What is Islam?

Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that Allah revealed through all His prophets to every people.  Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority has nothing to do with the extremely grave events that have come to be associated with their faith.

All the prophets sent by Allah brought the same message, i.e. believing in the oneness of Allah and the prophet Mohammad (Sal-Allaho-Alay-hay-Wasal-lam) as his last messenger. 

We, Muslims, believe in the Bible as the word of God and that it’s not in its exact and right form.  We believe that Old Testament, Muslims call it Torat, was revealed to Prophet Moses (Musa) and New Testament, Muslims call it Injeel, was revealed to Prophet Jesus (Isa) peace be upon them.  Since they were changed by people Allah sent the last testament, that is, the Holy Quran revealed to Prophet Mohammad (Sal-Allaho-Alay-hay-Wasal-lam) and it’s been 1400 years and not even a vowel of the Quran has been changed.  It’s in its exact and perfect form. 

Christianity is closer to Islam than any other religion.  We don’t believe in Jesus Christ (May peace be upon him) as Son of God but believe in him as a mighty messenger of Allah.  We believe in his miraculous birth.  There is one chapter in the Quran in the name of the mother of Jesus Christ (P.B.U.H) as “Chapter Mary”.

We believe that idolatry started at the time of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (P.B.U.H) when people started making pictures, sketches, and statues of righteous and religious people.  Then they started putting flowers on them and eventually started prostrating and worshipping them. 

Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide the humanity and bring them to the right path and this process ended, which was started with the first human being Hazrat Adam (P.B.U.H), with the last prophet of Islam Mohammad (Sal-Allaho-Alay-hay-Wasal-lam) since the Quran and the life of Prophet Mohammad (Sal-Allaho-Alay-hay-Wasal-lam) are enough for the humanity till the last hour, i.e., the day of Judgement. 

Allah says is the Quran:

“He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Mohammad S.A.W), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikun (idolaters,polytheists), is that to which you (O Muhammad S.A.W) call them.  Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience.”

Surah Ash-Shurah (42) Ayah 13.