Beliefs of Islam

Like Hebrew, Arabic has a consonant base root system. The Arabic root “slm”, from which the word Islam is derived, means submission and peace. It yields three important terms among many: Islam, Muslim and Salam. The word Islam literally means “submission to God”.

A Muslim is one who submits. One who seeks to realize God’s will in history, both as an individual and as a member of a worldwide community. The word Salam is the common greeting that Muslims engage in.

Muslims believe that God has given the Earth as a trust to humankind. Thus, they see themselves as God’s representatives, with the divinely mandated vocation to establish and spread God’s religion on Earth. It is on the basis of how one realizes God’s will in history that a person would be rewarded or punished. Muslims see their religion as a transnational community of believers, which should seek to spread the faith and the institutionalized Islamic order.

Children of Abraham

Islam belongs to the family of great monotheistic faiths, the children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, grown old and childless, told Abraham to have a child with Hagar, her servant. Abraham and Hagar had a son, Ismael. Subsequently, to their astonishment, Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to Isaac.

Sarah thought her son Isaac would be overshadowed by Ismael, who was the firstborn son. Ismael would receive the inheritance as the senior male in the family. Sarah convinced Abraham to send Hagar and Ismael away. Thus, Hagar and Ismael made their way to Arabia.

Jews and Christians trace their genealogy to Abraham, through Sarah and her son Isaac. Muslims represent the other branch of the Abrahamic family. The family which descends from Abraham’s son, Ismael.

While significant differences exist, all the children of Abraham share a profound monotheism. A belief in the one transcending God. Creator, sustainor and ruler of the universe. This belief provides answers to the ultimate existential questions. Who am I? Why am I here? What should I be doing? Why does it matter if I am moral or immoral?

All three faiths traditionally affirm a belief in angels, Satan, prophets, revelation, moral accountability, divine judgement, reward and punishment, heaven and hell. Thus, for Muslims, Islam is the fulfilment and completion of God’s earlier revelations to the biblical prophets of Judaism and Christianity. Indeed, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mary are central in Muslim scripture and popular piety.

A Global Community

From the creation of the first Muslim community in 7th century Arabia to contemporary times, Muslims had debated and sought to implement God’s will in the personal as well as in public life. In their families as well as in States and societies. Thus, to be a Muslim was not simply to belong to a faith community or church, but to live in an Islamic community-State, governed by Islamic law. Many Muslims see their religion as much more than a personal faith.

Religious doctrines, laws and practices result not only from sacred texts, but also from limited human interpreters, who’s conclusions reflect their intelligence, political and social context and customs. In Islam, as in Judaism and Christianity, the word of God has been mediated through the words of human beings. Religious traditions, beliefs, laws and practices are the product of sacred texts and human interpreters.

While all Muslims believe in God, the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad; there is a rich diversity of interpretation and cultural practice. Islamic doctrines and laws developed in response to political and social questions and issues. The development of theology and politics is closely intertwined in Islam.