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Review of instances of aslama and islaam in the Quran

Introduction

Monotheism is a progressive religion of God that dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to the humanity by God’s prophets and messengers that we can learn from especially mentioning of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus including Muhammad in the Quran (42:13). While there is a misconception around us that Islam is our religion founded in the 7th century with the revelation of the Quran, and prophet Muhammad was the founder of it but the Quran has confirmed that God’s religion is Monotheism being Islam its is practices, a complete set first given to Abraham.

Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law. Everything and every phenomenon in the world other than man is administered totally by God-made laws, i.e., they are obedient to God and submissive to His laws, they are in the state of Islam. Human possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice (16:78, 17:36, 23:76), thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law, i.e., to become a Muslim.

However, Islam is an Arabic word derived from the root word “aslama” meaning “to submit” (to God). There are 22 occurrences of the root word “أَسلَمَ” (aslama) in the verb form meaning “to submit”, and 8 occurrences of “إِسْلَٰم” (islaam) meaning “Submission” in the verbal noun form in the Quran. Here are the details of 22 references of “aslama” found in 19 verses across 15 suras and 8 references of “islam” found in 8 verses across 7 suras to know the origin, and understand that those who submit to God deserve their reward at their Lord being “Submission” is practicing the rites given by Him:

Instances of “aslama

[2:112] Nay, whoever has submitted himself to God (aslama wajhahu lillahi), and he is a good doer, then for him there is his reward with his Lord, and there is no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.

[2:131] When his Lord said to him, “Submit” (aslim), he (Abraham) said, “I have submitted (aslamatu) to Lord of the worlds.”
Note: When God has told Abraham to submit he had submitted to Lorld of the worlds.

[3:20] And if they have argued with you (Muhammad), then say, “I (Muhammad) have submitted myself (aslamatu wajhiya) to God and whoever has followed me.” And say to those who have been given the scripture and those who have not been (wal-ummiyina), “Have you submitted yourselves (a-aslamatum)?” And if they have submitted (aslamuu), then certainly, they have guided, but if they have turned back, then your only duty is the conveyance (fa-innamaa alayka al-balaaghu). And God is Seer of His servants.

[3:83] So do they seek other than God’s religion while to Him has submitted (aslama) whatever is in the heavens and the earth with willingness or unwillingness? And to Him they will be returned.
Note: Everything and every phenomenon in the universe are administered totally by God.

[4:125] And who has better religion than whoever has submitted himself to God (aslama wajhahu lillahi), and he is a good-doer and has followed a religion of Abraham, monotheism? And God has chosen Abraham as a friend.

[5:44] Indeed, we sent down the Torah, in it (feehaa) there is guidance and light; the prophets those who have submitted (aslamuu) judge with it those who have been Jews, and the rabbis as well as the priests, for what they have been entrusted of God’s scripture as well as they have been witnesses over it. So you do not fear the people but you shall fear Me; and you do not trade with My revelations for a small price. And whoever does not judge with what God has sent down, then those – they are the disbelievers.
Note: The Torah was guidance and light revealed to the prophets who judge with it those who have been Jews. Hence, the Torah is a collection of scripture given to the Jewish prophets, referring it in the feminine gender while the Injeel and the Quran are mentioned in the masculine gender in the Quran.

[6:14] Say, “Shall I accept other than God as a Protector, the Initiator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds but is not fed?” Say, “I am commanded to be the first one who submits (aslama), and do not be an idol worshiper.”

[6:71] Say, “Shall we call upon other than God what cannot benefit us or harm us, and we are turned back on our heels after God has guided us?” It is like the one whom has enticed the devils in the earth, is in confusion, he has companions who call him to the guidance: “Come to us!” Say, “God’s guidance is the true guidance, and we have been commanded that we submit (linus’lima) to Lord of the worlds.”

[16:81] And God has made for you shade from what He created, and He made from the mountains shelters for you, and He made for you garments which protect you from the heat, and garments which protect you from your violence. It is such that He completes His blessing upon you, so that you may submit (tus’limuun).

[22:34] And for every community we have made a rite that they may mention God’s name over what He has provided for them of the livestock. And your god is one god, so to Him you shall submit (aslimuu) and shall give good news to the humble ones.

[27:44] It was said to her: “Enter the palace.” So when she saw it she thought there was a pool, and she uncovered her legs. He said: “Indeed, it is a palace made of crystal.” She said: “My Lord, indeed, I have wronged myself, and I submit (wa-aslamtu) with Solomon to God, the Lord of the universe.”

