"Muslim" is another Arabic word which ought to be defined for the benefit of the non-Arabs?

Question

One of the important things in my question is to define the subject. As we shall proceed to discuss Islam, I would like to hear a definition of the meaning of the word "Islam" because it is an Arabic word. I have heard more than one definition of this word; so I would like to hear yours. "Muslim" is another Arabic word which ought to be defined for the benefit of the non-Arabs who may read it very often without understanding its full meaning, or may confuse it with the word Islam?

The original meaning of "Islam" is the acceptance of a view or a condition which previously was not accepted. In the language of the Holy Qur'an, Islam means the readiness of a person to take orders from God and to follow them. "Muslim" is a word taken from the word Islam. It applies to the person who is ready to take orders from God and follow them.

"Abraham was not a Jew nor a Christian, but he was an upright (man), a Muslim; and he was not one of the Polytheists." 3:67

The two words, however, acquired specific meanings after the introduction of the message which was conveyed by the Prophet Mohammad. The message which was revealed to Mohammad is called Islam, and to profess the belief in his message is also Islam. Muslim, also, has come to mean the person who follows the message of Mohammad and believes in its truthfulness.

justsomeq... they should learn english to teach it and spread it we need people like you do not listen to what they say may god bless you our deeds are judged by our intentions.

The universality of the Islamic teaching can be shown in its non-discriminatory teaching in regard to the human race, and in the recognition of all the previous prophets.

Since the time of its birth, Islam has carried the brand of universality. It addressed itself to the whole human race, discriminating neither among nations nor among ethnic groups. Every human being is a member of a huge family. No individual or nation is God's chosen or favorite creation because of birth, nationality, or belief in a particular dogma. People are equal in the sight of God, and everyone may have an access to the kingdom of God, if he (she) is righteous.

Answer 1

As salamun alaikum aki. I have embraced islam as the true religion about 5 years ago. I am 24 now. I can not read arabic. I have read the quran multiple times and the bible once(took me like 3 months). I was never a christian, but was agnostic when I thought I was atheist. Come to find out I never was. For allah was always with me by HIS knowledge. But I can not read arabic, though I try and give great thought to my understanding for rhe reasons of shirk. And the best reason I have come up with is the language gap that leaves understanding distorted and the covets of/for most. Or those who take thier covets as lord. Mulims say that one can not understand the quran without understanding arabic. But if one says that, then logically that will deter someone from learning of what islam is about. Submission to the "will" of allah. Submission to THE GOD that was never incarnate nor will ever choose to do so. But HE does bless with HIS mighty graces to whom HE alone wills. With my mind frame, I look at evreything through definiton. Even the name of the prophets. "Language is meant for people to purify". So I look to everything by definition that is the same as description. For example, when one says a muslim. I look to that as all who submits. That being anyone who believes in GOD as the sovereign(MALIK). Those who choose to purify the world and not take another as lord such as the christ. But back to my explanation of descriptions, I define most to my knowledge. Though it is nothing compared to that of allah. As khidr put it, "It is like that of a sparrow swooping down and taking a gulp from the ocean compared to that of allah's knowledge." So I define everything I come accross to my limited knowledge. For example, muhammad(pbuh) is defined as the parised one. So I look to him as such. Abraham(pbuh) is defined as the father. So I look to him as such. Aaron(pbuh) is the bearer of martyres. So I look to him as such. Moses(pbuh) I took to a different text. In arabic it is musa(pbuh). I placed that through the spanish translation and it is muse. The deep thinker. So I look to him as such. King David(pbuh) is the beloved. So I look to him as such. Solomon(pbuh) is peace. So I look to him as such. Nathan(pbuh) is the gift. So I look to him as such. Israel(pbuh) is the one who struggled with Lah. So I look to him as such. Allah is THE GOD. So I look to HIM as such. I choose to master islam in my own tongue by the graces of allah. Some may shun it, but it makes sense for me to do so. I am american born and raised. Till one day allah chooses something else for me.

Now this may seem blasphemous to most, but I accept a lot of things that may be considered sacreligous. For example. I am half african american and chinese. And not to sound stereotypical, but some things hold true bearings. Maybe all. I respect my ancestors highly and the more I learn about them, the more I see how much they and islam have in common. Even though they may seem like a polytheistic culture, they are in actuality not. I believe in people like vishnu. Not as GOD, but as people sent as reminders. I will post a copy of thier definition of GOD/ILAH. This is the description of the GOD of vishnu that is described perfectly in the quran, but also descriobed perfectly by them.

