Why Am I Muslim

Asalamu’alaikum! A while ago my Abba (dad) asked us a question. The question was “Why are you Muslim?” It took me a while to decide on what to say. I found that I didn’t completely know the answer and I realized that if I didn’t know the answer to this question that wasn’t a good sign. I also did research, but I couldn’t find a good enough answer. After much thought here is what I came up with!

I am Muslim for many reasons. Allah is my God and Muhammad (SAW) is my Prophet. Allah is the Greatest, the Powerful, the Creator and ninety-five attributes more. Allah has given Muslims opportunities and information that he didn’t give to others. Muhammad (SAW) is the number one most influencial person in history. The Quran is our book that is set with perfect guidelines. Islam tells us everything from when we are born, to when we will die and even what will happen afterwards. Islam is situation-based and has guidelines for every scenario, which other religions you may not give you. Islam does not leave anything without a set ruling. Even if sometimes you have to look a little harder you will still find answers. The Quran is the only book that has not been altered as Allah says:

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(The Noble Quran15:9)

We know that the Bible was revealed to Isa (AS), the Torah was revealed to Musa (AS) and the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Now we know that these men were pious and righteous servants of Allah, but we also know that two of the three of their books had later on been twisted and tampered. The Quran never contradicts itself while some of these new variations do. The Quran is the most recent out of these books. For example, lets say we have three books all from the same author. The first book is written, and then the second but over time the actual wisdom of it is lost and the books are changed by the readers of the books. So, then the author writes a final copy which they say they will protect and write in such a way that no will be able to change it or tamper with it. Which copy would you prefer to read? Obviously, the final copy.

The next question that may come to mind is what does Islam mean? Islam means peace and to surrender to Allah. Islam can give you something that other religions can’t. It can fill your emptiness. Many people who are going through different trials such as depression, debt, stress, sadness, confusion, deaths, and so on, can find answers and peace through the Quran and Sunnah. To accompany the Quran is the Sunnah: the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) example. As an example we can take his attitude. He was humble and had good manners. This would be a Sunnah. His wife, Aishah (RA), reffered to him as the living Quran. This is evident, because it also asks us to be humble in the Quran, just like the Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk humbly on the earth, and who, when the foolish address them, reply, ‘Peace’; (The Noble Quran 25:63)

So if we put this into perspective, the Quran is the commandment and the Sunnah is the action of that commandment.

Even if others are not acting according to Islam but still identifying as Muslims, that doesn’t change the Quran and Sunnah. If you want to explore a religion, you do not go to the people, but you go to the roots. Sometimes people label themselves as Muslims, but don’t practice the religion and are bad people, that doesn’t make the religion bad or it’s followers all bad, just that person alone.

As Muslims we have a purpose. We have to make our Master, Allah (SWT) happy. I have to submit fully to what Allah wants. I have to establish his laws in my home and the land. I have to spread the truth of Islam that people may be blind to. Allah wants us to fight against the bad and falsehood that is corrupting our world. He wants us to control our desires and he wants us to learn. That is my purpose as a Muslim.

Allah has chosen us as Muslims, as an example to mankind as he says in Surah Al-Imran:

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient. (The Noble Quran 3:110)

That is why I am Muslim…Alhamdulillah.