Concept of Islam

The concept of Islam, as a comprehensive way of life, is rooted in the submission to the will of Allah (God). It encompasses beliefs, practices, and a complete socio-moral framework guiding individual and collective life.

 

Definition of Islam

Islam, derived from the Arabic root "s-l-m," means submission, peace, and surrender. It signifies complete submission to the will of Allah, leading to inner and outer peace. According to Towards Understanding Islam by Abul A’la Mawdudi, Islam is not merely a religion but a Deen—a complete code of life governing spiritual, moral, social, economic, and political aspects.

Source Reference:

  • Towards Understanding Islam (Mawdudi), p. 17: "Islam is the name of the act of submitting one’s will to Allah, resulting in peace in the heart and society."

Quranic Basis:

  • Surah Al-Imran (3:19):
    "    Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."
    This verse establishes Islam as the divinely ordained way of life.

  • Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3):
    "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion."
    This verse highlights Islam’s completion and divine approval as the final religion.

Hadith Reference:

  • Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 1:
    The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Islam is built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj for those who are able."
    This Hadith encapsulates the foundational practices of Islam.

 

Core Components of the Concept of Islam

  1. Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)

    • Definition: Tawhid is the bedrock of Islam, affirming the absolute oneness of Allah in His essence, attributes, and worship. It rejects polytheism (shirk) and establishes Allah as the sole Creator and Sustainer.

    • Source Reference:

      • Islam: Its Meaning and Message (Khurshid Ahmad), p. 32: "Tawhid is the foundation of Islamic belief, unifying all aspects of life under the sovereignty of Allah."

      • Ideals and Realities in Islam (Hussain Nasr), p. 45: "Tawhid integrates the spiritual and material realms, shaping the Muslim worldview."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4):
        "        Say, He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent."

    • Implication: Tawhid demands exclusive devotion to Allah, influencing personal conduct, societal laws, and governance.

  2. Prophethood (Risalah)

    • Concept: Allah sent prophets to guide humanity, with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the final messenger. The Quran and Sunnah are the primary sources of guidance.

    • Source Reference:

      • Introduction to Islam (Dr. Hamidullah), p. 65: "Prophethood ensures divine guidance through revelation, culminating in the universal message of Muhammad (PBUH)."

      • Seerat-un-Nabi (Shibli Nu’mani), Vol. I, p. 89: "The Prophet’s life exemplifies the practical application of Islamic principles."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40):
        "        Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets."

    • Hadith Reference:

      • Sahih Bukhari, Book 4, Hadith 735:
        The Prophet (PBUH) said, "My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: 'Would that this brick be put in its place!' So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets."

  3. Akhirah (Life After Death)

    • Concept: Belief in the Hereafter involves accountability for actions, resurrection, and judgment, leading to eternal life in Paradise or Hell.

    • Source Reference:

      • Quranic Sciences (Afzalur Rahman), p. 112: "Akhirah instills moral responsibility, as every deed is recorded and judged."

      • Islam: The Misunderstood Religion (Muhammad Qutub), p. 78: "The belief in Akhirah shapes ethical behavior and societal justice."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8):
        "So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.        "

    • Hadith Reference:

      • Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 18:
        The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The deeds of people are presented to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays, and every believer is forgiven except those who have enmity."

  4. Ibadah (Worship)

    • Concept: Ibadah encompasses all acts performed to please Allah, including rituals (prayer, fasting, zakat, Hajj) and ethical behavior.

    • Source Reference:

      • Worship in Islam (Abul A’la Mawdudi), p. 23: "Ibadah is not limited to rituals but includes every action done with the intention of obeying Allah."

      • Let Us Be Muslims (Khurram Murad), p. 56: "Worship integrates intention, action, and devotion in daily life."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56):
        "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

    • Hadith Reference:

      • Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 38:
        The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah says: 'The son of Adam abuses Me, saying, 'The Hour will never come.' But I say: The Hour will surely come, but I have kept its knowledge hidden.'"

  5. Adl (Justice) and Shariah

    • Concept: Islam emphasizes justice in all spheres—personal, social, economic, and political—guided by Shariah (Islamic law).

