What Does Islam Mean For You?

The phrase "Islam Today" is probably understood in the West to mean the same thing as Muslims today. Most people in the West generally view Islam and Muslims as one, and the same thing often saying ‘Islam’ when they ought to say ‘Muslims’ and vice versa!
So, we should clarify at the very outset some facts about the religion of Islam
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Is Islam Birthright?
Think for a while:
What does the word ‘Muslim’, which we all use so often?Really means? Can a person be a Muslim simply because he is the son or grandson of a Muslim? I s a Muslim born a Muslim just as a Hindu Brahman’s son is a Brahman, or an Englishman’s son is born an Englishman, or a white man’s son is born white, or an African American’s son is born African American? Can “Muslim" be a race, a nationality or a caste? Do Muslims belong to the Muslim community "Ummah" like Aryans belong to the Aryan race? And just to be a Muslim is by being born in a Muslim country?
Actually a Muslim does not become truly a Muslim simply because he is born a Muslim. A Muslim is not a Muslim because he belongs to any particular race; he is a Muslim because he follows Islam, and if he renounces Islam, he ceases to be a Muslim.
Any person, whether an Englishman or a Japanese, a white or a black accepting Islam become a full member of the Muslim community; while a person born in a Muslim home may be expelled from the Muslim community if he no more follows Islam.
No Mere Verbal Profession
You agree that we become Muslims only by accepting Islam. But what does acceptance of I slam mean?
Does it mean that whoever makes a verbal profession like - ‘I Am a Muslim’ or ‘I have accepted Islam’- becomes a t rue Muslim?
Just as a man who utters some Arabic phrases without knowing their meaning becomes an Arab?
Definitely Not
Accepting Islam means that Muslims should consciously and deliberately accept what has been taught by the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) and act accordingly.

But those who do not so behave, are not Muslims in the true sense. No Islam without Knowledge. Islam, therefore, consists, firstly, of knowledge and, secondly, of putting that knowledge into practice.
No man becomes truly a Muslim without knowing the meaning of Islam, because he becomes a Muslim not through birth and family but through knowledge and practice.
Unless you come to know the basic and necessary teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) to believe in him, have faith in him, and act according to what he taught you will not be a true Muslim.
Islam Today
A discussion of "Islam today" does not mean that we examine the plight of Muslims today, nor it means that we analyze how Islam is practiced today. Because Islam is an eternal reality, it is a way of life laid down by the Creator (God) and does not alter with the passage of time. The fundamental truths, upon which Islam is based, are timeless and lasting.
For example, the fact that the Universe has One Controller and Sustainer was as true a billion years ago as it is today, and will remain just as true billions of years from now.

Similarly, it is an eternal truth that the sole duty of every creature of God is to worship Him and obey His commands. The passage of time cannot alter this fact.
Life’s realities transcend time and space and remain unchanged. As such, the conceptions of time such as the past, the present, the future, yesterday, today and tomorrow are irrelevant when practicing Islam.
We are therefore left with a few possible meanings of the phrase "Islam Today”:
· How are Muslims conducting themselves today according to the
· "Yardstick" of Islamic morality?
· What are the attitudes of the Muslims today towards Islam?
· To what extent does Islam influence the lives of Muslims?
· Is it possible for the world today, to adopt Islam as their way of life?
· Can Islam be easily practiced nowadays?
If so, how can it be done?
A 13 year old US friend responds to: “What does Islam mean to you?” By saying:
"I feel that Allah has created every person equally with an open mind. Think of it this way; we were all brought to this earth as a piece of clay. There were two kinds of clay: the hard kind and the soft kind. Islam molds us all. Some are easier to shape than others depending on the softness. Those who are not willing to be molded are destined for the furnace. The better you are molded, the better you'll turn out. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was molded perfectly and he was the best kind of clay.

Islam is the path of Truth. Here is another way to put it: Doing wrong deeds (Haram) is sickness, Islam is the medicine and paradise is the cure. Once you are cured you are guaranteed health and you'll never get any more sicknesses... Islam is like a tree.
Everybody starts as a bud and they gradually grow into bigger and redder apple. The more you please Allah, the bigger and the better you get. If you fall off the tree branch you start to shrink and rot. Like falling onto the wrong path instead of the right one".

Now, think for a while "what does Islam mean to you "??

By: Somaia Mohamed Badry

References:
· Islam today – sayyid abu aala mawdudi.
· Towards understanding Islam – sayyid abu aala mawdudi.
· Fundamentals of Islam - sayyid abu aala mawdudi
· http://alislaah4.tripod.com/advices41/id56.htm