a ruler or rulers, and the expression of such a belief in conduct and ritual. It is also defined as a system of specific belief and worship often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy such as humanism as a religion. For religion the Arabic word is “Mazhab” (a way of living according to one’s beliefs). But “Deen” implies a code of life given by God, instead of human beings. In ‘Mazhab” human beings set the laws according to their understanding of the Hadith or Fiqh. These laws may not be in accordance with the Quran. They may be additional or different.

The concept of Deen covers the whole life and not just ritual worship or belief in God; whereas, the concept of religion covers only belief in God and His worship ritually. It is considered a personal matter between a person and his or her God. But in Deen a nation has to follow the code of life collectively as well as personally. Thus the range of Deen is much wider and covers all actions, public and private. Hence the right word for Deen in English is God’s code of life given by His revealed word.

Different Concepts of Deen

The Quran clearly explains that the true concept of Deen is to follow God’s guidance only; whereas, the concept misconceived by human beings is belief in God and worshipping Him ritually. Man’s concept of Deen has nothing much to do with following His commands about leading one’s life. God gave the Deen to the prophets, but the human beings distorted the revealed message and replaced it with their own laws by changing God’s laws. About the Jews doing so, the Quran says in 2:75, “Have you any hope (O Mohammed) that they (the Jews) will be true to you when a part of them used to change the word of God (His revealed message), after they had understood it, knowingly.” About additions and alterations in the word of God, the Quran says in 2:79, “Therefore, woe be to those who write the Book (of Law) with their own hands, and then say, “This is from Allah” that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby.”

Thus, we find that God gave His true Deen to the human beings through the Prophets, but they changed it by their own beliefs saying that they were from God thereby creating their own concept of Deen. The pagan Arabs also believed in Abraham’s Deen, which had been distorted by their elders and they believed in it as a true religion. But God clearly tells them that the true Deen is one that is given by Mohammed, the true Prophet of God. These two different concepts have been explained in Sura 109. It says:” Say, O disbeliever (in the revealed message of God) (v.1). I worship not that which you worship (v.2). Nor will you worship that which I worship (v.3). And I will not worship that which you worship(v.4). Nor will you worship that which I worship(v.5). unto you is your religion (deen) and unto me is my religion (deen)(v.6).

We find here that the Prophet’s religion was the revealed word of God and the pagan Arabs rejected it. Their religion was the belief in whatever their religious leaders told them about their gods and the practices to worship them. They had no place for good conduct. Only rituals were important things in their religion. But in the true religion of God serving Him by obeying His commands was important. The difference pointed out here is worship of God and the worship of gods considered as the daughters of God. “Ibaadah” actually means service or working for the fulfillment of one’s duties, which is real worship. In Arabic “abdun” means a servant or slave. At that time the Prophet only followed commands such as avoiding ”shirk”, not taking others as gods; whereas the pagan Arabs were engaged in ritual worship only, which is just lip service. The Jews were also following their religious leaders who had a distorted view of the revealed religion of God with changes made by them. In the true Islam the ritual worship started after thirteen years in Madina. The point here is that God’s revealed message in the form of the Quran is the only true Islam and the true Deen. The religious leaders’ concept of the Deen is their own opinions about God. They ask their followers to believe in those opinions and act accordingly in life. For example, the pagan Arabs asked them to consider the idols as the daughters of God who will intercede for them before Him.

Let us now go back to analyze the meaning of Deen in 3:19. Here Deen means the beliefs and practices as told by God through the Holy Prophet. This is that they should submit themselves to God’s guidance and obey His commands given through the Prophet. It is not the religion of ritual worship only. The actual worship is the obedience to His commands. His command is to develop “taqwaa”, doing their duty to God by following all His instructions given in the Quran, the revealed word of God.

