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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
3 days ago8 min read

How Does Islam Define Submission and What Is Its Place in Religious History?

When we examine the meaning of Islam, we understand it as a system of complete submission to the will of Allah. The word Islam itself is derived from the Arabic root s-l-m, which means "to submit," "to surrender," or "to commit." In its purest form, Islam is presented as a comprehensive way of life. For the devout Muslim, submission is not limited to mere acts of worship but permeates every aspect of existence. This surrender is made manifest in adherence to the Qur'an, the Hadith (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad), and the Sharia (Islamic law). Through these sacred texts and rules, Muslims believe they can follow the path laid out by Allah.



What Is the Islamic View of God's Supremacy?


Islam teaches a monotheistic belief that there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger. This confession, known as the Shahadah, encapsulates the core of Islamic faith and practice. The Muslim profession of faith, La ilaha illallah; Muhammadur rasulullah ("There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"), is an essential declaration of submission to the one true God. In fact, this is closely connected to the central message of the Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah."


This foundational principle of monotheism sets Islam apart from other religions, particularly Christianity's doctrine of the Trinity. The Qur’an emphasizes the oneness of Allah and specifically rejects the concept of the Trinity:


“Say not 'Trinity': desist: it will be better for you: for God is One God” (Surah 4:171).

Muslims view this as a rejection of any association of partners with Allah, a concept they call shirk. The Christian teaching of Jesus Christ's divinity is viewed as a departure from the pure monotheism that Islam claims to preserve.



Who Was Muhammad and What Role Did He Play in the Development of Islam?


Born in Mecca around 570 C.E., Muhammad is regarded by Muslims as the last and final prophet, through whom Allah revealed His ultimate guidance for humanity. Unlike Christianity, which teaches that divine revelation came through multiple prophets and ultimately through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2), Islam teaches that Muhammad received the definitive and complete revelation through the Qur’an. The life of Muhammad is intricately linked to the development of Islam, from his early meditations and revelations to his establishment of a theocratic state in Medina.


How Did Muhammad Receive His Revelation, and What Does It Mean for Islam?


Islamic tradition holds that Muhammad’s first revelation occurred when he was about 40 years old. In a cave on Mount Hira, the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to him, commanding him to recite. Initially, Muhammad was hesitant, but after several encounters, he began to receive what would become the Qur'an, the sacred text of Islam.


The Qur’an itself is considered the literal word of Allah, preserved in its original Arabic form. Unlike the Bible, which underwent translation and transmission through various languages, Muslims hold that the Qur’an’s purity is preserved by its linguistic form. Any translation of the Qur'an is considered an interpretation, not the actual text. Surah 43:3 reinforces this belief by stating:


“We have made it a Qur’an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).”


The doctrine that the Qur’an is unaltered and unchangeable contrasts with the Christian view of the Bible, which teaches that the original texts in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were inspired by God and faithfully transmitted but does not place any theological significance on one language being superior to others.



How Did Islam Spread and Establish Itself?


Within a short time after Muhammad’s death in 632 C.E., Islam spread rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, reaching into Africa, Asia, and Europe. By 710 C.E., Muslim armies had penetrated Spain and were at the borders of France. The rapid expansion of Islam is a testament to both its religious and political structure. Islamic conquest was not merely territorial; it carried with it the imposition of the Islamic faith, political governance by Sharia law, and the establishment of mosques as centers of Islamic culture.


What Role Did Islamic Expansion Play in Dividing the Muslim World?


The death of Muhammad left a significant vacuum in leadership, which led to the first major division in Islam—the split between the Sunni and Shia branches. Sunni Muslims believe that the first three caliphs, chosen through a system of election, were legitimate successors to Muhammad. In contrast, Shia Muslims contend that leadership should have stayed within the family of the Prophet, specifically through his cousin and son-in-law Ali. This disagreement eventually led to the development of distinct theologies and practices between the two sects, with Sunnis emphasizing community consensus and Shias focusing on the divine right of imams from Muhammad’s family.


The murder of Ali in 661 C.E. and the martyrdom of his son, Husayn, in 680 C.E. at the Battle of Karbala, remain pivotal events in Shia Islam, symbolizing the struggle against tyranny and oppression. Every year, Shia Muslims commemorate Husayn’s martyrdom with processions, self-flagellation, and reenactments, reflecting their deep sense of historical grievance.



