ABSTRACT
Islam is an unusual religious tradition in that it had a term for itself from the very beginning of its historical origins. In the Qur a¯n, the most revered source of understanding for Muslims about Islam, it is written ‘The religion before Alla¯h is Islam’ (3.19). ‘Islam’ means literally ‘submission.’ The Qur a¯n mentions this term repeatedly and uses it in juxtaposition with other religions. Not only does the Qur a¯n name this religion but also those who adhere to it. ‘O Lord!,’ Qur a¯n 2.128 exhorts, ‘make us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will).’ Muslims, then, are those who submit themselves to God. This submission is demonstrated through the utterance of the shaha¯dah, ‘There is no god but God’ (la¯ ila¯ha illa Lla¯h) and ‘Muh. ammad is the Messenger of God’ (Muh.ammadun rasu¯l Alla¯h). Beyond this, Muslims differ in their understanding of what is necessary to live in submission.