Islam and Taqwaa

     This word taqwaa is made from the root word ‘waqaa”, to keep one safe from (J.Penrice) and from “ittaqaa”, to be devout, to take heed to one’s self, to protect, and to fear God (J.Penrice). If we ponder over the context, we find that being devout to God’s guidance is emphasized in 3:15.“Say, shall I inform you of something better than that (love of the desire and enjoyment from women, offspring, stored up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with marks), cattle and land (as in 3:14). For those who are devout and dutiful to God (taqao) there are, with Him, gardens underneath which stream flow (evergreen) and pure companions, and contentment from God. God watches over all His servants.”

Here love for lust and desire is compared with being devout to God. Instead of loving to desire for women and wealth, man should follow the guidance of God and love it. If man obeys His commands instead of obeying his desires, he will live a happy life in this world as well as in the hereafter. Taqwaa is used here as synonymous with Islam, that is, if they become obedient to God, they would lead a happy life. In 3:16 the Quran further says:

“ Those who say: O Lord! Certainly, We believe. So safeguard us from our sins and save us from the punishment of (burning in) Fire.”

They will obey the commands and they will be safeguarded from sins. Thus they will believe in the guidance of God and will follow it. It should be noted here that their religion had no place for the qualities mentioned in 3:17,18.

“(They are) the steadfast, and the true and the sincere, and the obedient, those who spend (and use the principles) those who ask for protection (from punishment) before dawn.”

They not only believe in the guidance but they remain steadfast, true, and sincere to God and remain obedient. After describing the qualities of a righteous person who fears God and avoids His disobedience, in 3:18 God says:

“ Allah (Himself) is the witness that there is no other god except Him. His angels (malaaika, the forces which work for Him) and those who possess knowledge (are witnesses), standing firm with justice (that) there is no god save Him, the Almighty, the Wise.”

Here the Jews are told that they should serve only God by following His Prophet and His message; and not by following their religious leaders who distort His religion. The emphasis here is on the authority, the power, and the wisdom of God. This means that the religious leaders have no authority to issue orders on behalf of God. He only knows what is right and what is wrong for human beings. The forces of God and the learned people who know the word of God by studying the Quran or the revealed message and carry out His orders by following them, know very well and are witness that Allah is the only one God.

Thus we find that God gave the deen to the Prophets but the human beings changed it and hence there are two concepts of deen now. The difference is the laws of God and the laws of men. God’s deen is obedience to His laws and that it is following the laws (taqwaa) by not violating them.

Islam and Guidance

Another aspect of Islam is God’s guidance that is to be followed by all Muslims. This guidance is mainly about how one should lead his or her life in this world. God has asked all to submit to whatever He says and not to follow the religious leaders who distort His message. In 3:20, He says:

“ So if they dispute with you (O Muhammed) say, “ I have submitted my face (whole attention) to Allah. And so have those who follow me”. And say to those who have God’s Book to read and to those who have no Book to read, “Do you submit to God” If they do, they are in the right guidance, but if they turn back, your duty is only to convey the message.”

Here every one is told that the right way to believe and to act accordingly is to follow god’s commands and not those of the religious leaders or their forefathers. They must all follow God’s commands. This is the true religion, the beliefs and the practices enjoined upon by God. In 3:85, He says:

“ If anyone desires a religion (deen) other than submission to Allah (Islam), never will it be accepted of him; and in the hereafter, he will be among those who have lost.”

Thus we find that Islam is the only true religion acceptable to God, because man’s concept of religion is a distorted and changed version of the true religion. The right way to believe and to adopt any faith and practice is to take the guidance from God. Hada in Arabic means to lead in the right way, to follow a right course of action. Hence God says that Islam, obedience to Him, is the only right way to lead one’s life. In 6:126, God says:

“ So for those whom Allah wills to guide (to the right path), He opens their breast to Islam; and for those whom He wills to leave them in their wrong path, He makes their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies. Thus does Allah lay abomination on those who refuse to believe.”

