Meaning Of 'Islam'

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Great, we've finally established that a meaning of Islam is peace. I agree it secondary to the primary meaning of submitting to the will of God (and God is peace, as we all know - unless you are one of these wierd Bible bashers who take the Bible literally).


Is good health also a secondary meaning of Islam?

Event horizon, It's more complicated than a one word meaning, but certanly it does not mean pure "peace", the first meaning of it is "Obey", you can interpret it as "entry in a world of health and peace" which is the result of "obey"


Following your logic, if you are to ignore where Melika clearly wrote that Islam does *not* mean peace, but obey, and the consequences of obeying can mean good health and peace, then Islam also means good health, right?

Let me know if you are having trouble finding where Melika uses the word health beside peace. I know how excited you get if you believe someone supports what you believe. Similar to reading a few pages from a book and believing you have the answers to pretty much everything you could possibly pontificate on.

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Islam is the active participle of the verb 'aslama' and their meanings all derive from the root s-l-m.

In all the quotes you've given, the meaning of Islam is shown to be that of 'Aslama' (the verb) - and in any case is a short-cut to the full meaning which is 'way of life chosen by those who submit to the will of God to find peace' - 'way of life' (i.e. religion) is implied and understood, as is 'will of God'.

However, the 'submit' and 'peace' are integral in the meaning of 'Aslama'.

You are happy that 'religion' is an implicit meaning. You have separately acknowledged that aslama does indeed have a meaning of 'entering into peace' and Melika has confirmed that Islam does include this meaning.

You even thanked Melika for the clarification.

(Melika is using the word 'health' in the sense of 'security' - which is the more literal word used in the definitions given - 'peace and security' rather than 'peace and medical well-being' - Melika please correct if I'm mistaken)

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
However, the 'submit' and 'peace' are integral in the meaning of 'Aslama'.


Once again, the word in question is not Aslama, but Islam. Are you having difficulty with this?

Your post in question was claiming that Islam had a secondary meaning of peace. Not a possibility of what happens when believers submit to allah.

We're talking of nouns here, not near futures and conditionals.

(Melika is using the word 'health' in the sense of 'security' - which is the more literal word used in the definitions given - 'peace and security' rather than 'peace and medical well-being' - Melika please correct if I'm mistaken)


Great. You should edit your OP and add that Aslama/Islam also means security/good health.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Aslama is the verb, Islam is the active participle - both have the same meanings (except one for labelling 'doing things' - i.e. is the verb and the other is for describing the doer of the action)

Sheesh.

As Melika has confirmed to you, Islam indeed means 'peace'. She has used 'health', when I think she should have used 'security' (again what the dictionary states).

And yes, let me state again, 'peace' is not the primary meaning - which is 'submission to the will of God'.

I know you are not long out of school (or probably still at school) - but I hope that your teachers didn't have this much trouble getting you to understand concepts.

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
shafique wrote:
(Melika is using the word 'health' in the sense of 'security' - which is the more literal word used in the definitions given - 'peace and security' rather than 'peace and medical well-being' - Melika please correct if I'm mistaken)



no shafique, It is health, not security. health as medical well being, it can interpreted as mind well being too,as feeling secure. Arabic is more complicated that you can translate the words directly like this. For sure the first and most common meaning of "Islam" is "obey". and it is a noun, as "act of obeying", I dont know the exact english word for it.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Thanks Melika for clarifying - I hadn't seen 'health' as a meaning of 'aslama', but had seen 'security' - hence why I asked.

It is interesting to know that this is also another secondary meaning - so 'Islam is a peaceful and healthy religion' is a valid statement. I agree that the primary meaning is submission to God.

FYI here is a definition I posted earlier:

Aslama
Aslama (Ar. for: surrender; submission; obey; sincerity; peaceful attitude toward life) The word "aslama" derives from the three letter root in Arabic; s, l, m (pronounced - seen, laam, meem).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aslama forms the basis for the noun "ISLAM" and implies the meaning of being in a state of surrender, submission, obedience, sincerity and peace. The implication is the existence of two entities; one is the master and the other the slave or servant. This best describes the servitude of those who truly believe in the One God of the semitic language, "Allah" and indicates the choice of being in a state of aslama to Him.


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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
so 'Islam is a peaceful and healthy religion' is a valid statement.


No it's not. Your name is Shafique, It means friendly and sympathetic, but does this assure that you are a friendly and sympathetic person? no!

