The Arabic term, "ISLAM"
meaning (submission) points to the fundamental religious creed which
dictates that a Muslim (one who submits) submit to the will of Allah,
conforming inwardly and outwardly to His laws.
The religion of
Islam lays great emphasis on uncompromising monotheism and strict
adherence to certain creeds and acts of worship. It enjoins submitting to
the will of Allah and following the exemplary way of the life of Muhammad,
the last of the Prophets and Messengers, may peace be upon them
all.
Allah, the Exalted created the universe and what is in it that
He be recognized as the One and only Deity. He created man and jinn only
to celebrate His praise and worship Him. His words signify: "I have only created jinn and man, that they may serve
Me."
The ways and acts of worship are
not left to man's option or choice. Allah is the One Who ordains and
decrees all acts of worship and the means in which they must be observed.
Since Islam deals in every aspect of life, spiritual and physical, its
jurisprudence is based on religious teachings, acts of worship and
ordinances regarding social, economical and political
transactions.
Because Islam is a perfect way of life, it enjoins
maintaining a refined code of manners. The Prophet Muhammad said:
"Verily, I have been sent to accomplish the most refined manners".
Allah has praised the fine manners of His Messenger saying:
"And surely thou hast sublime
morals". Aishah, the wife of the Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him, was asked about his manners. She said:
"His manners were al-Qur'an." Aishah meant that the Holy Prophet,
peace be upon him, clung to the Qur'an, its rules of discipline, its
commands, its prohibitions and the excellent, beautiful and gracious
things comprised in it. For this reason Allah commands the believers to
follow the exemplary life of His Messenger, peace be upon him, saying:
"Ye have indeed in the Prophet Muhammad an
excellent exemplar."
Islam enjoins good
manners for every occasion: seeking permission, greeting, sitting, eating,
learning, teaching, sporting, traveling, dressing, visiting, sleeping,
marriage, treating people, particularly relatives and neighbors with
kindness, etc. Codes of all such great manners are found both in the
Qur'an and the Prophetic words, acts and consent of the Prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him.
The family enjoys a high status in Islam. It is
the core of society, a healthy family means a healthy society, hence,
Allah the Exalted commands His servants to treat them with gentleness and
submissiveness saying: "Thy Lord hath decreed
that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one
or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of
contempt, nor repel them but address them, in terms of honor."
"And
out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord!
bestow on them thy Mercy just as they cherished me in
childhood."
Next to one's family comes
the kindred. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that Allah has
promised to be kind to him who behaves kindly to his kindred and to sever
him who severs his kindred, by unkind behavior.
Contents
Intro to
Islam
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