Islam is a holistic system that impacts all areas of a person’s life. Allah provides us with a complete picture of our existence in the Quran. Allah didn’t create anything without purpose everything is made for some reason and has some meaning in life. Speaking truth is the most important and powerful aspect of Islam. God has instructed the Muslims to speak the truth in every situation no matter the situation. In Islam, God rewards Muslims for speaking the truth. Muslims have to build the courage and power to speak the truth to get into Paradise. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا وَتَتَّقُوا يُؤْتِكُمْ أُجُورَكُمْ وَلَا يَسْأَلْكُمْ أَمْوَالَكُمْ
“[This] worldly life is only amusement and diversion. And if you believe and fear Allah, He will give you your rewards and not ask you for your properties.” (Surah Muhammad 47:36)
Islam places the significance of peace in a practical sense at all levels. Islam undertakes the responsibility to fulfil all needs of the human personality. To put it briefly, the Islamic way of life is a God-oriented life. The greatest concern of a Muslim is God Almighty. The focus of his whole life is the Hereafter, which is the ideal world of God. He obeys divine injunctions in every aspect of his life. His life is a practical expression of this Quranic verse: 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)
This world is no more than a test in which all humans are bound to face some hardships and challenges that reveal their patience and steadfastness. Problems and troubles serve as means to expiate sins and elevate the believer’s rank in the Hereafter. The life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reflects the teachings of the Quran and Allah.
Islam teaches us ways to make our lives better, in every aspect of life:
- Human life focuses on what is in your control & try your best
- Human life establishes peace and justice in society
- Human life revealed as a balanced way of living
- Human life commands love, mercy, and peace
- Human life brings civilization and happiness
- Human life leads to a balanced way of living
- Human life is to think you will return to God
- Human life to participate in public affairs
- Human life teaches the pleasure of Allah
- Human life standing up for justice
- Human life is to love others
- Human life has a noble purpose
- Human life has infinite value for all
- Human life having mindfulness of God
- Human life enriches respecting parents
- Human life struggles for just social order
- Human life is to respect parents and care
- Human life is to have the kindness to neighbours
- Human life is intimate next life as well as our faith
- Human life recalls God’s Mercy and fears punishment
Islam is a religion that balances worldly life and the life to come. If you are so attached to worldly life, even without enjoying any quality of life or human rights, you will accept oppression from others, and you will not try to defend yourself or fight for your rights. Guard yourself against the delusions of this world. Don’t be fooled into thinking that that’s all there is. Living means turning away from the things of this world because they are so worthless. 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)
Islam is a religion that balances worldly life and the life to come. Islam challenges us to maintain balance in life. All material things in this life are meant as tools for people to work hard towards the pleasure of God. Quran clearly states that the Muslim’s whole life purpose is nothing but to obey Allah and keep His love above everything.
Islam teaches us how to behave in life through the Quranic teaching:
- The Quran is a complete package to spend our lives in the best manner
- The Quran is the prime source of guidance for all humanity
- The Quran gives guidelines to succeed in all walks of life
- The Quran reading comes as a ray of hope for all in life
- The Quran is the 4th and Last Heavenly Book of Allah
- The Quran is to strengthen your inner heart
- The Quran is evident in every aspect of life
- The Quran is a teaching in the speech of God
- The Quran is unique in its contents and teachings
- The Quran is addressing itself to mankind in general
- The Quran is the primary source of religious learning
- The Quran helps with actual duties and responsibilities in worldly life
All material things in this life are meant as tools for people to work hard towards the pleasure of God. Islam challenges us to maintain balance in life. Allah provides us with a complete picture of our existence in the Quran. Suppose you want happiness and true fulfilment. Make an oath by Allah that there is no other way to find it except through Allah. 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)
Human life is sacred and inviolable and every effort shall be made to protect it. This world is no more than a test in which all humans are bound to face some hardships and challenges that reveal their patience and steadfastness. Problems and troubles serve as means to expiate sins and elevate the believer’s rank in the Hereafter. The life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reflects the teachings of the Quran and Allah.
Here is what the Quranic verses teach us about life, Allah Almighty says:
- “Men not created without a purpose.” (Quran 23:115)
- “Man is himself accountable for his actions.” (Quran 17:1)
- “Let not then this present life deceive you.” (Surah Fatir: 5)
- “And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life.” (Quran 93:4)
- “you have that day, nor for you will there be any denial.” (Quran 42:47)
- “Be careful of your duty to Allah and be with the truthful.” (Quran 9:119)
- “The life of this world is merely the enjoyment of delusion.” (Quran 3:185)
- “And take provision, verily the best of provisions is at-taqwa.” (Quran 2:197)
- “ And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran 51:56)
Allah 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. The Quran encourages Muslims to enjoy the pleasures of their worldly life, but on the other hand, it warns us of squandering and prodigality. So there is a limit to enjoying the pleasures of our worldly life. We have to work hard, not to accumulate stuff to enjoy or to show off to others, but to utilize what we have been given and the opportunities before us to please God. 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)
The Quran is the word of the Ever-Living God; it has been sent down to guide man for all times to come. No book can be like it. As you come to the Qur’an, Allah speaks to you. To read the Qur’an is to hear Him, to converse with Him, and to walk in His ways. It is the encounter of life with the Life-giver. We seem almost to have a right to this possibility of receiving God’s guidance in its fullness and with all its riches and joys. 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)
Muslims must always remain faithful by living by Islam and the Quran. Allah created humankind to carry out worship and other duties that one must always obey. A Muslim has to be genuine and kind-hearted while living on this earth so that life in heaven will be better. May Allah guide us all to the right path, help us earn good deeds, and forgive our past sins.
