Foundations of Islam

Introduction

Islam is the religion that agrees with the natural disposition of man. It urges Muslims to ask about things incomprehensible to them through consultation of competent authorities. In Islam there are no obscure or mysterious things; it allows us to ask about everything. Allah says, "So ask the people of the knowledge if you know not." (16:43)

This article presents three foundational topics that form the bedrock of Islamic understanding: the uncompromising monotheism at its core, the principal goals it seeks to preserve, and the distinguishing qualities that set it apart as the final, universal, and divinely protected way of life.

1. Monotheism in Islam

Islam, like other divine religions, advocates precepts and beliefs that Allah has required its followers to believe and propagate, but coercion is not a valid means to achieve this end. Allah says:

"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right (Path of) Guidance has become distinct from the wrong path." (2:256)

Islam commands its adherents to propagate the religion in a good and fair manner. Allah says:

"Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better." (16:125)

It is a fundamental principle that a person must be convinced before declaring their acceptance of Islam; for if they do so out of compulsion, their speech and outer actions will be incongruent with their belief, and this is defined as hypocrisy in Islam. Islam has warned sternly against hypocrisy and regards it as a sin greater than mere disbelief. Allah says:

"Indeed the hypocrites are in the lowest depth of the Fire." (4:145)

This is the role of the Prophets: to convey the message to humans and to guide them to righteousness without compulsion or force. Allah says:

"And obey Allah and obey the Messenger. And if you turn away, then (know) our Messengers have only been sent to clearly convey [the message]." (64:12)

2. The Principal Goals of Islam

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in Mina during his Farewell Pilgrimage:

"Indeed Allah has made your lives, your wealth, and your honor inviolable and sacred, like the sanctity of this [sacred] day, in this [sacred] month, in this [sacred] place." (al-Bukhari)

The most important goals that Islam calls to and utterly preserves are the preservation of religion, life, honor, wealth, mind, and offspring, as well as the preservation of the rights of the weak and disabled.

Preservation of Life

Allah says, "And do not kill anyone who Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause." (17:33)

Preservation of Wealth

Allah says, "Eat not your property among yourselves unjustly." (2:188)

Preservation of Honor

Allah says, "And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a lewd, evil sin and an evil way." (17:32)
He also says, "Whoso commits a delinquency or sin, then throws (the blame) thereof upon someone innocent, has burdened himself with falsehood and a flagrant sin." (4:112)

Preservation of Lineage

Allah says, "And when he turns away (from you), his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the cultivation and lineage; and Allah loves not mischief and corruption." (2:205)

Rights of the Weak

Islam takes great care to protect the rights of the weak, for they are more likely to be oppressed than others.

Parents: "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them 'uff' (a word of disrespect), nor shout at them but address them with terms of honor." (17:23)

Orphans: "Therefore, the orphan does not oppress." (93:9) And: "Come not near the wealth of the orphan except with that which is better (to improve and protect it)." (17:34)

Children: "And slay not your children because of poverty—we provide for you and for them." (6:151)

The Sick: The Messenger of Allah said, "Free the prisoner, feed the hungry, and visit the sick." (al-Bukhari)

The Elderly: The Prophet said, "He is not from my followers: he who does not respect his elders, nor shows mercy to the young, nor respects the scholars." (at-Tirmidhi)

The Needy: Allah says, "And repulse not those who ask." (93:10) The Prophet said, "Whoever helps his brother in his time of need, Allah will be there in his time of need." (Muslim)

3. Distinguishing Qualities of Islam

[1] The Unity of Divine Message

All explicit texts in the Qur'an and Sunnah indicate that all religions are called to the same basic principle: to worship Allah alone. Each prophet's message abrogated the one prior to it, from Noah until Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said:

"Indeed, I am to the other prophets as is a man who built a house beautifully and perfectly, except for one brick that was not placed in its corner. People circle and admire it but say, "If only a brick was put in this place!" I am that brick, and I am the last of all prophets. (al-Bukhari)

No prophet will appear after Muhammad except Jesus, who will descend near the Final Hour to rule with Islam, not convey a new religion.

