Allah is Love

Islam can be understood as a religion that emphasizes submission to God. This submission is not about coercion or force but rather about willingly surrendering oneself to the divine will. On a horizontal level, which pertains to human relationships, Islam promotes the concept of peace. The core belief is that true love for God and obedience to His moral commandments are essential for achieving peace and harmony among all of His creations. In its purest form, Islam can be distilled to the act of loving God and showing love and kindness to one's neighbors.

The name Allah, used by Muslims to refer to God, includes the attribute of "al-Salam," meaning the source and originator of all peace. The Muslim scripture, the Qur'an, is regarded as a guide to peace. It starts with a verse emphasizing love, mercy, and compassion: "In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate." This theme of love and mercy is repeated throughout the Qur'an, underscoring their significance. The Prophet of Islam is described in the Qur'an as a mercy to humanity, and paradise is depicted as an eternal abode of peace.

In essence, the teachings of Islam revolve around the principles of peace, compassion, and mercy. The Qur'an even refers to Islam as "the paths of peace" and advocates reconciliation while disapproving of the disturbance of peace. The ideal society, according to the Qur'an, is referred to as "Dar al Salaam," meaning the house of peace. Islamic concepts of war are primarily geared towards establishing peace and justice, with defensive war being permitted only for just causes.

Worship in Islam, referred to as "al-`ibādah," is defined as perfect love accompanied by total submission to God. The term "Allah" itself is believed to signify extreme love. Theological discussions about its etymology vary, but it is widely understood to represent the concept of seeking refuge in times of fear or calamity.

God is also described in the Qur'an as "al-Raḥmān" (the Infinitely Good) and "al-Raḥīm" (the Merciful), both of which emphasize His boundless mercy. Mercy is a central attribute of God, mentioned frequently in the Qur'an, underscoring His willingness to forgive and His encompassing benevolence.

The Qur'an portrays God as full of grace and emphasizes His willingness to forgive sins. The name "al-Ghaffār" highlights not only God's love for forgiveness but also His discretion in concealing sins to spare the sinner's humiliation.

In addition to these attributes, Allah is described as "al-Laṭīf" (the Benevolent), "al-Wadūd" (the Loving-kind), "al-Ḥalīm" (the Mild), "al-Ra'ūf" (the All-Pitying), "al-`Afū" (the Effacer of sins), "al-Barr" (the Doer of Good), and possesses many other names signifying His infinite love, mercy, grace, and kindness toward His creatures.

While the Qur'an does mention God's attributes of fear and sternness, these are usually in the context of admonishing sinners, with a subsequent hope that they may return to God's grace. God is portrayed as both majestic and generous, emphasizing His willingness to pardon and His patience.

Overall, the core message of Islam is one of peace, love, and submission to the benevolent and merciful nature of God, with an emphasis on promoting peace and kindness among humanity. Muslims are encouraged to greet one another with the words "As-Salamo a’laykum" (peace be upon you) and to actively spread peace and goodwill. This message of peace is deeply ingrained in Islamic teachings and traditions.