A well-established fact in Islam is that Prophet Muhammad, like all the Prophets and Messengers before him, calls for the same monotheistic message that clearly declares Allah, the Almighty, as the only True God deserved to be worshipped. For this reason, Muslim scholars believe that Islam is the religion of all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah with no exception at all; a fact which is even definitely proven by the Quran (The Quran, 3:19). This means that Prophet Muhammad’s law share the fundamentals of the laws of Jesus Christ, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Solomon, David, etc., for they all were revealed by the same One True God-the only God deserved to be worshipped, i.e. Allah, the Almighty; that is to say that had the religion of Muhammad been one of extremism and terrorism, all other Prophets’ religions would have necessarily been so, a point which is categorically rejected. Yet, orthodox information tells clearly that all the Divinely-revealed religions were meant to achieving man’s happiness, prosperity and welfare both in this worldly life and the life to come.
Yet, since the law of Prophet Muhammad is the only one accused today of being a religion of terrorism and fanaticism, this article will try to briefly highlight some of the main and fundamental aspects of that religion, as follows: -
- Islam firmly believes in the unity of creation of mankind
Islam clearly states that mankind has all been created from one couple, Adam and Eve, affirming the fact that there is no difference whatsoever between them, for they all have been created from the same substance, i.e. dust. For this reason, one of the well-established facts for Muslims is that people’s superiority in the Sight of Allah is based on their righteousness, not race, or ethnicity or color. (The Quran, 4:1)
- Islam approves differences among mankind
Another important maxim in the religion of Islam is that it firmly believes in the existence of differences among mankind. The Quran -Muslims’ first source of legislation- clearly states this fact; it tells that people are of different religions, colors, tongues, customs and traditions, etc. (The Quran, 30:22) Referring to the fact that not all people will have the same religion, the Quran states clearly that: “And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers?” (The Quran, 10:99) It even warns and stresses that people do not have the right to judge others’ beliefs and doctrines, a fact which is underlined in many of its verses. (The Quran, 22:17) It rather states that it is Allah, the Almighty, Alone Who has the Ultimate Right to judge His creation’s belief on the Day of Judgment, a point which actually renounces the misconception promulgated against Islam that it is a religion that calls for Takfir (declaring others’ disbelievers).
- Islam and the People of the Book
Islam never prevents its followers from having kind and good relationship with the People of the Book; it even allows them to eat from their lawful food and to marry from their women. (The Quran, 60:8) and (The Quran, 5:5) Yet it only allows Muslims to cut off relations with those warriors who fight against them, drive them out of their homes and support others to get them out of their homes. This actually makes sense, for how can one deal well with those who want to destroy him?!
- Even at times of war, Islam does not accept aggression
Islam is a religion that promotes peace and peaceful coexistence among all mankind, thus views the protection of the Muslim Ummah from any aggression as the principal reason behind waging any war against others, a fact which is crystal clear in the Quran. (The Quran, 2:190) It is thus clear that war in Islam is conducted for a noble motive, which is the removal of oppression and injustice. In other words, it is only waged against those who commit aggression against Muslims.
Yet even at times of wars, Islam proves no brutal religion; it obliges its followers to firmly abide by a number of ethics and principles not to be violated or broken under any reason or circumstance, as recorded in the following Hadith “when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him, sent out a raiding party (an army or expedition), he would say to them, 'Make your raids in the Name of Allah in the Cause of Allah. Fight whoever denies Allah. Do not steal from the booty, and do not act treacherously. Do not mutilate and do not kill children.' Say the same to your armies and raiding parties, Allah willing. Peace be upon you." (Muwatta’)
In conclusion, these points attempt to offer basic information about the religion of Islam, trying thereby to project its true image to people all over the world. We strongly stress that the religion of Islam carries, in the very sense of the word, a message of mercy and peace for all humanity, and that its ultimate objective is to foster peace, serenity, affection, kindness and mercy among all mankind, a fact which is crystal clear in (The Quran, 49:13)