Here Islam is described as guidance from God. Everyone should obey God. This is the right thing to do. Man’s religion is not God’s religion. Man has made up his own faith and practices for his own interest or that of his own community; but God’s religion is for the good of all human beings. It is the light from God, which makes all the beliefs, and practices clear for him. In 39:22, God says:

“ Is one whose heart Allah has opened to submission to Him (Islam), so that he has received the light (guidance)) from Allah, (not better than one hard-hearted)? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrances of God (His message). They are manifestly wandering in error.”

Therefore one must obey God’s commands and always remember them so that he may follow them. Then in 3:23, God says:

”Allah has revealed the best statements (ahsanal hadith) in the form of a book, consistent with itself, and repeating (its teachings); whereat does creep the flesh of those who fear their Lord (and they don’t disobey) so that their flesh and their hearts soften at Allah’s remembrance (of His message). Such is Allah’s guidance (huda Allah) wherewith He guides whom He wills. And him whom Allah sends astray (on the wrong path), for him there is no (one to) guide.”

Here God clarifies that man’s religion is wrong and His religion, the code of life (deen) is the right thing to follow.

The Test of the Truth

God has explained in the Quran that whatever Muhammed, the Holy Prophet of God, has said in it, is from God and not from his own mind. In 53:3, He says:

“ And he (Muhammed) doesn’t speak of (his own)) desire. It (the Quran) is but a revelation (of guidance from God) (which is) revealed to him (53:4). Which one with mighty powers taught to him (53:5)”.

  As a proof God gives the evidence that there is no contradiction of facts or ideas in it and that no human being can produce such verses. Allah says in 2:23, “And if you are in doubt concerning that which we revealed to our servant, then produce a surah (chapter) of the like thereof, and call your witnesses (helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful.” The other argument is that these commandments are for the good and wellbeing of the humanity. The Quran says in 39:41, “Indeed we have revealed the Book (of guidance) to you in truth for mankind. Then whosoever is rightly guided, it is for his own good. But if one goes astray, he harms his own self. And you are not a custodian over them.” All the Prophets were ordered to obey these commands. In 2:128, Abraham prays:

“Our Lord! And make us submissive (Muslim) to You, and of our seed a nation submissive to You.”

In 2:132, we find, “Indeed Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, therefore, die not save as men who have submitted to Him…”

Thus we find that the Prophets only follow the instructions without giving additional commands or altering them. These are the religious leaders who change them. The Prophet of God followed all the instructions exactly according to the Quran. About the truth of the Book remaining safe, Allah says in 41:42, “ No falsehood can approach it (the Quran) from before or behind it. It is a revelation (of guidance) from One who decides what is good for human beings and what is bad for them (Hakeem = wise) and who is praise worthy  (for giving such a good guidance).”

The Jews and the Christians changed the Scriptures given by God to their prophets. But now no one can do so. God says in 15:9, “ Certainly we have revealed this exposition of the guidance (dhikr) for everyone to remember; and certainly we will safeguard it (from corruption)”

The Misconceptions

Although there has been no change in the Quran, but Muslims and the others do seem to have some misconceptions about the Quran because they do not try to understand it in the context of the verses according to the linguistic principles. God has wonderfully explained the concepts of the words and the meanings of the verses clearly. We have only to think about their relationship with each other and their organization. God has also repeated these concepts in different situations. One misconception is that the Quran can not be understood without the Hadith; whereas God has not put such a condition. He says the Quran is self explanatory and clear in meaning. In 15:1, He says, “Alif Laam Meem. (Letters used to set the rhythm of the verses) These are the verses (statements) of the Book (the revealed guidance) and a lecture (Quran) that clearly explains itself (mubeen).” Further in 25:33, He says, “And we bring you the truth and the best explanation (thereof) (tafseer).” These two verses prove that the Quran is the truth from God and that it clears its meaning by itself.