The "Obedience" does not mean that Islam is a peaceful and healthy religion.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
I think you are mistaking two different issues.

This thread is about the meaning of the word Islam. As you say, the meaning of my name 'Shafique' is indeed 'friendly and sympathetic'. Whether I live up to the meaning does not change the fact that the meaning of Shafique is 'friendly etc'.

The whole discussion started with eh disputing the opening line of the article in the thread 'Islam and Terrorism' - which said 'Islam means religion of peace.'

It appears we all now agree that the primary meaning of the word Islam is 'Submission to the will of god' and that the word also has secondary meanings of peace and security (and good health).

Now, whether the religion lives up to the meaning of the word Islam is a separate discussion - and is indeed the subject of the article referenced above (Islam and Terrorism).

I concede that for eh and perhaps you, Islam is a religion that does not live up to the meaning of the word. For me, it does and the Muslims who commit evil acts are doing it in-spite of the teachings of Islam, rather than because of it.

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Now, whether the religion lives up to the meaning of the word Islam is a separate discussion


Sure, that s what I agree with you, so:

so 'Islam is a peaceful and healthy religion' is a valid statement.


this is not the conclusion of this discussion.

Right?
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Nope - no need for this to be the end of the discussion -as I said, whether Islam's teachings live up to the meaning of the word is the intention of the other thread 'Islam and Terrorism'.

There it explains what Islam's teachings are about causing harm to others etc.

I guess, to be more correct, I should have said 'Islam also means a religion of peace and health'. This is a factual statement about the meaning of the word.

My statement above that 'Islam is a peaceful and healthy religion' is more subjective and is what I believe and have shown to be the case by citing what God says in the Quran and what the Prophet, pbuh, taught and did.

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 26, 2009
Interesting, so Islam now means good health or the religion of good health based on shafique's, uhm, understanding of what Melika said.

Shafique, you should write to different Muslim websites and tell them that Islam suddenly has a new meaning. Not only does it mean peace (even though Melika was clear that it doesn't), it also means good health.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 27, 2009
See all my previous comments that your Orientalist views rely on selective quotes and ignoring evidence when presented.

It is now clear that the meaning of the word Islam does include 'religion of peace' and even 'religion of peace and health' - but with the primary meaning of 'submission to the will of God'.

I've invited you to present evidence from any scholar or Arabic speaker that agrees with you that it does not include the meaning of 'peace' and you've failed spectacularly when Melika confirmed your worst fears (and she doesn't present herself as an Islamic scholar) :)

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 27, 2009
I've invited you to present evidence from any scholar or Arabic speaker that agrees with you that it does not include the meaning of 'peace' and you've failed spectacularly when Melika confirmed your worst fears (and she doesn't present herself as an Islamic scholar)


I already have. The Arabic speaker was clear that Peace and Islam are two separate words. Islam means to submit.

It is now clear that the meaning of the word Islam does include 'religion of peace' and even 'religion of peace and health'


Are you having trouble with Melika's quote, shafique? Or is this another example of taking someone said out of context and inserting your own beliefs?

Event horizon, It's more complicated than a one word meaning, but certanly it does not mean pure "peace", the first meaning of it is "Obey", you can interpret it as "entry in a world of health and peace" which is the result of "obey"


A Muslim might interpret the consequences of what happens when one obeys, but that is *far* off from saying that Islam has a secondary meaning of peace. It would be akin to saying that Islam means war because some (many) Muslims might interpret submission to God and his commands as waging war against unbelievers (Koran 9:29). You apparently have a difficult time with plain English explanations and want to believe what you say no matter what.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 28, 2009
We've established that the word Islam does indeed also mean 'peace' in addition to the primary meaning of submission to the will of God.

Perhaps you may not believe that God equals peace (if you believe the Bible literally, you may have just cause to doubt this - but I'd emphasise Jesus' words on the subject).

Until and unless you can produce one expert that agrees with your wild assertion that Islam does not also mean 'religion of peace', I'm afraid all you are doing is blowing hot air.

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 29, 2009
Until and unless you can produce one expert that agrees with your wild assertion that Islam does not also mean 'religion of peace', I'm afraid all you are doing is blowing hot air.


I already have quoted an expert clarifying the meaning of the word Islam. Please try and keep up. I've also quoted an Arabic speaking Muslim who was quite clear that Islam and peace are two separate words.

