Are We Using the Words ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslim’ Wrong?
No matter what religion you have, you probably noticed that religious terminologies have been distorted or tried to be distorted many times for political purposes throughout history. The religion of Islam is not an exception to this situation. In fact, the basic terms like ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslim’ might not be used in the same way in the Qur’an. Currently these terms are referring to a religion its followers. Although it creates an identity and a sense of belonging for the community this situation may overshadow their original meaning. Therefore, we will try to uncover the original meanings of these main terms by examining the Qur’an, by looking at the context and by looking at the dictionaries. The words ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslim’ comes from the root “slm (س ل م)” in Arabic. This root has a long list of meanings such as greeting, peacekeeping, submitting, preserving, approving, reconciling etc.. If we use the following definitions for the words ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslim’, it seems like we would not only be in line with the dictionary definitions, but also find the most fitting meanings to the Qur’an by their context:
Islam: Reconciling peacefully
Muslim: The one who reconciles peacefully
In this article, we are going to test if this theory is correct by examining the relevant verses. But first, let’s define one of another important term, Mu’min, correctly. In the Qur’an, the term Mu’min is a religious term that only describes the people who acknowledge God, His messengers, His books, His signs, the day of judgment, etc. in the religious context. It comes from the word ‘Iman’ which means ‘to acknowledge, to confirm or to trust’. Some examples for the usages of these terms are in the following verses;
“The acknowledgers (Mu’min) are those whom, when God is mentioned, their hearts tremble; when His signs are recited to them, it strengthens their acknowledgment; and they put their trust in their Lord.” 8:2
“If it is said to them, “Acknowledge (Iman) what God has sent down,” they say, “We acknowledge (Iman) only what was sent down to us,” and they do not appreciate what came after it, while it is the truth authenticating what is with them. Say, “Why then did you fight/kill God’s prophets if you were the acknowledgers (Mu’min)?”” 2:91
While the word Mu’min is only used as a religious term in Qur’an, the usage of the word Muslim is a little bit different. The terms Muslim and Islam are used in both religious and secular (non-religious) contexts since they can describe the relationship with other people or communities as well as with God. Let’s stick with the definitions I suggested in the beginning and look at the examples for both usages of ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslim’:
1- Referring to people and communities:
“….Had God willed He would have given them strength and they would have fought you. But if they retire from you, and did not fight you, and they reconcile peacefully (Islam) with you, then God does not give you a cause against them.”4:90
“He (Solomon) said, “O advisers, which of you can make her throne to me before they come to me as reconciled peacefully (Muslim)?”” 27:38
2- Referring to God:
“If they debate with you, then say, “I have reconciled myself peacefully (Islam) with God, as well as those who follow me.” In addition, say to those who were given the Book and the those who were not: “Have you reconciled peacefully (Islam)?” If they have reconciled peacefully (Islam) then they are guided; but if they turn away, then you are only to deliver….” 3:20
“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but he was a monotheist who reconciled peacefully (Muslim); he was not of those who set up partners.” 3:67
The examples above clearly show that using the words ‘Muslim’ and ‘Islam’ is possible both in non-religious and religious ways.
In 4:90, God orders prophet Mohammed to reconcile peacefully with the aggressors if they stop their aggression in many verses. In fact, among the previous prophets, Solomon also invited other communities to a peaceful reconciliation, exchanged gifts with them to maintain good relationships, and even had made a replica of the throne of Queen of Sheba to show her that he see her as his equal (27:38). Besides the reconciliation in human relationships, Qur’an also calls people to reconcile peacefully with God. However, if they don’t accept that, prophet Mohammed was only obliged to deliver his message according to 3:20. This religious call maybe is the reason why people call this Abrahamic religion as “Islam”. However, 3:67 should makes us wonder if the names that we give to our religions are to separate ourselves from others or to reconcile with them peacefully? Would Abraham call himself Muslim with the twisted and discriminative meaning of the word today?
Okay, till here we understood that the term ‘Muslim’ has a much broader usage that includes the relationships between humans and communities while ‘Mu’min’ is only being used in a religious concept referring to our relationship with God, His messengers, books, etc. What needs to be emphasized here is that it is necessary to acknowledge the message from God to be a Mu’min. However, according to the Qur’an, there is no such necessity to be a Muslim or to practice Islam. And the following verse proves that theory!
“O you who acknowledges’ (Iman), if you hit the road in the cause of God then make a clear declaration, and do not say to those who want to reconcile peacefully (Islam) with you; “You are not an acknowledger (Mu’min)!” You are seeking the vanity of this world, but with God are many riches. That is how you were before, but God favored you, so make a clear declaration!….” 4:94
The verse prohibits people who acknowledge the message of the Qur’an, from excluding those who are not Mu’min like them. Moreover, it pushes them to reconcile peacefully with those who do not acknowledge the message of God. Understanding the term “Islam” in this way brings resolution to many other points too. For example, when King Solomon sent a letter to the Queen of Sheba, He did not force her community to convert their religion. He was inviting them to come together regardless of their religion by agreeing on living peacefully and not being the aggressor to each other! Nevertheless, according to some traditional interpretations Solomon called them to change their religion or surrender their lands. Can you see the problem? In the next verse the Queen of Sheba reads the letter of Solomon, think what he actually asked;
“…“O advisers, an honorable letter has been delivered to me. It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the name of God, the Compassionate Giver and Compassionate Protector of Life, do not be proud towards me and come to me as the ones who reconcile peacefully (Muslim).”” 27:29–31
Qur’an calls every community and individual to join in Islam which means reconciling peacefully if we stick with the definition! And it says this is the only system that God accepts from the humanity;
“Indeed, The system with God is reconciling peacefully (Islam)…” 3:19
On the other hand, the Qur’an does not give Mu’mins any right to force others to convert their religion. It leaves believing in God’s message and being Mu’min to the people’s free choice by saying;
“…The truth is from your Lord, whoever desires may acknowledge (Iman), and whoever desires may reject.” 18:29
In the end being Mu’min is only between you and God. However, according to the given definition, being Muslim is about being in peace with the other communities and with the people around you. It is also being in peace with The Creator for believers. But, since believing is up to people’s free choice, that part is not obligatory for being a Muslim. You can peacefully reconcile with your environment and be a Muslim without necessarily believing in the Qur’an. In fact, you don’t even have to believe in God! You are a Muslim and you are believing in Islam if you are believing in the importance of reconciliation for peaceful coexistence and working for it.
Qur’an says that every Mu’min is responsible for being a Muslim in 2:208 but it does not indicates anywhere that every Muslim has to be also a Mu’min. Then, is it possible to be an Atheist Muslim, a Christian Muslim, Jewish Muslim, or a Buddhist Muslim? But shouldn’t the ones who trust in the Qur’an, become a “Mu’min Muslim” and start to live the Islam first by following the verse 2:208;
“O you who acknowledge (Iman), join in reconciling peacefully (Islam), all of you!, and do not follow the footsteps of the devil. He is to you a clear enemy.” 2:208
So, if ‘Islam’ can be defined as ‘reconciling peacefully’ and ‘Muslim’ can be defined as “the ones who reconciled peacefully”, what do you think about using these definitions rather than the labels?
Sources;
https://www.emredorman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/islamnedegildir.pdf
