The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.” … Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah. Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but mankind has free will.
A Muslim is a person who follows or practices Islam. The word “Muslim” derives from Arabic and means “submitter”. Muslims recognizes the Quran, their Holy Book, to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to the Islamic prophet and messenger Muhammad.
A HISTORY OF GOD
We should try to grasp the understanding that Allah (i.e. God) is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and incomprehensible, physically. He exists today as He has always existed; prior to creating anything. There is no change in Him or His existence because He is Perfect. Perfection doesn’t require change because it’s not flawed. Because He is not flawed, He doesn’t make mistakes, whether this be in choice or creation.
Any description of Allah (God) has to be understood in an anthropomorphic and/or anthropopathic sort of way. He created everything that is physical, metaphysical, exoteric and esoteric. So, it’s not plausible for Him to possess attributes of things that He created for us. He existed before them. We can only understand God’s attributes metaphorically.
Because of this, some question the existence of Allah (i.e. God). So, let’s start here to begin our journey for discovery and elucidation.
Who is Allah (i.e. God) in Islam?
Here is a more detailed exposition of Allah (i.e. God), that’s not so concise. It’s a introspection that Muslims (and many non-Muslims) contemplate over regarding their spiritual awakening.
Shortly after the Angel Jabriel (i.e. Gabriel) gave the final Revelation to the Prophet Muhammad, a few of his people heard God’s word and immediately accepted it without hesitation. These early converts started to be persecuted shortly afterwards. When this persecution began to become severe and life threatening, the Prophet sent them away, for their own safety…disregarding his own. They were sent to Ethiopia (viz. then known as Abyssinia).
Although this is a scene from a movie, it is understood that this is a proper reenactment of that event. This narration is an accurate depiction of the recorded anecdote. Along with the telling of this story, it should be pointed out that this is the Muslim’s perspective of Allah’s (i.e. God’s) Oneness (without partnership), as well as how we understand Jesus. It also shows how the early Christians understood them as well. *(To see the full length movie, “The Message…The Story of Islam”, go to the “Islamic Studies 101” page)*
Who was the Prophet Muhammad? “Muhammad, in full Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim (born 570, Mecca, Arabia [now in Saudi Arabia]—died June 8, 632, Medina). He was the founder of the religion (not the spiritual idea or concept) of Islam, which is accepted by Muslims throughout the world today. He was also the last of God’s prophets.” *Encyclopedia Britannica; *PBS-Profile
- This is a summary/outline of “The Life of Prophet Muhammad“. Every Muslim should have a general knowledge of his life. (Tap the highlighted link)
The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Pt. 1 of 3)
The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Pt. 2 of 3)
The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Pt. 3 of 3)
This is the scriptural perspective of God, in the Major Religions, as elucidated by Dr. Zakir Naik. There is no extraneous ideological input that is interpolated within his dissertation. What he is simply trying to convey here is nothing more than what each religious text book actually says about “GOD”.
Now that we have explored the historical teachings regarding the inception of Islam, Allah, and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Islamic Studies page will explain in more detail the fundamental beliefs and practices within the religion of Islam.
We here at Interfaith Library created this library to open dialogue, to be informative, educational and interactive; allowing for everyone to have an opportunity to grow within his/her belief/faith.
- [Imam Mekye Abdus Salaam: Muslim Librarian]
- [Shaikh ‘Aziz Nathoo: Muslim Librarian]