The lexical meaning of Islam is
submission, and adherence to the commands
of Allah without objection. This is ttre true
essence of Islam. By obeying Allah and
observing His commands, the Muslim would
be in harmony with the universe in which he
lives, for everything in this universe abides
by the commands of Allah.

It is an established fact that
everything in this universe follows certain
rule, and an unalterable law to which it
submits; the sun, the moon, the stars, the
night, the day, the land, the trees, and the
beasts; all submit to a rule which Allah, the
Creator, has designated for all these things.
Even man himself, when you consider his
physical construction, and biological
compounds, his need for water and
nutrition, heat, air, light, rest, or sleep you
would find him submittins to a law under

which he has no choice, just like other
creatures.

This inclusive law to which
everything submits, is rhe work of Allah,
the Majestic King, ro Whom belong the
creation and the authority. Both of the
upp-er and the lower worlds submit willingly
to the Creator, the Capable King.

Due to the fact that the linguistic
meaning of Islam is submission, and
adherence without objection, Islam, from
this point of view, is rhe faith of the
universe. Man in this sense, does not differ
from the other creatures. Since Allah, is the
Creator and the Provider, He has given man
the freedom of choice, and has shown him
both, the path of guidance, and the path of
deviation through the Messengers that He
sent to mankind throughouthe ages; the last
of whom is Muhammad, peace be upon them
all. Therefore, he who chooses the path of
guidance of his own free will, and futfills
the duties with which he is charged, and

refrains from the prohibition, then he
becomes the legitimate Muslim.
As for him who chooses the Path of
deviation, neglecting the acts of worship,
and commining the prohibitions, he is thus
an unbeliever. Each of them will receive
his requital on the Day he will meet his
Rubbr when the records of deeds will be
displayed. Allatr says:
So whoever does good equal to the weight of
an ant shall see it and whoever does evil equal
to the weight of an ant shall see it.
Based on this gift that Allah has granted
man; which is one of the greatest, i.e., the
freedom of choice, and after subjugating for
him the land, the sea, the night and the day,
Allah has commanded man to worship Him
alone, and has forbidden him to ascribe
1 Sorne ranslate the term "Rubb" into 'lord. but
since the meaning of 'Rubb' is far more
comprehensive than to be restricted to a single word
such as 'lord'. Among other things the term 'Rubb'
means, the Creator, the Cherisher, the Sustainer, or
Provider.

partners to Him, and has promised him in
return great rewards for his obedience.
Among the promised rewards are the
following :
l - Allowing man to benefit from the
signs of Allah that are scattered throughout
the universe proving the fact that Allah is
the true God Who deserves to be
worshipped.
2- The ability to lead a fear-free life in
this world, and to render sound his state of
affairs. The Prophet, peace be upon him,
said: "How wonderful is the believer's state
of affairs. All his affairs yield good
consequences. If he encounters a pleasant
situation, he would show gratitude to Allah,
and this response would be good for him,
and if he experiences distressing situation,
he would endure it patiently, and it would
be good for him. This applies only to the
believer. "
The believer knows that his duty in
this world is to worship Allah alone.

Allah,

has created the jinn and man only to
worship Him. Allah does not seek
provisions from them, nor does he ask that
ttrey should feed Him. It is He Who is the
Provider, the Most Powerful.
The believer also knows that he will
finally meet his Rubb on the Day of
Requital. He also knows that he came into
existence by the word of Allah who created
him, cherished him, and bestowed upon him
His favors, the seen and the unseen thereof,
and He has subjected everything for him.
Ailatr says:

Do you not scc that Allah has subjecrcd for
you what is in the heavens and what is in thc
carth, and that Hc has bestowcd amply upon you
His apparent and hiddcn graces2
And Allah says:

Allah is thc One Who has crcated catrlc for
you so that you may ride on some of them, and
eat. thc meat of some of them.3

2 e. 3l:20
3 q. cO:79

Allah is the One Who has created the
heavens and the earth, and Who sends down
water from the sky, and brought forth thercby
fruits as provisions for you; and He has made
the- ships to bc of service to you, that they may
sail easily through by His command, and HL
has also made rivers to be of senrice to you.a
And Allah says:
Do you nor see that Allah has subjected for you
everything in the earth. 5
3- The Muslim leads his life knowing
that this world is not perrnanent, rather it is
a transitory to the etemal life, and a supply
station, and a starting point of a race to win
the pleasure of Allah.
Consequently, the Muslim is content
with whatever means of subsistence that
become available for him in this world,
knowing that such means are only a
temporal pleasure.

 In Islam there are five basic duties which Muslims must perform. They are known as the five
pillars of Islam Arkanul Islam . These are: Shahadah, the establishment of prayer Salah , the payment of Zakah paying the poor due , the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah and Sawm Ramadan fasting the month of Ramadan .