"According to the monotheistic and panentheistic theologies of Hinduism, God (the Supreme Being) is, in the highest sense, One: beyond form, infinite, and eternal. God is changeless and is the very source of consciousness. God is beyond time, space, and causation and yet permeates everything and every being. God is beyond gender.[8] When God is thought of as this infinite principle, God is called Brahman (Hindi: ब्रह्म). Brahman is the indescribable, inexhaustible, omniscient, omnipresent, original, first, eternal and absolute principle—the Supreme Cosmic Spirit—who is without a beginning, without an end, who is hidden in all and who is the cause, source, material and effect of all creation known, unknown and yet to happen in the entire universe.[9] Brahman is the Absolute Truth: it is pure existence, consciousness and knowledge."-wikepedia

Here is an interesting belief in hinduism. There will be a last avatar of vishnu that will be in the form of kalki. Who is called the destroyer of filth that will decend on earth at the end of kali yoga(a period we are living in now with great confusion, ignorance, and malice) and destroy with the fury of nature. But he was not prescribed in that religion to come till after the last devotee of GOD was to come/was no more. To my acceptance, that was the prophet muhammad(pbuh). For he is the last prophet of GOD. And his avatar has him coming in the form of him riding a white horse(it might be a pegasis) and brandishing a comet like sword. Now in christian theology in revelations, it warns people to "Behold a pale white horse". I forgot the rest though. I don't like the new testament. Basically, they are warning of kalki, but I highly doubt they know that. But this is for the world of the unseen(ghaib). To my belief anyways. Though it will have consequesnces in the seen.

I have many beliefs, but it is all in islam. I know the quran states, "Not to mix truth with falsehood"-quran. But what if it is all the truth. Like it is the truth I am half african american and chinese who believes in such things. Or that there are people whom actually take the christ as lord. "And it is a sin to set up artners in worship unto allah"-quran. But it exists and to my recolection there is only one christ. As it is the truth there is only one true prophet muhammad(pbuh). Truth or falsehood?

Peace be unto you and may allah enrich you in bounty in that which you desire. Alhumduallah.

Answer 2

My fiance is not an Arab, but Arabic is his first language (he's Kurdish Iraqi). I'm trying to learn Arabic and it's not easy for me, but I haven't met any Arabs or Arabic speakers who minded that I used Arab words whenever I could. However. I will say that most are not patient teachers, and when you make mistakes, they don't really try to understand (guess) what you mean, and the corrections come fast and harsh lol. I think it might be a cultural thing, and perhaps connected to the education system there, which is different from the one I grew up with here in Canada.

Answer 3

"Al-Islam" is actually an act, the act of surrendering to the will of the One True God of all existence.

A "Muslim" is one who performs this act of submission, therefore all the prophets of God, who submitted their will to their Creator, are by definition "Muslims", and everyone who believes in The One and Only God (and nothing else like son of God, mother of God, holy saints with attributed powers...etc - called "shirk" in Islam) is by definition a "Muslim".

Unfortunately, unbelievers want you to believe that Muslims are a group of people who are not like other "monotheists" such as Christians and Jews. By the nature of the word, this thought completely contradicts who Muslims are, people of any race, color, or social status, who praise and fear God, and don't worship any humans, even their own beloved Messenger of God, Muhammad (PBUH).

Answer 4

i am a christian arab
arabic is my mother tongue
i can define the word of "Islam" as what i always hear from muslims islam means surrending to God

but as an arab, i am just wondering

is it right to say Islam اسلام or Tasleem تسليم

may be i have to study more arabic grammer.

Answer 5

Islam means submission to god or surrender to god to accept him as you lord and creator, to obay his commands as best you can.

Answer 6

Islam= to surrender or to submit
Muslim= Surrenderer or submitter (to God)

Answer 7

Islam=Submission to Allah's will
Muslim=A man who gets peace with submitting his will to Allah

Answer 8

very nice question
Islam means to surrender urself to GOD

Answer 9

It means slave to god, am I right?

That shows straight away what a repulsive faith it is, anti-human, anti-thought, anti-freedom.