Islam as a complete way of life:
Islam is a comprehensive deen ( way of life) that lead all aspects of human presence- spiritual social, economic and political- rather than just religious rituals. It provides a comprehensive framework derived from the Quran Kareem and Sunnah, covering personal morality, family structure, commerce and governance offering guidance from " cradle to gave".
Aspects of Islamic way of Life:
Comprehensive guidance:
Islam eliminates the speration between the Temporal and the sacred, guiding ordinary actions like eating, sleeping and working into acts of worship.
Ethical and moral foundation:
It emphasizes honesty, justice, kindness and moral integrity in all interactions, fostering a peaceful society.
Social and moral foundation:
Islam places great importance on strong family ties, community care, and social justice, including rights for women, children and the needy.
Economic principles:
The Islamic economic system encourages fair trade, restricts riba and dishonesty , and ensures equal wealth distribution, treating financial dealings as religious obligations.
Governance and law:
It offers a legal framework and aimed at justice, peace and protecting life, property and dignity.
Islamic concept of life:
The chief characteristic of Islam is that it makes no distinction between the spiritual and temporal in life. Its aim is to shape both individual lives as well as society as a whole in ways that will ensure that the kingdom of Allah SWT May really be established on earth and that peace, satisfaction and well being may fill the world. The Islamic way of life is thus based on a unique concept of man's place in the universe. That us why it is necessary that, before we discuss the moral, social , political and economic systems of Islam, we should have a clear idea of what that concept is:
A complete code of life:
Family and domestic needs in Islam:
Islam has not enjoined any encouragement or virtue in living caves and mountains for its supporters. Rather, it is a demand of human nature that a person feels strangeness in isolation and a sense of familiarity and belonging among their own kind. Indeed, upon reflection, every species feels attraction with its own kind and prefers to live among them. The ancient history of humanity also affirms that the very first relationship formed in the universe was that of husband and wife, established between the first Prophet Muhammad SAW and messenger, Sayyiduna Adam AS, and Hawa . When a person enters into a marital relationship, they are required to fulfill the rights and duties of many individuals. Comprehensive information regarding marriage ( nikkah) , it's related matters, and the relationships formed as a result is provide only by Islam. Islam provide guidance on seeking a partner before marriage and on choosing a woman. Regarding whether to choose based on beauty and charm, wealth and wealth, or status and heritage, our beloved prophet Muhammad SAW stated:
" A woman is married for four reasons: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty and her religiousity. But you should give preference to the religious one".
Islam has connected it's followers to the family system. Muslims should not regard this system as a burden, but rather fulfill it as an act of worship and a source of blessings. For this, there are glad tidings of a better reward and blessings in nourishment as the beloved prophet Muhammad SAW said:
" Whoever desires that his lifetime and sustenance be increased, let him treat his parents well and maintain ties of relationship with his relatives".
Further said: " Whoever treats his parents well, there is glad news for him that Allah SWT increases blesses a Muslim with the gift of children as a result of marriage, Islam teaches that their upbringing should be considered a means of spiritual wealth, spending on them as a religious deed and a means of attaining Allah's pleasure. Moreover, children can earn the reward of Hajj by looking at their parents with kindness and compassion. Our beloved prophet Muhammad SAW connected the family system to eternal liberation and success, which can be understood from this narration. The Prophet Muhammad SAW regarding one who takes care of two daughters or two sisters, or two maternal aunts, or two paternal aunts or a maternal grandmother or a paternal grandmother, joined his index finger with the one next to it and said :
" He and I will be together in paradise like this".
With such glad tidings and promises of reward, who would consider it a burden? Rather, every Muslim with fulfill their responsibilities, considering it a means of eternal prosperity, and will attain nearness to Allah SWT.
Social and societal needs in Islam:
Society is formed by the coming together of individuals. Who does not desire a paradise - like society of peace, calmness, compassion, protection of life and property, a pleasant environment, cleanliness, mutual love and affection and people who are supportive in times of sorrow and pain? An unparalleled society can only be formed by acting upon Islamic teachings, as the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad SAW said:
" A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim; he does not oppress him nor abandon him. Whoever fulfils the need of hua brother, Allah SWT will fulfill his need. And whoever removes a hardship from a Muslim, Allah SWT will remove one of his hardships on the day of revival. And whoever conceals a Muslim's fault, Allah SWT will conceal his fault on the day of revival."
Both known and unknown individuals are part of society. Islam has provided guidance for everyone that they may live together in agreement, love and peace. For this, the spreading of Salam has been encouraged, as the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad SAW said:
" Give Salam to everyone you know and do not know".
This is because the blessing of Salam fosters love among people. Islam's connection is not limited to a person's life; rather after a Muslim's passing away, their acquaintances and friends. As the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad SAW said:
" The greatest pious deed is for a son to maintain ties of kinship with those who loved his father".
Responding to a Muslim's Salam, accepting invitations, showing, goodwill , replying to sneezes, visiting the sick, ana attending the funeral of the deceased have been declared as the rights that one Muslim owes to another. All of this is because an excellent society demands these things, and Islam provides comprehensive guidance on them.
