by: Bey Abdullah
In today’s world, we witness many misleading ideas about justice and human worth. Violence is often justified under false pretenses, and the killing of innocent people because of their race, color, or beliefs has become tragically common. Hatred spreads across nations and communities, while the pursuit of power, wealth, and glamour overshadows moral integrity and compassion. The ethical and moral values that once bound humanity together seem to fade away.
Yet, it is these very values (respect, dignity, and the sense of safety) that make life peaceful and meaningful. People yearn to live without fear, to be respected in foreign lands, and to feel secure about their families, faith, and belongings. In such a time, the message of Islam rises again as a reminder of divine justice and universal peace, a religion sent to restore safety, balance, and mercy to all humankind, without questioning their races and colors.
Islam, by its very name, conveys peace, safety, and submission. The Arabic word “Islam” (الإسلام) comes from the root “s-l-m” (س ل م) or salam, meaning peace, purity, submission, and safety. It signifies surrendering oneself to the will of Allah (swt), the Creator, the Sustainer, and the ultimate Source of peace. A person who submits wholeheartedly to Allah is called a Muslim (مسلم), one who lives in harmony with divine guidance and spreads peace within himself, his family, and society.
At its core, Islam calls humankind to the path of safety, safety of the soul from disbelief, safety of the heart from anxiety, and safety of society from corruption and injustice. The message of Islam provides spiritual tranquility, moral direction, and social balance. It offers humanity a divine formula for peace that encompasses every aspect of life: personal, familial, and global.
The essence of Islam did not begin 1,400 years ago. It began with the creation of humankind itself, as Allah mentions in the Quran. Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), the first human, was also the first prophet of Allah. The Qur’an and other holy scriptures mention him as the father of humanity and the first recipient of divine revelation. Through Adam, Allah taught the principles of faith, obedience, and repentance, the foundational teachings of Islam.
From Adam’s time onward, Allah continued to send prophets to guide mankind whenever they strayed from the truth. These messengers were sent to different nations and eras, each with the same message: to worship Allah alone and to live righteously. Prophet Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all) were among those who carried the torch of divine truth. The core of their message was Islam (submission to God’s will), though the laws (shari‘ah) revealed to them differed according to their people’s needs and capacity.
Thus, Islam is not a new or foreign faith; it is the original faith of humankind. Every prophet brought a portion of the truth suitable for his time, but the foundation remained the same: Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), ‘Adl (justice), and Akhlaq (moral excellence). The progression of revelation shows that divine guidance evolved in accordance with human development, preparing humanity for the final and universal message.
The final and complete stage of this divine journey came through Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). His prophethood marked the culmination of divine revelation and the perfection of religion. Allah Himself declared in the Qur’an: “This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
This verse is a monumental declaration by God. It signifies that no new prophet or revelation would come after Muhammad (saw), and that the religion of Islam contains within it every element necessary for human success and safety. The laws of Islam are comprehensive, guiding the believer in matters of faith, worship, morality, family, economy, and governance.
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was sent as a mercy to all creation, not to Arabs alone, but to the entire world. The Qur’an describes him as “Rahmatan lil-‘alamin”, a mercy for all beings. His mission was to bring humankind out of darkness and into light, from ignorance into knowledge, from division into unity, and from oppression into justice. Muhammad brought lighter worship obligations but asked for greater obedience to God.
Islam calls for a balanced life, a middle path (wasathiyah). Wasathiyah can also mean the middle path between the hard approach by Moses and the compassionate approach by Jesus. Islam was hard in terms of justice and compassion towards weakness. Wasathiyah can also mean one who seeks goodness in this world and in the next.
The Qur’an teaches a beautiful supplication that captures this holistic vision: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adhaban-nar.” (“Our Lord! Grant us goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”) (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:201)
This prayer reflects Islam’s view of life, that worldly comfort and spiritual well-being are not contradictory. Islam encourages the pursuit of worldly excellence while maintaining a strong moral compass. Safety in Islam is both physical and spiritual, temporal and eternal.
The teachings of Islam bring safety to individuals by nurturing faith (iman) and discipline (taqwa). A heart connected to Allah is a heart at peace. The Prophet (saw) said, “Verily, in the body there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound. If it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Indeed, it is the heart” (Sahih Muslim 1599). When the heart is guided by faith, one’s entire being becomes a source of peace.
Islam also ensures the safety of society. Its principles of justice (‘adl), compassion (rahmah), and brotherhood (ukhuwwah) are designed to protect human dignity and prevent oppression. It commands fairness in trade, kindness to the poor, and respect for every life. The Prophet (saw) said, “The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people’s lives and wealth are safe” (Sunan an-Nasai 4995). This shows that true faith manifests in moral behavior and social responsibility.
Moreover, Islam safeguards the environment and promotes balance (mizan). It teaches that humankind is a steward (khalifah) of the earth, responsible for maintaining its harmony. The safety that Islam promotes extends beyond human society to all creatures and the natural world.
In today’s world, marked by wars, injustice, and spiritual emptiness, the message of Islam stands as a beacon of hope. It offers humanity a path back to peace through submission to the Creator. Islam does not only save souls; it saves civilizations by guiding them toward justice, mercy, and knowledge.
Islam is indeed the safe religion and the savior of humankind. It offers peace to the heart, order to society, and purpose to life. It connects humanity to its Creator through faith, worship, and righteousness. Whoever embraces Islam sincerely finds the ultimate safety in this world through peace of mind and in the Hereafter through the mercy of Allah. As Allah says, “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:85).
May Allah grant us goodness in this world and the next, and protect us from the fire, Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanah wa fil akhirati hasanah, wa qina ‘adzaban-nar.