[31:22] And whoever submits himself (yus’lim wajhahu) to God, while he is a good worker, then indeed, he has grasped the most trustworthy bond. And to God all matters return.

[37:103] So when they both submitted (aslamaa), and he (Abraham) put his (his son) forehead down.
Note: This is a historical event, which was an attempt of Abraham to fulfill his dream not according to the will of God nor in obedience of His law.

[39:54] And turn to your Lord, and submit (wa-aslimuu) to Him, before the retribution comes to you, then you will not be helped.

[40:66] Say: “Indeed me, I (Muhammad) have been forbidden that I worship those whom you call other than God, when has come to me the clear proofs from my Lord. And I have been commanded that I submit (us’lima) to Lord of the worlds.”
Note: The message in the verse is a direct indication that prophet Muhammad was an idol worshiper and he was commanded to submit to God when he has been chosen as prophet to deliver the final scripture.

[48:16] Say to those of the Arabs who lagged behind: “You will be called to fight a people who possess a great military skill, until they will submit (yus’limuun). Then if you obey, God will grant you a good reward, but if you turn away as you turned away before, He will punish you with a painful punishment.”
Note: Fighting is decreed to expose those who have submitted to God, and He will grant those who participate in fighting to defeat the enemies of God.

[49:14] The Arabs said: “We have believed.” Say: “You do not believe,” but say: “We have submitted (aslamnaa)” as the faith yet does not enter into your hearts. But if you obey God and His messenger, He will not deprive you of any of your deeds. Indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful.
Note: God is aware of the true believers and the true believers are those who obey Him and His messenger.

[49:17] They consider a favor to you (Muhammad) that they have submitted (aslamuu). Say, “Do not consider your submission a favor on me. No, God has bestowed a favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if you have been truthful.”
Note: A true believer should know that favor or blessing only comes from God.

[72:14] And that there are some among us who are submitters, and among us there are some who are unjust. But whoever submits (fa-man aslama), then they have sought right path.”

In brief, here are the important contexts where the occurrences of “aslama” are found to better understand the commandment to submit to God to be among the guided ones:

  • Those who submit themselves to God, and are righteous workers will have their reward from their Lord.
  • Those who submit to God are certainly the guided ones.
  • Everything and every phenomenon in the universe is administered totally by God while human possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, and is invited to seek the right religion.
  • Those who submit to God are righteous and follow the religion of Abraham.
  • Torah was sent with guidance and light through the prophets who submitted and judged the Jews with it, and rabbis and priests were entrusted of God’s scripture to witness over it but not to trade with His revelations for a small price.
  • The prophet was forbidden from worshiping idols and had been commanded to submit while he submitted to God and avoided worshiping of idols, the existing practice among the Arabs.
  • God’s guidance is the true guidance and we all have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the universe.
  • We are to submit to God who is our god and one god.
  • Sheba submitted with Solomon to God, the Lord of the universe.
  • God has commanded us to turn to Him and submit to Him before the retribution comes to us.
  • The Arabs were told not to say that they have believed rather to say that they have submitted until their faith enters their hearts.
  • Those who considered that they have favored the prophet by submitting to God while it is His mercy that He guides them to the faith.
  • Those who submit to God have sought the right path.

Instances of “Islaam

[3:19] Indeed, the religion with God is submission (al-islaamu), and those who received the scripture did not dispute except after the knowledge came to them out of jealousy between them. And whoever rejects God’s revelations, then God is swift in reckoning.

[3:85] And whoever seeks other than submission (al-islaami) as a religion, will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be with the losers.

[5:3] Forbidden upon you the dead animal, and the blood, and the meat of pig, and what was sacrificed to other than God; and that which has been strangled, and that which has been beaten to death, and that which has fallen from a height, and that which has been gored, and that which the wild animals have attacked except what has been slaughtered (before it dies), and what has been slaughtered on the alters, and that you divide by the arrows of chance – that are all abominable. Today, those who disbelieved have given up from your religion, so do not fear them, but fear Me. Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessings upon you, and have chosen submission (al-islaama) as a religion for you. So, whoever is forced by severe hunger and not being willful to sin, then God is Forgiving, Merciful.

[6:125] So whoever God wishes to guide, He will open his chest towards submission (lilislaami); and whoever He wishes to misguide, He will make his chest tight and constricted, as one who is climbing towards the sky. It is such that God afflicts those who do not believe.

