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Islam: The Foundation of Deen

Introduction: Why Start With Islam?

When we talk about the three levels of Deen; Islam, Iman, and Ihsan, we must begin with Islam, because it is the foundation. Imagine building a house: without a strong foundation, the walls collapse, and the roof cannot stand. Islam is that foundation for your faith.

Many people think Islam is just about praying five times a day, fasting in Ramadan, or saying you’re a Muslim. But Islam is far more than that. It is a way of life, a complete system that guides us in every aspect: from how we start our day to how we end our day, how we eat and drink to how we pray, how we deal in business to how we treat our families, and most especially, It's the reason Allah created us. Allah says: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”

(Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56).

Our purpose is not random. We were created to worship Allah, the One who gave us life. Without Islam, people worship money, status, idols, or even their own desires. But Islam corrects this and connects you to the true source of meaning.

To truly understand the importance of Islam, let’s look at what it means, why it’s essential for every human being, and why it is the only true path to Allah.

What is Islam?

The Meaning Explained

The word Islam comes from the Arabic root “s-l-m” which means peace, safety, and submission. So when we say Islam, we mean submitting to Allah in obedience and finding peace by following His commands.

One of the great scholars, Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab in His scripture”Kash’fu Ash-shub’haat”, explained:

“Islam is to submit to Allah with tawheed (belief in His Oneness), to yield to Him in obedience, and to stay away from shirk (associating partners with Allah), and people of Shirk (polytheist).”

In other words, Islam means:

1. Submitting your heart and body to Allah.
2. Obeying what He revealed through His Messenger ﷺ.
3. Avoiding worship of anything other than Him.

This is why Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”

(Surah Aal-Imran Q3:19)

The verse does not say a religion, but the religion. That means Islam is the only true path recognized by Allah.

Islam as the First Step in Deen

In the Hadith of Jibril, when the angel Jibril asked the Prophet ﷺ, “Tell me about Islam,” the Prophet answered with the five pillars:

1. Shahadah (to testify that there is no one worthy of sincere worshipping other than Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger).
2. Salah (to establish prayer).
3. Zakah (to give charity).
4. Sawm (fasting in Ramadan).
5. Hajj (to perform pilgrimage if able).

These are not just rituals. They are the practical pillars of the religion. Just like a building has pillars that keep it standing, these five keep your Islam standing firm. Without them, faith weakens and may even collapse.

The Virtue Of Islam?

Now that we know what Islam is, let’s talk about the virtue of Islam..

Virtue Of Islam Itself over every other ways:

Islam carries Deen (religion) entirely with different levels: Islam (Total Submission), Iman (Faith) Ih’san (humanitarianism).

And carries Deen in direction of Aqeedah (principle), and Shareee’ah (Law), and Suluk (good behavior), and Rewards, and more. Islam is greater than other religions on its own, and Allah also make it greater by His endorsement on it

As stated earlier,

“This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and endorsed for you Islam as a religion;.”

(Surah Al-Maeda Q5:3).

Virtue Of Islam on its people (Muslims):

Islam brings total respect to the people who embrace, enter, and stand firm on it (Muslims) in this world and on the judgement day, “Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did (on the Judgement day).”

(Surah An-Nahl, Q16:97).

Islam Teaches Brotherhood and Justice:

Another beautiful aspect of Islam is how it unites people. No matter your race, wealth, or nationality, in Islam you are equal before Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said in his last sermon:

“All mankind is from Adam, and Adam was created from dust. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have superiority over a white, except by piety and good action.”

(Reported by Ahmad).

That makes them the best and most respected community over other self made acclaimed religions and the most favored religion by The Creator (Allah). Allah says: “And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make clear to you His communications that you may follow the right way.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Q3:103).

And also said in Q3:10:

“You are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) men”.

This teaching is revolutionary even today. Islam removes racism, classism, and injustice, and teaches that the best among us are those closest to Allah.

Now that we understand the meaning of Islam and its virtue, let's look into the importance of Islam and the rewards of Muslims in this world and on the judgement day.

Islam Brings Peace and Balance:

Islam is not just about worshipping Allah in the masjid. It teaches you how to live with balance, in family life, work, relationships, and society.

Allah promises:

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life.”

(Surah An-Nahl 16:97)

Islam brings inner peace. Even when life is hard, you have patience through prayer. Even when you’re successful, you stay humble through charity. That balance creates a life of harmony.

Islam is the Path to Salvation

On the Day of Judgment, nothing will save us except Islam. Money, power, and fame won’t matter. Only those who lived as Muslims will succeed.

Allah says:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted by him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”

(Surah Aal-Imran 3:85)

That means Islam is not optional. It’s not “one of many” paths to Allah. It is the only way to salvation.

Why Islam is a Must for Every Mankind

After we've understood the meaning of Islam and its virtue, anyone who's able to achieve being a Muslim and carry along His/her family would be rewarded abundantly, and it's also a great achievement. Allah says: "And those who believe and their offspring follow them in faith, We will unite with them their offspring and We will not diminish to them aught of their work; every man is responsible for what he shall have wrought". (Surah At-tur, 52:21).

To practice Islam is not an optional but compulsory (must), in the Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “By Him (Allah) in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst this community, Jews or Christians hears about me, but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire.”

Sahih Muslim 153.

Some people think Islam is only for Arabs or for people born into Muslim families. But Islam is universal, it’s for every human being, in every nation, and in every time, it doesn't matter if you were raised in Christians, Jews or pagans' homes, you must find Islam and embrace it full hearted, and give total submission to Allah.

Allah says: "And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.”

(Surah Aal-e-Imran, Q3:85).

Now, in the next episode, we'll bring more evidence in the Qur'an (Kitaab) and Hadith (Sunnah) on why Islam is a must for everyone.

After that we'll talk about what can make someone a complete Muslim and what can notify one's Islam with references and some stories of companions (Sohaabas) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. May Allah be pleased with them!

So keep reading and learning your religion from pure Kitaab and Sunnah with understanding of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s companions May Allah be pleased with them!

As’Salaam Alaikum Wa Rah'matullahi Wa Barakaat'u!