[2] The Final and Preserved Religion

Islam has abrogated all previous religions, and it is the last religion Allah chose for humanity. Allah says:

"And we have sent down to you the book in truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before it and a witness over them." (5:48)
"Indeed it is we who have sent down the Reminder, and indeed it is we who will guard and protect it." (15:9)
"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets." (33:40)

[3] Completion and Perfection

Islam completed and perfected the legislation that came before it. Allah says:

"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion." (5:3)

[4] A Global Religion

Islam addresses all of humanity, not a specific race or class. Allah says:

"And we have not sent you except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all humanity." (34:28)
"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and we made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is he who has the most piety." (49:13)

[5] Divine and Unchangeable Legislation

The legislations of Islam are from Allah; thus, they are unchangeable. They are unlike human legislations, which contain mistakes and are continuously revised. Allah says:

"Is it the judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance that they seek? And who is better in judgment than Allah for a people who have firm belief?" (5:50)

[6] General Principles for All Times

Islam introduced general principles suitable for all times and places. Every new matter is scrutinized in light of the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah. Scholars derive rulings using jurisprudential maxims such as "all things are lawful unless rendered unlawful," "protecting benefits," "removing hardship," "avoiding harm," and "warding off evil."

[7] No Prejudice

Every item of legislation applies to everyone equally. During the time of the Prophet, a woman from the noble clan of Makhzoom committed theft. Some tried to intercede, but the Prophet said,

"By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, committed a theft, I would cut her hand off." (Muslim)

[8] Preserved Textual Sources

The Qur'an remains in its original form, preserved in books and in the hearts of Muslims. The Prophet said, "The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it." (al-Bukhari)

The Sunnah was also protected by trustworthy scholars who investigated chains of narration. These sources remain free from fabrication for anyone who researches the science of Hadeeth.

[9] Human Equality

Islam regards all people as equals in their nature. The Prophet said:

"Indeed, Allah has rid you of the pride of ignorance. People are either two types: a believer who fears Allah or a disbelieving sinner. All people are children of Adam, and Adam was created from soil." (at-Tirmidhi)

Rights guaranteed include freedom of speech, ownership, seeking knowledge, utilizing lawful provisions, and leadership based on skill. Islam abolished intermediaries between Allah and His slaves; there is no clergy with absolute power.

[10] Mercy and Compassion

Islam is the religion of mercy. The Prophet said:

"The All-Merciful shows mercy to those who show mercy. Show mercy to those on Earth, and you will be shown mercy by the One above the heavens." (at-Tirmidhi)

A woman entered Hellfire because she imprisoned a cat until it died. Conversely, a man was forgiven for giving water to a thirsty dog. The Prophet said, "For [the well-treatment of] every fresh liver (living thing) you will receive reward." (al-Bukhari)

[11] Balance Between Worlds

Islam does not allow celibacy or rejection of lawful worldly joys. It orders balance between body and soul. Allah says:

"O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the prayer on the day of Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business... Then when the prayer is finished, you may disperse through the land and seek the Bounty of Allah." (62:9-10)

[12] Seeking Knowledge

Allah says, "Say: Are those who know equal to those who know not?" (39:9) The Prophet said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon all Muslims." (Ibn Maajah)

[13] Reviewing One's Deeds

Muslims know that Allah sees them. The Prophet described Ihsaan as "...to worship Allah as though you see Him. Even though you do not see Him, for He sees you." (al-Bukhari)

[14] Multiplied Rewards

Allah says, "Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed shall have only the recompense of the like thereof." (6:160) A person is rewarded for intending good and for leaving evil out of fear of Allah.

[15] Repentance

Allah says, "And those who invoke not any other god along with Allah... except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds." (25:68-70) And: "Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah; verily Allah forgives all sins." (39:53)

[16] Continuous Reward After Death

The Prophet said, "When a person dies, he ceases to receive the reward for his deeds except for three: a charity that continues to benefit, beneficial knowledge, and a pious child who supplicates for him." (Muslim)

[17] Respecting the Intellect

Islam respects intellect and thought, calling man to use them appropriately. Allah says:

"Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers... And in the alternation of night and day... are signs for a people who understand." (45:3-5)

[18] Conformity to Natural Disposition (Fitrah)

Islam conforms to the natural disposition of man. Allah says:

"Allah's Fitrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in that—the straight religion." (30:30)

[19] Liberation

Islam liberated humans from worshipping creatures to worshipping Allah alone. Allah says, "Yet they have taken besides Him other deities that created nothing but rather are themselves created and do not possess the ability to either harm or benefit..." (25:3)

It relieves man from fear of death, poverty, disease, and harm from creation, establishing that all matters are in Allah's hands.

