The
Arabic word ‘Isla’ means ‘submission’, and is derived from a word
meaning ‘peace’. As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order
to achieve true peace of mind and surety of heart, one must submit to
God and live according to His Divinely revealed Law.
Islam
is not a new religion because ‘submission to the will of God’, i.e.
Islam, has always been the only acceptable religion in the sight of
God. For this reason, Islam is the true ‘natural religion’, and it is
the same eternal message revealed through the ages to all of God’s
prophets and messengers.
The
main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One
True God and He alone is to be worshipped. These prophets start with
Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist,
and Jesus, peace be upon them all. God says in the Holy Quran:
“We
did not send before you (O Muhammad) any messenger but We revealed to
him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship
Me.’” (Quran 21:25)
However, the true message of these prophets was either lost or got corrupted over
time. Even the most recent books, the Torah and the Gospel were
adulterated and hence they lost their credibility to guide the people to
the right path.
Therefore
600 years after Jesus, God revived the lost message of previous
prophets by sending the Prophet Muhammad with His final revelation, the
Holy Quran, to all of mankind. Since the Prophet Muhammad was the final
prophet, God Himself has promised to preserve His last revealed words
so that it is a source of guidance for all humanity till the Last Day.
It is now imperative for everyone to believe and follow this final
message from God. God Almighty says in the Quran:
“We
have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to all mankind as a giver of good
news and as a warner, but most people do not know.” (Quran 34:28)
“Whoever
seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him,
and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
The
word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of
his/her race, nationality or ethnic background. Hence, any person who
is ready to submit to the will of God is eligible to become a Muslim.
Benefits of Converting to Islam
There are many benefits of converting to Islam. Some of them are:
• One forms a personal and direct relationship with God by worshipping Him alone,
without the need of intermediaries. One feels this personal
relationship and is aware that God knows everything and is there to
assist him/her.
• A person realizes the true purpose of his or her life, which is to recognize God and follow His commandments.
•
A person is provided with a light, which guides him/her through life.
The religion of Islam has answers to all situations, and one will always
know the right steps to take in all aspects of life.
• One finds true happiness, tranquility, and inner peace.
•
Upon converting to Islam, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and
one starts a new life of piety and righteousness. And as a Muslim, when
one makes a mistake thereafter, he/she can always repent to God who
forgives the sins of those who repent to Him sincerely. There are no
intermediaries or created beings to make confessions to.
• One achieves salvation from Hellfire, which all prophets have warned against.
•
The greatest benefit is that a Muslim is promised by God the reward of
eternal Paradise (Heaven). Those who are blessed with Paradise, will
live eternally in bliss without any sort of sickness, pain or sadness.
God
will be pleased with them and they will be pleased with Him. Even the
lowest in rank among the dwellers of Paradise will have ten times the
like of this world, and they will have whatever they desire.
In
fact, in Paradise there are pleasures that no eye has ever seen, no ear
has ever heard, and no mind has ever thought of. It will be a very
real life, not spiritual only, but physical as well.
To know more about some of the benefits in converting to Islam, you may read this article “The Benefits of Converting to Islam (3 parts)”.
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