Meaning of Islam
S-L-M
If we now sum up our results and try to find what is common for the various words that are formed out of the root [s-l-m], it appears that the common idea is wholeness, entirety, or totality. The words in question express that something is whole, unbroken and undivided and therefore healthy, or peaceful and harmonious…The stress lies on totality, not on submission. Islam derives from the Arabic root Seem (s), Laam (l), Meem (m), which has a basic meaning of “soundness, well-being, wholeness, freedom from evil and defect, ” and the word ‘Muslim’ is an active participle which means that a Muslim is one whose nature is Islam (Allah) or whose character and actions exemplify Islam. Salm (salama in the first and fourth conjugations) means, in the first instance, to be tranquil, at rest, to have done one’s duty, to have paid up, to be at perfect peace, and, finally, to surrender oneself to Him with whom peace is made. The noun derived from it means peace, greeting, safety, salvation. The word does not imply, as is commonly supposed, absolute submission to God’s will, but means, on the contrary, striving after righteousness