Islam is an Ancient Religion

Islam means peace resulting from submission to God, and represents the Divine Code for a disciplined, contented and harmonious life of man on earth, already existed in one form or another long before the advent of the Holy Prophet Mohammed .

Humanity, however, needed a revival in an up-to-date form because due to individual and political intrigues, certain abuses had crept into religion. The preceding generations had altered the true spirit and version of the former Holy scriptures to suit their own selfish ends and conveniences, thus mutilating the original commandments of Allah and bringing an ugly slur on the fair name of Religion.

These unauthorized intrusions and mutilations therefore necessitated an up-to-date Divine Code in a pristine form, and that is why a final and perfect religion in the form of Islam was revealed through the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Mohammed --- with the explicit warning that Mohammed was the last Prophet, and that no more Prophets were to come after him.

Islam is, therefore, a perfect religion for all humanity and for all time to come, and not for the Muslims alone, whether the world accepts this Divine claim or not. Unlike the past, Islam is now preserved in its up-to-date perfection in the Holy Qur’an. Past generations proved themselves incapable of preserving the original commandments of Allah in their true perspective and had tampered with them to suit their own intriguing conveniences. Almighty Allah promised in the Qur’an to be its preserver Himself this time. One of the living instances of this jealous guardianship is that millions of Muslims easily commit this Book of Allah to memory -- a feature unique in its own way which is nothing short of a miracle. There is no instance in the living memory of mankind to show that any of the ancient religious books, or any other kind of book of such a voluminous nature as the Holy Qur’an is, or was ever, committed to memory.

This fact alone proves that Allah's original words have been preserved as He willed, and that there have been no tampering whatever with them after the death of the Holy Prophet Mohammed through whom the Qur’an was delivered.

What is Islam?

Although you have seen a brief outline of Islam by Mr. James A. Michener, an impartial observer and learned scholar of Islam, yet there are some other salient points which need clarification to enable the readers to appreciate the Chishti worldwide mission.

A comparative study of Islam with other religions will reveal that it is the most practical and latest religion in the world that suits all human requirements. It completes the final Divine Message of Allah for the good conduct of man on earth--a message which He delivered, in parts, through His various other Prophets before Prophet Mohammed , as revealed and confirmed in the Holy Qur’an.

Islam's most distinguishing features as a world religion are: (1) its simplicity, (2) its explicitness and (3) its highly realistic attitude towards the day-to-day life of man.

It enjoins upon its followers to observe moderation in all things relating to man's conduct and behavior. Islam does not tolerate revelry and yet it does not shun all joy, zest and adventure. It adopts a middle course between the extremes and discards puritanism and moral anarchy. But it allows freedom and satisfaction to all natural human desires and instincts, including even the instinct of war PROVIDED certain limitations are strictly observed.

Islam recognizes that social conditions have a great influence in shaping human character and, therefore, it tries to set right the social, political and economic systems of mankind in accordance with its moral and spiritual values. Islam does not recognize that mere improvements in social, political and economic conditions, (as preached by capitalism, communism, and other Western type of "isms") will make people virtuous and prosperous in their conduct of life.

Islam advocates and insists upon individual reform and self-discipline through unswerving belief in God, His line of Prophets, their respective scriptures, the angels, His last Prophet Mohammed and the resurrection after death on the Day-of-Judgment. Islam lays final responsibility on the individual for all his actions.

In Islam, you cannot plead that because you were born in an evil environment, therefore you could not shake off its evil influence to lead a pious, virtuous and ordered life, and that society was responsible for your crimes and sins of omission and commission. There is no appeal against Islamic law which is the Law of Allah and one must necessarily discipline himself according to it if one desires well-being in life and salvation after death.

Islam does not want people to be tolerant to evil and injustice for fear of incurring the displeasure or wrath of those who happen to be in strength and power. Those who tolerate this are, in the eyes of Islam, no better than the evil-doers. For the selfish and greedy, there is no place of honor in Islam. The moral and religious attitude of Islam must follow its adherents in all walks of life. A Muslim cannot be a Muslim in the mosque and a socialist, nationalist or capitalist or communist on a political platform outside.

At every step of his life, he or she is a Muslim, always guided by the Laws of Allah embodied in the Holy Qur’an and expounded by the Holy Prophet Mohammed . Among all the religions of the world, Islam stands alone, teaching humanity that political powers must be subordinated to ethical values, that religion should not be allowed to serve the ends of a state which is not informed and actuated by moral values, ideals and decencies. Islam is the only religion that made international brotherhood a reality. It recognizes no racial and political barriers. It stands alone for its complete freedom from the domination of priestly class and the burden of cumbersome ceremonials and rituals.