What are the signs of Islam?

📖Sunan al-Nasā’ī 2568
Mu’awiyah ibn Haydah reported: I said, “O Prophet of Allah, I ask you by the face of Allah Almighty, with what did your Lord send you?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, Islam.” I said, “What are the signs of Islam?” The Prophet said, That you declare the surrender of your face to Allah Almighty, relinquish your old ways, perform prayer, and give charity. Every Muslim is sacred to another Muslim, two brothers supporting each other. Allah Almighty will not accept the good deeds of an idolater after he embraces Islam until he leaves the idolaters for the Muslims.”

Description:

This hadith clearly outlines the core principles of Islam: total surrender to Allah, abandoning past sinful ways, performing prayer, and giving charity. It also highlights the sacred bond between Muslims, emphasizing unity and mutual support. The hadith further stresses that good deeds done before sincerely leaving idolatry are not accepted until one fully embraces Islam.

What We Learn Today:

• Islam requires sincere submission and transformation – it’s not just about rituals but also about leaving old harmful ways behind.
• Prayer and charity are foundational acts of worship and social responsibility.
• Brotherhood among Muslims is sacred and demands care and support.
• Accepting Islam means cutting ties with previous false beliefs and committing wholly to Allah.
• This does not mean that after fulfilling these, a person can freely commit sins; Islam forbids many sins and commands righteousness.
• Sincerity is essential – prayer done to show off or for hypocrisy is not accepted by Allah.

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Quranic Verses as Context:

📖Quran 3:19
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them—out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account.”

• The word “religion” (deen) in Arabic means a way of life, a system of complete submission and obedience to Allah. It is not merely rituals or beliefs, but a comprehensive code guiding every aspect of a person’s life – spiritual, moral, social, and personal, Islam, which literally means “submission” or “surrender,” is the true religion that Allah accepts. It calls for full surrender to Allah’s guidance and living according to His commands in all areas of life.

📖Quran 2:177
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is in one who believes in Allah… establishes prayer and gives zakah…”

📖Quran 49:10
“The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers…”

📖Quran 107:4-6
“So woe to those who pray, [But] who are heedless of their prayer, Those who make show [of their deeds]”
— This verse warns that prayer done to show off is not accepted by Allah.