Blessing of Islam

Islam

Word Arabic Meaning Islam اسلام Submission Salam سلام Well-being/Peace (Derivation of) Salama سلما The stinging of a snake or the tanning of the leather Saleema سليما To be saved or to escape from danger (when refering to a female) Saleem سليم To be saved or to escape from danger (when refering to a male) Aslam اسلم To submit Istaslama استسلاما To surrender Musal مسل Undisputed Tasleem تسليم To receive a salutation or becoming submitte           In Arabic, the word “Islam” means submission or surrender – however, it was derived from the root word “salam”. From this root word, you can also derive the words peace and safety. Many people feel that Islam implies some sort ofenslavement to Allah, but others find it more helpful to define the word “Islam” as surrender. Many religions have a concept of surrender to God. In Jewish history, when the ancient Hebrews obeyed God’s commands, they had a long period of prosperity and stability. In Christianity, surrendering to God is a way of putting your life into more capable hands – in fact, Jesus asked many of his disciples to surrender their livelihoods and follow him. So, if we look at the word ‘Islam’ in this way, we can understand why obeying Allah’s commands and trusting in Allah’s wisdom could bring about peace for a Muslim. The word does not represent a one-sided relationship, where the believer is enslaved to Allah. Rather, the word Islam indicates a covenant between Allahand his followers, where a Muslim surrenders his or her will to Allah in return for peace or safety.