Islam is the pivot of all Heavenly Messages:

 Allah has made Islam the pivot around which all the heavenly messages revolve. Islam (i.e. submission to Allah) is the only basic means that serves the great principal objective of all Messages, which is the concept of monotheism embodied in the word  “La ilaha illa Allah”, for Islam means surrender to the Law (Shari‘ah) of Allah (SWT), which the Prophets and Messenger (peace be upon them) came with.

 “Islam” in the language of the Qur’an does not refer to a specific religion; it is rather the name of the common religion that all the Prophets advocated and belonged to. Noah (peace be upon him), for instance, says to his people: “I have been commanded to be one of the Muslims.” (X: 72) The children of Jacob, answering their father: “said: ‘We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac; the One God. To Him we are Muslims.’” (II: 133) Regarding Moses (peace be upon him) we read: “And Moses said: ‘O my people! If you have believed in Allah then put trust in Him, if you are Muslims.’” (X: 84) The Disciples said to Moses: “We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we are Muslims.” (III: 52)

 So, Allah (SWT) did not reveal different religions, but He sent all His Messengers with one and only religion, Islam. Allah (SWT) says: “The only religion approved by Allah is Islam.” (III: 19) Not only this but the Holy Qur’an confirms clearly that Islam is the religion of everything in the heavens and the earth. Allah (SWT) says: “Are they seeking other than Allah’s religion, when everything in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him (aslamah, is a Muslim), willingly and unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned?” (III: 83), for Islam in its essence and reality is complete submission to Allah (SWT), and its materialization is reflected in obedience to and abiding by the Law (Shari‘ah) of Allah willingly, happily and without any conditions or restrictions.

 The Last Prophet (peace be upon him) sent his messengers and addressed his letters to the Kings of the countries in his time inviting them to this unique religion, and told them to bear witness that he and his companions were Muslims. Allah (SWT) says: “Say: ‘O followers of the scripture! Let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we shall not worship except Allah; that we never set up any idols besides Him, nor set up any human beings as lords besides Allah.’ If they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’” (III: 64)[1]

 Thus the Holy Book of Allah directs us to the best methods and approaches of inviting people to Islam. I will illustrate these clear methods and flexible easy approaches in the following sub-section, Allah willing.