[20] Moderateness and Ease

Allah says, "Thus, we have made you a just and balanced nation..." (2:143) The Prophet said, "Allah did not send me to make things difficult... rather, He sent me as a teacher and to make things easy." (Muslim)

[21] Respecting Previous Religions

Islam respects all divine religions in their unadulterated forms and obliges Muslims to believe in them. Allah says, "And insult not those whom they worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge." (6:108)

[22] Peace

Islam is a religion of peace within society and between nations. Allah says, "But if they incline to peace, then you also incline to it and put your trust in Allah." (8:61)

[23] No Compulsion

Faith and guidance are in the hands of Allah. Allah says, "And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together. So will you then compel mankind until they become believers?" (10:99)

[24] Freedom for the People of the Book

Islam allows those who oppose it, from the People of the Book, to practice their religions, eat and drink what their religions allow, and abide by their own legislations in civil affairs within Islamic guidelines.

[25] Emancipation of Slaves

Islam encourages emancipation and promises great reward. Emancipating a slave is expiation for accidental manslaughter, breaking an oath, and other sins. Zakaah may also be used to free slaves. Allah says, "And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), give them such writing." (24:33)

[26] Honor of Women

Islam defends women's human nature and guarantees her right to inheritance, education, and managing her wealth. The Prophet said, "Verily women are the twin halves of men." (Abu Dawood) And: "The believers who have the most complete faith are those who are the best of them in character, and the best of you are the best of you towards their women." (at-Tirmidhi)

[27] Purity

Spiritual purity includes purity from associating partners with Allah and from showing off. Physical purity includes ablution, bathing, cleaning the mouth, and eating only lawful, wholesome food.

[28] Inner Strength

Islam has a great inner strength. Even though its enemies spend vast amounts to distort its image, people continue to accept Islam. Rarely does a person enter Islam and then reject it.

[29] Social Support

The Prophet said, "The believers in their love, mercy, and feeling for each other are like one body: if one part feels pains, all the other parts feel pain." (Muslim)

[30] Just Inheritance

Islam introduced a fair system distributing wealth among heirs according to their rights, preventing monopolization. The shares are detailed in Surah an-Nisaa.

[31] Bequeathal

A Muslim may bequeath up to one-third of his wealth for righteous causes. The Prophet said, "A third, and a third is much." (al-Bukhari)

[32] Criminal Punishment

Islam's penal system guarantees security. Each crime has a fixed punishment that suits it, serving as a deterrent. Allah says, "And there is (a saving of) life for you in al-Qisas, O men of understanding, that you may become of the pious." (2:179)

[33] Financial Transactions

Islam permits trade, companies, rent, and bartering according to guidelines that prevent harm. It forbids interest, gambling, and transactions with unknown products.

[34] Clarity

There is no confusing belief in Islam. Allah says, "So ask of those who have knowledge of the Scripture if you know not." (21:7)

[35] Unity and Cooperation

Allah says, "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves." (3:103)

[36] Stories of Previous Nations

Islam explains matters of the unseen through stories of previous nations and their prophets, increasing faith and providing lessons.

[38] Jihad

Jihad is legislated to protect religion, individuals, families, and countries, and to relieve oppression. Allah says, "And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits." (2:190)

[39] Comprehensive Way of Life

Islam covers every aspect of life: transactions, warfare, marriage, economy, politics, and worship. Allah says, "And We have sent down to you the Book as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves." (16:89)

[40] Sign of the Final Hour

The Prophet said, "The Hour and I were raised like these two," joining his fingers together. (Muslim) His commissioning as the final prophet is a sign of the nearness of the Final Hour.

Conclusion

These foundations—Monotheism, the Principal Goals, and the Distinguishing Qualities—demonstrate that Islam is not merely a set of rituals but a comprehensive, just, and merciful system revealed by Allah to guide all of humanity. It is a religion of knowledge, balance, and clarity, preserved in its sources and applicable in every age.

The Spiritual Aspect, Part 3