All praise is due to Allah Almighty who made us Muslims, granted us the ability to accept the true religion (Islam), and bestowed upon us the light of guidance. This is not merely a religious identity but a complete code of life that contains clear guidance for belief, worship, ethics, and dealings. In this article, we will clarify that the only true religion in the sight of Allah is Islam, that the religion of all the Prophets was Islam, that after the advent of the Holy Prophet ﷺ the only path to salvation is the Shariah of Muhammad, what the true meaning of Islam is, and what are the major characteristics and important teachings of this religion—especially Tawheed, worship, reformation of hearts, mutual rights, justice, and the foundations of social peace.
The Only True Religion in the Sight of Allah is Islam
Allah Almighty says:
﴿اِنَّ الدِّیْنَ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ الْاِسْلَام﴾
Translation: “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
Similarly, Allah Almighty has declared Islam as the favored religion:
﴿اَلْیَوْمَ اَکْمَلْتُ لَکُمْ دِیْنَکُمْ وَ اَتْمَمْتُ عَلَیْکُمْ نِعْمَتِیْ وَ رَضِیْتُ لَکُمُ الْاِسْلَامَ دِیْنًا﴾
Translation: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
Therefore, no religion other than Islam is acceptable to Allah:
﴿وَ مَنْ یَّبْتَغِ غَیْرَ الْاِسْلَامِ دِیْنًا فَلَنْ یُّقْبَلَ مِنْہُ وَ ھُوَ فِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ مِنَ الْخٰسِرِیْنَ﴾
Translation: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.”
Islam is the religion of all the Prophets, peace be upon them
From Prophet Adam, peace be upon him, to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, all the Prophets, peace be upon them, were sent with the same religion, that is, the religion of Islam.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿شَرَعَ لَکُمَ مِّنْ الدِّیْنِ مَا وَصّٰی بِہٖ نُوْحًا وَّالَّذِیْٓ اَوْحَیْنَا اِِلَیْکَ وَمَا وَصَّیْنَا بِہٖٓ اِِبْرٰہِیْمَ وَمُوْسٰی وَعِیْسٰٓی اَنْ اَقِیْمُوْا الدِّیْنَ وَلاَ تَتَفَرَّقُوْا فِیْہِ﴾
Translation: “He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — to establish the religion and not be divided therein.”
Regarding the Abrahamic nation, He said:
﴿وَ مَنْ یَّرْغَبُ عَنْ مِّلَّۃِ اِبْرٰھٖمَ اِلَّا مَنْ سَفِہَ نَفْسَہٗ … فَلَا تَمُوْتُنَّ اِلَّا وَ اَنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمُوْنَ﴾
Translation: “And only those hate the religion of Abraham (peace be upon him) who make themselves fools… (Abraham and Jacob made a will) O my sons! Allah has chosen this religion for you, so remain Muslims until your death.”
Regarding Prophet Noah (peace be upon him):
﴿وَ اُمْرِتُ اَنْ اَکُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِیْنَ﴾
Translation: “And I was commanded to be among the Muslims.”
Regarding Prophet Moses (peace be upon him):
﴿وَ قَالَ مُوْسٰی یٰقَوْمِ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ اٰمَنْتُمْ بِاللّٰہِ فَعَلَیْہِ تَوَکَّلُوْٓا اِنْ کُنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمِیْنَ﴾
Translation: “And Moses said: O my people! If you truly believe in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims.”
Statement of Bilqis:
﴿قَالَتْ رَبِّ اِِنِّیْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِیْ وَاَسْلَمْتُ مَعَ سُلَیْمٰنَ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ﴾
Translation: “She said: O my Lord! I have wronged myself, and now I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
This reality was expressed by the Prophet ﷺ as follows:
(اَلْأنْبِیَائُ إِخْوَۃٌ لِعَلَّاتٍ، أُمَّہَاتُہُمْ شَتّٰی وَدِیْنُہُمْ وَاحِدٌ)
Translation: “All the Prophets are brothers from different mothers (i.e., different Shariahs), but the religion was one.”
