Islam is an Arabic word. Arabic language has substantially
large vocabulary in which one word has many different meanings. The word Islam
has also different meanings such as;- Unconditional
surrender
- Total submission
- Absolute obedience
- Full
commitment
- Perfect peace
We can interrelate these different
meanings to give one simple and precise interpretation of Islam. Islam
means Total submission to the will of Allah Subhanahu taala with full commitment
in absolute obedience to His laws. This purity of soul and mind will bring perfect
peace in this world and in the life hereafter. This means that mankind can
not achieve perfect peace in this world without total submission to Allah Subhanahu
taala. Today we find that there is no peace in the world. United Nations,
and other such big organizations are making efforts to acquire peace but they
have failed in their endeavors. The reason is very simple i.e., peace can never
be achieved without total submission to Allah Taala subhanahu. Thus Islam
guarantees permanent peace, happiness and tranquillity which mankind is looking
for. So Islam is the only answer of our very basic problem. If all the human beings
sincerely and wholeheartedly embrace Islam, then the world will become a paradise. Who
are Muslims? The meaning of Muslim is one who thoughtfully and willfully
submits himself to the will of Allah. Those who intellectually and firmly believe
in Islam and sincerely practice its teachings are referred as Muslims. There
are many Muslims in the world who are Muslims just because they are born in a
Muslim family, bear a Muslim name, and follow some Islamic traditions in marriage
and burial ceremonies. But they live as others live and do whatever suits them
to seek worldly pleasure. They show some superficial emotional feelings for the
Prophet (sws) and Imams but do not follow their teachings. Islam considers such
people as Muslim in this world for the convenience of the true Muslims but will
not recognize them Muslim after their death. For being a Muslim, Quran strongly
demands complete obedience and fulfillment of basic commitment of total submission
as endorsed in shahadah. 
“It
is not fitting for a believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by
Allah and His messenger, to have any option about their decision. If anyone disobeys
Allah and His messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong path.” (33:36) | 
