Understanding ISLAM

All praise is surely due to Allah Most High. We praise Him, seek aid ONLY from Him, seek forgiveness ONLY from him and seek guidance from Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and the wicked among our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray and whoever Allah decrees to go astray, non can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (pbuh) is his slave and messenger.

The Arabic word "Islam" means peace, submission, and obedience. The religion of Islam consists of the complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of ALLAH as revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam), The deen (religion) of Islaam: It is the way of life that Allaah sent the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam with. By it, Allaah terminated the validity of all other religions, perfected this religion for His worshippers, completed His favour upon them and has chosen only this religion for them - no other religion will be accepted by Him from anyone. Allaah - the Most High - said:

"Muhammad is not the father of any man amongst you. Rather he is the Messenger of Allaah and the khaatim (last and final) of the Prophets." [Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:40].

"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [Soorah al-Maaidah 5:3].

"Indeed the religion with Allaah is Islaam." [Soorah Aal-'lmraan 3:19].

"Whosoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, never will it be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Soorah Aal-'Imraan 3:85].

And Allaah - the Most High - obligated all of mankind to take Islaam as their religion. So Allaah said, whilst addressing His Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam

"Say: O mankind! Indeed I have been sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah; to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped except Him; it is He who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allaah and His Messenger - the Prophet who can neither read nor write - who believes in Allaah and His Words. So follow the Messenger of Allaah so that you may be rightly-guided." [Soorah al-A'raaf 7:158].