Is Islam Actually A Religion ?

This blog discusses the religious perspective and belief of Islam. Hence, the topic is called "Is Islam Actually A Religion "

Every creation has a beginning. And by the beginning, we mean the day it was created. As the whole living existence has a beginning, we can agree that It has a creator. But who is that creator? Humans address the creator as GOD. The Supreme, The Lord, The Almighty, The All-Knowing. 

God And Religion

Humans worship GOD. But there is a catch. There are different belief about GOD. Some people say there is one and only GOD, and some say there are multiple GODS. Some others believe in naturalism, and some deny the concept of GOD.

With different belief comes different religions. Today, there are over 4000 religions around the world. Some big religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Atheism and other Ethnic religions. 

We cannot discuss every religion, but from my observation today, I'll speak about Islam.

Beginning of Islam

According to other religions, Islam was found around 1400 years ago. But the Muslims (Believers of Islam) claim that Islam has been in existence from the beginning. Let's see why..... 

The meaning of Islam is submission. So Islam means the submission towards GOD's will. And from the beginning of the human race, Humans have led life by submitting their will to GOD. The word Muslim means the person who submits his/her will to GOD. So According to the Muslims, if a person submits his/her will to GOD for eternal happiness is called a Muslim. 

God In Islam

Now the big question, who does the Muslims Submitting their will? 

Muslims submit their will to Allah. Now, here is a big misconception among other religions about Islam around the world. They think Allah is the name of the entity Muslims worship. Like Jesus in Christianity, Vishnu or Brahma in Hinduism ; Allah is not a name of GOD. Allah is a joint word for Al Ilah. Al Ilah means The GOD. So Allah is the Arabic term of The GOD. Then what is God's actual name. GOD didn't share his name, but in Quran GOD has 99 virtuous names. According to the Muslims, GOD is nor a man nor a woman. In fact, he is not a human being.

How does Muslim's claim this statement? We'll get the answer later. Muslims believe that GOD sent 104 Revelations of Book of Heaven. Among this 104 revelation the 4 Great ones are Tawrat (Torah), Zabur (Psalm), Injeel (Gospel) and Quran. These 4 books came into the world in different Era's for different civilization. These books were assigned accordingly 

1. Torah - Prophet Musa (Moses/Moshae) PBUH

2. Psalm - Prophet Dawood (David) PBUH

3. Gospel - Prophet ISA (Jesus/Yeshu) PBUH

4. Quran - Prophet Mohammed PBUH

Torah and Psalm were assigned for the people of Israel. Gospel was assigned for Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth. And finally the final and complete revelation Quran was assigned for the whole world as GOD shared his final words with humankind. 2 of the Prophets (Moses PBUH and Mohammed PBUH)  wanted to see GOD. According to Islamic Studies, GOD is behind 70,000 Veils. When Prophet Moses PBUH wanted to Meet GOD, GOD unveiled his first veil. Prophet Moses PBUH collapsed to the ground and lost his consciousness. When he regained consciousness and his disciples inquired, he replied 'Noor (Light)'. Prophet Mohammed PBUH also claimed about this. 

Prophet

What does prophet mean? Prophet is a person who can prophesy or foretell the future. So to qualify as a prophet, a person has to have the knowledge about future. A future which is inevitable, a future which discuss the end of the existence. A future which leads people to Gods path.

Does Prophet Mohammed PBUH Qualify as Prophet?

Prophet Mohammed PBUH was born in the year 570 in Mecca. In the year 610, Prophet Mohammed PBUH met Angel Gabriel for the first time. Angel Gabriel brought and revealed the beginning verses of the Quran to Prophet Mohammed PBUH. Prophet Mohammad couldn’t read or write. So he had to memorize what Angel Gabriel would recite to him. And later Prophet Mohammed PBUH had to share them with the sahabis (companions) and they would write the verses exactly what were told by Prophet Mohammed PBUH. In the meantime Prophet Mohammed PBUH was shown the future of mankind in dreams as prophecies. Later on, he shared those prophecies to his companions. Now the question is, Does Mohammed PBUH qualify for the title Prophet?

The answer is absolutely. Because among his prophecies most of them has been proven and how the world is now following a trail, the rest are sure to happen as well. And the prophecies were told 1400 years ago.

Is Islam Actually A Religion ?

The main discussion of the blog, Is Islam actually a religion? 

According to Muslims, Islam is not a religion. It is a way of life or lifestyle. Think of a person who goes to gym. He has to follow a lifestyle so that he can stay in shape. Like maintaining diet, sleep routine, workout routine etc. 

Same goes for Islam. Let's break it down.

1. Belief: A simple belief, There is a supreme entity (GOD) who created everything and everyone, who is only one to be worshiped, and the prophets are the messengers of GOD.

2. Worship Method: Muslims prayer is called Salat/Salah. A 4-step method to pray to GOD where you have to leave all your thoughts of the world and blank your mind to connect with GOD. Scientifically, this worship method was addressed as a healthy method for human body and mind.

3. Guideline: Quran is like an instruction manual. Everything is elaborated in it, like how to survive in the world and how to prevent a bad afterlife.

4. Diet: Islam forces a person to have a healthy diet and prohibits everything that is harmful for health like Alcohol, Pork etc. Islam says to eat less and stay in shape. According to Islam, GOD hates obesity.

5. Medical Treatment: Islam has some unique and scientific treatments which keeps a person healthy and safe. One of the most renowned treatments in Islam is Hijama. 

6. Hygiene: Islam strongly recommends hygiene. Like taking shower every day, Doing wadu (cleansing) minimum 5 times a day before prayer. 

7. Skincare: Islam encourages having a decent skincare and manicure. The skincare method were taught by Prophet Mohammed, PBUH. 

8. Ethics and Morality: Islam teaches people how to treat other people. It teaches people about social responsibility. It teaches giving everyone the respect they deserve in the name of GOD.

9. Good and Bad Deeds: According to Islam, If a person does good deeds then he will be rewarded a place of Paradise so he does good deeds. But if a person commit crime like stealing, lying, killing, badmouthing etc. he will face the wrath of Hell. This fear makes a person stop from doing bad deeds.

10. Modesty: Islam encourages people to hold modesty. Like covering yourself up not with just cloths but also with manners and personality. Islam strongly encourages holding modesty because of Evil Eye. Hijab protects a person from Evil Eye. Not only Women but also Men have hijab. 

11. Occupation: Islam strongly prohibits occupations which are injustice and harmful for other people. Every human has to do work which doesn’t affect other people's affairs. 

12. Economy: Islam strongly encourages maintaining money flow. Specially for the rich people. They must have to give charity/donations/Zakat to the needy and poor people. So that there cannot be much difference between the poor and rich. 

13. Knowledge: The most important thing Islam tells people is to seek knowledge. It is told that, The person who seeks knowledge is dearest to GOD.

14. Sleep Routine: Islam forces a person to wake up before sun rise and to pray. Islam also tells people to go to bed very early to get a full recovery sleep. This sleep routine can provide 12+ hours of sleep in 8 hours.

Islam also has some things like warfare and other stuffs. Interestingly, In Islam, you cannot call out a war in offense. You can just defend your land, your family and friend and your belief and dignity. So the people who are oppressing in the name of Islam are frauds. 

Conclusion

Anyone who rejects any one of these parts is not a part of this lifestyle.

Islam also condemns the 7 deadly sins which are Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Lust, Greed and Wrath. Those who are involved in these will have to face the Hellfire. 

Islam might be considered as a religion, but it definitely is a way of life or lifestyle. 

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