(part 1 of 2)
Islam and Muslims
The word „Islam“ is an Arabic word that means „devotion to the will of God“. This word comes from the same root as the Arabic word „salam“, which means „peace“. As such, the religion of Islam teaches that one has to surrender to God and live according to His divine law in order to achieve true peace of mind and security in the heart. The most important truth that God has revealed to mankind is that there is nothing divine and nothing worthy of being worshiped except the Almighty God, so all men should surrender to Him.
The word „Muslim“ means someone who submits to God’s will regardless of race, nationality or ethnic background. Being a Muslim involves willing devotion and active obedience to God and living in accordance with His message. Some people mistakenly think that Islam is only a religion for Arabs, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are not only people around the world who have converted to Islam, especially in England, America and Germany; if you just take a look at the different races that live in the Muslim world – from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Morocco to Indonesia – you can easily see that Muslims come from all different races, ethnic groups, cultures and nationalities. It is also interesting that over 80% of all Muslims are not Arabs – there are more Muslims in Indonesia than in the entire Arab world! Although it is true that most Arabs are Muslims, the vast majority of Muslims are non-Arabs. Because everyone who surrenders completely to God and worships Him alone is a Muslim.
The consistency of the message
Islam is not a new religion because „surrendering to the will of God“, ie Islam, has always been the only religion accepted by God. For this reason, Islam is the true „natural“ religion, and it is the same eternal message that has been transmitted by all prophets and messengers of God in every age. Muslims believe that all of God’s prophets, including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, have brought the same message of pure monotheism. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad was not the founder of a New Religion, as many people mistakenly think, but the last Prophet of Islam. In revealing His last message to Muhammad, which is an eternal and universal message for all humanity, God finally fulfilled His covenant with Abraham,
Suffice it to say that the way of Islam is the same as the way of the prophet of Abraham, because both the Bible and the Quran portray Abraham as an outstanding example of someone who completely submits to God and adores Him without advocates. Once you become aware of this, it should be clear that Islam contains the most consistent and universal message of all religions, because all prophets and messengers were “Muslims”, ie those who surrendered to the will of God and preached “ Islam ”, that is, submission to the will of Almighty God.
The unity of God
The basis of Islamic belief is the belief in the unity of Almighty God – the God of Abraham, Noahs, Moses´ and Jesus´. Islam teaches that pure belief in One God is instilled in all people and corresponds to the natural disposition of the soul. As such, the Islamic concept of God is straightforward, clear, and easy to understand. Islam teaches that the heart, mind and soul of man are the appropriate containers for clear divine revelation, and that God’s revelations to man are not obscured by self-contradicting secrets or incomprehensible ideas. Islam therefore teaches that although God cannot be fully grasped and grasped by our limited mind, we do not expect
According to the teachings of Islam, God, the Almighty, is absolutely One, and in His unity no compromise should be made by putting any partner at His side – neither in worship nor in faith. That is why Muslims are required to maintain a direct connection to God and for this reason all mediators are absolutely forbidden. From an Islamic point of view, to believe in the unity of God means to do all worship and worship exclusively for God, and that He alone is entitled to such titles as „Lord“ and „Redeemer“. Some religions do not address their worship and prayers only to God alone, even though they pretend to believe only in „one God“. They also use the title „Lord“ for other beings who are not all-knowing, Almighty and Eternal – even according to their own scriptures. Suffice it to say that, according to Islam, it is not enough for people to believe that „God is one“, but they must also convert this belief into appropriate behavior.
In short, the Islamic concept of God, which is based entirely on Divine Revelation, says that there is no ambiguity in Divinity – God is God and man is man. Since God is the sole creator and continuous sustainer of the universe, He surpasses His creation – the Creator and His creation never mix. Islam teaches that God is a unique being and that he is free from gender and human weakness and is above everything human beings can imagine. The Quran teaches that the signs and evidence of God’s wisdom, power, and existence can be seen all around the world. Therefore God asks man to think about creation in order to get a better picture of his creator. Muslims believe that God loves Is merciful and gracious, and that He is concerned with people’s daily concerns. Here Islam draws a unique balance between false religious and philosophical extremes.
Some religions and philosophies only portray God as an impersonal „higher power“ that is no longer interested in the life of each individual. Other religions tend to attribute human qualities to God and teach that God is present in His creation, in someone or something reborn – or even in everything. In Islam, however, God taught mankind that he is „merciful“, „gracious“, „loving“ and the „answerer of prayers“. But He also strictly emphasized that „nothing is ever equal to Him“ and that He is exalted above time, space and His creation. Finally, it must be mentioned that Muslims worship the same God that Jews and Christians worship – because there is only one God. Unfortunately, some people think that Muslims worship a different god than Jews and Christians and that „Allah“ is only the „God of the Arabs“. This myth, which has been spread by the enemies of Islam, is completely wrong, because the word „Allah“ is simply the Arabic name for the Almighty God. The same word is used by Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians. However, it should be clearly stated that the concept of God by Muslims, even if they worship the same God as Jews and Christians, differs significantly from the beliefs of other religions – mainly because it is based on divine revelation.
(part 2 of 2)
The Quran
The Arabic word „Al-Quran“ literally means „the recitation“. When used with a view to Islam, the word Quran means God’s last message to humanity, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran, sometimes also called the Koran, is the pure Word of God – as he repeatedly emphasizes. Unlike other scriptures, the Quran has been fully preserved, both in its words and in its meaning as a living language. The Quran is an existing miracle in Arabic; he is known for being impenetrable in style, shape, and spiritual influence. God’s last revelation to man was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a 23-year period.
