About: This site is on Islamic ideology, traditions and some common misconceptions about it. It does not belong to any particular Islamic organization and is neither associated with any specific group, religious sect or political party. Information in this site is based upon references from the Qur’an (last revelation) and authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Due respect is given to all scholars of the past and the present in reference to their research on Islamic issues and full advantage is taken from whatever they have contributed but nevertheless this site is not inclined to any individual scholar or his school of thought. 

The author of this site is not an Islamic scholar or a preacher and neither is religion a means of his livelihood. The main reason to create this site was to reveal facts and information in an attempt to bring people to common terms — to a level that might at least achieve peaceful coexistence. The articles and compilations in this site are the result of the author’s personal study and research, as well as the utilization of the work of other scholars. It is recommended to read the following paragraphs in order to familiarize with some basic terminologies before continuing further with this site.

What is Islam: Islam is not simply the name of a religion, the followers of which are called Muslims. The word ‘Islam’ is an arabic word which in relation to religion means submission. In simple words Islam means submission to God and to follow the instructions conveyed by the Prophet of one’s time e.g. Islam at the time of Abraham (peace be upon him) was to obey the orders of God and to follow the instructions of the Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h). Islam at the time of Moses (peace be upon him) was to obey the orders of God and to follow the instructions of the Prophet Moses (p.b.u.h). Islam at the time of Jesus (peace be upon him) was to obey the orders of God and to follow the instructions of the Prophet Jesus (p.b.u.h). In the same manner, Islam after the arrival of the last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is to obey the orders of God and to follow the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Therefore information in this website is related to the era after the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h).

God is an English word which in Arabic is known as ‘Allah’ and may be known by some other words in other languages, but the Entity is the same. Some of the biggest misconceptions that people have is to do with the word ‘Allah’. For various reasons, many people have come to believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians and Jews. This is not correct , since “Allah is simply the Arabic word for God“.  For those who believe that the concept of God is a myth can refer to the article “Is there a God?“.

Who is a Muslim: Muslim is not a name of a particular group but an Arabic word for one who submits to the concept of Islam (as mentioned above), also known as ‘Believers’ e.g. In the era of Prophet Moses (p.b.u.h), people who followed him, believed in all the Prophets and Revelations before him and obeyed the orders of God were Muslims. In the era of Prophet Jesus (p.b.u.h), people who followed him, believed in all the Prophets and Revelations before him and obeyed the orders of God were Muslims. In the same manner, after the arrival of the last Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), people who follow him, believe in all the Prophets and Revelations before him and obey the orders of God are known as Muslims. This is in accordance with the following verse in the Qur’an:

“He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. (It is) the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this (revelation)” [The Qur’an 22:78]

Who is a Non-Muslim: Those who do not submit to the concept of Islam are known as Non-Muslims or Disbelievers e.g. The followers of Moses (p.b.u.h) were Muslims when they followed him and obeyed the orders of God, but when some of them denied the prophet-hood of Jesus (p.b.u.h) who came after Moses (p.b.u.h) and whatever was revealed upon him, they fell in the category of non-muslims, as they breached the concept of Islam. Those who accepted Jesus (p.b.u.h) and what was revealed upon him, remained Muslims. Similarly the followers of Jesus (p.b.u.h) were Muslims when they followed him and obeyed the orders of God, but when some of them denied the prophet-hood of Muhammad (p.b.u.h) who came after Jesus (p.b.u.h) and the revelation which he brought, they fell in the category of non-muslims, as they breached the concept of Islam. Those who accepted Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and the revelation which he brouhgt, remained Muslims. In the same manner the followers of Muhammad (p.b.u.h) are Muslims since they follow him and obey the orders of God, but if they deny the prophet-hood of any Prophet before Muhammad (p.b.u.h) whether it is of Jesus (p.b.u.h), Moses (p.b.u.h) or any other, or deny any of the previous Revelations, or give the status of Prophet to anyone after the last Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) then they will fall in the category of non-muslims due to breaching the concept of Islam.

Note: Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was the last Prophet in the religion of Islam because he declared that he is the last Prophet and that there will be no prophet after him. On the other hand Jesus (p.b.u.h) was not the last Prophet because he did not declare that he is the last one and neither warned that there will be no prophet after him. Infact he told his followers that there will be a Prophet after him whose name will be Ahmad, which is the second name of Muhammad (p.b.u.h).

Deviation from the Common Path: An unbiased research would reveal that its the same God and the same concept. However, deviations from the common path led to creation of different religions and subdivisions within religions. The primary reason for these deviations is blindly following the scholars along with stronghold of forefather’s customs and beliefs. Other factors include lack of research & understanding, distortion of facts and perplexity created by promoting and defending a particular school of thought and ideology through explanations that are not in conformity with the correct notion. Historically, you can see this happening i.e. followers of Moses (p.b.u.h) not accepting Jesus (p.b.u.h) and followers of Jesus (p.b.u.h) not accepting Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Everyone is adhering to the way of their scholars and forefathers. This did not change even after the arrival of the last Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) where his followers are repeating history by blindly following their scholars and forefathers in order to support their factions and beliefs.

“Mankind was one community (before their deviation); and Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it – after the clear proofs came to them – out of jealous animosity among themselves.” [The Qur’an 2:213]