SUBMISSION TO GOD'S WILL

Many people think that Islam means "peace" so Muslims do not go to wars. And many others think that Islam is about "terror" so some of them attack innocent people with bombs.

The truth is Islam is about neither "peace" nor "terror". Islam means "submission to God's Will". The one who submits his / her self to God's will is a "Muslim".

The word "Islam" derived from the Arabic verb "aslama" which means "to submit", "to surrender" or "resign oneself". The word "aslama" appears in the Quran where Allah, Glorified be He, tells Abraham (pbuh) to submit his will to Him:

131. Behold! his Lord said to him (Abraham): "Submit (thy will to Me):" He said: "I submit (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe."

132. And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; "Oh my sons! Allah has chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam."

133. Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob? Behold, he said to his sons: "What will ye worship after me (I died)?" They said: "We shall worship Thy God and the God of thy fathers, of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac,- the one (True) God. To Him we submit."
[ Quran 2:131-133]

God says in the Quran that all creatures and the whole universe are bound to Him and submit to His Will by their inherent nature:

83. Do they seek for other than the Religion of God.-while all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willingly or unwillingly, submitted to His Will (Accepted Islam), and to Him they shall all be brought back. [Quran 3:83]

THE RELIGION OF PEACE

Islam has another meaning which is "peace". It derived from the Arabic word "Salaam" which means peace.

The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines peace as such:

Simple definition of peace:

1. A state in which there is no war or fighting
2. An agreement to end a war
3. A period of time when there is no war or fighting

Full Definition of peace:

1. A state of tranquillity or quiet: as
a :  freedom from civil disturbance
b :  a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom.

2. Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

3. Harmony in personal relations

4. a : state or period of mutual concord between governments
b :  a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

5. Used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

Islam is all the full definition of peace.
It provides us a state of tranquillity by freeing us from civil disturbance and a state of security and order provided by its laws and customs.

59. "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Quran 33:59]

The Quran frees us from upsetting and oppressive thoughts and emotions because its teachings give us glad tidings and the assurance of the Hereafter in the belief of the One true Lord.

 277. Those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [Quran 2:277]

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us harmony in personal relations among the Muslims.

He said:

"A true Muslim is that person from whose hands and tongue others are safe."

“No one of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

The believers, in their mutual mercy, love and compassion, are like a (single) body; if one part of it feels pain, the rest of the body will join it in staying awake and suffering fever.”

 And Allah says:

“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (Quran), and be not divided among yourselves”
[Quran 3:101]

These Words of God “and be not divided among yourselves” enjoin unity and harmony and forbid division.

Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Allah likes three things for you and He dislikes three things for you. He likes you to worship Him (alone) and not associate anything with Him; to hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves; and to be sincere to the one who Allah has appointed over you. And He dislikes for you three things: gossip, asking too much and squandering wealth.”

God says:

105. And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs (Quran) had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment”
[Quran 3:104, 105]

Islam agrees to end hostilities with those who give guarantees of peace.

90. "Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them)."
[Quran 4:90]

Muslims use the word "Salaam" in their greetings. Salaam means peace.

A Muslim will not speak the name of any Prophet without respectfully adding the words “may peace be upon him”.

Muslims also use Salaam to greet each other. The expression "As salaamu alaikum" mean "Peace be unto you". This greeting is universally comprehensive. It comprises the remembrance of God, it portrays the relationship of one Muslim to another, it is a perfect prayer and it also assures that you are safe from the evils of my hands and tongue.

The Prophet said:

"You will not enter Paradise until you believe and your belief will not be perfect until you love one another. Should I not indicate something to you, if you adhere to it, it would develop love among you? Observe widespread Salaam".

"When a person enters his house, he should offer Salaam unto the people of the household as this entails blessings for him as well as the people of the household"

Islam is the religion of peace because it brings people to worship the One true Lord Who created them and saves them from worshipping others such as humans, prophets, priests, animals, statues, images etc.etc.

Thus a Muslim does not have to bow to anyone or anything except his Creator and he finds his inner peace in that state.

It is the religion of peace because it gives security to mankind with its Divine Laws. Without security and stability, a human being is not able to properly conduct his daily life so how will he find peace?

It secures the welfare of humanity in this world and the next by establishing a righteous society.  This is a society that worships God and flourishes on the Earth, one that wields the forces of nature to build a civilization wherein every human being can live in a climate of peace, justice and security.  This is a civilization that allows a person to fulfill his every spiritual, intellectual, and material need and cultivate every aspect of his being.  This supreme objective is expressed by the Quran in many places.  God says:

“We have sent our Messengers with clear signs and have sent down with them the book and the criterion so that man can establish justice.  And we sent down iron of great strength and many benefits for man...” (Quran 57:25)

And He says:

“God commands justice, righteousness, and spending on ones relatives, and prohibits licentiousness, wrongdoing, and injustice…” (Quran 16:90)

The Law of Islam was sent down to  Muhammad, (peace be upon him), in its complete form as part of His final message to humanity.  Islamic Law pays the most careful attention to this matter and provides a complete legal system.  It takes into consideration the changing circumstances of society as well as the constancy and permanence of human nature.  Consequently, it contains comprehensive principles and general rules suitable for dealing with all the problems and circumstances that life may bring in any time or place.  Likewise, it has set down immutable punishments for certain crimes that are not affected by changing conditions and circumstances.  In this way, Islamic Law combines between stability, flexibility, and firmness.

