The Clear Explanation of the Word Islam in the Qur'an
It has now become extremely clear that the two words Islam and ikhlas are synonymous. The word Islam – and with it the entire religion – revolves around the purification of actions exclusively for Allah. In the Arabic words Islam and Muslim, this full meaning is already implicitly contained.
In principle, the more significant a concept is, the more frequently and clearly it will be explained. Since this is the foundation of the entire religion of Islam, it can be assumed that this concept is explained in numerous places in the Qur'an.
Anyone who knows and understands the Qur'an will find this explanation in many of the book's verses. These passages clearly mention what is to be purified. Comparing various passages further and further clarifies the meaning. Again and again, one can observe how one passage of the Qur'an explains another – an aspect that will be illustrated through various examples later on.
The meaning of the word Islam becomes particularly clear in the following verse:
﴿وَقَالُوا لَنْ يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَنْ كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَى تِلْكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمْ قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ﴾
And they65 say, “None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.” That is [merely] their wishful thinking, Say, “Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.”
[sura al-Baqarah, 2:111]
From this verse, the following points can be observed66:
- The Jews and Christians described here each claimed that Paradise was destined exclusively for their respective groups.
- By this, they meant that the only ones truly devoted to Allah – and thus deserving of Paradise67 – could only come from within their own communities. According to the statements of these Jews and Christians, a truly devout monotheist could only originate from among them.
- Allah سبحانه وتعالى immediately rejects this claim. Accordingly, this assertion is merely one of their wishful thoughts, of which other examples are mentioned in various places throughout the Qur'an.
- Then, Allah clarifies the only correct method for determining the truth. It is the method of truth and reason – the method of evidence.
- In such a case, the proof can only come through revelation from the Creator Himself, as such a claim cannot be substantiated through empirical means. After all, the claim revolves around the question of who will be granted Paradise and who will be denied it.
- Therefore, it is required that this claim be supported by the necessary evidence, which, as mentioned, can only come from the Creator Himself.
In contrast, the following verse explains who is truly considered a Muslim and thus a devout monotheist, thereby deserving of Paradise. This description is important for clarifying the original understanding of monotheism, as the Qur'an itself now demonstrates what this monotheism truly consists of.
The following verse states:
﴿بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ﴾
Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah68 while being a doer of good69 will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
[sura al-Baqarah, 2:112]
Explanation of This Verse:
- Here, the previously made claim is refuted. The meaning of the statement can be rendered as follows: “Indeed! There is someone who will enter Paradise and receive his reward from his Lord.”
- This refers to the one who “submits his face to Allah.” Allah thus informs that anyone who possesses this characteristic will attain His pleasure. Contrary to the earlier claim made by the mentioned Jews and Christians, such a monotheist will not be denied Paradise, regardless of the community to which this monotheist belongs.
This provides a clear explanation of the word Islam.
- The reward mentioned here is, of course, Paradise, as this was the subject of the initial claim.
- These Muslims/monotheists will neither fear what awaits them in the Hereafter nor grieve over what occurred in this worldly life.
Chapters in this Section
Notes
- This refers to people from among the Jews and Christians. ↩
- See the tafsir works of Ibnu Abi Hatim and at-Tabari for explanations of this verse and the following one, as they cite these meanings from the early scholars. ↩
- That is, the “Muslim/Monotheist”, for this is precisely the general meaning of the word “Muslim”, as has already been demonstrated in various ways. ↩
In the Arabic text: “man aslama wajhahu li-llahi.” Thus, the word aslama is used. The meaning, therefore, is: “the one who submits/yields/surrenders his face to Allah.”
The word Muslim is the so-called ismu l-fa'il (active participle). It carries exactly the same meaning. A Muslim is “the one who submits.” Thus, “al-muslimu wajhahu li-llahi” means “the one who submits his face to Allah.” ↩
- Literally: Someone who performs his deeds well. ↩