What Is Islam: Beliefs, Principles and a Way of Life

For a long time I have been thinking that if people only lived according to Islam as it has been revealed by the God of the Universe, they would find therein a complete cure which would remove every anxiety and unease and quench this thirsting for inner serenity. Islam is indeed a way of life, a religion of light, equanimity and peace, for the Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an: "When He calls you to that which gives you life" [8: 24] and speaks of those who follow "the light which has been sent down" [7: 157]. God Almighty also says: “surely by remembering God, hearts find rest” [13: 28] and in another sura (chapter), “With it [the Qur'an] God guides whomsoever follows His pleasure into the ways of peace” [5: 16]. Moreover Islam can cope with all the problems of life and indeed the Almighty says “He [Prophet Muhammad] makes lawful for them the goodthings and makes unlawful for them things which are bad and rids them of their burden and the fetters that were upon them” [7: 157]. However large numbers of Muslims are not aware of these things (and so what must be the case with those who are not Muslims?) and therefore suffer all this distress just like someone who lives on top of treasure but does not realize it and is in a state of hunger, misery and nakedness. Thus it is essential to introduce people to Islam and perhaps this will lead them to accept it which means happiness in this world and the reward of paradise, whose breadth is the heavens and the earth, in the hereafter.