Another misconception about the Quranic thoughts seems to be improper translations and interpretations made without consideration of the context. But if the Quran is read in relation with the adjoining verses every word and every idea will become clear in meaning. Unfortunately, the Muslims have neglected studying the Quran with understanding regularly and given more attention to the Hadith and the Fiqh. In 25:30, we read, “Then the Messenger will say, “O my Lord, truly my people neglected and left this lecture (Quran).” If the Muslims read and follow the Quran, all the misconceptions will be removed.

Islam and Fundamentalism

Some people misconceive Islam and Muslims to be fundamentalists. In fact, they should understand fundamentalism first. It is a term popularly used to describe strict adherence to the doctrines based on a literal interpretation of the Bible (Academic American Encyclopedia). It means those religious people who don’t accept the modern scientific facts and modern values of the Civilization because of their religious beliefs based on their own interpretation. God says, “…And its interpretation is not known to anyone except Allah (The Quran) and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge (of the Quran)…” (3:7). But the true Islam is obedience to God’s commands given in the Quran. God has neither ordered the Muslims to interpret the Quran literally nor has He ordered them not to accept the modern values if they are consistent with the Quran. If something is against the basic principles of the Quran, it should be rejected. Hence the basic thing is to compare the idea with the Quran. Intolerance is against the Quran; therefore it is to be rejected. Some Muslims are intolerant because they don’t follow the Quran. Thus they are not good and true Muslims. They in fact have a false notion of Islam based on some misunderstanding or unauthentic Hadith. The Quran says that you need two witnesses to any fact or statement. Hearsay is not trustworthy. The true concept of Jihad (crusade), according to the Quran, is to fight for God’s cause, to save one’s deen (religion), or to save themselves from collective persecution. At present the Muslims are neither united into one nation nor they are attacked or persecuted collectively by any one as such. The misguided jihadis (Muslim militants) are therefore not following the Quran; they are following their misguided leaders, or any unauthentic opinion. God has never ordered the Muslims to engage in suicidal attacks and kill innocent people. Fundamentalism is thus against Islam. God gave the Muslims the Book of guidance (Quran) and the Hikma (ability to decide what is right and what is wrong in the light of the Quran). The Book mentions all the basic principles of life. So a true Muslim will never be a fundamentalist. If he doesn’t follow the Quran, he is not a Muslim in the true sense but by name only.

The basis of this charge is the problem of Palestine where the Muslims are being persecuted and killed without any trial by the so-called civilized people and supported by Americans. In such a situation, God has commanded in 26:227, “(All are misguided by Satan) Except those who believe (in Quranic guidance) and do good works (according to it), and remember God (His revealed guidance) much, and take help to defend themselves (antasaroo) after they have been wronged. Those who oppress will soon come to know by what a great reverse they will be overturned.” Thus the guidance of God is that the Muslims should defend themselves and seek help from others to save themselves from oppression by the wrongdoers. Ironically this is what the Americans did against the terrorists although they were quite strong themselves. The Muslims should have peacefully protested against the Israeli oppression and sought help from the world countries. Following the above verse the Muslims under the Holy Prophet migrated to Madina and strengthened their position by increasing their number of supporters. In fact these militant Muslims are following Arab culture of vengeance and war. The references to the Quran by them are always given out of context. They are not following the Quran, but their desires and political traditions. For example, suicide attacks and bombing civilians are the tactics of political organizations of the modern times. The Arabs never did such a thing in the past.

Another misconception is Jihad as a religious principle. Jihad is striving in the way of God, including fighting a war of defense. Aggression is not Jihad. Killing innocent people is also not Jihad. Jihad is enjoined on the Muslims as a nation when they are attacked and are not allowed to live according to their beliefs. Their collective leader such as the Prophet or his caliph declares it. No group leader can declare it for his followers. History proves all this.