The Quran has always been viewed by those who believe in it as the Word of God, ie not something that was established by a religious council many years after it was written. The Quran was publicly recited to Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the Prophet’s lifetime. The entire Quran was also written down in full during the Prophet’s lifetime and memorized completely by numerous companions, word for word, as it was revealed. Unlike the other scriptures, the Quran has always been in the hands of ordinary believers; it was always regarded as God’s Word and because of the widespread memorization it was completely preserved.
As for the teachings of the Quran, it is a universal scripture that addresses all of humanity, not just a particular tribe or “chosen people”. The message he brings is nothing new, it is the same message of all prophets – to surrender to God Almighty and to serve Him alone. God’s revelation in the Quran teaches people as such the importance of believing in God’s unity and arranging their lives around the guidance He has sent us. In addition, the Quran contains stories from previous prophets such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus; as well as many instructions and prohibitions from God. In our modern times, where many people are caught up in doubts, spiritual hopelessness and „political correctness“, Quran teachings offer solutions to the emptiness of our lives and the turmoil that is shaking the world today. In short, the Quran is the book of guidance in general.
The Prophet Muhammad
Unlike the founders of many religions, the last prophet of Islam is an actually historically documented person. He lived in the full light of history and the smallest details of his life are known. The Muslims have not only preserved the full text of God’s words to Muhammad, but also his statements and teachings in the so-called “hadith” literature. With that said, it should be understood that the Prophet Muhammad was only a man chosen by God and that he was not a bit divine. To avoid being misled by the misled, the Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims to refer to him as „God’s Messenger and His Servant“. The message of the very last prophet of God was simply to teach that “there is nothing divine or worthy of worship except God, Almighty ”, and in being a living example of God’s revelation. In simple words: God sent Muhammad with the revelation, who taught, preached, lived after her and put it into practice.
In this way, Muhammad was more than just a “prophet” like many biblical prophets, because he was also a statesman and ruler. He was a man who lived a humble life to serve God, and he established an all-embracing religion and way of life by showing what it means to be an ideal friend, husband, teacher, ruler, commander, and judge be. For this reason, the Muslims do not follow him because of him, but out of obedience to God, because Muhammad not only showed us how to deal with our fellow human beings, but more importantly, he showed us how to turn to God and serve Him should; how we serve Him in the only way He pleases.
Like other prophets, Muhammad suffered great resistance and persecution during his mission. But he was always patient and just, and he treated his opponents well. The results of his mission were very successful, and although he started his mission in one of the most backward and remote places on earth, Islam had spread from Spain to China a hundred years after Muhammad’s death. The Prophet Muhammad was the greatest prophet of God, not because he had newer doctrines or greater miracles, but he was chosen to carry the last revelation that God directed to mankind; one that was suitable for all places, times and peoples, unchangeable until the last day.
The Islamic way of life
In the Holy Quran, God teaches people that they were created to serve Him and that the basis of all true worship is God consciousness. Since the teachings of Islam encompass all aspects of life and ethics, the importance of God consciousness in all human affairs is emphasized. Islam makes it clear that all human deeds are also acts of worship if they are done only for the sake of God and are in accordance with His divine law. Therefore, worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals.
The teachings of Islam are a grace and a healing for the human soul; good qualities such as humanity, sincerity, patience and charity are encouraged. Islam also condemns pride and complacency because God Almighty is the only judge of righteousness.
The Islamic view of human nature is both realistic and balanced. People are not considered sinful from birth, but are equally able to do good or evil.
Islam also teaches that faith and action must go hand in hand. God has given people free will, and his deeds serve as a measure of a person’s faith. But people have been created weak and commit sins again and again. This is one of the characteristics of the people that God created in His wisdom, and He is not „spoiled“ from birth or needs to be improved. For this reason, the gate of repentance is always open to all and God Almighty loves the repentant sinners more than those who do not sin at all.
The true balance of Islamic life consists of a healthy fear of God on the one hand and a sincere belief in His infinite grace on the other. A life without fear of God leads to sin and transgression, while the belief that we have sinned so much that God cannot possibly forgive us only leads to despair. Hence Islam teaches that only the misled despair of their Lord’s grace.
In addition, the Holy Quran, which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, contains a great deal of teaching about life in the afterlife and the day of judgment. For this reason, Muslims believe that all men are held accountable by God for their beliefs and deeds in their earthly lives. When He judges people, God Almighty will be merciful and just, and people will only be held accountable for what they were capable of.
Suffice it to say that Islam teaches that this life is a test and that all people are responsible before God. A sincere belief in life in the hereafter is the key to living a balanced and modest life. If you consider life itself as the end, it causes people to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral.
Islam for a better life
Islam teaches that true joy can only be achieved by living a life full of God consciousness and content with what God has given us. Furthermore, true freedom is the freedom not to be controlled by our basic human needs and not to be dominated by human-made ideologies. This forms a strong contrast to the view of many people in the modern world who understand “freedom” to mean that you can satisfy all of your desires without restriction. The clear and understandable leadership of Islam gives people a well-defined meaning and direction for life. In addition to being a member of the human brotherhood of Islam, its well-balanced and practical teachings are a source of spiritual comfort, guidance, and modesty.
In short, the Islamic way of life is pure and holistic. It builds self-discipline and self-control through regular prayer and fasting, and frees people from superstition and racial, ethnic and national prejudice. By accepting to live a God-conscious life and becoming aware that the only thing that distinguishes people from God is their consciousness from Him, the true dignity of the person is preserved.
Source: https://www.islamland.com/deu/articles/eine-kurze-einleitung-zum-islam