    • Source Reference:

      • Islamic Law and Constitution (Abul A’la Mawdudi), p. 45: "Shariah ensures justice by aligning human laws with divine principles."

      • Women and Social Justice: An Islamic Paradigm (Dr. Anis Ahmad), p. 67: "Justice in Islam includes equitable treatment of all, regardless of gender or status."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah An-Nisa (4:135):
        "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives        ."

    • Hadith Reference:

      • Sahih Bukhari, Book 52, Hadith 257:
        The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Beware of injustice, for injustice will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection."

  6. Khilafah (Vicegerency)

    • Concept: Humans are Allah’s vicegerents on Earth, entrusted with managing resources responsibly and upholding justice.

    • Source Reference:

      • Islam and the Economic Challenge (Umer Chapra), p. 89: "Khilafah implies stewardship, requiring ethical management of resources."

      • Khilafat-o-Malookiat (Abul A’la Mawdudi), p. 34: "Khilafah is a divine trust, demanding accountability in governance."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30):
        "And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority (khalifah).'"

 

Key Characteristics of Islam

  1. Universality:

    • Islam is a universal religion, addressing all of humanity.

    • Source Reference: Islam at the Crossroads (Muhammad Asad), p. 22: "Islam transcends cultural and geographic boundaries, offering a universal message."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-A’raf (7:158):
        "Say, [O Muhammad], 'O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all.'"

  2. Balance Between Material and Spiritual:

    • Islam integrates worldly life with spiritual goals, rejecting monasticism.

    • Source Reference: First Principles of Islamic Economics (Mawdudi), p. 15: "Islam harmonizes material progress with spiritual elevation."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Qasas (28:77):
        "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world."

  3. Comprehensive Guidance:

    • Islam provides guidance for all aspects of life—individual, social, economic, and political.

    • Source Reference: Islami Nizam e Zindgi aur us kay Bunyadi Tassworat (Mawdudi), p. 101: "Islam’s holistic approach ensures no aspect of life is left without divine guidance."

    • Hadith Reference:

      • Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 40, Hadith 4664:
        The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Leave no aspect of life without guidance, for I have left you on a clear path, its night as clear as its day."

 

Practical Implications of the Concept of Islam

  1. Personal Life: Islam shapes character through ethical conduct, humility, and devotion.

    • Insan e Kamil (Dr. Khalid Alvi), p. 78: "The ideal Muslim strives for perfection in character, embodying compassion and integrity."

    • Hadith:

      • Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6219:
        The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The best among you are those who have the best manners and character."

  2. Social Order: Islam promotes justice, equality, and community welfare through zakat, cooperation, and social justice.

    • Women and Social Justice (Dr. Anis Ahmad), p. 92: "Islam ensures social justice by protecting the rights of all, especially the marginalized."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13):
        "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."

  3. Economic System: Islam advocates an equitable economic system, prohibiting usury and encouraging fair trade.

    • Islam Ka Muashi Nizam (Justice Taqi Usmani), p. 55: "The Islamic economic system balances individual enterprise with collective welfare."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275):
        "Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity."

  4. Political System: Islam envisions a governance system based on consultation (shura) and justice.

    • Islamic Political System in the Modern Age (Manzooruddin Ahmad), p. 123: "The Islamic state is rooted in divine sovereignty and human responsibility."

    • Quranic Basis:

      • Surah Ash-Shura (42:38):
        "And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves."

 

Conclusion

The concept of Islam is a holistic framework that integrates belief, worship, ethics, and societal organization under the principle of submission to Allah. It emphasizes Tawhid, prophethood, the Hereafter, justice, and vicegerency, providing comprehensive guidance for all facets of life. By adhering to the Quran, Sunnah, and Shariah, Muslims aim to achieve personal excellence and societal harmony.

Recommended Reading for Further Study:

  1. Towards Understanding Islam (Abul A’la Mawdudi)

  2. Islam: Its Meaning and Message (Khurshid Ahmad)

  3. Quranic Sciences (Afzalur Rahman)

  4. Islamic Civilization: Foundations, Belief & Principles (Abul A’la Mawdudi)

  5. Let Us Be Muslims (Khurram Murad)