there are many areas in which religions agree, but there are also significant theological and practical differences between them. undeniably, one will find in every religion expressions of wisdom, high moral values, warnings against evil, and promotion of good works. but what distinguishes islam from other faiths is that it goes beyond simply urging people to be generous and morally upright. islam identifies human problems and prescribes practical solutions to them, both individually and collectively.

although there are a variety of religious communities in the world, each of them content with its own version of "the truth," islam represents the completion of divinely revealed religion and the finalized legal code for mankind. for this reason the qur'an states:

"verily, the religion in the sight of god is islam."^[1]

the divine messages revealed prior to that of prophet muhammad all called for the worship of god alone and contained some legislation. however, each of them was addressed to a specific people at a specific period of time in order to remedy particular problems and circumstances such as moral degeneration, economic injustices and excessive materialism, misuse of power and political oppression. the final message of islam addresses these same social evils but as part of a comprehensive program for the amendment, reform and benefit of every nation, community and individual that will exist until the end of the world.

the prophethood of muhammad launched an era in which divine guidance became openly universal, more comprehensive in scope, and precisely detailed. the responsibility for man's fate and moral well-being depends completely on his own free choice and willing initiative to respond to the invitation of his creator.