Wealth and status were used by the rich and powerful to subjugate the weak. Newborn baby daughters were buried alive in the name of honor, while women were traded as commodity, used and abused. Racism was ingrained in society, and people with no tribal affiliations would be killed and discarded for petty issues, while the lucky ones would be stripped of their property and shackled to slavery. All the while sacrifices and worship were made to stones and statues craved from their own hands, claiming their forefathers had done the same. Their injustices were not limited to affairs of people, but extended to the rights of God as well.And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." [Quran 21:25]

Islam wiped away all these injustices via revelation sent to a man chosen by Allah, His Messenger the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It triggered a change that left a lasting impact alive today, and will be till the Final Hour. He changed the landscape where animal and plants have rights, the weak and poor have rights, women and children have rights, every individual no matter his background or race has rights, and where the rights of God are established. He spread the speech of Allah calling out to monotheism-- not to worship objects, people, or their wealth and status but rather worship their Creator by submitting their will to Him willingly.

Greed, selfishness, and uncontrolled desires were overwhelmed by the love people had for their Lord and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Islam gave us purpose and explained the reason why we are here. It is a religion chosen by our Creator, a guide to help us appreciate God as He deserves, and it gives us guidance for how to live the best of lives, and be happy and content.

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. [Quran 5:3]

Perfected

Every nation had received a prophet and a book for guidance, but the purity of the teachings were not preserved and the message was corrupted over time. Islam came to reaffirm the past message of monotheism, and our Lord delivered the final message of Islam through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He perfected it with the best of Speech (Quran), and the teachings from the seal of the prophets, Muhammad (pbuh).

The Quran is the Speech of Allah and it teaches about:

1 MATTERS OF THE UNSEEN (GHAYB):
For example, it describes paradise and hell-fire, events of the Last Day, about the past and future, the angels, and about our Creator.

2 TAWHEED (ONENESS OF ALLAH):
The singularity of worshiping Allah alone without any partners has been the fundamental teaching since before Adam was created. The final Prophet (pbuh) illustrated to his followers how to worship Allah – be it performing the prayer, giving charity, being kind to our parents, taking care of orphans, or controlling our tongues.

3 RULINGS:
It gives us a complete system of living, rules and regulations, and how to connect with The Creator, while the Prophet’s Sunnah explains how to put it into practice.

The message of Islam is as alive and applicable today as it was when the revelation first came, and due to its perfection it will continue to be until the Day of Judgment. Its divine origin mandates no contradictions can be found in the message, everything that is contained in it – be it scientific explanations, past details, or prophecies – are accurate and true.

The Quran is not a small book and was revealed over a period of 23 years. Any man-made book in similar dimensions with be filled with contradictions, and because the Quran is the Speech of Allah it is perfect in every form. The Arabs at the time of revelation were masters of the Arabic language, yet they were amazed and in awe at the verses Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) recited. Many have tried to respond to the challenge of producing something like the Quran even in recent times, but none have been able to succeed in replicating anything resembling the divine word of Allah.

Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradiction. [Quran 4:82]

Islam is the perfect guidance given to us by Allah, and that is why we see the Quran and Sunnah preserved meticulously since the day of revelation. Allah has taken it upon Himself to preserve the words of guidance, and not a word, letter, or vowel has been misplaced. Despite what the enemies of Islam will do, the message of Islam will remain pure and available for those seeking His guidance, His favor.

The Favor

We are informed of an incident by the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) that occurred after Adam was given life.

On that day we affirmed the Oneness of Allah and testified He is our Maker. Although the covenant was taken a long long time ago, it continues to manifest in our lives today. For example when someone is in a dire situation where no one has any ability to help, he will find himself raising his hands reaching out in prayer to Allah. Even self-proclaimed atheists have stated they have found themselves calling out to God. The natural inclination to affirm God’s presence is an extension of the covenant, and it is known as ‘fitrah’.

Two of the Pillars of Emaan (Faith) explain the numerous Prophets and Books Allah sent, all with the sole purpose of guiding us. Allah gave us the means to recognize Him through:

1THE FITRAH
It is a deep rooted understanding inside of our hearts that guides us to our Maker, longs to reach out and be close with Him. It is also the reason why we inherently acknowledge there is a larger purpose to our existence, there is something beyond this life and that a day will come when we will meet with our Lord.

2REFLECTION
Reflecting upon signs in the universe and Islamic teachings mentioned in the texts is one of the great acts of worship enjoined and encouraged in the Quran.

3GRATITUDE
By reflecting on the blessings He bestowed us.

Those who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire." [Quran 3:191]

However, mankind continued to fall into Satan’s trap of denying the Oneness of Allah. The Most-Merciful did not leave us to fail, rather he continued to shower us with His favor by sending many Prophets and noble books again and again all with the sole purpose of guiding us. The monotheistic message of Islam was sent to every nation, and Allah completed the message of guidance with His final Messenger Muhammad (pbuh), and the Quran.

Guidance is the best gift anyone can receive. Without guidance we will be leading empty lives, not sure of our purpose and where we are headed. Day by day without guidance we will be laying the foundations for an abode in the Fire of Hell, and it is through the mercy of Allah’s guidance that we will cleanse of hearts of shirk (associated partners with Allah), strive to please our Creator instead of fulfilling our desires, and being worthy to receive the best of rewards, a place in Paradise.

It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. [Quran 5-7]

Chosen Islam

Islam is the beacon that helps us find answers to life’s questions, and lays out the straight path that leads us to Him. It means to willingly submit our will to the will of Allah. The companions of the Prophet (pbuh) understood this, and the beauty of Islam changed the worst of society into a model example. They sacrificed all that they had for the religion, giving preference in every aspect to our Lord as opposed to themselves. They aligned with the fitrah, with their Lord, and Allah guided them to be the best of generation, and expanded their hearts to taste the sweetness of faith. The favors of our Lord are immeasurable, and Islam is the path that will help us to appreciate Him.

Allah created the worlds and sustains all of His Creation. He guides us to what is good and beneficial, and warns us to stay away from things that harm us in this life and the next. He knows best about His Creation and therefore when He chose Islam as our religion, it is the best and only form of guidance we will need. Several religions developed over time and deviated from the simple and pure message of tawheed (Oneness of Allah). Allah purified the message that permeated through time in one final revelation, which will remain preserved and pure till the Last Day.

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Dhikr and indeed, We will be its guardian. [Quran 15:9]