or brotherhood of the human race, afford positive proof of its being true to its name. Not only is Islām stated to be the true religion of all the prophets of God, as pointed out above, but even the involuntary though complete submission to Divine laws, which is witnessed in nature, is indicated by the same word aslama. This wider significance is also retained in the strictly legal usage of the word, for, in law, Islām has a two-fold significance: a simple profession of faith — a declaration that “there is no god but Allāh and Muḥammad is His Messenger” (Kalimah) and a complete submission to the Divine will which is only attainable through spiritual perfection.7 Thus, he who simply accepts the religion of Islām, the mere novice, is a Muslim, as well as he who completely submits himself to the Divine will and practices all the Divine commandments.
Islām is the last of the great religions — those mighty movements which have revolutionized the world and changed the destinies of nations. But it is not only the last, it is an all-inclusive religion which contains within itself all religions which came before it. One of its most striking characteristics is that it requires its followers to believe that all the great religions of the world that preceded it have been revealed by God: “And who believe in that which has been revealed to thee and that which was revealed before thee” (2:4).
“Say: We believe in Allāh and (in) that which has been revealed to us, and (in) that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and (in) that which was given to Moses and Jesus, and (in) that which was given to the prophets from their Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them” (2:136).
“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers. We make no distinction between any of His messengers” (2:285).
Thus a Muslim believes not only in the Holy Prophet Muḥammad but in all other prophets as well. And prophets were, according to the teachings of the Holy Qur’ān, sent to all the nations: “And there is
7 “Islām in law is of two kinds; one is a simple confession with the tongue … whether accompanied with belief (īmān or real change) in the heart or not… The other is about belief (īmān), and it means that along with confession, there is belief (īmān) or real change in the heart and a fulfilment in practice, and resignation to God in whatever He brings to pass or decrees” (R.).