The Islamic creed can be proven by human
reason and it is on this basis that it must
be adopted. This creed is based on three
fundamental convictions, namely that,
1. The universe, life and human beings are
created by one Creator, who has all the
attributes of perfection. He does not resemble
His creation and is not comparable with
anyone or anything;
2. Prophethood is a necessity for humanity.
God sent messengers and prophets and the
last and the final messenger is Muhammad
(pbuh);
and
3. The Quran is a book revealed by Allah
consisting of only the words of the Creator
Himself.
Relation with other religions
God and in living God-centered lives. Thus, Islam
affirms the prophethood and great stature of all
these prophets.
However, throughout time the original message
was corrupted and innovations in religion
began. Therefore, prophets were sent one after
the other to call people back to the original
message. The prophet
Muhammad (pbuh)
is the last in
“The prophet
this chain. His
message is
Muhammad (pbuh)
final and is
is the last in this chain.
preserved
His message is final and
to the Day of
is preserved to the Day of
Judgement.
Judgement. It abrogates
It abrogates
all previous religions.”
all previous
religions.
islam 101
Get to know the basics about Islam: The
creed that over 2 billion people follow.
It is a common misunderstanding that Islam
began in the 7th Century with the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh), and that it is the ‘youngest of
the major religions’.
It is a common misunderstanding that
Islam began in the 7th Century with the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
In fact, Islam began with the first human, Adam,
who was also the first prophet. Key to this
understanding is the fact that all prophets –
Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus and others
– came with the same fundamental message;
that God is one, that He alone deserves to be
worshipped, and that the success of humanity
lies in the realisation of true knowledge about
The Islam Project is an organisation dedicated to
propagating Islam to the wider Australian community.
For more information, donations, or to help us in this
mission, contact us below:
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[email protected]
www.theislamproject.org.au
Learn more
about Islam
www.theislamproject.org.au
ISLAM 101
Meaning
The word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word which
linguistically means submission, and the root
word from which it is derived have meanings of
peace, security and certainty. As a term in its
common usage however, ‘Islam’ refers to the
message which was revealed
to the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) by
“‘Islam’
God. In turn, a Muslim
is an Arabic
is the one who adopts
word which
Islam as their way of
linguistically
life.
means
submission”
The linguistic and
conventional meanings
go hand in hand, in so far
as the basic concept is that
by submitting to the Will of God – in the way
shown by His Prophet (pbuh) – the human being
achieves peace, contentment and salvation.
Foundation
Islam is founded on a comprehensive concept
- that this world and all of its components are
created by one Creator. This Creator is not
passive. Rather He has an active role in the lives
of the people and in the world at large.
Islam is founded on a comprehensive
concept - that this world and all of its
components are created by one Creator.
He, in His infinite knowledge and mercy, sent
guidance in the form of rules, principles and
ethics for humanity
to follow and
achieve the
potential for
which they were
created.
“He, in
His infinite
knowledge and
mercy, sent guidance
in the form of rules,
principles and ethics for
humanity to follow and
achieve the potential
for which they were
created.”
However, He does
not force the people
to follow these rules.
He allows them to
choose. But He holds them
accountable for their choices. He will reward
those who choose to follow his decreed way
of life and will punish the ones who reject the
message.
More than a ‘religion’
Islam is not like Christianity or Buddhism with
only theological and moral precepts. More than
just a religion, it is a unique ideology with its
own creed and worldview with a system of rules,
principles, and law.
Islam is not like Christianity or
Buddhism with only theological and
moral precepts. More than just a
religion, it is a unique ideology with its
own creed and worldview with a system
of rules, principles, and law.
This system is comprehensive in that it
covers all aspects of human life, including the
individual and societal, spiritual and political.
It provides guidance on the most intimate of
spiritual matters such as the state with one’s
heart and achieving proximity with the Divine, as
well as on the most public such as the state of
human societies in their economic and political
framework.
Modern framework
Islam provides a clear agenda for humanity
to solve its problems and organise itself in
a manner that would bring tranquility and
progress without leading to perversions or
conflicts.
One of the fundamental points that sets Islam
apart from secular liberal ideology, as applied in
the West, is the latter’s position that the Creator
or God should not have any role in the process of
conducting the affairs of the people.
Man made systems are ultimately flawed as
those that create them hold limited knowledge,
are easily influenced by the environment and are
liable to disparity and contradictions.
The question remains; Who better understands
the condition of a people and a system that
would best serve society, than the One who
created us?
Creed
The Islamic creed encompasses
ideas or thoughts which
“The
are unique to Islam. The
conviction
in
conviction in such ideas
such ideas is a
is a prerequisite to
prerequisite to
becoming a Muslim. The
becoming a
Islamic creed is absolute
as the reality itself is
Muslim.”
absolute. Thus, there is
no room for indecisiveness or
uncertainty in its ideas or thoughts. Certainty
of understanding is required when adopting
this Islamic creed. It should not be adopted on
the basis of blind imitation, emotions or as a
reactionary belief.