In this foundational episode of the “Understanding Islam” series, Dr. Bilal Philips presents the first and most fundamental evidence that Islam is the true religion of God: its very name. Unlike every other major religion — which is named after a person, a place, or a people — Islam is named after its central concept: submission to the will of God. This distinction is not a minor detail; it is a powerful indicator that Islam was not a human invention but a divinely ordained way of life that transcends all human boundaries.
Why the Name “Islam” Matters
Christianity is named after Christ. Judaism after the tribe of Judah. Buddhism after Buddha. Hinduism after the Indus Valley. In none of these cases did the founder of the religion give it that name — these labels were applied by others after the fact. Islam, however, is different: the name appears in the Quran itself, chosen by God. Chapter 5, Verse 3 states: “This day I have perfected your religion for you and chosen Islam as your religion.” The name describes what the religion is — submission to God — rather than pointing to any human figure or geographic origin.
“Islam is not the name of a people, not the name of a place. It is the name of the central pillar of the religion itself — submission to the will of God. And this name is found in the scripture itself, given by God, not by any human being.”
Islam: The Religion of All Prophets
- Every prophet from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all) taught the same core message: submit to the will of God
- Islam did not begin in the 7th century — it is the continuation and completion of the message given to all prophets throughout history
- God gave humanity intelligence to distinguish right from wrong — and that intelligence must be applied to the most important question of all: which is the true religion?
- Comfort and familiarity are not valid criteria for choosing a religion — truth is the only standard that matters
“God gave us intelligence not merely to build homes and make cars. The primary use of this intelligence is to distinguish right from wrong. We use it for choosing jobs and material benefits — but when it comes to religion, people say ‘this is what my family follows.’ We cannot afford to be casual with our eternal future.”
This episode lays the groundwork for the entire series and poses a challenge to every viewer: use the intelligence God gave you to examine the evidence honestly. Islam presents its case clearly, rationally, and with full transparency — and it invites every human being to judge for themselves.
