What is Islam?

In the Name of God the Beneficent the Merciful

"Have you fully realized what Islam is?

It is indeed a religion founded on truth.
It is such a fountain-head of learning
that several streams of wisdom
and knowledge flow fom it.
It is such a lamp
that several lamps will be lighted from it.
It is a lofty beacon
illuminating the path of Allah.
It is such a set of principles and beliefs
that will satisfy every seeker of truth and reality.

Know you all!

that Allah has made Islam the most sublime path
for attainment of His supreme pleasure
and the highest standard of His obedience.
He has favoured it with noble precepts
exalted principles
undeniable wisdom
undoubtable arguments
and unchallengable supremacy.
It is upto you to maintain the eminence
and dignity granted to it by the Lord,
to follow it sincerly,
to do justice to its articles of faith and belief,
to obey implicitly its tenets and orders
and to give it the proper place in your lives."

(Imam Ali(A), Nahjul Balagha)