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An Invitation to Peace

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Islam – Put <strong>to</strong> the Test<br />

<strong>An</strong> <strong>Invitation</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Peace</strong><br />

The final revelation of the truth from God <strong>to</strong> man is in particular known<br />

of as Islam. The name of God in Islam is Allah; the messenger <strong>to</strong> whom<br />

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it was revealed <strong>to</strong> convey <strong>to</strong> others is Muhammad (PBUH) ; the name<br />

of the divine scripture revealed <strong>to</strong> him is the Qur’an.<br />

Let’s measure Islam against the standards true revelation must meet:<br />

1) The focal point around which the religion revolves<br />

must be God and nothing else.<br />

As its very name signifies, the whole of Islam is about your relationship<br />

with God. All but one chapter of the Qur’an opens with the words ‘In<br />

the name of Allah, most Merciful, most Compassionate.’ Islam<br />

recognises no media<strong>to</strong>r between the individual and God, not even<br />

messengers are that. Hence, there is no priesthood or any other<br />

hierarchy <strong>to</strong> get <strong>to</strong> God, and so no need for confessions before anyone<br />

but God, nor for anyone else’s sacrificing before our sins can be<br />

forgiven <strong>to</strong> receive ‘salvation’. No original, inherited sin stands<br />

between the individual and God’s grace. Purity is man’s birthright, and<br />

sin means no more than a lapse from the innate beauty with which<br />

God has blessed every human being.<br />

At the heart of the Islamic teaching is an intensely intimate relationship<br />

between the Crea<strong>to</strong>r and the created: “<strong>An</strong>d when My servants ask you<br />

of Me, I am indeed close; I answer the call of the one who calls when<br />

he calls un<strong>to</strong> Me; let them, then, listen <strong>to</strong> My call and believe in Me<br />

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that they may be led aright.”<br />

Indeed, God Himself calls personally on man’s conscience, both<br />

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This stands for peace be upon him, a benediction<br />

Muslims make when mentioning Messengers of God.<br />

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Qur’an 2:186<br />

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