What is Islam?

While most religions are named after a person or a group of people, the word Islam actually describes the spiritual state of the believer. The word Islam means Submission, Submission to the will of God, and a Muslim is a person who strives to live in a state of Islam, to live life in a way that is pleasing to God. If you think about it, that's pretty much the goal of all religions. Islam is considered to be the natural state in which all people are born. While we are taught a particular tradition later in life, at our birth, we are in a completely pure and natural state in accordance with God's will. So in that sense, we are all born Muslims. Islam is not something you do once a week or only on holidays. Islam is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. So Islam is more than just a religion. It's a complete way of life.

Now you might be asking yourself, "But how can I know if I'm living my life the way God would want me to live?" InshaAllah, God willing, we'll address that in the upcoming post on "Prophets."


"This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."
(Qur'an 5:3)