Islam and Terrorism

Another misconception about Islam is that it breeds terrorism. Terrorism is the calculated use of violent acts or the threat of violent acts including murder, kidnapping, and bombing, to frighten people into submission, usually for the purpose of achieving certain political objectives. It has nothing to do with real Islam. The Quran is against all such activities. God says, “Those who invoke not any other god with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has made forbidden, except for the right cause, … and any that does this meets punishment” (25:68). Those Muslim militants who are engaged in these activities are not following the Quran. They follow their leaders. Allah commands the Muslims not to kill any one except in a declared war. The Quran says that if someone kills another human without any right, he has killed the humanity. Allah has ordered the Muslims to be kind and merciful to all. Creating intense fear to get one’s purpose achieved is against Islam.

Islam and Extremism

Extremism is the belief in supporting extreme measures such as violent, strong, or severe measures in politics or religion. Islam preaches moderation. It is against violence and extreme actions. It teaches moderation and tolerance for different opinions. God says, ”Those who, when they expend (use the guiding principles are not extravagant (do more than required) and not niggardly (do less than required), but hold a just balance (position) between those (extremes)(25:67). It forbids sectarianism. All the Muslims must follow the Quran without any division (3:13). The reason some Muslims engage in terrorist activities is that they blindly follow their leaders without asking them to explain God’s commands in that situation by citing the Quran. God prohibits, for example, killing the unbelievers except in a declared war when he attacks Muslims. Allah calls the Muslim nation as a moderate and the best nation (ummatun wasata) so that it may be a witness before other nations. (2:143). He warns them not to exceed beyond the limits set by Him. He advises them not to spend money more than necessary. He prohibits them to conspire against others for evil deeds. But people who engage in terrorism don’t follow Allah and His Quran; they follow their leaders blindly although they were prohibited to do so. For example, the leaders misrepresent God’s command of Jihad fi sabilillah (fighting in the cause of God). God’s way is never proved to be applicable in such situations.

Islam and Secularism

Islam is obedience of God’s guidance in every walk of life. If we consider and analyze all the commands of God given in the Quran, we find that mostly they are social, political, economical, and legal orders. Hence they are applicable in the society and the government affairs; whereas, secularism excludes religions from such a role. This is because the other man-made religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism are mostly sets of beliefs and ritual worship of a god or gods. But Islam is a God-made religion and the true religion that emphasizes morality and good behavior in life. It is true because it is a collection of God’s revelation; whereas, the others are a collection of man’s ideas or interpolations of God’s revelations. God-given commands are always for the good of all humans; whereas, man-given commands are for the good of some particular people. 

Conclusion

To conclude, we find that Islam is the obedience to God’s commands given in the Quran, the revealed message of God. This is the true religion of God. The addition of Hadith or Fiqh thoughts in the real Islam is the cause of all the misunderstandings. If we examine every thought of Hadith or Fiqh in the light of the Quran and exclude it if it is not in agreement with it, all misconceptions will disappear. For example, stoning to death of the person committing illicit sex with someone not married to that one is an addition in God’s commands and therefore liable to be rejected. God has commanded such persons to be physically punished because of one’s getting physical pleasures illegally. This is better than man’s law of imprisoning that person for a number of years that will not teach him anything, hence ineffective.

The remedy for all sorts of misunderstandings about Islam is the wide spread preaching of the Quran and acceptance of its guidance only. As the Holy Prophet always followed the Quran only, all his actions as well as his sayings can be re-examined in the light of the Quran. If the scholars of Islam return to the Quran for guidance in all matters of life, they will be true Muslims (obedient). The Quran’s miraculous message will certainly have its own effect and God will certainly guide everyone. The Muslims of the days of the Holy Prophet who followed the Quran only were true Muslims. In 2:132, God says, “…Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion (deen); therefore, die not save as obedient to God (Muslims).”

Thus we find that obedience to this code of life (the Quran) given by God is the only true religion and can save humanity from destruction. Men make mistakes but God is always right. History is a witness to this fact. So follow Islam, the true religion. God’s straight path will bring happiness and prosperity (1:5,6).

Reproduced here with permission of the author