How Do Islamic Beliefs on the Soul, Resurrection, and Judgment Differ from Christian Teachings?


Islam and Christianity share some common ground regarding the belief in a future resurrection and divine judgment. However, the two faiths diverge significantly in their specifics. Islam teaches that upon death, the soul enters a state of waiting in the Barzakh, or "Partition," before the final Day of Judgment. During this time, the souls of the wicked may experience torment, while the souls of the righteous enjoy a state of peace.

Surah 39:42 says:


“Allah receiveth (men’s) souls at the time of their death, and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep.”


On the Day of Judgment, according to Islamic teaching, the soul is either destined for paradise or hellfire, based on its deeds. The Qur’an vividly describes the rewards of paradise as gardens beneath which rivers flow (Surah 4:57), while the fate of the damned involves unceasing torment in a burning hell (Surah 4:56). This contrasts sharply with the Christian understanding of the resurrection. The Bible teaches that all will be resurrected, but it is through faith in Jesus Christ that one is justified and gains eternal life. Romans 6:23 declares:


“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”


Christianity also rejects the notion of hell as a place of eternal torment for most. It instead teaches that eternal punishment means destruction, not continuous suffering, as Matthew 25:46 and Revelation 20:14 show.



What Are the Fundamental Beliefs and Practices of Islam?

Islamic life revolves around five pillars, which are essential duties that every Muslim must fulfill. These include:


  • Shahadah: The profession of faith

  • Salat: The ritual prayer performed five times daily

  • Zakat: The giving of alms or charity to the poor

  • Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan

  • Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must attempt at least once in their lifetime, if able.


In addition to these pillars, Muslims are required to adhere to six basic beliefs, which include belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine predestination.


This structure is intended to guide Muslims in their daily conduct and ensure submission to Allah’s will. Islam teaches that obedience to these practices earns Allah’s favor, which contrasts with Christianity’s emphasis on grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).



What Does Islam Teach About the Role of Women?


Islamic teachings on marriage and family life include provisions for polygamy, allowing a man to have up to four wives under certain conditions. Surah 4:3 permits polygamy with the stipulation that the man must deal justly with all of his wives. However, it is worth noting that many Muslims practice monogamy, especially in modern times.


In contrast, Christianity upholds the sanctity of monogamous marriage, as reflected in the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6, where He refers to the original creation of man and woman and the divine institution of marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman.


Islamic law also allows for temporary marriage, known as mut’ah in Shia Islam. This practice allows a man and woman to marry for a specified period, after which the marriage automatically dissolves. This type of marriage is not recognized in Sunni Islam, and it stands in direct opposition to the biblical teaching of marriage as a covenant between husband and wife, meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).



How Does Islam Differ From Christianity in Its View of Jesus?


While Islam holds Jesus (Isa in Arabic) in high regard as a prophet, it rejects the Christian doctrines of His divinity, crucifixion, and resurrection. Surah 4:157 explicitly denies the crucifixion:


“And for their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them.”


Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet sent by Allah to guide the people of Israel and that He will return in the future to fulfill God’s purposes, but it denies that He is the Son of God or that His death was a sacrificial atonement for sin. This denial of the crucifixion strikes at the heart of the Christian faith, which teaches that Christ’s death and resurrection are the foundation of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).



Islam’s Place in Religious History and Its Contrast with Christianity


In conclusion, Islam is a religion that calls for submission to Allah’s will and emphasizes obedience to the commands revealed in the Qur’an. However, it departs from the biblical teaching of salvation through grace alone and presents a works-based system of righteousness. The expansion of Islam throughout history and its profound influence on the lives of its adherents show the deep commitment of its followers. Nonetheless, the critical differences between Islam and Christianity—especially regarding the nature of God, Jesus Christ, and salvation—highlight the need for careful discernment and biblical fidelity when considering the claims of Islam.


Christianity teaches that salvation is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Islam, in contrast, presents a path of submission that focuses on earning favor with Allah through obedience to the laws of the Qur'an and the teachings of Muhammad. The two worldviews are fundamentally different in their understanding of God’s nature, His interaction with humanity, and the means of salvation.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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