It should be clear here that by religion is meant those principles and fundamentals that have never changed: monotheism, the prohibition of polytheism, the Day of Judgment, accountability, prohibition of unjust killing, theft, and immorality, etc. However, there have been differences in minor rulings according to circumstances, such as some rulings in previous scriptures being temporarily different.
Faith in the Holy Quran and its Protection
One of the fundamental teachings of Islam is to believe in the last book of Allah, the Holy Quran, to consider it the true word of Allah, to read it, to ponder and try to understand it, and to make it the constitution of life and act upon it. A great characteristic of Islam is that its original source (the Holy Quran) is free from any kind of distortion; Allah Almighty has taken the responsibility of its protection, and as long as the Quran remains preserved, Islam will also remain preserved.
The world is temporary, the Hereafter is certain
Islam teaches a Muslim the reality that worldly life is temporary, and a person will certainly taste death. After death, there will either be blessings or punishment in the grave, and then on the Day of Judgment, one will be presented before Allah Almighty. This is a major characteristic of the religion that it prevents one from getting lost in the colors of this world and encourages preparation for the Hereafter so that a Muslim remembers his true destination and acts accordingly.
Belief in Destiny: Mental Peace and Strong Conviction
Islamic teachings also include that a Muslim believes in all kinds of destiny, both good and bad. That is:
❀ Whatever Allah wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen.
❀ Whatever has happened, whatever will happen, and how things would have been if they had happened—all is within Allah’s knowledge.
❀ Allah is capable of everything; He guides whom He wills and leads astray whom He wills.
❀ Everything happens according to Allah’s will.
Islam teaches a Muslim to be content with Allah’s decree, because every decision of Allah Almighty is full of goodness, justice, and wisdom. The person who becomes satisfied with it is saved from astonishment, hesitation, and distress; restlessness and anxiety come to an end. He neither breaks down over losing something nor fears the worries of the future, but lives a pleasant and peaceful life.
And whoever is certain that life is limited and sustenance is predetermined understands that:
❀ Cowardice does not increase life
❀ Stinginess does not increase sustenance
❀ Everything is written
Therefore, it is obligatory upon a Muslim not to panic or despair over what is written in destiny but to be patient, and to believe that whatever is written in his fate will surely come to him, and whatever is not written will never be attained no matter how hard he tries.
Belief in destiny is such a fundamental principle of Islam that if it truly settles in the heart, a person is freed from countless mental worries, and this blessing is truly granted only to a sincere Muslim.
Islam is based on five things
Islam is established on five pillars:
First foundation: The declaration of faith (Kalima Shahadat)
To testify from the depths of the heart that there is no true deity except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the servant and messenger of Allah.
Second foundation: The five daily prayers
To perform the five prayers regularly during the day and night. Prayer is the pillar of religion, obligatory on every accountable person, and must be performed in every circumstance. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has repeatedly commanded the observance of prayer.
On the Day of Judgment, the accounting of prayer will be first:
(۔۔۔ أَوَّلُ مَا یُحَاسَبُ بِہِ الْعْبْدُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ الصَّلَاۃُ، فَإِنْ صَلُحَتْ صَلُحَ سَائِرُ عَمَلِہٖ، وَإِنْ فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ سَائِرُ عَمَلِہٖ)
Translation: “On the Day of Judgment, the servant will be accounted for prayer first; if the prayer is correct, then the rest of the deeds will be correct, and if the prayer is defective, then the rest of the deeds will be defective.”
And in another narration it is said:
(یُنْظَرُ فِیْ صَلَاتِہٖ، فَإِنْ صَلُحَتْ فَقَدْ أَفْلَحَ، وَإِنْ فَسَدَتْ فَقَدْ خَابَ وَخَسِرَ)
Translation: “His prayer will be observed; if it is correct, then he has succeeded, and if it is not correct, then he has failed and suffered loss.”
