(What is Islam?)
Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion calling for the belief in, worship of, and complete submission to The One True God (“Allah” in Arabic) alone and to accept the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His final Messenger.
The literal meaning of the word “Islam” in Arabic is peace and submission to God, reflecting the core nature of this religion: a religion of peace. The basis of the Islamic faith is derived from the Quran (the Holy Book of Allah’s words revealed to us) and the Prophet’s life (Sunnah in Arabic).
Some Facts About Islam:
• Islam is among the fastest growing religions in the world. Approximately 1 in 4 people (~24%) are Muslim, with over 1.5 billion Muslims across the world.
• Followers of Islam are known as Muslims. Anyone can be a Muslim, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
Faith & Attitude in Islam:
Allah has made it our responsibility to recognize Him as the only God and to submit to him alone. We are ordered to acknowledge Him through the signs and miracles that He has revealed to us. Muslims view this life as a “test.”
Believing in Allah and obeying his orders is the basis of the test of life. Without the right attitude, no amount of information can make someone believe in Allah and Islam.
The religion of Islam is based on the Qur’an, which is the central religious text of Islam and is the revelation from God.
Qur’an has no contradictions whatsoever – be it in scientific explanations of the water cycle, embryology, geology and cosmology; historical facts and events; or prophecies.
The Scientific Miracles (solidarity) of Qur'an also prove that the Quran is the Word of Allah.
The Qur’an does not contradict modern science but rather supports it. One of the most remarkable aspects about the Qur’an is that it contains many verses which accurately describe natural phenomenon in various fields such as embryology, meteorology, astronomy, geology and oceanography. Scientists have found it's descriptions incredibly accurate for a book dating back to the 7th century.
Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an chapter 41 verse 53: “We shall show them Our Signs in the Universe and within their own selves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth.”
In fact, many of the scientific miracles mentioned in the Qur’an have been discovered only recently, through the modern advancement of technological equipment. Consider the following:
• The Qur’an gives a detailed description of the development of the human embryo. These details were unknown to the scientific community until recent times.
• The Qur’an states that the astronomical objects (stars, planets, moons etc...) were all formed from clouds of dust. Previously unknown, this fact has now become an undisputed principle of modern cosmology.
• Modern science has discovered the existence of barriers that allow two seas to meet yet maintain their own temperature, density and salinity, which is already clarified in the Quran. These signs of God were clearly stated in the Qur’an more than 1400 years ago, where it is impossible to know these details during that time.
Taking a deeper look at some other scientific miracles of the Quran:
Miracle 1: The universe.
- How did our universe come to existence?
Atheist scientists would say that our universe was initially one primary nebula, then there was a secondary separation or “a big bang”, which gave rise to galaxies, stars, moon, sun and the earth on which we live. But if you ask these people: When did you learn about this “big bang” that created this universe? They will say: About 40-50 years back.
- Do you believe in science?
For who believe in science, let me ask you a question: If suppose there's an equipment, a gadget that no one in the world have ever seen, and if that gadget is brought in front of you and you are asked: Who will be the first person who will be able to explain the mechanism of this gadget? Your answer would be the creator, maker, inventor, producer, manufacturer; It's all somewhat similar. Keep that answer in mind.
I would say that: This “big bang” theory is already mentioned in the Qur'an 1400 years ago, in Surah Anbiya chapter 21 verse 30 where Allah the Almighty says:
﴾أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا﴿
"Did not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together? Then We parted them?"
The big bang you're talking about is already mentioned in the Qur'an 1400 years ago. Who could have possibly known this 1400 years ago? Only the Creator: Allah the almighty.
One may argue: "Maybe it's a fluke, somebody wrote it." Okay, if that is a fluke, then let me ask you another question: What is the shape of the earth? Is it flat or spherical?
Years ago, human beings thought the earth was flat. It was only in 577 when Francis Drake sailed around the earth and proved that the earth was spherical. However, the Quran already mentions this fact long before that in Surah Nazi'at chapter 79 verse 30, Allah the Almighty says:
(وَالْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ دَحَاهَا)
"We have made the earth egg shaped."
The Arabic word دحاها has multiple meanings. One of it's meanings is an expanse, and the earth is an expanse. The other meaning is derived from the Arabic word دُحيا which means an egg and today we know the earth is not completely round like a ball. Instead, is geospherical in shape: an ellipsoid. Also, if we analyze the Arabic word دحاها, doesn't refer to a normal egg, it specifically refers to the egg of an ostrich. If we analyze the egg of an ostrich, it's also geospherical and elliptical in shape. The glorious Qur'an 1400 years ago revealed that the earth is geospherical in shape, conveying the unknown truth all along. If this doesn’t prove that the Qur'an is the true words of the Creator Allah, then what will?
Miracle 2: The moon light.
