THE FOUNDATION OF ISLAM

"You are the best community (Ummah) raised up for (the benefit of) humanity; enjoining what is
right and forbidding what is wrong and believing in God." (Quran; 3:110)1.

As a Muslim, I belong to my Ummah (Muslim community). Muslims around the world

are like one family from different backgrounds and ethnic groups. The purpose of the life of
Muslims is to serve Allah (SWT) alone as the One God13. The religion of Islam is a complete code
of life that firmly supports the concept of human well-being and urges every Muslim to behave in
a consequential manner. The noblest message of morality is to respect the civil liberties of every
individual in society while defining the duties of each person to perform in every aspect of life in
order to create and nurture a peaceful and serene environment. Because of that, Allah (SWT) refers
to the Ummah as the best community and enjoining what is right (al-ma’roof) and forbidding what
is wrong (al-munkar) is one of the noblest Islamic answerabilities. Therefore, if the Ummah fails
to adopt this responsibility, wrongdoing and corruption will spread and we will deserve punition
from Allah (SWT). In order to prevent us from doing things He has forbidden, such as shedding
blood, committing adultery, drinking alcohol, oppressing people and consuming our wealth
unlawfully, Allah (SWT) blessed us with Al-Eaql (Wisdom) as guidance in order to find His signs
around us and Al-Fitrah (Goodness) to overcome selfishness and help others. Moreover, He
describes Himself in the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) with Ninety-Nine Beautiful
Name in order to adopt Al-Tawheed (Law of Divine Oneness).

“He grants wisdom to whom He wills; and he to whom wisdom is granted is indeed granted
abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding” (Quran; 2:269)1.

Al Eaql (Wisdom): Wisdom is a positive term used repeatedly in the Quran as a

characteristic of the righteous. This is the most beautiful treasure from Allah (SWT) to humanity
in order to guide us to the find the Truth. By His Beautiful Name “The Wise One”, Allah (SWT)
gives wisdom to people as cited in this Quranic verse. The Prophet (PBUH) also said “ask the
learned, consult with the wise and accompany the poor.”14. Al Eaql could be considered as the
unseen authority of thinking and logic. Wisdom then reaches useful conclusions and results based
on these logical rules15. We can get wisdom if we appreciate knowledge, are open to learning, and
welcome correction and discipline. Another way to achieve a state of wisdom is to contemplate
nature with a thoughtful heart.

“So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. Adhere to the Fitrah of Allah upon
which He has created all people” (Quran; 30:30)1

Al-Fitrah (Goodness) could be interpreted as a DNA-coded Quran that every human is

imprinted with from birth. With reference to this concept, new research findings in the field of
human biology show that we may be born to be sociable and have the urge to help 16. Therefore,
Al-Fitrah could also be considered as the inner voice of an Angel that guides every new-born and
child in order to be happy in life by fulfilling the divine purpose they are born for and live eternally
in Paradise after the soul leaves the body. Unfortunately, when we grow up, a second voice
emerges to compete with the first naïve one and adults become more selective in helping others
and tend to become more selfish. They are more attracted by material comfort to enjoy life,
competition between people becomes more prevalent, and crimes and wars are globally evident.
Regarding this second voice, the Quran says “And Satan will say when the matter has been
decided: Verily Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you.
I had no authority over you except that I called you and you responded to me” (Quran; 14:22)1.
Based on this verse, following the hidden voice of Satan is the reason we sometimes ignore
following our divine duties. In order to guide us with a warning, Allah (SWT) says “Allah burdens
not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for the good which he has earned, and he is
punished for that evil which he has earned (Quran 2: 286)1.
“Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, but He forgives anything
other than this to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he
devises indeed a great sin.” (Quran; 4:48)1