It is not enough to establish prayer oneself, but one must also command the family to pray:
﴿وَأمُرْ أَہْلَکَ بِالصَّلاَۃِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَیْہَا لاَ نَسْأَلُکَ رِزْقًا نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُکَ وَالْعَاقِبَۃُ لِلتَّقْوٰی﴾
Translation: “Command your household to pray and be steadfast yourself. We do not ask you for provision; We provide for you. And the outcome is for the righteous.”
And the upbringing of children:
(مُرُوْا أَوْلَادَکُمْ بِالصَّلاَۃِ وَہُمْ أَبْنَائُ سَبْعِ سِنِیْنَ، وَاضْرِبُوْہُمْ عَلَیْہَا وَہُمْ أَبْنَائُ عَشْرِ سِنِیْنَ)
Translation: “When your children reach the age of seven, command them to pray, and when they reach the age of ten (and do not pray), then discipline them for it.”
One major characteristic of prayer is that a Muslim begins the day prostrating before Allah and ends the day with supplication and worship. This is a declaration of the servant’s neediness and humility, that there is no support except Allah. Similarly, through the call to prayer from mosques, the declaration of monotheism and acknowledgment of prophethood is made, inviting Muslims to gather, and congregational prayers bring peace to hearts and coolness to eyes. This great act of worship connects servants to Allah and increases divine love in hearts.
Third Foundation: Zakat
Paying Zakat: means that wealthy Muslims give a fixed portion of their wealth to poor and needy Muslims. A major feature of Islam is that wealth does not remain concentrated in one class, but needy individuals also benefit from it and fulfill their basic needs.
If the system of Zakat is implemented with sincerity and honesty then:
✿ Poverty is eradicated
✿ Class financial balance is established
✿ The poor avoid feelings of inferiority and crimes
✿ Economic oppression is prevented
✿ Love develops between the rich and the poor
✿ Moral crimes decrease and peace and security increase
✿ Wealth becomes pure and the sins of those who give zakat are forgiven
Fourth Pillar: Fasting in Ramadan
In Islam, fasting during the month of Ramadan, one of the twelve months of the year, is obligatory for Muslims. It has many wisdoms and benefits:
✿ Through fasting, piety is developed, and training is gained to avoid sins
✿ Not only the stomach but the entire body observes “fasting”—meaning avoidance of evil
✿ Attainment of closeness to Allah and His pleasure, and the blessing of freedom from Hellfire
✿ Forgiveness of sins
✿ Physical health improves—during fasting the stomach remains empty, hunger is felt, and it benefits many diseases
Fifth Pillar: Hajj to the House of Allah
It is obligatory for a financially capable Muslim to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. There are many wisdoms in this as well:
✿ The two sheets of Ihram and the journey of Hajj remind us of the “journey of the Hereafter.”
✿ Hajj is an expiation for sins and its reward is Paradise.
✿ Millions of Muslims around the world wear one garment, chant one Talbiyah, perform one Tawaf—showcasing the unity of the Ummah.
✿ It is a practical demonstration of brotherhood and fraternity.
In the end, the prayer is that Allah Almighty makes us true Muslims and keeps us steadfast on Islam.
Moral and Social Teachings of Islam
Respected gentlemen! The religion of Islam is not limited to beliefs and worship alone; it also provides complete guidance for the reformation of hearts, social harmony, fulfillment of rights, justice, and public peace. Below, these teachings are explained in the light of the Quran and Hadith.
Reformation of Hearts: The Foundation of Religion
Islam places special emphasis on the reformation of hearts, because when the heart is corrected, the entire being is corrected.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(أَلاَ وَإِنَّ فِیْ الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَۃً إِذَا صَلُحَتْ صَلُحَ لَہَا سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ، وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ کُلُّہُ، أَلاَ وَہِیَ الْقَلْبُ)
Translation: “Beware! In the body, there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted, and that is the heart.”
