Submission to Allah - Essay Example

The word Islam itself means “submission”.  As a function of understanding this fact, one should understand that the religion of Islam requires complete and total submission to Allah (God) in all aspects of one’s life.  Many individuals rightly point out the fact that Islam is a member of the 3 Abrahamic faiths; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  However, Muslims are unique in the fact that they consider themselves a part of the development of Allah’s message to humanity.  It is the belief of Muslims around the world that Allah has revealed himself to the people of the book (Christians, Jews, and eventually Muslims) at different times throughout history. 

Moreover, Islam, like Christianity and Judaism is a monotheistic faith; meaning that Muslims believe in but one God – Allah.  A secondary and equally important factor of being a Muslim is the belief in and attribution of Mohammed as the Prophet of Allah.  Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammed is the last messenger of God’s truth on earth.  In this way, all of the other representations that have come before, Noah, Moses, and even Jesus, are subject to the ultimate revelations that Mohammed has revealed through the Angel Gabriel. 

To be a Muslim requires one to follow the laws and directives lain out by Mohammed’s followers within the Holy Qur’an; Islam’s most holy text.  Moreover, feasts should be celebrated, purity should be retained, apostasy abhorred, and refusal of certain unclean meats. Besides following the letter of the law laid out in the Qur’an it is also required that an individual, if they are physically or financially able must make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca within their lifetime.