Islam is the last of all the divine faith. Its name was instituted by the Quraan(the book of Allah) during the farewell Pilgrimage: “ today I have completed your religion for you, and I have perfected My favor upon you, and I have accepted Islam as a religion for you. “ ( 5:3) Islam is the last of the universal faiths. Today it numbers over 1.25 billion followers. Every country in the world has at least a small Muslim minority. Islam has shown itself to be not only the most widespread faith in the world, but also the most dynamic one, attracting converts at a faster rate than at any time in the last few centuries. The Arabic term { Islam } meaning “ submission,” points to a fundamental religious tenet that Muslim submits to the will of Allah (MMBH) by conforming inwardly and outwardly to his law. Islam is not a “religion” in the narrow sense used by secular humanist, in the west, but it is the universal and eternal religion made known through Prophets to every nation or people since the human race first began. This religion of Islam lays great emphasis on uncompromising monotheism and strict adherence to its creed and its method of worship. It enjoins submission to the will of Allah (MMBH) and urges every person to follow as closely as possible the exemplary way of the life of Muhammad peace upon him the last of the prophets and messengers . Allah (MMBH) created the universe and what is in it so that he would be recognize as the one and only god. He created men and jinn only to celebrate His praise, and worship him. Allah (MMBH) says : “ I have created jinn and men only to worship me “ (51:56) The method and form of worship are not left to man’s whim or discretion. Allah (MMBH) is the one who ordains and decrees all acts of worship and how they must be performed. Since Islam deals with every aspect of life, spiritual and physical, it’s jurisprudence is based on creed, instruction, and political transactions. Because Islam is a perfect way of life, it enjoins the maintenance of a refined standard of character. Allah’s Messenger (PUH) said: “ Verily, I have been sent to perfect the refined behavior. “ Allah (MMBH) praised the model behavior of his Messenger (PUH) by saying: “and you surely exhibit an exalted standard of character.”(68:4) Aishah The wife of Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (PUH) was asked about his behavior. She said: “ His standard of behavior was the Quraan “ Aishah meant that the prophet (PUH) adhered strictly to the Quraan, to its rules of discipline, commands, and prohibitions and to al its excellent, beautiful, and gracious teachings. For this reason, Allah (MMBH) commands the believers to follow the exemplary life of his messenger: “You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah (MMBH) an excellent model …. “ (33:21) Islam enjoins good characters expressed in good manners for every occasion e.g., n greeting, sitting, easting, learning, teaching, sporting, traveling, dressing, eating, sleeping, treating people, particularly relatives and neighbors with kindness, etc. codes for all such aspects of refined behavior are found in both the Quraan and the traditions of Allah’s Messengers . The family enjoys a high status in Islam. It is the core of the society. Because a healthy family means a healthy society, hence Allah (MMBH) commands that parents be treated with gentleness and submissiveness saying: “And your lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and treat your parents with kindness. If one or both of them attain old age in your care, never say to them a word (suggesting) disgust, nor reproach them, but address them with reverent speech. And humble yourself out of mercy before them and pray: “my lord be merciful to them for having fostered me in my childhood.” (17:23,24) Next to the immediate family come kinfolk. Allah’s Messengers (PUH) said that Allah (MMBH) has promised to kind to the person who treat his kin with kindness, and to bar from His Mercy the person who servers relations with his relatives.
