Islam is a religion that organizes all aspects of life on both the individual and national levels. The essence of Islam is the very essence of humanity. Muslims believe that Islam is the ultimate and complete way of life for mankind. Muslims should live their lives according to the Islamic way of life. Family life is the basis of Islamic society. Islam does not record a human being as a degradation of the divine as it regards a human being as having instincts that are pure and good. Allah says:
إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ فَاضْرِبُوا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُوا مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ
“When inspired your Lord to the Angels, “I with you, so strengthen those who believed. I will cast in (the) hearts (of) those who disbelieved – the terror, so strike above the necks and strike from them every fingertip[s].” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:12)
In Islam, it is of the highest degree of faith to plunge into space and time and bring about the transformation of the world by God’s desire. Humans should think, plan and make sound choices and then put their trust in God. Islam is affirmative action in a social setting; it is neither abstract nor isolationist. Islam establishes justice and an ordered society, regulated by law. Islam guarantees justice for all. Allah says:
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“(There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, surely he grasped the handhold – [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
Islam does not divide the soul and life of a person into two compartments, i.e. religious or ethical and verbal or material. Islam regards the human being as an integral whole. Islam takes the world of life and existence seriously, declaring it to be full of meaning and purpose. The world is good and Muslims are obliged to cultivate it and make it into a garden. The process of organizing people as a community is a religious duty.
There are some key principles of living life according to Islam:
- Islam trend to a believer to trust and hope in God
- Islam teaches us true happiness in Islamic life
- Islam has a message to all people at all times
- Islam is the fastest-growing religion on earth
- Isla emphasizes one should not harm others
- Islam teaches us to practice in our daily life
- Islam provides fair and objective solutions
- Islam teaches that God is the Most Justice
- Islam encourages a balance between hope
- Islam is promised Paradise to a believer
- Islam allows experiencing God’s love
- Islam teaches that we will be judged
- Islam brings trust in Almighty Allah
- Islam holds a woman in high esteem
- Islam leads to a balanced way of living
- Islam brings civilization and happiness
- Islam gives a person a clear perspective
- Islam free to no longer slaves to fashion
- Islam teaches a true living an Islamic life
- Islam allows a person to truly God’s love
- Islam teaches one should not harm others
- Islam emphasizes both evidence and faith
- Islam Commitment means striving for peace
- Islam strengthening our relationship with Allah
- Islam has tolerant of other religions and regards
Many Muslims try to learn to read the Quran in its original language, Arabic. It is not uncommon for Muslims to memorize whole chapters of it. They read part of it every day. The Sunnah is a record of Muhammad’s words and deeds. The Sunnah is used to help interpret the Koran. There is also instruction in it on belief, worship, and behaviour. In building this world and conforming it to God’s desire, Muslims are told that they must work with each other and not alone. Allah says:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
“Remember Me and I will remember you, be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful.” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:152)
Islam counsels us to follow a better path when people insult us by not responding to them in the same manner, but rather to respond to their evil with good. God creates in humans the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to count His favours upon us, we cannot, because they are countless.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “Truly Allah loves the Muttaqin.” (Quran, 3:76)
- “Truly the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Quran: 3:19)
- “guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Quran, 2:2)
- “It describes reconciliation as the best policy.” (Quran: 4:128)
- “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
- “Have taqwa of Allah so that you might succeed.” (Quran, 3:200)
- “O ye who believe! Fear God and be with those who are true (in word and deed).” (Quran, 9:119)
- “So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.” (Quran, 7: 204)
Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person will be held responsible for their actions on the Day of Judgement. Each person is accountable, as they have freedom of choice and intelligence to discern between right and wrong. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Allah says:
وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
“And whoever seeks other than [the] submission/Islam (as) religion then never will be accepted from and he in the Hereafter, (will be) from the losers.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:85)
Allah created humans with intellect and free will to test them as to who will willfully choose to follow His guidance. This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Patience or gratitude – this is the formula for a happy life. Allah says:
فَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ وَمَن يُرِدْ أَن يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاءِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
“So whoever Allah wants that He guides him – He expands his breast to submission/Islam; and whoever He wants that He lets him go astray He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he (were) climbing into the sky. Thus Allah places the filth on those who (do) not believe.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:125)
Islam is a religion that enables us to live our lives in harmony with nature, ourselves and God. Islam, therefore, was the first religion in the world to call for the critical examination of religious texts. We should pray to Allah Almighty to guide us towards the right path and help us become pious and righteous Muslims. Ameen!
