Concept & Distinctive Features of Islam

Concept & Distinctive
Features of Islam
Concept
 Hazrat Umar (RA) narrated that Prophet (SAW) said, “Islam is based on 5
principles:
 Tauheed – Unity of Allah & Muhammad (SAW) as the Seal of Prophets
 Nimaz – Offering of prayers and worshipping Allah
 Zakat – Spending in the way of Allah
 Saum – Fasting during prescribed month
 Hajj – Performance obligatory to those of resources and able heath
Continued
 Literal meaning of Islam

 Root word is “slm” meaning to surrender, to submit, yield.
 Can also mean to make peace
 Imam Raghib said “Islam means entering into salam, and salam and slm both signify peace.”
 Terminological meaning
 Stands for complete submission and obedience to will of Allah.
 Peace can be achieved only through this.
 Concept
 Allah created everything. Sovereignty to Allah alone. Sustainer. Creator of man. Fixed duration in the world.
 Gave code of life but also freedom of will to choose.
Distinctive Features of Islam
 No monopoly of truth
 Prophets and Books sent to other territories, Israelites but assignments were regional.
 “Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel.” (Gospel of Luke 1:68)
 Universal Religion
 “Say, O mankind! Truly I am a Messenger to you all. All (of us) believe in Allah, and in His
angels, and in His Books, and in His messengers.”
 Differences in faiths answered by Islam
 Different times had different people with different needs. Almighty sent guidance as required.
With time, teachings not preserved. Changes made by man. Islam – no changes.
 Eternal Religion
 “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you and have
chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Al-Maidah 5:3)
Continued
 Safeguarding of Quran – only Holy Book to be guarded by Allah

 Guidance is eternal and perfect but source preserved perpetually.
 “We have sent down this Book and verily, We shall safeguard it.” (15:9)
 Complete Religion and code of life
 Last Sermon of Muhammad (SAW).
 Guidance in every aspect of life
 Religion of Peace
 Prophet (SAW) said, “A muslim is he from whose tongue and hands others are safe.”
 Rights to Women FIRST through Islam
 Heirs to Property
 Stature of Mother (Allah’s love compared to that of mother)
 Hazrat Hafsa (RA) – Guardian of 1st copy of compiled Quran
Continued
 Equality of Mankind
 "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-
Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no
superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except
by piety and good action.”
 Provision of Complete Code of Life
 Hazrat Ayesha (RA) said, “His morals are the Quran.”
 Revealed book in a Living Language (Arabic)
 No idle claims. Invites to investigate the truth and claims in Quran through
Science and logic.
Continued
 Own Economic system

 Islam’s system of “Ishteraak” meaning communion, collaboration, coalition.
 Mixture of Capitalism and Communism with Islamic features of brotherhood.
 System of Jizya
 Safe existence of multiple religions under the banner of Islam (Deen)
 Concept of Mudaarbah
 Profit AND LOSS sharing banking system.
 Rabb-ul-Mal or silent partner/financier provides money. Mudaarib or working partner
invests in business to make profit or loss which is then shared between the 2.
Difference Between
Deen and Religion
How Deen and Religion are Different
Deen Religion
 Complete System  Latin word – to bind together.
 Per Islam, it is accepting absolute  Bond between religious devotee and a
Sovereignty of Allah. Supreme Diety.
 Absolute Submission  All about rituals and practices.
 Deen is divine and dynamic.  Encompasses faiths and beliefs
 “Truly, the Deen with Allah is Islam.”  “A unified system of beliefs and practices
(Al-Imran) relative to sacred things.” – Emile
Durkheim
Continued
 Frame of reference is different

 Religion is an individual matter. Nimaz, fasting, pillars etc.
 Deen is a collective matter. Society’s direction is right or not?
 Centers are different
 Center for religion is Allah
 Center for Deen is human being
 Rights discussed are therefore different
 Deen talks of rights of mankind while religion focuses on the rights of Allah
Continued
 Western religions based on freedom. Islam on brotherhood

 Last Sermon of Prophet (SAW), “Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every
Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate
to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and
willingly."
 Islam (deen) as the complete code of Life
 “His morals are the Quran.”
 Religion provides comfort. Deen provides direction
 Religion explains why there is evil and suffering. Allays anxiety through reassurance
of Allah’s presence. Deen explains how to settle worldly affairs and live life in the
world
Continued
 Religion provides social order while Deen dictates social norms and behavior
 Religion helps to hold society together through worships, norms, practices. Supports
morality. Deen talks about HOW society can be bonded together through collective
efforts, worships etc.
 Religion combats extreme despair, hopelessness, doubt and superstition. Deen
helps one to move forward
 Religious person will never be in utter desperation. Belief that Allah will fix
everything. Deen provides next steps through trusting in Allah’s process. Firm belief
that man can choose wrong but Allah will ALWAYS choose right for man at the right
time.
Continued
 Religion gives historical perspective. Deen gives a future outlook

 Religion covers entire history of human life and even in pre-historic times, religious
institutions are found in early civilizations. Deen explains what needs to be done in this world
for a life in the Hereafter.
 “Islam is in harmony with nature which Allah has designed for man.” (Al-Rum
30:30)
Importance of Deen in
Human Life
Introduction
 Islam religion of peace.

