Islam is a monotheistic religion, where man only prays to one God."Islam" is an Arabic word that means "Submission to God". When a man worships his God with concentration it is like a conversation of a man with his God and particularly it is like he Whisper with his Lord. This God-oriented Life nourishes a man with a positive personality and thinking. The book under review "What is Islam" is authored by one of the great renowned scholars, orators, and reformers of the contemporary period Maulana Wahiduddin Khan.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan was an Islamic Spiritual ambassador of the Indian subcontinent who adopted peace as a mission of his life. He considered non-violence as the only method to achieve success. Besides several International organizations awarded and felicitated him on different occasions for his extraordinary conditions in this field, he was also awarded the Padma Vibushan Award and Padma Bhushan Award by the government of India. He has authored around two hundred books on different themes and aspects of Islam. Excluding the introductory part, the book under review is divided into six main parts. In this book, the author describes the relationship between Allah and His creation – human beings. Below is the part-wise summary of the book.
The author in the Introductory Part [pp. 05-20] of the book says that God is the only creator and artist of this universe. Besides human beings, He also created other living and non-living creatures, which work according to the law of nature. Butman has been given full conscience for their acts, thoughts, and options.Man is the most superior creation of all the time of Allah, starting from Prophet Adam (AS) with the guidance of living.
On page 04 of the book, the author attempts to explain that humans have a belief in God and how they are stable on earth with gravitation, the atmosphere which keeps them attached to the earth. Man is totally dependent on the resources which Allah provided them. The creation of Allah is much vast that even scientists are unable to describe and find the reasons behind it. The author further explains that the life of any creature is still mysterious. Man is imbued with such qualities to differentiate others from his uniqueness. Tobelieve in God, man needs to believe in himself.God is the final discovery of every human being (p. 16).
In Part First [pp. 21-34] which is titled "The Creation Plan of God", the author says that "Man is born with unlimited potentials. But in this present world, he finds only a very limited use of his potentials" (p. 21).The creation of the universe and man is unilateral. But this world and humans both have a mismatch. Moreover, the author describes that this world is not for a human to enjoy. Rather, it is a place of examination, and when they will pass this exam, they will enter the ideal world which is paradise. (p. 23)Thefreedom that has been given to Man is not whatever he wants to do, it is to get good scores on the exam. Principle of right or wrong in the hands of man. Without any pressure, he has to surrender himself to the truth.Dueto his nobility, man has to acquire sublime principles which help him to enter paradise.The main success comes when we find solace in paradise.
Inthe Second Part [pp. 35-46] which is titled, "God-Oriented Life" the author says that when man's life and activities revolve around God [Allah], it is called God-oriented life. (p. 35)Non-living creations follow the law of nature. Despite it, man has Free Will to surrender himself and the belief in God is everlasting conviction. This creates a strong relationship between Allah and his creation. In every world's form, God exists.Man's existence is complete evidence of God's existence and the secret of success.Ifa man cannot find God, he shouldn't grant the position to another god."Finding God is finding the center of Love",(p. 39) which means on the right path. That is man's greatest need.
In the Third Part [pp. 47-62] which is titled "The Prophet Muhammad [Pbuh] the author discusses the life ofthe Prophet Muhammad [Pbuh]. He says that when profit was forty years old, he got the answers to his questions. Allah let His mercy on him and make Muhammad [Pbuh] His prophet by granting him guidance, and communication with God started. Prophet Muhammad Pbuh] was "a perfectly balanced personality—tolerant, truthful, perspicacious and magnanimous—he presented the highest example of human nobility" (p. 49). His "unimpeachable trustworthiness won for him the title of “al-Amin”, a faithful custodian, an unfailing trustee" (p. 49).Theauthor further says that the main meaning of the Life of the Prophet [Pbuh] was to make people believe in the life Hereafter.
The Fourth Part [pp. 63-74] of his book deals with the primary text of Islam which is titled "The Sacred Texts". The author says that in Islam sacred text is the Quran, whichis a practical book in a multi-religious society. It is not a book of the law, rather it is a book of reflection or a mirror of self-reflection."It is the actual word of God in human language".(p. 63) Its main aim is to make people aware of God and His creation plan.It teaches people to live life in a better way, follow one God, and respect all."The Quran aims at bringing about an intellectual revolution in every human being. All its teachings are therefore spiritual in nature. All its verses address the human mind, their main thrust being to promote contemplation on nature, for which the Quranic words are tafakkur, tadabbur, and tawassum." (p. 64)Muslims require a combination of two virtues, first God and human beings, and second humanity.
The Quran states the blessings that God has bestowed upon humanity and expresses that this ground is intended to be a testing ground. In the vision of God, everyone is like a child whom He treated equally.
Inthe Fifth Part [pp. 75-104] which is titled "The Five Pillars of Islam", the author has discussed that the foundation of Islam has five pillars i.e., faith, prayer, fasting,charity, and pilgrimage.Thesefive pillars create the structure of Islam, and "are meant to engender in man a lifelong piety and devotion to God" (p. 76).Regardingfaith, the author says that faith is believing in God. One's Central Life Goal should be truly worthy and honest for God through his actions and emotions. Faith illuminates' man with new birth and feelings, and "man’s discovery of faith instills in him the conviction that a day must come when the unseen God—the great orchestrator of all events in the Universe—will make Himself manifest" (p. 83).About prayer, he says that it has various stages when moving from one stage to another, always one word came that Allah is great. Prayer "is not only a symbol of the Islamic life but also inculcates self-discipline among Muslims" (p. 86). Itis a practical way to surrender in front of God and a clear demonstration of one's belief.
The Sixth Part [105-114] which is the final part of the book deals with "The Spirituality in Islam". The author says that Islam emphasizes spirituality.Itis a self-reflection of one's self. In the Quran spirituality has been expressed by three words i.e., thinking, reflection, and contemplation. In this way, the mind doesn't focus on materialism. Rather it is based on non-material realities of God's existence."Spirituality is the elevation of the human condition to a plane on which the mind is focused on the higher, non-material realities of a godly existence." (p. 105)Itis on twoquest questions and solving the riddle 'why people involve in the negative experience?'While man forgets God and Hereafter for the pursuit of materialism but an individual can uplift himself when he realizes the presence of his Creator. He becomes a purified soul through full concentration and quest. When he makes any request Allah fulfills it.
The manuscript provides an explicit objective of Islam and the world. The author has employed a simple, and understandable methodology to explain the real spirit of Islam. It introduces the man to the main motive of his life in this world and an apt, precise knowledge of the basics of Islam and God's existence. It deals with facts of Islamic science and also changes the way of thinking in rationalism. This allows the reader to learn about God, Islam, and its primary viewpoints.

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