Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m which forms a large class of words mostly relating to concepts of wholeness, safeness and peace.[20] In a religious context it means voluntary submission to God.[21][22] Muslim, the word for an adherent of Islam, is the active participle of the same verb of which Islām is the infinitive . Believers demonstrate submission to God by serving God, following his commands, and rejecting polytheism . The word sometimes has distinct connotations in its various occurrences in the Quran. In some verses, there is stress on the quality of Islam as an internal conviction: Whomsoever God desires to guide, He expands his breast to Islam.[23] Other verses connect islām and dīn (usually translated as religion): Today, I have perfected your religion (dīn) for you; I have completed My blessing upon you; I have approved Islam for your religion.[24] Still others describe Islam as an action of returning to God—more than just a verbal affirmation of faith.[25] In the Hadith of Gabriel, islām is presented as one part of a triad that includes imān (faith), and ihsān (excellence), where islām is defined theologically as Tawhid , historically by asserting that Muhammad is messenger of God, and doctrinally by mandating five basic and fundamental pillars of practice.[26][27] Articles of faith Main articles: Aqidah and Iman God Main articles: Allah and God in Islam Islams most fundamental concept is a rigorous monotheism, called tawhīd (Arabic: ﺪﻴﺣﻮﺗ). God is described in chapter 112 of the Quran as:[28] Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.( 112:1-4) Muslims and Jews repudiate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divinity of Jesus, comparing it to polytheism . In Islam, God is beyond all comprehension and Muslims are not expected to visualize
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 07:56:05 +0000