Why Islam?

The Beauty & Benefits of Islam

Are all religions the same? How do I know which is correct? Why should I choose Islam?
So there are some rational references to prove it.

1. Close Relationship with the Creator

At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual's personal relationship with God, their Creator.
It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting happiness.

Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. By focusing on this important relationship and
following God's guidance, believers will be able to acquire inner peace and tranquillity. Seeking
lasting happiness through other means, such as following one's desires or the accumulation of
material possessions, will never fill the void we have. This need can only be filled with the
awareness of God.

True contentment is found in acknowledging and obeying the Creator: "Truly, in remembering
God do hearts find rest." Quran 13:28

The primary reason for this close relationship is that Muslims have a direct connection with their
Creator. There is no intermediary, such as praying to, or through, others, in worshipping God.

2. Positive Outlook on Life

Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their life, both good and
bad, as they are, in fact, tests from God. It encourages a person to understand events in the
context of the overall purpose of life, which is to acknowledge God and obey Him. He created
humans with intellect and free will to test them as to who will wilfully choose to follow His
guidance. This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that
happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in
their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Patience or
gratitude - this is the formula for a happy life.

Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly happiness that may
cause one to forget God, and the extremes of sadness that may cause one to lose hope and blame
God. By not being overly attached to the material world, a Muslim is empowered not only to
better handle any calamities, but to be beneficial and generous to society. This leads to a more
balanced and optimistic outlook on life.

3. Pure and Clear Concept of God

Unlike other religions, Islam is not named after its founder or the community of its birth. Islam is
an attributive title that signifies obedience to God, the Creator of the Universe. One of its main
beauties is that it acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness of God with
absolutely no compromises. This is reflected in Islam's pure teachings of the attributes of God.
God is One and Unique:

• God has no partners, no equals and no rivals.

• God has no father, mother, sons, daughters or wives.
• God alone is worthy of all worship.

God is the All-Powerful:

• God has full authority and power over all things.

• Obedience to God does not increase His Power, nor does disobedience decrease His
power.

God is the Most High:

• There is nothing above or comparable to God.

• The attributes of God do not resemble that of His creation.
• No part of God is present in anyone or anything.

God is Perfect:

• God does not have any human limitations, such as resting on the seventh day after He
created the universe.
• God always maintains attributes of perfection and does not do anything to compromise
this perfection such as "becoming a man" as claimed by other religions. God does not do
ungodly acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he would, necessarily,
no longer be God.

4. Emphasises Both Evidence and Faith

Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages people to use their God
given intelligence to think and ponder over their life and the universe. Although this life is a test,
God has provided sufficient signs and guidance to people who are open-minded and sincere to be
able to acknowledge the truth.
"We (God) have certainly sent down Signs that make things clear: and God guides whom He wills to
the straight path."Quran 24:46

Unlike other religions, there are many clear proofs, signs and miracles that the book of Islam,
The Quran, is from God.

The Quran:

• Is free from any errors or contradictions, despite it being revealed over a period of 23
years.
• Is preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its original Arabic language, unlike
other scriptures which have been distorted, changed or lost.
 • Contains a simple, pure and universal message that has a profound effect on all those who
are sincerely searching for the truth.
• Contains a unique and inimitable style of language that is universally known as the
pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty - yet the Quran was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be illiterate.
• Contains many amazing scientific facts which have only been discovered recently,
despite being revealed over 1400 years ago.

The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it
cannot be from other than God.

5. Forgiveness of Sins
Islam encourages a balance between hope in God's mercy and fear of His punishment - both of
which are required to lead a positive and humble life.

We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God created us and knows we are
imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to committing those mistakes.
"Do not despair of God's mercy; He will forgive you of all your sins."Quran 39:53

Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those who sincerely
want to repent. The beautiful steps for repentance include being sincere, remorseful, refraining
from committing the sin as well as having the intention not to repeat it. Islam encourages a
continuous process of self-development and self-purification. This process happens directly
between the individual and God - there is no need for sins to be shared or "confessed" to a
righteous person/priest. Furthermore, God does not need to sacrifice himself to forgive sins, nor
is anyone "born into sin".

6. Accountability and Ultimate Justice

Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person will be held responsible for their
own actions on the Day of Judgement. Each person is accountable, as they have freedom of
choice and intelligence to discern between right and wrong.

It is an absolute demand of justice that there be a Day of Judgement where every person is
rewarded or punished, otherwise life would be unjust as not everyone receives true justice in this
world.

Islam teaches that ultimately we will be judged for how well we fulfilled our responsibilities and
exercised our free will. We will be judged by God, the All Knowing and All Wise, who knows
and sees everything we do. This encourages a more harmonious society and gives people
contentment knowing that justice will ultimately prevail.

7. Practical and Balanced Way of Life

Islam provides the right balance between faith and action, as both are required for a stable life. It
provides guidance for all situations and circumstances. It is a practical religion with practical acts
of worship that are designed to fulfil the spiritual, physical, psychological and social needs of
people.

Examples of practical acts of worship that have numerous benefits include:

• The five daily prayers - Enriches the soul by satisfying the spiritual need of being in
regular contact with God (especially in today's busy lifestyle); makes one humble by
bowing and prostrating to God; removes any barriers/pride/racism between believers
praying in congregation; helps one refrain from committing sins given the person stands
regularly before God.
• The obligatory charity - Purifies a person from selfishness; encourages empathy to the
poor; reminds one of the blessings of God; helps reduce poverty; bridges the gap between
rich and poor.
• The fasting in Ramadan - Promotes spiritual self-purification, self-restraint and growth;
scientifically proven health benefits; empathy and awareness of those less fortunate;
trains people to acquire the habit of obeying God.
• The pilgrimage - Unites people of every colour, race, status and nationality, as pilgrims
wear simple and similar clothing, while performing a range of good deeds in
congregation.

Given that Islam is from God, every command found in the religion is ultimately good and
beneficial to the individual and society when practised correctly. Quranic examples include
being honest, forgiving, truthful, kind to one's wife, patient, fair, moderate, modest, sincere, and
respecting parents, family and the elderly. There are also many principles in the teachings of
Islam that prevent or reduce many of the individual and social ills facing the world today.

8. Universal and Timeless Message

Islam has a message that applies to all people at all times, from the creation of Adam up until the
Day of Judgement. It is applicable today as it always has been.

God is accessible to everyone. People may distinguish themselves and earn God's favour through
belief and righteous actions only - not through race, wealth, gender, nationality or social class.

Conclusion
Islam's timeless and beautiful message is the same message of all Prophets, including Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). They all called their people to
"Submit to the One True God" which, in Arabic, means to become a "Muslim". This submission
to God enables one to fulfil the purpose of life by acknowledging the greatness of God and
sincerely worshipping him alone. In doing so, one will acquire the countless benefits of Islam
mentioned above.