Previously, mankind believed that the light of the moon was it's own light produced by the moon. However, we have recently come to know the light of the moon is not it's own light but it is a reflected and borrowed light from the sun.
Allah says in the Qur'an Surah furqan chapter 2 verse 61: "Blessed is He who has placed the constellation in the sky and placed the sun a lamp having it's own light and moon having borrowed and reflected light." Therefore, the Qur'an describes the moon light as borrowed or reflected, a fact that we only recently came to know.
Miracle 3: Roots of Mountains.
Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, was discovered to have roots about 250km deep into the Earth – as reported in a recent study in the Journal of Geology Sciences. This fact could not be discovered in earlier times due to lack of advancements in technology. Who would have ever imagined that mountains have roots? However, this fact was correctly portrayed in the Qur'an by Allah, where he described mountains as “pegs.” Pegs are usually used to fix tents, with one part deep below the ground and another part shown above the surface. This description accurately depicts the real nature of mountains, which also have a part below the surface and another part above the surface. If Prophet Muhammad is really the one who wrote the Qur'an, how could an illiterate man who lived 1400 years ago have known that mountains have roots? Not possible.
Miracle 4: The healing properties of Honey.
Everyone knows that honey is delicious but no one knew that it had healing properties, until recently. Today we know that honey is a natural antibiotic; when honey is applied on wounds and burns it hinders the growth of microbes. The healing property of honey is because it offers antibacterial activity, maintains a moist wound condition, and prevents infection by providing a protection barrier due to it's high viscosity. In other words, honey hinders the growth of microbes, leading to faster healing of wounds. All this was only recently discovered with modern science.
However, the healing properties of honey was long revealed in the Qur'an 1400 years ago, chapter 16 verses 68-69: "And your Lord Allah revealed to the bees: build your hives in mountains, trees and in what they build, then eat from every fruit and follow your Lord's enslaved paths, from it's bellies exits drink of different colors, in it healing for man, these are signs for those who contemplate."
In this verse there's another sign: "From it's bellies." Hinting that honey is produced in the stomach of bees. This was also discovered later after the Qur'an with the development of microscopes.
Miracle 5: Colonies.
The existence of animal communities and colonies with their own languages is a fact that has only been discovered in recent years. However, this was portrayed in the Qur'an 1400 years before it was discovered. Qur'an chapter 6 verse 38: “All living beings roaming the earth and winged birds soaring in the sky are communities like yourselves. We have left nothing out of the record. Then to their Lord they will be gathered all together.” Once again, the Qur'an has mentioned a scientific fact that was only discovered years later.
Miracle 6: Human development.
In the Qur'an Allah explains the various stages of human development in many chapters. Because it is not possible to mention and explain them all here, we have selected two references to briefly portray this:
(وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍۢ مِّن طِينٍۢ ❋ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُطْفَةًۭ فِى قَرَارٍۢ مَّكِينٍۢ ❋ ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا ٱلنُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةًۭ فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةًۭ فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْمُضْغَةَ عِظَـٰمًۭافَكَسَوْنَا ٱلْعِظَـٰمَ لَحْمًۭا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَـٰهُ خَلْقًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقِينَ)
“And indeed, We (Allah) created humankind from an extract of clay, then placed each ˹human˺ as a sperm-drop (nutfah) in a secure place, then We developed the drop into a clinging clot ˹of blood˺(alaqah, a leech like structure) then developed the clot into a lump ˹of flesh˺ (mudghah, a chewed like substance), then developed the lump into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, then We brought it into being as a new creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.” Qur'an 23:12 till 14
Arranging these stages chronologically gives us:
1 - Nutfah amshaj (drop that is mixed): this stage covers the period from fertilization to implantation. This stage is further divided into: (present day germinal stage): Khalq, Taqdir, Harth.
2- Takhleeq: this stage is known as the embryonic stage now and extends from the beginning of the 3rd week until the end of the 8th week, covering numerous developmental events. This stage is further divided into: Alaqah (leech-like), Mudghah (somites), Izam (skeleton) and Laham (muscles).
3- Nash”ah: (Growth): This stage is currently known as the fetal stage. During this period, the fetus develops so that it gains external features resembling a human. This stage lasts till the completion of pregnancy. It's further divided into: An-nashaa-Khalaqakha (from 9–26 weeks) and Al Hadana-al Rahamiya (from 26 wks to full term). This could be an apt way of classifying the various stages of human development.
“He makes you in the wombs of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness.” Qur'an 39:6
While it is not clear when mankind first discovered that human beings developed in the uterus, books and illustrations conveying fetus formation appeared around the second century AD. Scientifically we came to know about these stages in 19th or 20th century and before that there is no detailed mention. Nonetheless, the Qur'an revealed this fact way earlier.
