The characteristics of Islam

Alio, Mohamed Sheikh (2025) The characteristics of Islam. In: Philosophy and Islamic Worldview. IIUM Press.

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Abstract

The vision of Islam is to realize and achieve Tawḥīd, which is the dedication of all kinds of worship to Allah (s.w.t.) towards gaining his pleasures in life and the day after. Its mission is to establish a universal Islamic system on earth, which based on the Quranic concepts of: Khilāfah (stewardess of the earth), Amānah (Honesty), Mercy, Justice and Equality. In realizing this vision and mission, Islam combines both revelation (Waḥy) and reason (،Aql) and uses them as means to know Allah and apply his religious obligations. It awakens the faculty of reasoning in man and calls on him to use his intellectual powers to discover the reason behind his creation and his obligations towards the creator and the universe. Islam does not admit any separation between ‘material’ and ‘moral’, but rather teaches that moral and material powers must be welded together and that spiritual refurbishment can be achieved by using material resources for the good of man. It applies simplicity, ability and practicality in its rituals and related matters, where Allah (s.w.t.) judges human beings according to their abilities and facilities without degrading their rewards and expectations. Additionally, Islam is a practical religion and does not allow engagement in empty and impractical theorizing. It says that faith is not a mere profession of beliefs, but rather that it is the very mainspring of life. It teaches that righteous conduct must follow belief in Allah and that religion is something to be practiced and not an object of mere lip-service. It is also a balanced approach to life responsibility, where the person should balance himself between the rights of the creator, the created and the universe at large. There is no celibacy —abstaining from marriage, monasticism —living in religious isolated places for worship and self-disciple, and a hierarchical clergy system in Islam, as some major world religions do. Everybody in Islam is responsible for his own actions and will be rewarded for them regardless of his ancestors, familial rank, race and colour. There are no mind-boggling concepts and no difficult rites and rituals in Islam. The Muslim can approach, learn and apply the teachings of the Qur’ān and Sunnah directly without the categorical restrictions imposed by some other religions on their followers. Islam is not a religion for a special place, time, race or class, but for all of humanity in all places at all times.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Islam, Characteristics, Rabbaniyyah, Shumuliyyah, Wasatiyyah
Subjects:	BPK Islamic law. Shari'ah. Fiqh > BPK36 Islamic law (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies (Effective: 5th Feb 2014)
Depositing User:	Dr. Mohamed Alio
Date Deposited:	30 Dec 2024 17:19
Last Modified:	30 Dec 2024 17:19
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/117218

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