The present society has evolved so drastically around money-oriented expansions that its values and norms of morality have also tarnished. People have almost ceased to differentiate between right and wrong and think of living this life to the fullest in every respect. The Islamic way of life is thus based on a unique concept of man’s place in the universe. We can thus lead to fulfilling lives by bringing more Islam into our lives. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ
“O you who believe! What (is the matter) with you when it is said to you go forth in (the) way (of) Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life (of) the world (rather) than the Hereafter? But what (is the) enjoyment (of) the life (of) the world in (comparison to) the hereafter except a little.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:38)
Allah, who is the Creator, the Ruler and the Lord of the universe, has created man and provided him with a temporary home in that part of His vast kingdom which is the earth. A man has always been greedy by nature and has wished for more than he should own. No wonder why the world is constantly moving in the direction of increased acquisitiveness. The Religion of Peace greatly emphasizes the importance of adopting moderation in every matter of life. Allah says:
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ
“Whoever [is] desires the life (of) the world and its adornments, We will repay in full to them (for) their deeds therein, and they in it will not be lessened.” (Surah Hud 11:15)
Islam is a religion that balances worldly life and the life to come. According to Islam, the worldly life is like a farm in which a Muslim sows the seeds of good deeds in all aspects of life to reap the rewards of his hard work both in this life and the hereafter. Allah says:
وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
“The life of this world is merely the enjoyment of delusion.” (Quran 3:185)
We all love the worldly life, the truth of the life of this world:
- Islam is a way of life that transcends race and ethnicity
- Islam’s teaching shows that all innocent life is sacred
- Islam has no schisms between human beings
- Islam establish peace and justice in society
- Islam enjoins upon its believers in purifying
- Islam establish peace and justice in society
- Islam encourages people to be generous
- Islam commands love, mercy, and peace
- Islam has the dignity of all human being
- Islam considers all life forms as sacred
- Islam forbids hateful words and actions
- Islam has infinite value for all
- Islam has the sanctity of human life
- Always be grateful that you have less
- All happens, occurs with the divine decree
- Never spread rumours and do not listen to them
- Never let trivialities be the cause of your destruction
- Never lose heart by a lack of any other material thing
- Allah the Exalted created humanity to carry His trusts
- Life on the earth has been made alluring, a trap and a test
The only right course for man is to acknowledge Allah as the only Lord, the Sustainer and the Deity, and to follow His guidance and His commands in all he does. His sole objective should be to merit the approval of Allah. Allah says:
يَعْلَمُونَ ظَاهِرًا مِّنَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ الْآخِرَةِ هُمْ غَافِلُونَ
“They know (the) apparent of the life (of) the world, but they, about the Hereafter, [they] (are) heedless.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:7)
The Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ also indicates that a Muslim should restrain from indulging in avaricious affairs so that it does not become selfish and forget about its actual purpose of existence in this world, i.e. to please the Almighty Allah. Allah says:
وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
“This worldly life is nothing but diversion and amusement. Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the true-life if only they knew.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:64)
Peace of mind, contentment, happiness, and freedom from worries and anxiety… is what everyone wants, and these are how people can have a good life and find complete happiness and joy. So, by likening this life to a brief passing enjoyment, play, amusement, and a deception, Allah says:
إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَبْعُوثِينَ
“Not it (is) but our life (of) the world, we die and we live, and not we (will be) resurrected.” (Surah Al-Muminun 23:37)
Allah the All-Knowing has put the matter regarding the hereafter in perspective for us to ponder over and reflect. He cautions us not to get carried away by the charms of this life because, in comparison with the hereafter, this life has quite a limited span. Allah says:
يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِي
“He will say: O woe to me, I wish I had sent well ahead for my life.” (Surah Al-Fajr 89:24)
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And had preferred the life of this world.” (Surah An-Naziat, 38)
- “But the Hereafter is better and more enduring.” (Surah Al-Ala, 17)
- “Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the result of piling up, you would not have been occupied yourselves in worldly things).” (Surah, At-Takathur: 5)
- “As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help.” (Surah Al-Imran, 56)
- “O, my people! This life of the present is nothing but (temporary) convenience: It is the Hereafter that is the Home that will last.” (Surah Ghafir, 39)
- “…as compared with the life of the hereafter, the life of this world is nothing but a brief passing enjoyment.” (Surah Ar-Rad: 26)
- “Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire!” (Surah Al-Baqara, 201)
مَا مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَثَلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ فِي الْيَمِّ فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ
“What is the example of this worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter other than one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.” (Sahih Muslim 2858)
Islam calls its adherents to cooperate with people around them, regardless of their culture and religion, to establish a civilization and build a healthy society. It urges them to associate with them and build relationships of the highest order, governed by the sublime moral standards Islam teaches. e need to educate ourselves in worldly matters and to use that knowledge to lead a good life and also to help prevent injustices and exploitation of humanity at large. Allah says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
“Verily, Allah orders justice and benevolence and giving to relatives and He forbids immorality and bad conduct and transgression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (Surah Al-Nahl 16:90)
Islam even honours those who teach people and impart knowledge to them, holding them in high esteem and promising them abundant rewards. Knowing the limited time that we have in this life, giving it anything more than its due proportion, therefore, wouldn’t be prudent. Allah says:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Our Lord, give us goodness in this life and goodness in the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201)
We are thankful to Allah for His blessings and show gratitude to people as well for what we get from them, earn our livelihood through lawful means, and so on. Let’s remember that when we live our lives according to what Islam teaches us, we not only live fulfilling lives, we are also pleasing Allah and thus contributing toward credits that will count in the Hereafter.
