Islam has two meanings: peace and submission. According to a prophetic tradition, “A true Muslim is one from whom people are safe, both from their words and actions.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 7086) This means that Islam is a religion whose followers give peace to the world. This is the essence of Islam. Islam literally means submission. The name Islam has been given to this religion because it is based on submission to God. A Muslim is one who is subservient to God in thought, word and deed. All his dealings are done in obedience to God. He bows to God’s will in all matters. Islam is the religion of the entire universe, for all the parts of the universe are functioning according to the principles laid down by God. The same conformity to divine principles is desired of humans also. A person has to live as God’s faithful servant just as the rest of the universe totally obeys its Creator. The only difference is that the universe obeys God as a matter of compulsion, while a human being is required to follow divine injunctions of his own free will.

Source: The Spirit of Islam