1. **Qur’an Evidence**
**Qur’an Source:**
Surah Āl ʿImrān, Surah 3, Ayah 19
إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ
**Translation:** Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.
**Simple Meaning:** This ayah tells us that Allah accepts Islam as the true way of life. Islam means submitting to Allah with obedience, belief, and good actions.
**Qur’an Source:**
Surah al-Mā’idah, Surah 5, Ayah 3
ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمَ دِينًۭا
**Translation:** Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and approved for you Islam as religion.
**Simple Meaning:** Allah tells us that Islam is a complete and perfect religion. It gives guidance for how to believe, pray, act kindly, and live in a good way.
2. **Hadith Evidence**
**Hadith Source:**
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 8, Sahih
عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ، إِذْ طَلَعَ عَلَيْنَا رَجُلٌ شَدِيدُ بَيَاضِ الثِّيَابِ، شَدِيدُ سَوَادِ الشَّعَرِ، لَا يُرَى عَلَيْهِ أَثَرُ السَّفَرِ، وَلَا يَعْرِفُهُ مِنَّا أَحَدٌ... قَالَ: فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ. قَالَ: «أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَتُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةَ، وَتُؤْتِيَ الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا»
**Hadith Meaning:** Islam is to testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger, to pray, give zakah, fast Ramadan, and perform Hajj if you are able.
**Simple Explanation:** The Prophet ﷺ taught that Islam is not just saying words. It is believing in Allah and doing the main actions of worship. It is a full way of life.
**Hadith Source:**
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1, Sahih
إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى
**Translation:** Actions are only by intentions, and each person will have only what he intended.
**Simple Explanation:** In Islam, what matters is not only what we do, but also why we do it. A good Muslim does things for Allah.
3. **Scholars’ Explanation**
**Imam al-Nawawi** explained in *Sharh Sahih Muslim* that Islam includes the outward actions like الصلاة (prayer), zakah, fasting, and Hajj, and it is built on obedience to Allah.
**Ibn Kathir** said in his tafsir that Islam is the religion Allah chose and perfected for the people, and it is the path of true submission to Him.
4. **Simple Definition**
Islam means:
1. believing in **one Allah**,
2. obeying Him,
3. following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ,
4. and living with peace, mercy, and good manners.
The word **Islam** comes from the idea of **submitting** to Allah and **seeking peace** through obeying Him.
5. **Very Simple Example**
If a child listens to their parent because they trust and love them, that is a little like Islam. A Muslim listens to Allah because Allah loves us, knows what is best, and guides us to what is good.
**Takeaway:**
Islam is the religion of submitting to Allah, worshiping Him alone, and following the guidance of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Allah knows best.