Whether it concerns the apparent purification of society or the beauty of its inner self, Islam provides complete guidance. There are Ahadith encouraging the planting of trees to make the environment pleasant and keep the air clean, as well as injunctions to fulfill the rights of pathways and to refrain from every action that would violate a Muslim's honour and dignity - whether it applies to internal disorders that destroy society, like backbiting and the gossiping or to national and traffic laws, the violation or which leads to humiliation. While living in an Islamic
Society, there is strong encouragement to fulfill the rights of neighbors as well as relatives. Islam forbids every action that causes them improper harm, so that an Islamic society built on mercy, compassion, and goodwill may endure.
Private and personal needs in Islam:
Allah Paak has granted upon humanity the invaluable blessing of life. Islam commands it's protection. Islam teaches the safeguarding of one's life, property, honour , and descent from all kinds of dirt, impurity and pollution. While living in the world, a person travels from one place to another to fulfill their needs. Islam also provides guidance regarding this journey; it guides and offers protection for our lives and property concerning the day, time and even the decrease or increase in travel speed as stated in a blessed Hadith:
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas was travelling with the Hazrat Muhammad SAW on the day of Arafah ( from the plain of Arafah towards Muzdalifah), when the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad SAW heard the loud scolding and beating of the pilgrims camels behind him. He indicate to them with his switch and commanded:
" O people! Maintain calm, for goodness is not in rushing the ride".
Meaning, rushing the camels at that place is not a source of reward; rather , it poses a danger of becoming a sin due to the large crowd and the risk of pilgrims being stomped or injured. Instead, the reward lies in performing the rituals with calmness.
Even now, pilgrims should avoid rushing. In short, Islam is the only complete and perfect religion that guides us in every spiritual trying, eating And drinking matters of marriage and divorce, the upbringing of children, or the rights of a wife; whether it is the mutual rights of a teacher and student, serving one's parents. Or treating relatives with kindness; whether it is relations with neighbors or the rights or small groups; whether it pertains to peace and security or a situation of war and dispute; whether it is the governance of a country and nation or the rights of prisoners, whether it concerns reforming rulers or guiding the public - Islam does not leave its followers helpless in any matter. In essence, Islam expounds guiding principles in all spheres of life, on which sperate treatises can be written. The need is for us to learn Islam and become its practitioners. The world too will be reformed and the best recompense and reward in the hereafter is treatises can be written. The neend is for us to learn Islam and become its practitioners. The world too will be reformed and the best recompense and reward in the hereafter is certainly reserved for Muslims.
Introduction to Islam religion: A perfect way of life:
Islam is the way of life for those who follow it. Let us go through some of the questions asked about the Islam religion.
Why are Muslims divided into sects:
Muslims should be United:
" Obey Allah SWT and obey the messenger".
All Muslim must obey Allah SWT and not divide. It is restricted to make sects and divisions in Islam.
" As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, though host no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah SWT: He will,in the end, tell them the truth of all they they did".
Hazrat Muhammad SAW sent the following verse to non- Muslims kings.
" Say you: " Bear witness that we are Muslims ( bowling to Allah's SWT will)".
Respect all the great scholars of Islam Muslim should respect all the great scholars, but when asked who they are, they should say that I am a Muslim. Hazrat Muhammad SAW predicted the emergence of seventy- three sects amongst Muslims:
" My ummat ( community) will be split up into seventy-three sects."
If all Muslims follows to the Quran Kareem and Sahih Hadith, they will be United:
In Islam religion, Muslims can agree with the teachings of scholars but they should accept only the teachings of the Quran Kareem and Hadith.
The major difference between Islam and other religions:
Islam religion not only teaches it's followers to do good but also shows how to do it. Example: Islam does not forbid robbery but also prescribed methods of eliminating robbery:
- Islam prescribed the method.
- Islam prescribed zakaah, due to which there will be no poverty.
- Cutting the hands of those who steal.
- Results are achieved when Islamic shariah is implemented and the reducing of Crimes.
- Hijab for men.
- Hijab for women.
Solution for the problems of mankind:
Islam religious beliefs can be followed by any group of people, yet it achieves results. The vast difference between Islam and the actual practice of Muslims.
Muslims best as a whole:
Muslims are the best in charity sobriety, and they don't imbibe in alcohol.
Don't judge a car by its driver:
If you want to judge Islam, do so by its Quran Kareem and Hadith.
Advantages of Islam as a complete way of life:
1Guides every part of life:
Islam gives guidance about worship, family, education, business, society, and morals.
Teaches belief in one Allah: It develops faith, hope, patience, and trust in Allah.
Builds good character: Islam teaches honesty, kindness, respect, forgiveness, and justice.
2Creates peace in society:
It encourages people to help each other and live with love and harmony.
3.Protects human rights:
Islam gives rights to parents, children, women, neighbours, poor people, and workers.
4.Promotes equality:
Islam teaches that all people are equal before Allah, regardless of colour, race, or wealth.
5.Encourages knowledge:
Islam tells Muslims to seek knowledge and use it for the benefit of humanity.
6.Provides a balanced life:
It teaches Muslims to care for both worldly life and the life after death.
7.Helps the poor:
Through Zakat and charity, Islam supports needy people and reduces poverty.
Gives purpose to life: Islam teaches that humans are created to worship Allah and do good deeds.
Conclusion:
Islam is a complete way of life because it guides people in every area of life. It teaches us to worship Allah, develop good character, respect others, help the poor, and live peacefully. By following Islam, a person can achieve success in this world and in the hereafter.