Contrary to popular belief amongst Muslims, Islam does NOT mean peace. The actual word, Islam, has a very powerful meaning. So, let’s get into it.
Arabic works by root words, containing a combination of root letters. For example, the word for peace is salaam ( سلام ),
Once you know a root word, you can fairly easily know 100 derivative words because they all use the same root letters. These words make up a root family.
So, here’s the catch. Even though the word Islam shares root letters salaam (s-l-m), it comes from a different root family so it does not carry the exact same meaning as salaam (peace) in Arabic or ειρήνη in Greek.
But it doesn’t stop there. Because it uses the same root letters, it has a connotation of peace in its meaning as well. In fact, it also includes connotations of other words too. Five words in all. Watch this 1 min video for the five words:
So, next time you hear someone saying Islam means peace, you can say, hey, wait a minute, the word Islam actually means:
Surrending your will to God’s will, submitting to God’s commandments, doing this in true obedience and sincerity and peace.
And so what do you predict the word Muslim means?
A Muslim (مسلم) is simply the one who surrenders their will to God’s will, submitting to God’s commandments, doing this in true obedience and sincerity and peace.
Are you a Muslim?
Lots of muslims have that particular misconception.
Asalaamu alikum,
Very well produced and presented post. I enjoyed reading it and you made the point quite clearly. I think, if I may suggest, the fact that through submission to Allah peace is attained was mentioned but understated in the post.
Jazak’allah khair for sharing. The diagrams are particularly useful.
Wa alaikum asalaam,
Thanks for the comments/suggestions. Oh, and also, ma sha Allah I love your blog. Truly inspirational!