An Invitation to Peace
http://www.islamicglobe.com
http://www.islamicglobe.com
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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 />
5<br />
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 />
6<br />
that they may be led aright.”<br />
Indeed, God Himself calls personally on man’s conscience, both<br />
5<br />
This stands for peace be upon him, a benediction<br />
Muslims make when mentioning Messengers of God.<br />
6<br />
Qur’an 2:186<br />
21