Islamic History

“Islam is an Arabic word, which comes from the word ‘Salm’ which means peace and from 'Silm', which means submitting your will to Allah – the Almighty God. In short Islam means peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah, the Exalted. The word Islam is mentioned in several places in the Quran and the Hadith”

There is a very common misconception among non-Muslims that Islam was spread by sword, however it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam. Allah, the Exalted mentions in the Quran, “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error” (Quran 2:256)

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people, it is mentioned in the Quran, “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” (Quran 16:125)

The religious harmony, freedom and religious tolerance which Islam lays down could be best understood from the verses which I have quoted above. It is mentioned in the Quran “..To you be your religion, to me be mine.” (Quran 109:6)

Muslims measure the passage of time using the Islamic (Hijrah) calendar. This calendar has twelve lunar months, the beginnings and endings of which are determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, each month comprises of either 29 days or 30 days. Years are counted since the Hijrah, which is when the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Makkah to Madinah

Allah, the Exalted mentions in the Quran that Torah (Old Testament) was revealed to Prophet Moses (PBUH)

Muhammad (PBUH) was the last Prophet of Allah and Allah revived through him the same genuine faith which had been conveyed by all His Prophets. This original message was earlier corrupted and split into various religions by people of different ages, who indulged in interpolations and admixture. These alien elements were eliminated by God, and Islam – in its pure and original form – was transmitted to humankind through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Since there was to be no messenger after Muhammad (PBUH), the Book revealed to him (i.e. the Glorious Qur’an) was preserved word for word so that it should be a source of guidance for all times

The Quran states that Islam – the complete submission of man before his one and only Unique Creator – is the one and only faith and way of life consistently revealed by God to humankind from the very beginning. Noah, Solomon, David, Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jesus (peace be upon them all) – prophets who appeared at different times and places – all propagated the same faith and conveyed the same message of Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risaalat (Prophethood) and Aakhirah (the Hereafter). These prophets of God were not founders of different religions to be named after them. They were each reiterating the message and faith of their predecessors.

However, Muhammad (PBUH) was the last Prophet of Allah and Allah revived through him the same genuine faith which had been conveyed by all His Prophets. This original message was earlier corrupted and split into various religions by people of different ages, who indulged in interpolations and admixture. These alien elements were eliminated by God, and Islam – in its pure and original form – was transmitted to humankind through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Islam preaches monotheism. Islam upholds strict monotheism, and belief in Allah forms the heart of the faith. Islam teaches belief in one God (Allah) who neither gives birth nor was born Himself. He alone gives life, causes death, brings good, causes affliction, and provides sustenance for His creation. God in Islam is the sole Creator, Lord, Sustainer, Ruler, Judge, and Saviour of the universe. He has no equal in His qualities and abilities, such as knowledge and power. All worship, veneration and homage is to be directed to God and none else.

Islam has a very well-defined conception of what God is and what God is not. Islam categorically forbids making any representations of God, God is not personified into forms or shapes created by the imagination of men and women. (How can anyone paint or carve something which one has never seen?)

Islam does not teach that humans are inherently sinful. In Islam, sin is not a consequence of birth but rather the result of a choice that the individual has made to commit a bad deed. Allah can forgive any person who asks for forgiveness and is sincere. Muslims believe people will be held accountable on a Day of Judgment and will be rewarded by God with eternity in Heaven or punishment in Hell

The first article of the constitution laid down by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for the inhabitants of Madinah, the Muslims as well as those who had entered the pact from the Jews, Christian, and idolaters, were “one nation to the exclusion of all others.” All were considered members and citizens of Medina society regardless of religion, race, or ancestry.

The lives of the practitioners of other religions in the Muslim society were also given protective status. The Prophet said: “Whoever kills a person who has a truce with the Muslims will never smell the fragrance of Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim) Since the upper hand was with the Muslims, the Prophet strictly warned against any maltreatment of people of other faiths. He said: “Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud)

Islam is the religion of unity and peace. Repeatedly throughout the Quran Allah reminds the believers that they must remain united and seek strength through unity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in his last sermon on his Hajj, “There is truly no excellence for an Arab over a non-Arab; or for a non-Arab over an Arab; or for a white man over a black man; or for a black man over a white man; except through piety.” Islam preaches equality and brotherhood

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the successors to the Caliphate were the able administrators, this also demonstrates that Islam does not preach hierarchy in terms of successors to the throne as is the common practice. The first Caliph after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), the second Caliph was Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), the third Caliph was Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him), the fourth Caliph was Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him)

The religious harmony, freedom and religious tolerance which Islam lays down could be best understood from the verses which I have quoted above. It is mentioned in the Quran “..To you be your religion, to me be mine.” (Quran 109:6) Allah, the Exalted mentions in the Quran, “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error” (Quran 2:256)