Al-Tawheed (Law of Divine Oneness) refers to the non-existence of coincidence, and that
the pathways of our lives do not happen by chance. It is assurance that our entire lives depend on
our relationship with Allah (SWT) alone. In order to help us adopt Al-Tawheed during all our
social and professional activities, Allah (SWT) has revealed His Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names
repeatedly in the Holy Quran and in the sayings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Moreover, Allah
(SWT) created us with five senses in order to experience the world around us and find His signs.
Indeed, the universe is like a silent Quran with so many marks that show the existence and the
Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT). For example, knowing that there are stars billions of light years
from earth is certainly a sign to glorify Him by His Beautiful Name “The Great One”. Watching
the beautiful smile of a mother holding her baby is a sign of the Love of Allah (SWT) for all human
beings by His Beautiful Name “The Loving One”. Listening to the waves crashing against the
cliffs will remind us of His Beautiful Name “The Strong One”. The beauty of nature during spring
could be a sign of the magnificence of Heaven and His Beautiful Name “The Glorious One”.
Finally, the chilly winter or hot summer could be signs to fear the punishment of hell and His
Beautiful Name “The Reckoning One”. Muslims should therefore make efforts to know the
meaning of The Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT) and live by them in order to always feel His
presence.

"Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" (Quran; 39:9)1

Indeed, those who adopt the foundation of Islam have strong faith that Allah (SWT) alone
governs everything in the universe. Therefore, they depend only upon Allah (SWT) and trust Him
(Al-Tawakkul). However, Al-Tawakkul means that we should always obey all the divine laws
imposed by Allah (SWT) on the universe. For example, if we are sick, we need first to visit the
best doctor possible and, trusting that only Allah (SWT) has the cure, we ask Him in invocation to
give the doctor the necessary knowledge and wisdom to find the best treatment for us.

Moreover, since Allah (SWT) is very close to our heart, the most important aspect for
Him is not our visible daily actions but the hidden intention behind them as Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said “The (reward of) deeds, depend upon the intentions and every person will get a
reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His
Apostle, then his emigration will be considered to be for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever
emigrated for the sake of worldly gain or for a woman to marry, then his emigration will be
considered to be for what he emigrated for.”17.
CONCLUSION
"Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" (Quran; 39:9)1

The foundation of Islam is fundamental to having a strong faith to worship Allah (SWT) with love
and thankfulness and to be guided on the Straight Path. Firstly, it is fundamental for every Muslim
to know The Creator (SWT) through His Beautiful Names in order to adopt Al-Tawheed properly.
Secondly, by following Al-Fitrah, we can experience happiness through helping people around us
with our social and professional activities. Lastly, Allah (SWT) created us with five senses in order
to experience the world around us and find His signs. Indeed, the universe is like a silent Quran
with so many signs that show the existence and the Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT). Therefore,
by contemplating nature and the universe with El-Eaql, we can perceive indications of the
existence of Allah (SWT) and His Beautiful Names.

The foundation is like the soul of Islam that strengthens our faith (Iman) in Allah (SWT). Those
who adopt the foundation of Islam will have strong faith that Allah (SWT) alone governs
everything in the universe behind the stage of the visible material world. As a consequence, they
worship Allah (SWT) with love, fear and trust. In conclusion, following the teachings of Islam and
striving to please Allah (SWT) is a constant duty in this short life to share this message of Peace
from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and prepare ourselves for the everlasting life in Heaven Incha
Allah.

References
1. Interpretation of the meanings of the Noble Quran by Dr. Muhammad Taqui-ud-Din Al Hilali and Dr.
Muhammad Muhsin Khan, DARUSSALAM (1996)

13. Aisha Stacey, 2018, THE CONCEPT OF UMMAH IN ISLAM in IslamReligion.com.

14. Wisdom (‘aql) And Qur’an, Islamic Wisdom http://www.islamicwisdom.net/wisdom-aql-and-quran/
15. Definition of Wisdom in IslamiCity https://www.islamicity.org/3092/the-exercise-of-hikmah-wisdom/
16. Nicholas Wade, (2009); We May Be Born With an Urge to Help, Science, New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/science/01human.html.
17. Riyad as-Salihin » The Book of Miscellany, in SUNNAH.COM