The Religion’s Name

The word "Islam" in relation to other religions

The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word " Islam " is meaningless. The Arabic word "Islam" means submission or surrender to the will of one of the only true God , known in Arabic as "Allah" . Whoever submits his will to God is called in Arabic a "Muslim " . The religion of Islam is not named after a person or a people , and not decided by a later generation of man, as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ , Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius , 

Marxism after Karl Marx , Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam ( submission to God ) is the religion which was given to Adam , the first man and the first prophet of God, and this is the religion of all the prophets sent by God to mankind . Moreover, its name was chosen by God Himself and clearly mentioned in the final scripture which He revealed to man. In this final revelation , called in Arabic the Qur'an Allah says :

" ... This day have I perfected your religion for you , completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion ... " (Quran 5:03 )

" If anyone desires a religion other than Islam ( submission to God ) , never accept it . " (Quran 3:85 )

Therefore , Islam does not purport to be a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the seventh century , but rather to be a re- expression in its final form of the true religion of Almighty God , Allah, as revealed Adam and subsequent prophets.
At this point we might comment briefly on two other religions that claim to be the true path. Nowhere in the Bible to find God revealing to Prophet Moses' people or their descendants that their religion is called Judaism, or the followers of Christ that their religion is called Christianity. In other words , the names " Judaism " and " Christianity " had no divine origin or approval. It was not until long after his departure, the name was given Christianity the religion of Jesus .
 
So what was the religion of Jesus , in fact , contrary to its name ? Religion is reflected in his teachings , he urged his followers to accept as guiding principles in their relationship with God. In Islam , Jesus is a prophet sent by Allah and his Arabic name is Issa . Like the prophets before him , he called the people to surrender their will to the will of God ( which is what Islam means ) . For example , in the New Testament says that Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God as follows :

" Our Father who art in heaven , hallowed be thy name, thy will be done on earth as in heaven . " (Luke 1:02 1 / Matthew 6:9-10 )

This concept was emphasized by Jesus in a series of statements recorded in the Gospels . Taught , for example, that only those who presented inherit paradise .

"None of those who call me ' Lord ' will enter the kingdom of God , but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven . " (Matthew 7:21)

Jesus also said that it is subject to the will of God.

" I can do nothing of myself. Judge only as I hear , and my judgment is honest because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me . " ( John 5:30 )

There are many reports in the Gospels which show that Jesus made it clear to his disciples that he was not the one true God. For example , when talking about the last time I said :

"No one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . " (Mark 13:32)

So Jesus, like the prophets before him and came after him, taught the religion of Islam : submission to the will of the one true God.