Religion of Islam
Religion of Islam
Islammeans submitting to Allaah by affirming that He is One (Tawheed) and submitting to Him by obeying Him and disavowing shirk and its people.
Allaah The Almighty says:
{Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam.}[Aal-‘Imraan: 19]
He The Almighty also says:
{And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.}[Aal-‘Imraan: 85]
All of the Prophets, peace be upon them all, come with such general meaning of Islam. Allaah The Almighty says on the behalf of Nooh (Noah), peace be upon him:
{And if you turn away [from my advice] then no payment have I asked of you. My reward is only from Allaah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims."} [Yoonus: 72]
He The Almighty also says:
{And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], "O my sons, indeed Allaah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims."}[Al-Baqarah: 132]
He The Almighty also says:
{But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allaah?" The disciples said," We are supporters for Allaah. We have believed in Allaah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].}[Aal-‘Imraan: 52]
It was narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The Prophets are like brothers from one father, their mothers are different but their religion is one.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari]
It has three degrees:
Firstly: Islam in its specific meaning.
Secondly: Eemaan (faith) and includes the inward deeds.
Thirdly: Ihsaan (Perfection of Worship)
If such three degrees (Islam, Eemaan and Ihsaan) are mentioned together in a text of the Book of Allaah The Almighty and Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him, then everyone of them has its specific meaning. Islam will then refer to the outward deeds; Eemaan will refer to the unseen matters while Ihsaan will refer to the highest degree of the religion. However, if Islam is mentioned with its own (i.e. not accompanied by Eemaan or Ihsaan) in a text, then it will include Eemaan, if Eemaan is mentioned with its own, then it will include Islam and if Ihsaan is mentioned alone, then it will include Islam and Eemaan.