A Heart Free from Envy, Malice, and Hatred
Islam commands a Muslim to keep his heart free from diseases like envy, malice, hatred, and to cultivate feelings of goodwill, love, and sympathy for all Muslims.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(لاَ تَحَاسَدُوْا وَلاَ تَبَاغَضُوْا، وَلاَ تَجَسَّسُوْا وَلاَ تَحَسَّسُوْا، وَلاَ تَنَاجَشُوْا، کُوْنُوْا عِبَادَ اللّٰہِ إِخْوَانًا)
Translation: “Do not envy one another, do not harbor malice, do not spy on each other, do not backbite, do not bid against one another to raise prices, and be servants of Allah and brothers to one another.”
Brotherhood and Sanctity Among Muslims
Islam declares all Muslims to be brothers to one another and forbids oppression and injustice.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(اَلْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لاَ یَظْلِمُہُ وَلاَ یُسْلِمُہُ…)
Translation: “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor hands him over to an oppressor.”
And he said:
(کُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَی الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ: دَمُہُ وَمَالُہُ وَعِرْضُہُ)
Translation: “The blood, wealth, and honor of every Muslim are sacred to another Muslim.”
Cooperation in Goodness and Piety
﴿وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَی الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَی وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَی الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ﴾
Translation: “Help one another in righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and transgression.”
The United Ummah and Prohibition of Sectarianism
﴿وَاِِنَّ ہٰذِہٖ اُمَّتُکُمْ اُمَّۃً وَّاحِدَۃً وَّاَنَا رَبُّکُمْ فَاتَّقُوْنِ﴾
Translation: “This is your one Ummah, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.”
﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللّٰہِ جَمِیْعًا وَّلاَ تَفَرَّقُوا﴾
Translation: “Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”
Fulfillment of the Rights of Servants
Islam commands the fulfillment of the rights of parents, children, relatives, spouses, and fellow Muslims, and strictly forbids injustice.
Establishment of Justice and Fairness
﴿یٰٓأَیُّھَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا کُوْنُوْا قَوّٰمِیْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ﴾
Translation: “O you who have believed! Stand firmly for justice.”
Lawful Sustenance and Hard Work
﴿فَامْشُوْا فِیْ مَنَاکِبِہَا وَکُلُوْا مِنْ رِّزْقِہٖ﴾
Translation: “Walk upon the earth and eat from the provision of Allah.”
(مَا أَکَلَ أَحَدٌ طَعَامًا قَطُّ خَیْرًا مِّنْ أَنْ یَّأْکُلَ مِنْ عَمَلِ یَدِہِ)
Translation: “The best food is that which a person eats from the earnings of his own hands.”
Distinction between Halal and Haram
﴿لَا تَاْکُلُوْٓا اَمْوَالَکُمْ بَیْنَکُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ﴾
Translation: “Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly.”
Moderation in Spending
﴿وَالَّذِیْنَ اِِذَا اَنْفَقُوْا لَمْ یُسْرِفُوْا وَلَمْ یَقْتُرُوْا﴾
Translation: “They spend neither extravagantly nor stingily, but hold a medium way.”
Governance and Public Peace
﴿اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَاْمُرُکُمْ اَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْاَمٰنٰتِ اِلٰٓی اَھْلِھَا﴾
Translation: “Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and judge with justice.”
Islamic punishments (Hudood) guarantee peace and justice in society, such as punishments for theft, adultery, and murder.
Conclusion
It is obligatory upon every Muslim to fully accept the religion of Islam, to act upon all its teachings, to avoid innovations and desires of the self, and to remain steadfast on Islam until the last breath.
﴿یٰٓاَیُّھَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا ادْخُلُوْا فِی السِّلْمِ کَآفَّۃً﴾
Translation: “O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely.”
May Allah make us true Muslims and grant us a good ending in faith. Ameen.
