Who deserves to be Worshiped ?

8. THE MEANING OF THE RELIGION’S NAME:
‘ISLAM’
Further evidence that Islam is the true religion comes from the meaning of the word
‘Islam’ itself. Basically, the word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word that denotes submission
and obedience. As a religion, Islam has two meanings, one general and one specific.
Islam, in general, refers to the religion which God revealed to all the prophets:
the worship of God alone (monotheism) and the avoidance of paganism. This
explains why, in the Quran, all prophets have called themselves Muslims. All
prophets taught the basic message of Islam (monotheism), and differed only in the
detailed message of Islam (Sharia, or “canonical teachings”). Their sincere followers
were Muslims as well. 15 Consequently, one should not regard Islam as an innovation
that was brought by Prophet Muhammad (bpuh). Instead, it should be regarded as
the original message of Allah (in its fundamentals) to all the prophets throughout
history.
Specifically, the word ‘Islam’ refers to the religion that was revealed to Prophet
Muhammad (bpuh). No other religion was specifically given its name by Allah.
Islam was not named after a person or a group of people, nor was its name
decided upon by later generations of humans. Indeed, the name ‘Islam’ was given by
Allah Himself, as is clearly mentioned in many verses of the Quran, for example:
{Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam…} (Quran 3: 19)
15
Jesus was reported to have said:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to
abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass
away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
(Matthew 5:17-18)
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