The Islamic penal system is aimed at preserving five universal necessities.  To preserve life, it prescribes the law of retribution.  To preserve religion, it prescribes the punishment for apostasy.  To preserve reason, it prescribes the punishment for drinking.  To preserve lineage, it prescribes the punishment for fornication.  To preserve wealth, it prescribes the punishment for theft.  To protect all of them, it prescribes the punishment for highway robbery.

Atheists and the Disbelievers will tell you that "all religions" advocate for Law while God advocates for Love so give up Religion and believe in only God instead and do what you like. These are people without knowledge who have gone astray and fooled by the Enemy of God.

The truth is God loves us and is Most Compassionate towards us and that is why He sent down Islam, His Last Prophet and the Quran that confirms the Torah and the Gospel in order to benefit us, not to cause us distress.

He says:

“God wants to make things clear for you and to guide you to the ways of those before you and to forgive you.  God is the All knowing, the Wise.  God wants to forgive you and wants those who follow their desires to turn wholeheartedly towards (what is right: Islam). God wants to lighten your burdens, and He has created man weak.” (Quran 4:26-28)

God wants to forgive our sins through the punishments in this world and lighten our burden of evil deeds in the Hereafter if we sincerely repent and amend our sinful ways.

And He says:

“…God wants ease for you, not hardship...” (Quran 2:185)

Allah, Glorified be He, sent Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a mercy for all creatures:

 "Verily in this (Quran) is a Message for people who would truly worship Allah. We sent thee (O Muhammad) not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.."   [Qur'an 21:106-107.]

SO WHAT DOES ISLAM HAVE TO DO WITH WAR?

THE LORD SHALL GO AS "A MIGHTY MAN OF WAR"

"The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies."   [Bible -- Isaiah 42:13]

In the Old Testament, God often speaks "I" will do this, or "I" have done this; whereas, He has chosen human beings to do these jobs on His behalf. (e.g. Deut. 32:39ff and 2 Samuel 12:12).

Prophet Muhammad went forth as "a mighty man of war" against the Pagan Arabs, the enemies of  The Lord. He stirred up jealousy among the most influential and dominating Pagan tribe in Arabia. With a war cry and roar of  "Allahu Akbar" ("God is the Greatest"), the Prophet of Islam prevailed upon the enemies of Lord - the idolaters. No doubt, Islam was spread with a "war cry", but that was not a cry of a man seeking personal power. It was a cry of the Lord, who no longer wanted to hold HIS PEACE against HIS ENEMIES. After the victory, Allah bestowed HIS FAVOR upon mankind and gave the Message of  "TRUE PEACE" - Islam.

Once a person whole heartedly submits himself or herself to Allah (become a Muslim), the "True Peace" from Allah is bound to enter his or her body, mind and soul. The relationship of that individual with Allah is now direct, having no Church or Papal Authority acting as a vicar or an intermediary.

The prophets that came before Muhammad had all tried with peaceful missions. Yes, Jesus (peace be upon him) tried with peaceful missions BUT what happened to his true teachings (the original Gospels) and the early Christians in the end???

The Disbelievers plotted to kill Jesus (pbuh) just like they killed the Messengers who came before him but the Almighty God saved Jesus for an important mission. After Jesus' ascension the Roman rulers, the corrupt priests and the Jews persecuted the true peaceful followers of Jesus (pbuh). They considered them as heretics and falsely accused them of all kinds of horrible crimes!!

These early Christians were afraid for their lives and practised their religion secretly for whomever from among them were caught, they were tortured, executed, put to sword or stoned to death. They were not only socially outcast but also seen as uncivilised cult! This continues even to this day in different forms.

Information about the persecution against the early followers of Jesus (pbuh) can be found in the book called "al-Faşl" written by Ibn Hazm and also in some of the original texts of the early Christian memoirs.

Regarding the Scriptures: Torah and Gospels.

People fell victims to anti-religious forces of the Jewish schemes and tempered with the true teachings of the Messengers and the original Torah and the original Gospels have been lost and destroyed long ago.

God does not want this to happen to His Last Revelation, His Last Messenger and His Final and Completed Religion.

Therefore, He instructed Muslims to fight against the Disbelievers and persecutors and to spread His Religion by the sword and make it prevail over all religion.

75. "And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!"

76. Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith fight in the cause of Evil: So fight you against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.
[Quran 4:75-76]

"Their intention is to extinguish God's Light (Islam) by blowing with their mouths (slandering): but God will complete His Light (His Religion), even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).

It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with Guidance (Quran) and the Religion of Truth (Islam). That He make it prevail over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it)." [Quran 61:8-9]

The concept of associating others with God continued to surface again and again, in one way or other. It was with the war cry, through the descendants of Kedar (Arabs), these sinful practices were destroyed and devoured, inside and outside of Arabia. The spread of Islam was swift, wide spread and at once.

ISLAM TURNS THE DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

"And I will bring the blind by a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things I will do unto them, and not forsake them."
[Bible -- Isaiah Chapter 42, Verse 16.]

Do you believe in One God? Do you submit your self to the One True Lord? Then Islam is the religion for you. Do not hesitate. Become Muslim.

18. "There is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

19. The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.

20. So if they dispute with thee (O Muhammad), say: "I have submitted My whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, your duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants."

May God guide us all to the truth.

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