[1] The deen (religion) of Islaam: It is the way of life that Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa salaam with. By it, Allah terminated the validity of all other religions, perfected this religion for His worshippers, completed His favor upon them and has chosen o­nly this religion for them – no other religion will be accepted by Him from anyone.

Allah The Most High said:

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets."[Sura al-Ahzaab 33:40]

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."[Sura al-Maa’idah 5:3]

“Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam."[Sura al-Imraan 3:19]

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be o­ne of the losers."[Sura al-Imraan 3:85]

And Allah The Most High obligated all of mankind to take Islaam as their religion. So Allah said, whilst addressing His Messenger sallallahu alaihi wa salaam:

“Say (O Muhammad ): “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He); It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad ), the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad ) who believes in Allah and His Words [(this Qur’an), the Tauraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and also Allah’s Word: “Be!” - and he was, i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary)], and follow him so that you may be guided."[Sura al-Araaf 7:158]

And in Sahih Muslim (1/93), from Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alaihi wa salaam said: “By Him in whose hand is the life of Muhammad! This is no o­ne from this nation, be he a jew or a christian, who hears of me and dies whilst not having eemaan (faith) in what I have been sent with, except that he will be o­ne of the companions of the Hellfire.”

And eemaam in the prophets implies: affirming that which he was sent with, along with acceptance of it and submission to it. Without these two matters, mere affirmation is not sufficient. This is why even though Abu Taalib (the prophet’s uncle) affirmed what was sent to the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salaam and that Islaam was the best of religions, yet he did not accept his message nor submit to it; and thus he did not have eemaan in the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salaam.

[2] The religion of Islaam contains all that was beneficial from the previous religions. It is suitable for implementation in any age, any where by any nation. Allah The Most High said whilst addressing His Messenger sallallahu alaihi wa salaam:

“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad ) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures).”
[Sura al- Maa’idah 5:48]

That Islaam is suitable for implementation in any age, any where by any nation does not mean that it becomes submissive to nations – being altered and changed by them – as some people falsely think. But rather it means that whenever it is truly adhered to then it brings benefit and goodness to that nation, as well as reforming and correcting it – in whatever age or place.

[3] The religion of Islaam is the religion of truth. It is the way of life that Allah The Most High guarenteed His help and victory for those who truly adhere to it, and that He would make it dominant over all other religions. Allah The Most High said:

“It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad ) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the o­neness of Allah) hate (it).” [Sura at-Tawbah 9:33]

And Allah The Most High said:

“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” [Sura an-Noor 24:55]

[4] The religion of Islaam is a complete religion comprising both aqeedah (beliefs) and sharee’ah (laws).

* It commands them with tawheed (to single out Allah alone for worship) and prohibits them from shirk (associating partners with Allah, in that which is particular to Him).
* It commands them with being truthful and prohibits them from lying.
* It commands them with adl (justice) and prohibits them from injustice and oppression.
* It commands them with fulfilling trust and prohibits them from acting treacherously.
* It commands them with keeping promises and prohibits them from breaking them.
* It commands them with kindness and good treatment of parents and prohibits them from disobedience to them in that which is not sinful.
* It commands them with joining the ties of relations and prohibits them from severing them.
* It commands them with good treatment of neighbours and prohibits the causing of harm to them.

In short, Islaam orders all that is good, from manners and morals, and prohibits all that is evil from it. Likewise, it orders all actions which are righteous and good prohibits all actions that are evil and harmful.

Allah The Most High said:

“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone - Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed.” [Sura an-Nahl 16:90]