Table of Contents
The Root Meaning of “Islam”
In the Arabic language, the word “Islam” comes from a root that carries several closely connected ideas. The root letters are س ل م (sīn, lām, mīm). From this root come words that mean peace, safety, wholeness, and also submission and surrender.
“Islam” in its most basic linguistic sense means to submit, to surrender, and to yield oneself. It also carries the sense of making oneself safe and sound by this submission, and entering into a state of peace. A Muslim is, linguistically, the one who submits and surrenders.
Allah uses this root in different related forms in the Qur’an. For peace and safety, He says:
“For them is the abode of peace with their Lord, and He will be their protecting Friend because of what they used to do.”
Qur’an 6:127
For submission, He says about Ibrahim and Ismail:
“So when they both submitted and he laid him down on his forehead.”
Qur’an 37:103
The phrase “they both submitted” uses the verb form from the same root as “Islam.” Linguistically, this shows that Islam is not just an idea but an act and state of surrendering to Allah.
The Religious Meaning of Islam
In the Qur’an and Sunnah, “Islam” takes on a specific, religious meaning that builds on the linguistic sense of submission. It becomes the name of the complete way of life that Allah has chosen for humanity. This way of life is based on submissive obedience to Him alone, outwardly and inwardly.
Allah states clearly that Islam is the religion He has chosen:
“Indeed, the religion with Allah is Islam.”
Qur’an 3:19
“Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
Qur’an 5:3
So in the religious sense, Islam is not only “submission,” but “submission to Allah alone, upon the guidance that He revealed to His Messengers.” It is not any submission, and not any form of spirituality, but a specific, revealed path.
Islam as Outward Submission and Inward Sincerity
Islam in the religious sense includes both outward actions and inward states of the heart. It is not only believing something in the mind, and it is not only performing actions with the body. It is a harmony of belief, intention, and obedience.
The Prophet ﷺ explained Islam in relation to actions when Jibril عليه السلام came in the famous hadith:
“He said, ‘O Muhammad, inform me about Islam.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Islam is that you testify that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish prayer, give zakah, fast Ramadan, and perform Hajj to the House if you are able to find a way to it.’”
Sahih Muslim
This definition describes Islam in terms of clear, outward pillars. However, these acts must come from a heart that believes in Allah and is sincere to Him. Without that inner surrender, the outward shape is empty.
Allah links Islam to sincerity of religion:
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, making the religion sincere for Him, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the upright religion.”
Qur’an 98:5
In this way, religiously, Islam means submission with the limbs, built upon sincere devotion and belief in the heart, according to what Allah has revealed.
Islam as Obedience to Allah’s Command
Since Islam is submission, it naturally includes obedience. The one who submits to Allah accepts His commands and prohibitions and follows them as best as he or she is able. This is why the Qur’an often connects the call to Islam with the call to obey Allah and His Messenger.
“And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may receive mercy.”
Qur’an 3:132
“But no, by your Lord, they will not truly believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves, then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have decided and submit in full submission.”
Qur’an 4:65
This verse points to the religious meaning of Islam as complete acceptance of Allah’s judgment and the judgment of His Messenger ﷺ without resistance in the heart. The phrase “submit in full submission” describes a total yielding and surrender that is deeper than mere outward compliance.
In practice, this means that in the religious sense, Islam is to accept Allah’s right to govern every part of life. A Muslim does not limit submission to some religious rituals but accepts guidance in belief, worship, character, family life, and social dealings, all as acts of obedience to Allah.
Islam as Surrender that Brings Peace
The linguistic meaning of peace and safety joins with the religious meaning of submission in a beautiful way. By surrendering to Allah, a person enters into true peace with his or her Creator. This surrender brings safety from His ultimate anger and punishment, and it brings inner tranquility.
Allah links “entering into Islam” with entering into peace:
“O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”
Qur’an 2:208
To “enter into Islam completely” is to submit entirely. The result of this complete entry is protection from Satan and the path that leads to destruction. Thus, the religious meaning of Islam includes the idea that through submission, a person is made safe and sound in the most important sense.
Allah also describes the path of those who turn to Him with submission:
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts find rest.”
