The Islamic Way of Life is based on this unique approach to life and a peculiar concept of man’s place in the Universe. Allah has created man and provided him with a temporary station on that earth. Allah has endowed man with the faculties of thinking and understanding and has given him the power to distinguish right from wrong. Man has also been invested with freedom of will and choice and the power to use the world’s resources however he likes. Every man has a goal to which he is turning, so compete with each other in good action. Allah says:
وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَلَلدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
“And not (is) the life (of) the world except a play and amusement; but the home (of) the Hereafter (is) best for those who (are) God-conscious. Then, will you not reason?” (Surah Al-An`am 6:32)
In Islam, man’s ultimate life objective is to worship the creator Allah by abiding by the Divine guidelines revealed in the Quran and the Tradition of the Prophet. The purpose of our creation is
to prove our value as human beings. The Qur’an, the Holy Book of God, provides the complete code for the Muslims to live a good, chaste, abundant and rewarding life in obedience to the commandments of Allah, in this life and to gain salvation in the next. Fulfilling this ideal is possible only through systematic thinking and systematic behaviour. Allah says:
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا
The wealth and children (are) adornment (of) the life (of) the world. But the enduring good deeds (are) better near your Lord (for) reward and better (for) hope.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46)
Islam is actual submission, the way of surrendering to the Will of God in all aspects of life and behaviour. Man must live this life with the realization that he is to be judged and his sole objective should be to merit the pleasure of Allah. If man follows the course of righteousness and follows the Quran, he will succeed in this world and the Hereafter. Thus, man’s life on this earth did not begin in utter darkness.
Allah has mentioned very clearly to us, the purpose of our life in this world:
- Life means Muslims should do their pilgrimage at least once
- Life means you live in commands of love, mercy, and peace
- Life means Muslims know Islam is a religion for everyone
- Life means you have the dignity of all human beings
- Life means Islam forbids hateful words and actions
- Life means to believe everything is from God
- Life means Islam grants women many rights
- Life means to have kindness to neighbours
- Life means to think you will return to God
- Life means is to have patience & humility
- Life means is a test given in this world
- Life means to benefit the community
- Life means has infinite value for all
- Life means is to put your trust in God
- Life means respecting parents and care
- Life celebrates your hobbies and likings
- Life means Muslims have tolerance for all
- Life means having a variety of experiences
- Life defines your personal & professional goals
- Life means living with love, grace, and gratitude
- Life means belief in Allah increases and realizes
- Life means Muslims should pray five times a day
- Life means establishing peace and justice in society
- Life means to be a healing agent for human suffering
- Life means surrounding yourself with positive people
In the cycle of the walnut tree, we observe that this goal by developed according to its distinct inherent characteristics. We observe that man guides himself to happiness and well-being by applying the fundamental laws inherent in his nature. The Quran is composed of the following Islamic fundamentals which together form an interlocking whole: a primary system of belief in the Unity of God, Allah has promised generous rewards for all good activities. 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)
Islam rests upon the “Five Pillars.” 1. The belief that “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God” is central to Islam. 2. Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day. 3. Muslims donate a fixed portion of their income to community members in need. 4. The fourth pillar is fasting and abstinence. 5. The fifth pillar is the pilgrimage to “the House of God” in Mecca. Allah says:
وَمَن نُّعَمِّرْهُ نُنَكِّسْهُ فِي الْخَلْقِ أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ
“And (he) whom We grant him long life, We reverse him in the creation. Then will not use intellect?” (Surah Ya-Sin 36:68)
Islam is the response to humanity’s search for meaning. The purpose of creation for all men and women for all times has been one: To know and worship God. The Prophet (peace be upon him) teaches us that God created this primordial need in human nature at the time Adam was made. God took a covenant from Adam when He created him. God give us freedom He wishes to see whether or not man realizes his true position. Whether he remains honest and steadfast and maintains loyalty and allegiance to God, or loses.
Ways of Islamic Life According to Teachings of Quranic Verses:
- “Try for settlement between people.” (Quran 49:9)
- “Judge with justice between people.” (Quran 4:58)
- “Do not mix the truth with falsehood.” (Quran 2:42)
- “Help those in need by finding them.” (Quran 2:273)
- “Never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy.” (Quran 12:87)
- “Most noble of you is the most righteous.” (Quran 49:13)
- “Invoke not any other god along with Allah.” (Quran 28:88)
- “Speak politely while keeping the voice low.” (Quran,31:19)
- “Do not say a word of disrespect to parents.” (Quran 17:23)
- “One should talk straight without any ambiguity.” (Quran, 33:70)
- “Muslims are individuals who ‘repel evil with good.” (Quran 28: 54)
- “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.” (Quran 2:286)
Islam is not just a religion but it is a complete way of life, everything we do in life falls within the boundary of Islam. As Muslims turn adult and grow, they practice Islamic guidance in every activity of life till their very last breath. Islamic way of life is not outside the realm of Islam, Islam covers all the aspects of life from cradle to grave. The Quran teaches us to respect and honour all human beings irrespective of their religion, colour, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession and so on.
Purpose of Life According to Islam:
- Believe In God: The first and foremost important thing that can help a believer live life in an Islamic way and achieve success.
- Strive For Good: Being a Muslim it is the primary duty to be good and strive for spreading goodness. Everyone wishes to walk in the way of good and receive guidance from Allah.
- Life is a Test: Allah has made this life a test to see the true nature of His slaves.
- Life is Momentary: The life that is currently lived on this earth will not last forever. It is only a momentary thing.
- Life in Heaven Will Be Better: That’s why it’s not good to only care about the materialistic things that exist in this life.
- Dutiful Worship: The purpose of life according to Islam and the Qur’an is for Muslims to always remember Allah. This can be done by carrying out all the dutiful worship.
- Deeply Study Islam: Not only are Muslims required to carry out the necessary duties according to Islam, but they must also study religion as a whole. Islam is better than only understanding it at the surface level.
- Live According to the Rules of Islam: When a Muslim is willing to dedicate oneself to Allah, then they must live according to the rules of Islam.
- Life Motivation: If a Muslim doesn’t know what their life goal is then they could lose the motivation to carry on with life.
- Live Life in Kindness: A Muslim must always remember to be kind while living on Earth. Every living and non-living thing is Allah’s creation and one should try to be kind to them all.
Islam integrates all domains of human life, just like the different systems in the human body integrate to provide a complete human being. If one system does not work properly, it has to affect the whole body. Likewise, Islam proposes systems of laws that integrate all parts of human society to bring happiness and peace to all its members. Allah says:
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Thus, We have ordained a law (shari’a) upon you in the matter, so follow it and do not follow the whims of those who know not.” (Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:18)
The only right course for man is to acknowledge Allah and to follow His Guidance and His Commands in all walks of life. The Islamic way of life is thus based on a unique concept of man’s place in the universe. The best and firmest path in life for man is the one which is dictated by his innate being and not by the sentiments of any individual or society. 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)
The Quran is the eternal contemporary of the Muslims. Each generation of Muslims has found new sources of strength, courage and inspiration in it. It is also, for them, a “compass” in the turbulent voyage of life. The religion of Islam is superior to any other in that it guarantees happiness in man’s life. For Muslims, Islam is a belief system with moral and practical laws that have their source in the Quran.
