This page gives the definition of Islam from the Three Fundamental Principles, in the book’s own words, with its explanation of each part and the verses it brings as evidences.
What Islam Means
In the Second Principle of the Three Fundamental Principles, the religion of Islam is defined:
It is to submit to Allah with tawheed, and to yield obediently to Him, and to free and disassociate oneself from shirk and its people.
Tawheed [worshipping Allah alone] and shirk [worshipping others besides Allah] run throughout this site.
Shaykh al-Uthaymeen’s explanation says the definition comprises three matters:
That is that the person must submit to his Lord in the manner prescribed in the Sharee’ah, and it is to submit to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, with tawheed, and by singling Him out with all worship.
That is by doing whatever He has commanded, and avoiding everything which He has forbidden, since obedience means to carry out His orders and avoid what He forbids.
Freeing and disassociating oneself from shirk means to absolve oneself of it, and totally remove oneself from it and this necessitates separation and disassociation from its people.
It is a religion founded upon sincere worship, obedience, and devotion to the Creator alone.
Islam in Its General Sense and in Its Particular Sense
In his explanation, Shaykh al-Uthaymeen sets out the word Islam in its general sense:
Islaam in its general sense is the worship of Allah in the way in which He prescribed through the messengers that He sent
And Allah says:
The only Religion acceptable to Allah is Islaam.
And whoever seeks to follow a religion other than Islaam then Allah will not accept that from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.
(Qur’an 3:19 and 3:85)
In its particular sense, Islam is what Muhammad ﷺ was sent with, replacing the religions before it. Shaykh al-Fawzan states it in his explanation of the same principle:
As for Islaam in a specific sense, it is that which Allah sent his Prophet ﷺ with.
Therefore, Islaam after the sending of the Prophet ﷺ means following him ﷺ.
The foundation of Islam is built upon worshiping Allah alone without partners, following the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, obeying the Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, and holding firmly to the way of the Salaf, the righteous early generations who preserved and practiced the religion correctly.
The Religion Allah Perfected and Chose
Islam is the religion that Allah chose and perfected for mankind. It is not restricted to a particular era, nation, or culture, but is guidance for all people until the Day of Judgment. Its teachings remain complete and sufficient, providing direction for belief, worship, character, and daily life.
Allah says:
This day have I perfected your Religion for you, and completed My favour upon you, and am pleased with Islaam (complete submission and obedience to Allah) as your Religion.
(Qur’an 5:3)
Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Nasir as-Sa’di explains the perfection in his tafsir of this verse:
This day have I perfected your religion for you: by completing the victory and perfecting all laws and teachings that have to do with both outward and inward matters, fundamentals and minor issues.
Hence the Qur’an and Sunnah are completely sufficient with regard to the rulings of Islam, both fundamental and minor issues.
Islam is not merely a name or identity. Rather, it is belief in the heart, action upon the limbs, and sincerity directed solely to Allah.
References
Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, Al-Hidaayah Publishing and Distribution, First Edition 1418 AH / 1997 CE, translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank: the author’s text, Second Principle, printed p. 27; its explanation, printed pp. 116-117; and the explanation’s footnote 10 passage, printed pp. 40-41.
Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan, Authentic Statements Publishing, First Edition, Sha’ban 1440 AH / April 2019 CE, translated by Raha Batts: printed p. 26.
Tafsir as-Sa’di: Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Nasir as-Sa’di, International Islamic Publishing House (IIPH), English Edition 1, 2018, translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab, Vol. 2 (on Soorah al-Maa’idah 5:3, printed pp. 356-357).
The two explanations print the divine name in a long form, “Allaah” in Shaykh al-Uthaymeen’s and “Allāh” in Shaykh al-Fawzan’s; on this page it is written “Allah”, by the site’s spelling decision, the rest exactly as printed.
Further Reading
- Levels of Religion (Islam, Iman, Ihsan): the three levels of the religion and how they differ
- What Is the Difference Between Islam, Iman and Ihsan?: the three levels side by side, from the hadith of Jibril
Verified on 2026-10-27 against the books listed above.