Exposing Islam

Is Islam Trustworthy?

The Standard Islamic Perspective

Introduction: Islam as a Religion of Truth and Trustworthiness

From the perspective of Islamic theology, Islam is the final, complete, and perfect revelation from Allah (God) to humanity. It is a religion that is built upon the foundations of truth, justice, and honesty. According to the Qur’an, the teachings of Islam are not merely human ideas but divine instructions that are meant to guide humanity toward righteousness and salvation. The concept of trustworthiness (Amanah) is central to Islamic ethics, and Islam presents itself as a trustworthy religion for several key reasons.

1. The Trustworthiness of the Quran: The Perfectly Preserved Revelation

A. Divine Guarantee of Preservation

Islam teaches that the Quran is the literal word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over a period of 23 years through the Angel Gabriel. Allah Himself promises to preserve the Quran from any corruption or alteration:

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
— (Surah Al-Hijr 15:9)

This verse is seen as a divine guarantee of the Quran’s preservation, ensuring that the message remains unchanged and unaltered through time.

B. Memorization and Manuscript Preservation

The Quran has been preserved through two primary methods:

Memorization: From the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to the present day, millions of Muslims around the world have memorized the entire Quran word for word. This tradition of memorization (Hifz) acts as a living proof of the Quran’s preservation.
Written Text: During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, the Quran was recorded in writing by his companions on various materials such as parchment, bone, and palm leaves. After his death, the Caliph Abu Bakr and later Uthman compiled these written verses into a standardized Mushaf (codex), which was distributed throughout the Muslim world.
Multiple Qira'at (Readings): The Quran was revealed in multiple Qira'at (recitations), which are all considered authentic and preserved forms of the Quran, reflecting the diversity of the Arabic language.

C. Consistency with Previous Revelations

The Quran presents itself as a confirmation of the previous scriptures — the Torah (Tawrah), the Psalms (Zabur), and the Gospel (Injil) — while also acting as a final, corrective revelation:

“And We have sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it.”
— (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48)

This confirms the Quran’s connection to the earlier divine messages, presenting it as a continuation and completion of divine guidance.

2. The Trustworthiness of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

A. Al-Amin: The Trustworthy

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known among his people as "Al-Amin" (The Trustworthy) long before he received divine revelation. His honesty, integrity, and fairness were recognized even by his enemies.

Testimony of the Quraysh: When the Quraysh tribes needed a trustworthy individual to resolve a dispute regarding the placement of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) in the Kaaba, they chose Muhammad because of his reputation for fairness.
Honesty in Trade: As a young merchant, Muhammad was known for his honest dealings and was highly respected for his trustworthy character.

B. Divine Messenger: The Perfect Example

Islam teaches that Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet and the perfect example (Uswatun Hasanah) for all of humanity:

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.”
— (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)

His character, honesty, and ethical conduct are seen as a model for Muslims to follow in all aspects of life.

C. The Hadith: Verified Sayings and Actions

The sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Hadith) have been meticulously preserved through a rigorous process of transmission and verification:

Chains of Narration (Isnad): Each Hadith is transmitted through a chain of narrators, and the reliability of each narrator is assessed.
Classification: Hadiths are classified as Sahih (authentic), Hasan (good), Da'if (weak), or Mawdu' (fabricated) based on the strength of their chains of narration.
Major Collections: The most trusted collections of Hadith are those of Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, followed by Sunan Abu Dawud, Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa'i, and Sunan Ibn Majah.

3. The Trustworthiness of Islamic Teachings: Consistency and Justice

A. Ethical and Moral Principles

Islam provides a comprehensive moral and ethical code that promotes justice, honesty, and integrity:

Justice (Adl): Allah commands Muslims to maintain justice, even if it is against themselves or their own family:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.”
— (Surah An-Nisa 4:135)

Honesty and Truthfulness: Lying is considered a serious sin, and truthfulness is highly emphasized:

“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.”
— (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:70)

Trust and Integrity (Amanah): Muslims are taught to be trustworthy in all aspects of life, and breaching trust is considered a sign of hypocrisy.

B. Comprehensive Legal System (Sharia)

Islam is not merely a spiritual faith but a complete way of life, providing guidance in matters of worship, ethics, social conduct, economics, and law.

Personal Conduct: Instructions on daily worship, dietary laws, and personal ethics.
Social Justice: Guidance on marriage, inheritance, and the treatment of women and minorities.
Economic Justice: Prohibition of usury (Riba), encouragement of charity (Zakat), and the promotion of fair trade.
Criminal Justice: A system of laws designed to maintain social order, protect rights, and administer justice.

4. The Trustworthiness of Islamic History

A. The Rashidun Caliphate: A Model of Just Governance

Islamic history presents the Rashidun Caliphate (the four Rightly Guided Caliphs) as a model of just governance, characterized by fairness, transparency, and adherence to Islamic principles.

Abu Bakr’s Leadership: Established the unity of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet.
Umar’s Justice: Known for his strict justice and public accountability.
Uthman’s Compilation of the Quran: Ensured the standardization and preservation of the Quranic text.
Ali’s Wisdom: Known for his profound knowledge and dedication to justice.

B. The Spread of Islam: A Message of Mercy

Islamic history emphasizes that the rapid spread of Islam was not merely due to military conquest but to the appeal of its just and ethical teachings.

Religious Tolerance: The People of the Book (Jews and Christians) were allowed to maintain their faith under Islamic rule, protected by the Pact of Umar.
Moral Example: Muslim rulers were expected to rule with justice and compassion, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

5. Conclusion: Islam as a Trustworthy Religion

From an Islamic perspective, Islam is a trustworthy religion because:

The Quran is the perfectly preserved word of Allah, guaranteed by divine promise.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a model of honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct.
The Hadith have been rigorously preserved through a system of scholarly verification.
Islamic teachings are based on justice, honesty, and morality.
Islamic history provides a model of just governance and ethical conduct.

Islam presents itself as a divinely revealed, consistent, and reliable faith that offers a complete and trustworthy guide for all aspects of life.