Moreover, the three veils of darkness in this verse can refer to the anterior abdominal wall, the uterine wall and amnio-chorionic membrane, which were all unknown to humans during the time of revelation! Yet, these facts have all been described with grace and elegance in the Holy Qur'an! In fact, many scientists from around the world have admitted that there is no way this knowledge could have been known during the time of revelation without some type of Divine intervention!
In summary, the Holy Qur'an contains comprehensive description of human development; no such distinct and complete record of human development, such as classification, terminology and description existed before. This knowledge came to us in an era when there was no microscope, no slides, no fixatives or any other gadgets and above all this description is narrated by a person who was illiterate! Who would reveal this information to him except the CREATOR Himself!
In fact, Allah verily says in the Qur'an chapter 41 verse 53: “We will show them Our signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things?”
With all these signs, do you still dare to deny that the Qur'an is the words of Allah?
Moving on, lets discuss an important question: What is the Purpose of Revelation?
1. To call people to believe in One True God and reject all false gods. “Your God is ˹only˺ One God. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.” Qur’an 2:163
The most important topic repeated throughout the Qur’an is the belief in the One, True God: Allah. Allah informs us that He has no partner, no son, no equal, and that nothing has the right to be worshipped except Him alone. Nothing is comparable to God and none of His creation resemble Him. The Qur’an also rejects the notion of attributing human qualities and limitations to God.
“And worship Allah and associate none with Him.” Qur’an 4:36
Since Allah alone is the only One worthy of worship, false deities and false gods must be rejected. The Qur’an also rejects the notion of attributing divine qualities to anyone or anything other than Allah.
2. To narrate the Stories from the past. Qur’an contains many narratives with beneficial lessons, including the true stories of previous Prophets such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jesus and Moses. Allah says about these stories: “Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding.” Qur’an 12:111
3. To Remind us of the Day of Judgement. This Noble Book reminds us that everyone will taste death and will be held accountable for all their actions and sayings: “We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least…” Qur’an 21:47
4. To guide us to the Intended Way of Life. Importantly, the Qur’an teaches that the purpose of life is to worship God alone and to live life according to the way guided by Allah.
In Islam, worship is a comprehensive term that includes all actions and sayings (whether private or public) that Allah loves and is pleased with. Therefore, by doing what Allah commands, a Muslim is worshipping God and fulfilling his purpose in life.
Some examples of worship from the Qur’an include:
• To pray: “O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves and worship your Lord, that you may succeed.” Qur’an 22:77
• To give charity: “…And spend, it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, these it is that are the successful.” Qur’an 64:16
• To be honest: “Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when you know (what it is).” Qur’an 2:42
• To be modest: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.” Qur’an 24:30-31
• To be thankful: “And Allah has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers-you did not know anything- and He gave you hearing and sight and hearts that you may give thanks.” Qur’an 16:78
• To be just: “O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor…” Qur’an 4:135
• To be patient: “And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” Qur’an 11:115
• To do good: “Allah has promised to those who believe and do good deeds (that) they shall have forgiveness and a mighty reward.” Qur’an 5:9
A Muslims should strive to develop the following attitudes:
✔ Objectivity & an open mind.
✖ Preconceived barriers/misconceptions to not submit/believe.
✔ Humbleness & sincerity.
✖ Pride & arrogance.
✔ Contemplation about our purpose in this world.
✖ Focus only on material world.
✔ Receptive to God's signs.
✖ Dismiss everything as meaningless.
Let's see what does Islam say about...
● Women: Women have the highest respect in Islam. They are to be treated with love, honor and respect. They are the partners of men, and no oppression can ever be condoned towards them.
● Terrorism: Islam permits fighting in order to preserve the well-being of society, to prevent oppression from spreading, and to promote justice. However, targeting innocent non-combatants is a despicable act which is prohibited. Moreover, Islam orders us to obey rulers and respect the laws of the country. Blind battles arranged by individuals is not condoned in Islam and nor is terrorism.
● Halal food: All food and drink is originally halal (permissible to consume), unless a clear order from Allah says otherwise. Meats and poultry should be slaughtered humanely with suffering minimized, and God's name should be mentioned during slaughter.
● Evolution: God created the first human being, Adam, in his final form - as opposed to evolving gradually from advanced apes. This cannot be directly confirmed or denied by science because this was a unique and singular historical event – a miracle. As for living creatures other than humans, Islamic sources are silent on the matter and only require us to believe that God created them in whatever manner He wanted, using evolution or otherwise.
Coming to A Muslim's Outlook on Life:
• Balance between hope in God's Mercy and fear of His punishment.
• Have a noble purpose.
• If good happens, be grateful. If bad happens, have patience.
• This life is a test and God sees everything we do.
• Put my trust in God - nothing happens except by His permission.
• Everything I have is from God.
• Genuine hope & concern for non-Muslims to be guided.
• Focus on what is in my control & try my best.
• I will return to God and be accountable.
★ May Allah grant all of us true guidance & deep understanding. Thank you.