Islam is a Universal Religion

Islam is a universal religion in that its Prophet was sent to all peoples of the world, regardless of their race, colour, culture, traditions and geographical location, as the Qur’an states, “We have only sent you (O Muhammad) as a mercy to all the worlds.” (Soorat Al-Anbiyaa’, 21:107)

That is why Islam respects all the various human traditions and does not require new Muslims to change their own traditions unless they contravene some of the Islamic teachings. Thus, any traditions that go against Islamic teachings must be changed and replaced with a better alternative, for it is after all Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Aware, who commands and forbids whatever He wills, and our faith in Him requires us to act in accordance with His laws.

Islam also teaches that Muslims’ traditions that are not related to Islam and its teachings must not be considered ‘Islamic’, and that a new Muslim does not have to honour or observe them, for they merely constitute a set of permissible customs of a certain group of people.

The Entire Earth Is a Place of Worship

Islam considers any place in the world to be appropriate for worshipping Allah I, and that there is no particular place or country that Muslims must migrate to and settle in, for the criterion here is the possibility to worship Allah in peace.

Nor does it oblige them to emigrate to another country unless they are prevented from worshipping Allah, in which case they may go to another country where they can worship Allah in total peace, as the Qur’an states, “My servants, you who have believed, My earth is wide, so worship Me alone!” (Soorat Al-‛Ankaboot, 29:56)