The True Nature Of Islam
Islam is a comprehensive way of life covering every aspect of life from birth to death. It is a complete practical system in all its aspects, reflecting everyday affairs of human life. It is a religion of nature. It does not require anything from man, which is against his natural instincts. The fact that Islam is the religion of nature is stated in the words of Allah: ‘So set you (O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) your face towards the religion of Hanifan (worship none but Allah) Allah’s Fitrah (i.e., True man nature: Allah’s Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illah (i.e., the Religion of Allah), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not. (Surah Ar-Rum: .30)
Islam holds fast to the one crucial truth in the divine world – the Unity of God (Allah), and all certainly springs from Him and Him Alone. It is the essence of Truth. All human beings have been created by One who is Allah, the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and everything that exists. All Nature worships Allah, and Islam asks for nothing unusual; but it asks that mankind follow their nature and make their will conform to Allah’s Will as seen in Nature, olden times, and revelation. Allah’s Truth is manifest, and all that is sensible and wise accepts it with no hesitation. Islam is the religion that Allah Himself has chosen for all mankind. He said: ‘This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion’. (Surah Al-Ma’idah:3)
It was also the religion preached by all the earlier Prophets. It has been chosen as the universal message to all mankind and taught by all the inspired Books. This is signified in Allah’s words: ‘Say (O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)): “We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)] and what was given to Musa (Moses), ‘Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them, and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam). (Surah Ali-lmran: 84)
Man is innocent, pure, true, inclined to right and virtue, and endowed with true understanding of Allah’s goodness, wisdom, and power. That is the true nature of man, which is signified in his love of his fellow men and the pure worship of the One true God. Disregarding this fact, man is false to his own nature, as he is false to Allah’s Will and Plan. This is signified in the words of Allah: ‘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’. (Surah Ali-Imran: 85)
Thus, all human beings are inclined to believe in Allah and have to submit themselves to the religion of Allah, which is Islam. Then whoever turns away, they are those who turn away from Allah’s Obedience. In this context, Allah said: ‘Do they seek other than the religion of Allah (the true Islamic Monotheism worshipping none but Allah Alone), while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned. (Surah Ali-Imran: 83)
Associating partners or obeying man-made ideologies besides Allah is against our true nature. Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has explained the meaning of this in the following Hadith. Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated: The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Every child is born in the state of Fitrah (true human nature: Islamic Monotheism) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Paganism.” (Al Bukhari)
Similarly, Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “By Him (Allah) in Whose hand Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)’s soul is, there is none from amongst the Jews and the Christians who hears about me and then dies without believing in the Message with which I have been sent (Islam), but he will be from the dwellers of the Hell- Fire”. (Muslim)
All Islamic rules, laws, and regulations are fully in line with the needs and demands of human beings and whatever exists. It includes religious, moral, physical, economic, social, and political dealings. Thus, whoever submits to (God) Allah and obeys His Commands is guaranteed to have a happy, peaceful life and to win Allah’s pleasure in the Hereafter.