Distinguishing Qualities and Privileges of Islam

Distinguishing Qualities and Privileges of Islam

Since Islam is the last religion, it has distinguished qualities and privileges which make it suitable for all times and places:


  • Islam recognizes the previous divine revelations. On the other hand, Jews do not recognize Jesus, and the Christians do not recognize Muhammad whereas Muslims recognize Moses, Jesus and all the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention.

  • In Islam, humans relate with their Lord in all matters and conditions without intermediary.

  • Islam is the only religion which has not been distorted or changed.


Harry G. Dorman said: [The Qur’an] is literal Revelation of God, dictated to Muhammad by Gabriel, perfect in every letter. It is an everpresent miracle witnessing to itself and to Muhammad, the Prophet of God. Its miraculous quality resides partly in its style, so perfect and lofty that neither man nor jinn could produce a single chapter to compare with its briefest chapter, and partly in its content of teachings, prophecies about the future, and amazingly accurate information such as the illiterate Muhammad could never have gathered of his own accord (1)

  • Islam is the religion which covers both the material and spiritual aspects of life. It does not neglect even the slightest of things in a Muslim’s life. It was said to Salman, one of the Companions of the Prophet: “Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to relieve yourselves?" Salman replied, "Of course, he forbade us to face the direction of the Qiblah while defecating or urinating, or to clean oneself with his right hand, or to use less than three stones, or to use bone or dung (to clean oneself).” (Muslim)


Sarojini Naidu said: Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur’an, I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world (2)


  • Islam satisfies both human physical and spiritual needs in equilibrium. It refuses to allow that one aspect be given precedence over the other.


Prince Charles (3) said: Islam can teach us today a way of understanding and living in the world which Christianity itself is poorer for having lost. Islam refuses to separate man and nature, religion and science, mind and matter (4)

  • Islam does not conflict with human intellect or natural disposition.

  • Islam is the religion for humankind at large, regardless of their education, time and place. This is in contrast to previous religions which were sent to specific people at a specific time. For example, if a person wants to become a Jew, he has to be born a Jew. Jesus said about his mission in the New Testamant: “I was sent to the lost sheep of the Children of Israel.” Whereas Islam is a universal religion that is fit for all people, at all times, regardless of their race or language.


It is the Word of God:
And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most of the people do not know. (34:28)

In these verses, God commands His Prophet to openly call to Islam, so he called his people to worship God alone, and to cast aside all false deities. He was harmed by his people, yet he remained steadfast and merciful. He sent letters to the Kings of his time and invited them to accept Islam. Among those whom he wrote to were the Emperor of Rome, the Emperor of Persia, and the King of Abyssinia. If the message of the Prophet Muhammad was not a universal one, he would not have invited the rulers of different kingdoms close to Arabia to accept Islam. This would possibly open more than one front with adversaries who were far better equipped and greater in number. Why would he venture to do something like this if it were not but a divine Message from God which he was ordered to convey to mankind at large!

The Messenger of Allah said: “This matter (Islam) will become as apparent as the night and day. Every person in a city or a desert area will come to know of this religion, by means of might or disgrace. Might by which Islam is honored and disgrace by which God disgraces disbelief.” (Ahmad)