Statements by the Scholars Regarding the Term Islâm
Al-Baghawî Rahimahullâh (516 H) said,
"Islâm means entering into submission, which is surrendering and obeying. It is said Aslama, meaning he entered into submission and submitted.
About the statement of Allâhu Taâlâ, "Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allâh is Islâm." (Âl-i Imrân, 3/19), Qatâdah said, "What is meant by this is testifying to La Ilaha Illallâh and affirming what came from Allâhu Taâlâ. This is the religion that Allâh has prescribed for Himself, with which He sent His messengers, and guided to by his allies. Therefore, Allâh does not accept any religion other than it and does not reward for any religion other than it."1
Ibn'ul Qayyim Rahimahullâh (751 H) said,
"Islâm is actualizing Tawhîd of Allâh, worshipping Him Who is One and has no partners, believing in Allâh and His messenger and following what the messenger brought. The slave is not a Muslim so long as he does not actualize these."2
Ibnu Rajab al-Hanbalî Rahimahullâh (795 H) said,
"Islâm is submitting and surrendering. It encompasses worshipping Allâh who is one and has no partners."3
Mansûr bin Yûnus al-Buhûtî Rahimahullâh (1051 H) said,
"Linguistically, Islâm is humility and surrendering.
In the Sharî'ah, it is testifying that there is no -true- deity -worthy of worship- except Allâh and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allâh, establishing the prayer, giving the Zakâh, performing pilgrimage to the House (Ka'bah) when one is able to, and fasting in (the Month of) Ramadhân. This is due to (the answer provided by the Prophet in) the Hadîth of Jibrîl found in the two Sahîhs, wherein he asked the Prophet Sallallâhu Alayhi wa Sallam about Islâm."4
Muhammad bin Abd'il Wahhâb Rahimahullâh (1206 H) said,
"The religion of Islâm: It is submitting to Allâhu Taâlâ with Tawhîd, surrendering to Allâhu Taâlâ by obedience, and distancing oneself from Shirk and its people."5
1- Al-Baghawî, Tafsîr, Ihyâ'ut Turâth, 1/421.
2- Ibn'ul Qayyim, Tarîq'ul Hijratayn, ad-Dâr'us Salafiyyah, p. 411.
3- Majmû'u Rasâ'il Ibni Rajab, 2/556.
4- Al-Buhûtî, Kashshâf'ul Qinâ, Wazârat'ul Adl, 14/240.
5- Muhammad bin Abd'il Wahhâb, The Three Foundations.
