The Basics of Islam: Some Observations

If we go back to history, we can obviously observe that Islam as a religion strengthened the
concept of mono-theism as its core principle of faith and rituals. This concept of mono-theism on
which the total Islam relies on revolutionized the world of the faith of the then divided and
undisciplined believers; helped centralize the total faith, deities, rituals and scriptures into one
unified, assented, formal and harmonized framework. The mono-theism of Islam has influenced
the religions and faiths of multi-deities and multi-disciplines and brought about a concept of
considerable discipline, regularity and formality in the world of religions and faiths.

Historically, Islam had been outspoken, vibrant and war-striking against all sorts of established
bad and harmful culture, customs, rituals and lifestyles. The wars, contracts and events of
reforms clearly indicate that Islam is a religion of practicality and materialization in attaining
equity, peace, justice, discipline, ethics and other moral faculties in personal, social and state
level.

Philosophically, Islam questions and answers the goals, essence and objectives of this material
and transitory world and introduces the concept of hereafter. In this way, it controls, monitors
and supervises the whole activities, performances, thoughts and lifestyles of the worldly people
which can bring about considerable and sufficient discipline, peace and regularity in personal,
social and state level.

The introduction of complete code of life here through the scriptures, the teachings of the holy
prophets throughout the ages have represented Islam as a religion of completeness and
flourishment. Through its religious scriptures, like Quran (the holy book), Hadiths (the teaching
of Prophet Muhammad), Ijma (the unified decisions of the respected Muslims), Qiyas (the
decisions deduced from the three previous sections) and the lifestyles of the holy prophets and
personalities; Islam theoretically and practically manifests its goals and objectives to humankind
with proper sympathy, honour, considerations and wisdom.

The basic teachings of Islam is to preserve faith on the basic concepts of Islam, to attain good
features and avoid bad features of character, to achieve essential and supplementary knowledge
in leading life here and to perform rituals, customs and culture according to the rules and
guidance of Islamic Shariah.

Islam sufficiently considers the life of the world and expresses and explains to us how to lead
this life effectively and efficiently according to the guidance of Islam based on equity, justice,
peace, regularity, discipline, civility and all sorts of moral characteristics.

There appear some cruel, inhuman and uncivil rules, dictations and rituals even in the eyes of its
ardent followers, but Islam foresees more and more. Those apparently inhuman and absurd
dictations, rituals and rules should be judged in light of context, history, practicality and deeper
wisdom. Islam encourages humanism, rationalism, ethics, standardization, modifications and
other sorts of ethical, philosophical and religious features according to its own forms and
patterns. It’s reported that Islam is inhuman for the inhuman, barbers for the barbarians, violent
against the non-pacifists, liberal for the liberals at greater dimensions. Even Islam is absolutely
sympathetic to the sinners (evil-doers) where it demands reform, regret and labour of the evil-
doers to correct the sins they have committed.

The great teachings, inspirations and incentives received from Islam are sufficient in following
this good and great religion considering the existing and changing pattern of the world as an
approach of leading life. The life and teachings of good and great personalities in Islam and
influenced by Islam clearly suggest us how much devotions, hardship, perseverance and
temperament they have showed in preserving the vivid truth, beauty and teachings of Islam
through ages. They are ever remembered , respected and trusted not only by the believers of
Islam, but also by those of other religions and beliefs, as they have been in the path of truth,
beauty, honour, ethics, goodness, welfare and humanity.

Pathetically, the mono-theist Islam has been suffered from its internal clashes of divide,
irregularity, indiscipline and multi-factions, which have weakened and loosened the unity,
unanimity and discipline among the believers. Externally , Islam has been convicted with
extremism, fundamentalism and terrorism in international arena where some portions of Islamic
believers can’t tolerate the discrimination and implied war against the Muslim-based countries;
the large portion of them has to suffer multiple and complex interrogations, gestures and
attitudes shown to them.

Astonishingly, among these diversified and complex situation of Islam, the islamization and
‘Arabianisation’ of personal, social, state and international life in the world provoked much
criticism especially in the west and west-influenced arena. They argue that they want to follow
Islam considering the socio-economic, geo-cultural setups of their countries and regions.
Seemingly, they want to be Muslims, but not to be Arabs.

Now it’s time to call for a new renaissance for the Muslims based on their history, culture,
tradition and civilization to cope up with the existing and changing scenario, to advance towards
a good, bright, dynamic and stabilized state. The Islamic civilization has contributed
considerably to the world; it has more to contribute to.

It’s time to rejuvenate the Islamic and Islam-influenced world in attaining dynamism, regularity
and stability with proper guidance, direction, leadership, controlling and supervision .Let Islam
reinforce in the world with its beauty, truth , goodness and greatness. Let Islam expand with its
basic features and teachings. Let Islam prevail on earth winning the hearts and conscience of the
people of the world.