Qur’an 13:28
So, while in language “Islam” refers to submission and peace, in the religious sense it is the specific path where submission to Allah becomes the door to the deepest peace of the heart and the greatest safety in the Hereafter.
Islam as Surrender of the Whole Self
The religious meaning of Islam is not limited to only believing in Allah as Creator. It requires turning the whole self to Him. The Qur’an shows this comprehensive surrender in the example of Ibrahim عليه السلام:
“When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he said, ‘I have submitted myself to the Lord of the worlds.’”
Qur’an 2:131
This verse shows two important aspects of the religious meaning of Islam. First, Islam is a response to Allah’s call “Submit.” Second, Islam is a conscious, personal declaration “I have submitted myself to the Lord of the worlds.” It is not submission by force or habit, but by choice and awareness.
Allah also commands the believers to turn their whole being to Him:
“So turn your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created people.”
Qur’an 30:30
Here, “turn your face” is an expression for turning all of oneself. In the religious sense, Islam is that turning, a turning away from all rivals and false objects of devotion, and a turning fully toward Allah alone.
The Name “Muslim” and Its Meaning
From the same root as Islam comes the word “Muslim.” Linguistically, a Muslim is one who submits. Religiously, a Muslim is one who submits to Allah alone upon the guidance He has revealed.
Allah uses the word “Muslim” in this sense in many places. For example:
“And who is better in religion than one who submits his face to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Ibrahim, inclining to truth?”
Qur’an 4:125
The phrase “submits his face to Allah” is closely tied to the meaning of being a Muslim. It joins inner intention with outward direction. The person is called “better in religion” not simply because he claims a label, but because he truly surrenders to Allah and does good.
Allah also mentions the name Muslim as a chosen identity for the community:
“He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. It is the religion of your father, Ibrahim. He named you Muslims before and in this [Qur’an].”
Qur’an 22:78
In the religious sense, then, a Muslim is one who belongs to this path of submission that extends from Ibrahim عليه السلام to Muhammad ﷺ, by following the final revelation sent to the last Prophet.
Islam as a Distinct Named Religion
Linguistically, “islam” could describe any act of submission. For example, one might say in Arabic that a person “submitted” to another’s request. But in religious speech, especially when capitalized in English as “Islam,” it points to the particular religion that Allah has perfected through Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Allah differentiates this revealed way from disbelief and other paths:
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter.”
Qur’an 3:85
Here “Islam” cannot mean just any type of general submission. It means the religion that Allah recognizes and accepts. This is Islam as a distinct religious identity and system, built on the original submission of all the prophets, and finalized with the Sharia given to Muhammad ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that this Islam is not a man-made invention, but revelation:
“I have left among you that which, if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray after me: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
Reported by Malik in al-Muwatta and others
This shows that the religious meaning of Islam is defined by the Qur’an and the Sunnah, not by personal desire or changing human customs. It is a named, revealed path that encompasses belief, worship, and way of life.
Bringing Together the Linguistic and Religious Meanings
When we connect the linguistic and religious meanings of Islam, a clear picture appears. At the linguistic level, Islam is submission, surrender, and entry into peace and safety. At the religious level, Islam is the complete submission of a person’s belief, words, and actions to Allah alone, according to what He has revealed through His Messengers, and particularly through His final Messenger Muhammad ﷺ.
The Qur’an often joins these dimensions together. Allah commands:
“And return in repentance to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.”
Qur’an 39:54
Here, “submit to Him” points to the act of Islam in its basic sense, while the context of returning in repentance and avoiding punishment shows the religious significance. It is this surrender that saves and this return that is recognized as true Islam.
In another place, Allah describes the moment when submission becomes complete:
“And whoever submits his face to Allah while he is a doer of good has grasped the most trustworthy handhold.”
Qur’an 31:22
This verse joins the linguistic meaning of surrender (“submits his face”) with the religious reality of living by Islam (“a doer of good”). The trustworthy handhold is the safety and peace that come from embracing Islam as the religion that Allah has chosen.
From this, we can say: linguistically, Islam is surrender and peace; religiously, Islam is the name of the final, complete way of surrender that Allah has revealed. Both meanings meet in the person who truly lives as a Muslim, submitting to Allah in belief and action, and finding through that submission the path to real peace in this life and the next.