Islam

A Brief Outline of Islam according to the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah

This is an important book offering a concise introduction to Islam. It illustrates its most essential pillars, teachings, and beauties drawn from its original sources, namely the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah. This book is addressed to all legally competent individuals, Muslims and non-Muslims alike in their own respective languages, in all times and everywhere, regardless of the changing circumstances.

(A copy including proofs from the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah)

1. Islam is the message of Allah to all people, as it is the eternal and the last of divine messages:

Islam is the message of Allah to all people as Allah Almighty says: {And We have not sent you but for all mankind as a bringer of glad tidings and a warner, but most people do not know.} [Surat Saba’: 28] He also says: {Say, [O Muhammad]: “O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all...”} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 158] He also says: {O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then, indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 170]

Islam is the eternal and the last of all divine messages as Allah Almighty says: {Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 40]

2. Islam, as a religion, is not exclusive to a specific ethnic group, rather it is the religion of Allah to all people:

Islam, as a religion, is not exclusive to a specific ethnic group, rather it is the religion of Allah to all people. The first command in the Noble Qur’an is the saying of Allah Almighty:

{O mankind, worship your Lord, Who created you and those who came before you, so that you may become righteous.}

[Surat al-Baqarah: 21]

He also says:

{O mankind, fear your Lord, Who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women...}

[Surat an-Nisā’: 1]

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a speech on the Day of the Conquest of Makkah. He said:

‘O people, verily Allah has removed the arrogance of the pre-Islamic era from you and taking pride in their forefathers. So, now there are two types of men: a man who is righteous, pious, and honorable in the sight of Allah, and a wicked man who is miserable and insignificant in the sight of Allah. People are the children of Adam and Allah created Adam from dust. Allah said: {O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most pious of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.} [Surat al-Hujurāt: 13]’”

[Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi: 3270]

There is not a single command or law in the glorious Qur’an or a command of the honorable Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) privileging a specific group or tribe based on ethnicity, nationality, or gender.

3. Islam is the divine message sent to complement all the messages of the previous prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) who were sent to their respective nations.

Islam is the divine message sent to complement all the messages of the previous prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) who were sent to their respective nations, as Allah Almighty says:

{Indeed, We have revealed to you [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And We revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.}

[Surat an-Nisā’: 163]

The religion that Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is the same one that Allah legislated for the previous prophets, as Allah Almighty says:

{He has ordained for you of religion that He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate partners with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him].}

[Surat ash-Shūra: 13]

The religion that Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) confirms the previous scriptures, such as the Torah and the Gospel before they were distorted. Allah Almighty says:

{And that which We have revealed to you [O Muhammad] of the Book is the truth, confirming what came before it. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware and All-Seeing of His servants.}

[Surat Fātir: 31]

4. The prophets (peace be upon them) share a single religion although they came in different laws:

The religion of all the prophets (peace be upon them) is one but their legislations are different. Allah Almighty says: {And We have revealed to you [O Muhammad] the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.} [Surat al-Mā’idah: 48] The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I am the nearest to ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Mary, among the whole mankind in this worldly life and the Hereafter. Prophets are brothers in faith, having different mothers, yet their religion is one.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri: 3443]