[9:74] They swear by God that they did not say, while they said a word of disbelief and they disbelieved after their submission (islaamihim), and they planned of what they could not attain; and they could not take revenge except that God and His messenger had enriched them from His bounty. If they repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, then God will punish them a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no protector nor a helper in the earth.

[39:22] Is it not the one who opens his chest for submission (lilislaami), then he will be on a light from his Lord?. So woe to those whose hearts are hardened from remembering God. They are in far astray.

[49:17] They consider a favor to you (Muhammad) that they have submitted. Say, “Do not consider your submission (islaamakum) a favor on me. No, God has bestowed a favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if you are truthful.”

[61:7] And who is more evil than one who fabricates lies about God, and he is invited to submission (al-islaami)? And God does not guide the evil people.

In brief, here are the important contexts where the occurrences of “islaam” are found to understand that submission is God’s religion and He will not accept any other religion from anyone:

  • God has proclaimed in the Quran that submission is His religion and He will not accept from anyone other than submission.
  • He has also informed us in the Quran, the final scripture that He has perfected His religion for the humanity including certain promise and prophecies related to the future events as blessings for them and has chosen submission as a religion for them.
  • Certain meats and blood are made unlawful in submission unless someone is forced by a severe hunger or famine.
  • Whoever God wishes to guide, he opens his heart to submission.
  • Those who swear by God that they did not say a word of disbelief while they did, then they disbelieved after their submission.
  • If those who repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, then God will punish them a painful punishment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no protector nor a helper in the earth.
  • Those who open their chests for submission will be on a light from their Lord.
  • Those who considered that their submission was a favor to the prophet while it was the mercy from God for them that He guides them to the faith.
  • Those are the evil people who invite those to submission but fabricating lies about God.

Mathematical confirmation

Out of total 30 instances of “aslama” and “islaam”, 29 instances found in 25 verses across 16 suras participate in the mathematical confirmation. The total of the relevant sura and verse number is a multiple of 19 =>1748 = 19x92 (see the table below for details):

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Note: This mathematical confirmation establishes a direct relationship between the instances of “aslama” and that of “islaam” to indicate that “islaam” is derived from the root word “aslama” to eliminate any doubt about it. The instance of “aslamaa” in 37:103 is not included in the mathematical calculation for not reflecting to submit to the good will of God nor in obedience of His law rather than an attempt to fulfill the dream. The instances of “islaam” are highlighted yellow in the table while the presence of more than one instance in the same verse are highlighted orange.

Conclusion

We can have the definition of Islam (submission) from the dictionary as well as from different scholars but the most accurate definition can only be obtained from the Quran. Islam is God’s religion and He has precisely defined it in the Quran, which means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law. The core message of Islam has always been the same, and all prophets and messengers are sent with it and its laws to invite people to submit to the will of God and obey His laws while people are given intelligence and choice to make their decision to become submissive to Him and obedient to His laws.

The review of the instances of “aslama” and “islaam” along with the mathematical confirmation ensure that “islaam” is derived from the root word “aslama” meaning to submit to the will of God and obey His law, and its noun form is “islaam” meaning submission to God, even though other study indicates that it is derived from the Arabic root “salema” meaning peace, purity, submission and obedience. Thus, God has given us accurate definition of His religion and has taught us the basic principle of absolute submission to Him who is our god and one god being a monotheistic faith. We should accept it using our God given faculties if we truly submit to Him and are obedient to His laws to be guided to the right path.

However, Monotheism, a religion of God dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God’s prophets and messengers, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad while its message has been restored and enforced from time to time, which occurs through the religious evolution driven by God. He has revealed the Quran, the final scripture in the 7th century perfecting His religion including certain promise and prophecies as His blessings for us indicating that He has chosen submission being practices of His religion for us. We are also blessed to have the Quran with built-in mathematical system, which has been unveiled in 1974 by God’s leave through His messenger (3:81). This mathematical coding plays a crucial role to appropriate interpretation of the message coded in the Quran as well as to perfect our beliefs and His given practices removing all the corruptions occurred to His religion over the period of time after the revelation of the Quran because of human intervention. The message sent with the messenger is “the mathematical coding of the Quran” precisely coded in a small set of verses in the Quran (74:30-37) supported by a great sign embedded in the message as well.

Everything and every phenomenon in the universe is administered totally by God-made laws. Hence, whoever is submissive to God and obedient to His laws, is in the state of Islam. But human being possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law to become a Muslim. Hence, the absolute submission is to submit to God and to be obedient to His laws as well as to disregard any man-made laws, is the best safe guard for the human’s eternal peace.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (11/10/2017)