Islam's Unique Differences Among World Faiths

Islam is distinct from other faiths in several ways. Firstly, it is a religion without mythology, based on reason and logic, with simple and intelligible teachings. It does not divide life into material and spiritual compartments and advocates for a balance between the two. Islam is also internationalist in its outlook, seeking to unite humanity under one banner. It establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism, holding everyone accountable to God while guaranteeing individual rights. Islam's teachings are preserved in their original form, and it is resistant to secularisation due to its role in law and governance.

Islam is a religion without mythology, based on reason and logic

The Quran advises Muslims to seek knowledge and invoke God to expand their awareness. It says:

> Say ‘O, my Lord! Advance me in knowledge. (Quran 20: 114)

> Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed. (Quran 39: 9)

Islam is a practical religion that exhorts its followers to use their intellect and see things in the light of reality. It does not allow indulgence in empty and futile theorizing. Instead, it emphasises that faith is not a mere profession of beliefs but the very mainspring of life, and righteous conduct must follow belief in God. The Quran says:

> Those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them, and a blissful home to return to. (Quran 13: 29)

The Prophet is also reported to have said:

> God does not accept belief if it is not expressed in deeds, and does not accept deeds if they do not conform to belief. (At-Tabarani)

Islam does not divide life into watertight compartments of matter and spirit. It stands for the fulfillment of life and does not believe in asceticism. It holds that spiritual elevation is to be achieved by living piously in the rough and tumble of life, not by renouncing the world. The Quran advises:

> Our Lord! Give us something fine in this world as well as something fine in the Hereafter. (Quran 2:201)

However, in making use of life's luxuries, Islam advises moderation and warns against extravagance:

> Eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant. (Quran 7:31)

Islam seeks to establish equilibrium between the material and the spiritual aspects of life. It says that everything in the world is for man, but man was created to serve a higher purpose: the establishment of a moral and just order that will fulfill the will of God. Its teachings cater for the spiritual as well as the temporal needs of man.

Islam is not a religion in the common and distorted sense, for it does not confine its scope to one’s private life. It is a complete way of life and is present in every field of human existence. It provides guidance for all aspects of life, from the individual and social to the economic and political. The Quran enjoins man to embrace Islam without any reservation and to follow God’s guidance in all areas of life.

The teachings of Islam have been preserved in their original form, and God's guidance is available without adulteration of any kind. The Quran is the revealed book and word of God, which has been in existence for the last fourteen hundred years. Detailed accounts of the life of the Prophet and of his teachings are available in their pristine purity. There has not been even one change made in this unique historic record.

Islam is based on reason and logic, and its teachings are simple, straightforward, and based on sound logic. It is a practical religion that emphasises the importance of knowledge and intellectual inquiry. Islam does not divide life into separate compartments but seeks to establish equilibrium between the material and the spiritual. It is a complete way of life that provides guidance for all aspects of human existence.

Islam does not divide life into compartments of matter and spirit

Islam teaches that spiritual elevation is achieved by living piously in the rough and tumble of life, not by renouncing the world. The Quran advises:

> "Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the hereafter that which is good." (Quran, 2:201)

However, when it comes to enjoying life's luxuries, Islam advises moderation and warns against extravagance:

> "...and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not (those who waste by extravagance)." (Quran, 7:31)

On this aspect of moderation, the Prophet Muhammad said:

> "Observe fasting and break it (at the proper time) and stand in prayer and devotion (in the night) and have sleep, for your body has its right over you, and your eyes have rights over you, and your wife has a claim upon you."

Islam does not admit any separation between the material and the spiritual, the mundane and the moral. It teaches that moral and material powers must be united, and that spiritual salvation can be achieved by using material resources for the good of mankind. Islam seeks to establish equilibrium between the two aspects of life – the material and the spiritual.

Islam says that everything in the world is for man, but man was created to serve a higher purpose: the establishment of a moral and just order that will fulfil the will of Allah. Its teachings cater for the spiritual as well as the temporal needs of man.

Islam enjoins man to purify his soul and to reform his daily life – both individual and collective – and to establish the supremacy of right over might and of virtue over vice. Thus, Islam stands for the middle path and the goal of producing a moral man in the service of a just society.

Islam is a complete way of life, not confined to one's private life

Islam is not just a religion in the common sense of the word, it is a complete way of life. It is present in every field of human existence, providing guidance for all aspects of life. This includes the individual and the social, the material and the moral, the economic and the political, the legal and the cultural, and the national and the international.

Islam does not confine its scope to one's private life. The Quran enjoins man to embrace Islam wholly and follow God's guidance in all areas of life. This is a key difference between Islam and other faiths, where religion is often considered a private matter.

In the modern age, the scope of religion has been confined to the private life, and its social and cultural role has been reduced. This retreat into the realm of private life has been a significant factor in the decline of religion in modern times. Islam, however, denounces this concept and states that its objectives are the purification of the soul and the reform and reconstruction of society.

Islam seeks to establish equilibrium between the material and the spiritual aspects of life. It does not believe in asceticism and does not ask man to avoid material things. Instead, it holds that spiritual elevation is achieved by living piously in the midst of life's challenges, not by renouncing the world.

Islam is international in its outlook and does not admit barriers based on colour, clan, blood, or territory. It wants to unite all of humanity under one banner, presenting a message of life, hope, and a glorious future to a world torn by rivalries and feuds.

Islam establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism

Islam is unique in that it establishes a balance between individualism and collectivism. It recognises the individual personality of man and holds everyone personally accountable to God. Prophet Muhammad is quoted as saying:

> Everyone of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband's house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it.

Islam also guarantees the fundamental rights of the individual and does not permit anyone to tamper with them. It makes the proper development of the personality of man one of the prime objectives of its educational policy. It does not subscribe to the view that man must lose his individuality in society or in the state.

In Islam, all men are equal, regardless of colour, language, race, or nationality. It addresses itself to the conscience of humanity and banishes all false barriers of race, status, and wealth. Islam removes all of these impediments and proclaims the ideal of the whole of humanity being one family of God.

Islam is international in its outlook and approach and does not admit barriers and distinctions based on colour, clan, blood, or territory. Islam wants to unite the entire human race under one banner. To a world torn by national rivalries and feuds, it presents a message of life and hope and of a glorious future.

The historian, A. J. Toynbee, writes:

> The extinction of race consciousness between Muslims is one of the outstanding moral achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is... a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue... It is conceivable that the spirit of Islam might be the timely reinforcement which would decide this issue in favour of tolerance and peace.

Islam, therefore, always endeavours to maintain a fine balance between individuality and collectiveness.

Islam achieves a balance between permanence and change

Islam's approach to permanence and change can be understood by examining the human body, which undergoes physiological changes over time while the person remains the same. Similarly, a tree's leaves, flowers, and fruits change, but its character remains unchanged. This illustrates the necessity of balancing permanence and change in any system of life.

By recognising the importance of both permanence and change, Islam avoids the pitfalls of rigidity and anarchy seen in other ideologies and cultural systems. It provides a framework that meets the diverse needs and cravings of human nature and society. This balance is essential for addressing the universal problems of life, which persist across ages and cultures, while adapting to the specific contexts and challenges of different eras.

Islam's ability to balance permanence and change contributes to its vitality and adaptability. As noted by George Bernard Shaw, Islam has an "assimilating capacity to the changing phases of existence," making it relevant and appealing across different ages and societies.

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