 Niyat (intention) is also considered act of worship.
 Believes that the purpose of life is to live well in this world and prepare for an
Eterna life in the Hereafter.
 Sets out clear rulings and guidance on what needs to be done or not in order to be
successful in this world and in Hereafter.
Importance of Deen
 Guidance to mankind
 Nothing is left to guess. Clear directives in an eternal Book.
 “This is the Book; in it is Guidance for sure, for those who fear Allah.” (2:2)
 Provides clear path
 No ambiguity or confusion
 Quran is written law while Prophet (SAW)’s life is the implementation of that law in
real life.
 Brings man out of darkness and into light
 According to Pickthall’s translation – “So believe in Allah and in His messenger and
the light which We have revealed.” (64:8)
Continued
 Source of wisdom and knowledge

 Science is now discovering and ascertaining facts that Quran spoke of 1400 years ago.
 Big Bang Theory devised in 1900s. But Quran says, “Don’t those who suppress (their
awareness of the truth) see that the heavens and the earth were once fused together in a
single piece, and then We split them apart?” (Quran 21:30)
 Expansion of Universe discovered by Hubble telescope since it was seen light from
other galaxies was receding from us. Quran says, “We built the sky above with Our
(special) ability, and We’re expanding it.” (Quran 51:47)
 Science now believes that the Sun generates light while moon only reflects light.
Quran says, “Blessed be the One Who placed constellations in the sky and Who placed
therein a lamp and a lighted moon.” (Quran 25:61)
Continued
 Sets criterion for right and wrong

 Quran was sent in Ramzan. About the Quran, it is said that there are “…clear signs for
guidance and judgment between right and wrong.” (2:185)
 Spiritual cure of modern man
 “We reveal the Quran which is a healing and mercy for the believers.” (Al-Isra :82)
 Teachings guard from evil, immodesty and wrongdoing
 Imam Shafi said, “There is a verse in the Quran that every wrongdoer should be
terrified of. He was asked, “which verse is that?” He replied, “And your Lord never
forgets.” (Surah Maryam :64)
 “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only respites
them to a day when eyes will stare in horror.” (14:42)
Continued
 Clear message to mankind

 “And We have sent down to you the Book, explaining all things.” (16:89)
 Induces piety and remembrance of God

 “Thus, does God make clear His message to men, that they may fear Him.” (2:187)
 All hope is Allah. He brings good times after bad

 He is Al Wakil. “God does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in
themselves” – Qur’an (13:11)
 Principles for establishment of Justice

 “We have sent down to you the Book in truth, that you might judge between men…” (4:105)
Continued
 Hardships are a test of faith and the ones DEAREST to Allah are tested the most
 Prophet Muhammad SAW) said: “When Allah (SWT) desires good for someone, He tries him with
hardships.” – Sahih al-Bukhari
 Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) said: ‘I said: “O Messenger of Allah, which of the people are most sorely tested?”
He said: “The Prophets, then the next best and the next best. A man will be tested in accordance with his level
of religious commitment. If his religious commitment is strong, he will be tested more severely, and if his
religious commitment is weak, he will be tested in accordance with his religious commitment. Calamity will
keep befalling a person until he walks on the earth with no sin on him.”’ – Sahih at-Tirmidhi
 Allah LISTENS and KNOWS what we truly deserve. He answers our prayers in
ways we do not understand. And blesses us in ways we do not expect.
 Firm belief that Allah at times takes from us what we really want in order to give us what we truly DESERVE
and NEED.
 “You may dislike something although it is good for you, or like something, although it is bad for you and
surely Allah knows and you do not know.” – Qur’an (2:216)
Thank you

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Concept & Distinctive Features of Islam

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Concept & Distinctive

 Literal meaning of Islam

 Safeguarding of Quran – only Holy Book to be guarded by Allah

 Own Economic system

 Frame of reference is different

 Western religions based on freedom. Islam on brotherhood

 Religion gives historical perspective. Deen gives a future outlook

 Islam religion of peace.

 Source of wisdom and knowledge

 Sets criterion for right and wrong

 Clear message to mankind

 Induces piety and remembrance of God

 All hope is Allah. He brings good times after bad

 Principles for establishment of Justice

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