Pervez Mohsin

Understanding a Few Concepts in Islam Pervez Mohsin

What do we mean, when we say Islam? Who are the Muslims? Islam is a way that over 1.3 billion people in the world* have adopted, to reach a particular destiny: the peace here and a peaceful hereafter. The term Islam has the word S-L-M at its roots, signifying peace and submission. Thus a Muslim attains peace and serenity physically, psychologically, and spiritually by submitting to the will of God instead of one's own impulse and worldly compulsions. It is this concept of submission only to the God that frees one from internal and external conflicts and chaos. Islam means submission to the will of One God - the God referred in Arabic as Allah, the word originated by Arabic words - Al (the) & Ilah (God), thus Allah The God. The peace that is supposed to flow from this submission, establishes a calm in one's self and one's surroundings. The word Muslim means the one who submits to the will of Allah. A Muslim submits to Allah, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the God of Mercy, who sent the prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (p.b.u.t.'), earlier and prophet Muhammad (S) as the last messenger. By acknowledging and professing the Oneness of God and the prophet-hood of prophet Muhammad (S) without any compulsion, one basically becomes a Muslim. Being, faithful however, depends on the individual efforts to improve oneself; it is the matter of spiritual and intellectual advancement. A Muslim is supposed to fulfill the purpose of his/her creation as a human being by following Islam. Islam is a comprehensive system that leads Muslims to a completely fulfilled life as human beings, and thus leads them to attain a peaceful destiny. For example, as Islam is concerned with individual as well as collective well being of human societies, therefore, among other things, learning and seeking knowledge is especially emphasized in Islam, because it increases individual and collective awareness, comprehension, and faith. As a process of spiritual advancement, and