Additionally, you have seemed to have misunderstood Melika's post when she clearly wrote that Islam does not mean peace. Rather, submitting to allah can be interpreted as being in a world of good health and peace. Just as some Muslims believe that submitting to Allah's commands can be interpreted as waging warfare against unbelievers.

Neither understanding changes the meaning of the actual word Islam.

Let me know when you can produce one expert that agrees with *your* wild assertion that Islam means peace or 'religion of peace' instead of rambling on about the meaning of Aslama.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Nov 30, 2009
I see you are still in denial. :)

Fair enough. I have nothing more to add - the evidence of who said what, and who corroborated what is there for all to read in this thread.

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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Dec 01, 2009
Fair enough. I have nothing more to add - the evidence of who said what, and who corroborated what is there for all to read in this thread.


Indeed, the evidence *is* there that I *have* actually quoted from a scholar (although you recently claimed that I didn't) and you were also asked to produce evidence from an expert, which you have *not*.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Dec 11, 2009
This summary of what Islam is comes from an article by a non-Muslim professor, entitled 'Mohammad, the Prophet':
http://www.themodernreligion.com/prophe ... t-rao.html

It's one of the better summaries of what Islam is and describes the spiritual goal of one-ness with God and peace:


In spite of free will which he enjoys, to some extent, every man is born under certain circumstances and continues to live under certain circumstances beyond his control. With regard to this God says, according to Islam, it is my will to create any man under condition that seem best to me. cosmic plans finite mortals can not fully comprehend.

But I will certainly test you in prosperity as well in adversity, in health as well as in sickness, in heights as well as in depths. My ways of testing differ from man to man, from hour to hour. In adversity do not despair and do resort to unlawful means. It is but a passing phase. In prosperity do not forget God. God-gifts are given only as trusts.

You are always on trial, every moment on test. In this sphere of life there is not to reason why, there is but to do and die. If you live in accordance with God; and if you die, die in the path of God. You may call it fatalism. but this type of fatalism is a condition of vigorous increasing effort, keeping you ever on the alert. Do not consider this temporal life on earth as the end of human existence.

There is a life after death and it is eternal. Life after death is only a connection link, a door that opens up hidden reality of life. Every action in life however insignificant, produces a lasting effect. It is correctly recorded somehow. Some of the ways of God are known to you, but many of his ways are hidden from you. What is hidden in you and from you in this world will be unrolled and laid open before you in the next.

The virtuous will enjoy the blessing of God which the eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of men to conceive of they will march onward reaching higher and higher stages of evolution. Those who have wasted opportunity in this life shall under the inevitable law, which makes every man taste of what he has done, be subjugated to a course of treatment of the spiritual diseases which they have brought about with their own hands. Beware, it is terrible ordeal. Bodily pain is torture, you can bear somehow.

Spiritual pain is hell, you will find it almost unbearable. Fight in this life itself the tendencies of the spirit prone to evil, tempting to lead you into iniquities ways. Reach the next stage when the self-accusing sprit in your conscience is awakened and the soul is anxious to attain moral excellence and revolt against disobedience. This will lead you to the final stage of the soul at rest, contented with God, finding its happiness and delight in him alone. The soul no more stumbles. The stage of struggle passes away. Truth is victorious and falsehood lays down its arms. All complexes will then be resolved. Your house will not be divided against itself. Your personality will get integrated round the central core of submission to the will of God and complete surrender to his divine purpose. All hidden energies will then be released. The soul then will have peace. God will then address you:

"O thou soul that art at rest, and restest fully contented with thy Lord return to thy Lord. He pleased with thee and thou pleased with him; So enter among my servants and enter into my paradise."

This is the final goal for man; to become, on the, one hand, the master of the universe and on the other, to see that his soul finds rest in his Lord, that not only his Lord will be pleased with him but that he is also pleased with his Lord. Contentment, complete contentment, satisfaction, complete satisfaction, peace, complete peace.

The love of God is his food at this stage and he drinks deep at the fountain of life. Sorrow and defeat do not overwhelm him and success does not find him in vain and exulting.

The western nations are only trying to become the master of the Universe. But their souls have not found peace and rest.

