XI& XII ISLAM, THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION

Islam is a universal message because God sent every previous prophet to
his own people for limited periods of time except Prophet Muhammad
(mercy and peace of God be upon him) who was sent to all people; black
and white, rich and poor, the ruler and the ruled, Arabs and non-Arabs, the
slave and the master. Islam is for all people from when it was revealed until
the Day of Judgment. It is universally attainable in the sense that it can be
practiced anywhere on earth ((or even on the surface of the moon)).
XII. FEATURES OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS
od has made the message of Islam easy to understand and to follow.
He annulled some previously prescribed rites and practices while
affirming others according to His wisdom and hence, the Islamic law suits
all peoples’ spiritual, psychological, social and economical needs, for all
times.
Islamic teachings have the following unique features:
1. Rational teachings: The seeker of truth will find the teachings of
Islam to be quite logical and reasonable.
2. Perfection: Since God is perfect, His teachings must also be perfect
and free from any contradiction or error.
3. Clarity: God is the Most Compassionate. He guides us through clear
and simple revelation free of myths, superstitions and mysteries.
4. Scientific: It is not surprising to find in the Qur’an and statements of
Prophet Muhammad (mercy and peace of God be upon him) some
information which has only recently been discovered by modern
scientists. This points to the fact that the Qur’an is the word of God
and that Muhammad (mercy and peace of God be upon him) is a
prophet of God.15
5. Prophecy: Many of the events prophesized in the Qur’an and
Prophet’s sayings (Sunnah) have come to pass.
6. Moderate: In Islam, there is no conflict between spiritual and
mundane life. Man is accountable for all his actions and everyday
activities. Provided they are done with the correct intention, they are
a means to achieve divine reward in the same way that specific acts
of worship are. So, secularism, materialism, monasticism and
extreme asceticism are all rejected in Islam, which provides a middle
way to achieve harmony and balance between the spiritual and
15 See " The Qur’an and Modern Science " by Dr. Maurice Bucaille.

material needs of man. This is why God called the Muslim Nation in
the Qur’an: the Moderate Nation. (2:143)
7. Comprehensive: Islamic teachings provide to people definite
guidelines to follow in all walks of life: spiritual, individual, social,
moral, political, economical, etc.
8. Inimitable: Islamic teachings are an infallible living miracle that
cannot be imitated by people.
9. Equality: Islamic teachings do not discriminate between people on
the basis of colour, tribe, race, nationality, etc. because people
descend from one father and one mother namely Adam and Eve.
Islam teaches that the criteria of good and bad is righteousness (i.e.,
the best person in the view of God is the most righteous). A verse of
the Glorious Qur’an reads: : “The best of you in the sight of God is
the one who is most righteous. ” (49:13)

                     SOURCE: DR. BILAL PHILIP

                          BOOK: IS ISLAM YOUR BIRTHRIGHT