Enter into Islam ‘in its totality’

Enter into Islam ‘in its Totality’ During his recent visit to Malaysia, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan addressed a meeting organized by the National Institute of Public Administration in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 1984. Following is the text of his speech: Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is a pleasure to be with you here in Malaysia. I would like to say a few words about Islam, which I have studied for over thirty years. What is Islam? Quite simply, Islam is the way to become a good person. When one becomes good, in the real sense of the word, then one is good to oneself, to one’s family, to one’s society, and to all mankind. The world around us is a perfect world. From tiny atoms to huge galaxies, everything acts so perfectly that we can predict its behaviour. This is because everything in nature obeys the law of God. Likewise, when man obeys the law of God he becomes as perfect as he ought to be. He develops a predictable nature, like everything else in the world. Islam means submission to God. The Quran tells us that submission to God is the only religion for both man and the universe: “Are they seeking a religion other than God’s, when all creatures in heaven and on earth have submitted to Him, willingly or by compulsion? To Him they shall all return.” (3:83) So Islam means living in harmony with nature, as one ought to, face to face with reality. Man has not created himself, he has been created by God. To live in accordance with reality, then, is to acknowledge the greatness of God and show appreciation of His favours. The emotions of love and fear are inherent in man. He wants something to depend upon, something on which to focus his efforts. If he leads his life in accordance with reality he will focus all his attention on God alone for besides Him, all things are creatures; nothing besides Him has any real power. Adam is the father of all past, present and future men. A life in accordance with reality, then will be one of kindness to others, as if one were dealing with one’s own brothers and sisters.