What is "islam" in english?
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As-Silmu in Arabic is 'Peaceableness'
Peace progod,
"As-silmu" or "as-sala'mu" in Arabic is "the peace". I was not able to find in "al-quran" any occurence of "", there's only this form "" which I think can be read both ways, depending on the vowelling.
It's describing the concept of "the peace" in its basic meaning.
Talking in terms of the langage of the scripture, I think that adding a "" in the begining of a verb indicates that there's "the person's will" involved in the action.
"Sallama" and "aslama" are different in meaning.
Peaceable indicates that there's "the person's will" involved in the choice of that state of "peaceableness", while being at peace or being peaceful can be imposed by force or intoxicants for example, independantly of "the person's will".
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Peace be upon you Someone,
SInce the root word indicates PEACE, I see no reason why this word cannot be translated in the manner being suggested. But instead of peaceableness, why not peacefulness. We are talking about a system of peace, so peacefulness sounds right to me. And a MU-slim would be one who is peaceful by description (thier thoughts/emotions/words/actions). And we greet each other Salaam - PEACE. All of this from the same root. I think submission would be an underlying meaning and we should not cover up the essence of this system(deen) which is PEACE. I think it would be a clear fact that in order to be at peace at all times, one must be submissive to the God's Will, which is written out for us in the Uni-Verse.
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God's blessings
Sallama and aslama are actually not that different. They can be considered synonymous forms. Both can mean 'to make peace' or 'to make safe/to save.' The only concept that the word Islaam can convey that has something to do with peace is 'peace-making,' which is tied to but not the same as 'Salvation.'
Salaam and tasleem are the forms that come from sallama. Salaam from sallama also means 'peace-making' or 'salvation' and tasleem means the same.
Assalaam can also come from salima and can be synonymous to as-silmu and as-salmu. As-silmu is now used as pacifism or basically 'peaceability' always being more prone to peace than violence.
But when we consider what the Koran is saying, is it saying that our religion is to be 'peace-making'? There are times where the Koran encourages us to make war. The Koran even says once that we should not vie for peace with those who want to make war with us. So do you think that saying that the Koran says our religion should be peace-making is really consistent with the Koran. This is a misunderstanding of this Cl. Arabic word.
Godbless,
Anwar -
Peace be upon you Anwar,
But when we consider what the Koran is saying, is it saying that our religion is to be 'peace-making'? There are times where the Koran encourages us to make war. The Koran even says once that we should not vie for peace with those who want to make war with us. So do you think that saying that the Koran says our religion should be peace-making is really consistent with the Koran
First, please provide the verse so we can see the context. Next, when we understand that the God is Omnipresent, that is , everywhere, then we can understand true oneness. If the God is in all things, then we want to be at peace with all things. If someone transgresses against the WHOLE, then we fight back in order to maintain the PEACE of the whole. We do not reject peace in that situation, in fact by keeping our minds at peace, we will be calm enough to see the solution. So I do not see where this idea goes against the reading(quran) , in fact I see it as completely in agreement with the reading.
Please show the verse you mentioned so we can further verify.
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Shlama to all of you!
Peace,
I think it's of most importance to find a translation for the word "islam", before trying to call anyone to such a system. It is the key for unification.
For this, I propose "peaceableness" as a possible translation in english.
Peaceableness comes from peaceable one who is disposed to peace, not searching quarrels.
This state of mind denotes a submission to the peace, thus a submission to the god the creator.
It's a simple criteria that says much on the caracter of people.
To "yaslam" in islam is "to be reconciled, be at ease, to settle, peaceful..." with MY own extension "...with the creation/work of God". This is the nature of "al-islam".
In my opinion, the word "submision" is not a translation of the word "islam" but rather a product->interpretation of the way traditional muslimists has interpreted/practised the path/deen.
Something that migh seem related
You can't just "make up" a translation of the word. It requires a lot of language work. Its always been understand that the word 'Islam' means submission.
Does this ( i. e. that it always had been understood so) mean it actually IS correct?
In my country, Sweden, there's a song about a squirrel that sits on a spruce and the next thing the song continues "and so he jumps from the pile branch". Does it make sence because we always sung that way? There's a logic explanation to this phenomena as there is to the islam one - WHY it got mistranslated from the original meaning and context. -
Peace be upon you,
There's a logic explanation to this phenomena as there is to the islam one - WHY it got mistranslated from the original meaning and context.
I think many times, some of us forget that the reading(quran) CLEARLY SAYS that here are those who CHANGE the words from thier right places. They describe these people as "the guided". I do not hgold that they are JEWS, I think that is an incorrect understandning of "yahood". TO me they are those who think they have it all, they have ENOUGH understanding where they can manipulate certain words to keep people enslaved, but because of thier evil nature, they can never reach a certain level(maqam), so there is always hope for the RIGHTEOUS man and woman to reach a level ABOVE them and "cleanse the house of idols" D
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Salaams all,
From QD,
Islam Obedience to God;Peace with God;Peace with other fellow beings;peace with oneself;peace of mind;way to peace.
But slight deviations/variations in the word produce slightly different meanings.
Salaams.
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Peace el-Aziz, all
Thanks for the link, there are many arguments there showing the validity of the translation as "peaceable" for "muslim" and "peace-able-ness" for "islam".
This translation, contrary to being peaceful, doesn't take away the ability of free-will, which would make the peaceful person a passive element in a society ( I have in head this image of buddhist monks not doing anything all the day long, sorry for the example, no disrespect intended).
Furthermore, we cannot be peaceful since we have needs, we are always worried about illness, food, childrens, work... I mean this life is not designed to be peaceful, it's designed as a test. The peaceful world is the one in the afterlife, promised for the righteous, where there's no hardship, where fruits are accessible in abondance without work.
The righteous are promised a "janna" in this wolrd too, but they have to work for it to get at it, and to maintain it. (see chapter 55 "ar-rahman")
Peaceable also imply a possibility of dialogue with every other beliefs that has the same direction.
Do you remember those marching in the west for the peace before the second golf war, those are some peaceable persons, maybe they are not titled as "muslim", but were/are aware of the direction to take.
Acting in the other direction is but adding fuel to the fire.
Peace
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Salaams someone,
i think as marie said Islam is a Gods system But for the benefit of mankind .Chech out the following article-very good.
Pre-Islamic Quran.
How are terms "Islam & Muslim" are used prior to the revelation.
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/history/anwar.htmSalamu,salamun,Salaman = (as I understood) has a much wider meaning then absitinance from strife,it includes prosperity,health,wholeness and completeness in many ways.See page 269 qd.
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Tells us what not to eat to be healthy.And emphesises it is part of the islam.The following is no way 100% in accuracy.
617
From QD.
Iftaraa=weakens/abates/dimishes
khatiba=to lie/falsely invent/be wrong/deceive/disappoint the expectation of/?Who does more wrong then the one who weakens/abates/diminishes on/upon Allah a disappointment(indeed) while he is being invited to islam and Allah not guides the people disbelievers.?
Salaams.
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God's blessing on all,
I have done a lot of research on what Islaam really means. But it will most likely amount to nothing for 2 reason
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Too many have too much invested in the word Muslim and Islam. So they will reshape the word to mean whatever they see fit based on their limited knowledge in Arabic and their wishes.
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Those who have a hunch about what they think the original meaning is based on their limited understanding of Arabic will be stating their hunches a 'the original meaning' despite the fact that they have no idea how this word was used in Classical Arabic during Muhammad's day. God bless and honor him.
Godbless,
Anwar -