Thomas Carlyle, struck by this philosophy of life writes "and then also Islam-that we must submit to God; that our whole strength lies in resigned submission to Him, whatsoever he does to us, the thing he sends to us, even if death and worse than death, shall be good, shall be best; we resign ourselves to God." The same author continues "If this be Islam, says Goethe, do we not all live in Islam?" Carlyle himself answers this question of Goethe and says "Yes, all of us that have any moral life, we all live so. This is yet the highest wisdom that heaven has revealed to our earth."



By Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, Head of the Department of Philosophy, Government College for Women University of Mysore, Mandya-571401 (Karnatika).Re-printed from "Islam and Modern age", Hydrabad, March 1978.
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Jun 18, 2010
By Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao


ROFL!

Quoting a nut-job philosophy professor won't earn you any credibility.

But I love how you are ignoring the points that Arabic speakers and, more importantly, scholars have made.

Their simple conclusions should speak for themselves: Islam does *not* mean peace. It means submission.

But just to further illustrate the absurdity of your claim, I will quote yet another Arabic speaker:

In Semitic languages many words are created by inserting different vowels between the three root consonants, e.g. "iSLaM" and "SaLaM" are two derivations from SLM. Does that mean they are related in meaning also?

In Romanic and Germanic languages it is not so much by vowel changes, but by adding prefix or suffix to the root word [i.e. before or after the root]. For example "love" can be seen as a ‘root word’, which then can be the base for several adjectives, like "loving" and "loveless", both of which come from the same root "love" but clearly they mean basically the opposite. "Typical" and "atypical" also come from the same root "type" but mean again the very opposite. Now, English is not the standard to which one has to measure Arabic, but this example has the purpose to make clearer the below article to those who do not speak Arabic. I hope it is helpful.


Muslim propagandists are nowadays making extraordinary efforts to change the image of Islam by reintroducing it to the Western society as a religion that calls for peace and rejects violence. One of the new theories that they are trying to sell is that the name of their religion Islam implies the meaning of ‘Peace’, which in Arabic is Salam. The grounds for their theory is that both words are derived from the same root in the Arabic language!


In order to find the meaning of a certain word in the Arabic dictionary, it is essential to search for the three letter infinitive verb which is called the root. Many words can be derived from the same root, but they don't necessarily have to have any similarity in their meaning. The word Islam, which means ‘submission’, is derived from the infinitive Salama. So is the word Salam which means ‘peace’ and so is the verb Salima which means ‘to be saved or to escape from danger’. One of the derivations of the infinitive Salama means ‘the stinging of a snake’ or ‘The tanning of the leather’. Hence, if the word Islam has something to do with the word Salam i.e. ‘Peace’, does that also mean that it must be related to the ‘stinging of the snake’ or ‘tanning the leather’?


Muhammad used to send letters to the kings and leaders of the surrounding countries and tribes, inviting them to surrender to his authority and to believe in him as the messenger of Allah. He always ended his letters with the following two words: "Aslim, Taslam!". Although these two words are derived from the same infinitive Salama which is the root of Salam, i.e. ‘Peace’, neither one of them implies the meaning of ‘peace’. The sentence means ‘surrender and you will be safe’, or in other words, ‘surrender or face death’.


http://answering-islam.org/Hoaxes/salamislam.html
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Re: Meaning Of 'Islam' Jun 18, 2010
Hey, my quote actually comes from someone who exists and is a scholar (as opposed to an invented quote from a rapist who you thought was a respected Islamic scholar!)

You still haven't actually addressed the simple point made over 6 months ago:
philosophy-dubai/meaning-islam-t39515-30.html#p320469

Aslama
Aslama (Ar. for: surrender; submission; obey; sincerity; peaceful attitude toward life) The word "aslama" derives from the three letter root in Arabic; s, l, m (pronounced - seen, laam, meem).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aslama forms the basis for the noun "ISLAM" and implies the meaning of being in a state of surrender, submission, obedience, sincerity and peace. The implication is the existence of two entities; one is the master and the other the slave or servant. This best describes the servitude of those who truly believe in the One God of the semitic language, "Allah" and indicates the choice of being in a state of aslama to Him.



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Shafique
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Re: Meaning Of 'Islam' Jun 19, 2010
Surrender.. but only for Allah ...
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Re: Meaning of 'Islam' Jun 19, 2010
Hi Mecruh, do you read Arabic?
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Re: Meaning Of 'Islam' Jun 19, 2010
yes i can read Arabic , but little nows...
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