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Why do humans create religions?
Major Religion - Islam:
Reason for Creation: Social/Control/Code of Behavior
Primary Source: The Koran
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a
mercy to the worlds.” (21: 107)
“O mankind! There hath come to you a direction from your
Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for
those who believe, a guidance and a Mercy.” (10:57)
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as
witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your
parents, or your kin…” (4:135)
“And speak good words to all people.” (2:83)
“The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk
humbly
• on the earth, and who, when the foolish address
them, reply, ‘Peace’.” (25:63)
“God loves those who seek to purify themselves.” (9:108)
“… those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will
have forgiveness and great reward.” (11:11)
Secondary Source:
http://www.whyislam.org/faqs/understanding-shariah/
The newest buzzword these days is ‘Sharia.’ As several states scramble to pass
legislation to outlaw Sharia, a hyped fear and persistent confusion surrounds this
loaded term. Most people who speak passionately against Sharia do not, in reality,
understand it and often reduce it to merely a penal code. This introduction
describes the universal principles of Sharia and its holistic approach. It further
highlights misconceptions about Sharia in order to address the concerns currently
surrounding this topic.
Sharia is an integral part of Islam. It is often defined as ‘Islamic law,’ causing one to
assume that it consists mostly of criminal rulings and penalties. However, Sharia
encompasses much more than the conventional understanding of law. While Sharia
provides the legal framework for the foundation and functioning of a society, it also
details moral, ethical, social and political codes of conduct for Muslims at an
individual and collective level.
Islam is a faith that every prophet sent by God preached to his people, culminating
in the message brought by the final prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh),
in the 7th century in Arabia. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) called people towards the
belief in one God and encouraged them to be just and compassionate to one another.
In Islam’s holy book, the Quran (also spelled ‘Koran’), God explains that he sent
Muhammad (pbuh) as a source of mercy for humanity: “And We have not sent you,
[O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (21: 107)
His mandate for mercy is symbolic of the overall message of Islam. The Quran states,
“O mankind! There hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for
the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe, a guidance and a Mercy.”
(10:57)
In the same spirit, the essence of Sharia is also characterized by mercy and
compassion. The very purpose of Sharia is to facilitate the individual and the
community to establish a relationship with God and one another. Its rules and
regulations are designed to benefit and protect all members of the society. God
declares in the Quran, “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses
to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin…” (4:135)
According to Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 1350), one of the great scholars of Islam, “The Sharia
in its entirety is justice, mercy and benefit. So any issue that leads from justice to
injustice, or mercy to it’s opposite, or benefit to harm, then it is not from the Sharia,
even if someone thought that it is.”
Sharia is an Arabic word that literally means a ‘vast road leading to an
uninterrupted source of water.’ Figuratively, it refers to a clear, straight path, as
mentioned in the following Quranic verse: “Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on a
straight way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the
inclinations of those who do not know.” (45:18) Hence, Sharia is the practical
guidance Muslims live by. It is rooted in the divine teachings of Islam and relates to
all aspects of life. Its collective aim is to facilitate justice and benefit for humanity in
this life and the hereafter.
Sharia is derived from the scholarly study of Islamic texts. These texts include the
final revelation from God (Quran) and the recorded teachings of Prophet
Muhammad (Sunnah), which are timeless, and of divine origin. However, scholars
derive specific rulings from the revealed texts by using human effort and
interpretation, taking into account the surrounding context. As such, Sharia relies on
scholarly consensus, legal analogy, and interpretive reasoning in deciding rulings.
Hence, there are areas of Sharia where the scholars unanimously agree due to
clearly defined evidence and areas where disagreements exist. This flexibility
enables Sharia to maintain its applicability and relevance in the light of changing
social, cultural, and historical circumstances, while remaining faithful to the guiding
principles of Sharia and its core objectives.
To fulfill its intrinsic goal of achieving benefit and justice, Sharia sets forth certain
timeless principles, which deal with the necessary, supplementary, and voluntary
realms of human lived experience.
Firstly, Sharia preserves basic human rights in order to maintain harmony in society.
This necessary protection applies to all members of society, irrespective of their
race, religion, or ethnicity. These rights are classified as faith, life, progeny, property,
and intellect. These fundamental protections ensure freedom of religion, affirm the
sanctity of life, validate the importance of family, guarantee the security of assets,
and uphold the power of reasoning.
As with any liberties, certain provisions in Sharia open avenues for advancement
whereas some are designed to keep people from stepping over the rights of others.
In his essay titled “The Objectives of Sharia,” Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali, former
professor of law at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, explains that
Sharia encourages work and trade so that individuals are able to earn a living.
Similarly, Sharia urges the pursuit of knowledge and education to ensure the
intellectual growth and development of people. On the other hand, theft is
punishable because it threatens the inherent right of property. In addition, adultery
and alcohol consumption are prohibited because the former violates the sanctity of
the family unit and the latter has the potential to impair one’s intellectual capacity,
leading to the abuse of other people’s rights.
After securing these necessities, Sharia supplements them by removing hardships.
God states in the Quran, “God wants ease for you, not hardship.” (Quran 2:185) He
also says, “And He has imposed no difficulties on you in religion.” (Quran 22:78) The
permissibility of hunting for food and profit sharing, for instance, are concessions,
which facilitate human life. Likewise, the prohibition of exploitative or doubtful
contracts prevents harm.
Furthermore, God assures, “… if one is forced by necessity, without willful
disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then he is guiltless, for Allah is Oftforgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 2:173) This has given rise to the Islamic legal
principle, ‘Necessities make the prohibited permissible.’ For instance, fasting during
Ramadan is obligatory. Yet, if someone cannot fast due to a medical reason, they
may skip the fasts in that month and compensate for them through alternatives
outlined in Sharia.
Lastly, after protecting the essential rights of people and granting complementary
concessions, Sharia focuses on additional and voluntary factors that enhance and
refine life. For instance, fasting outside of Ramadan is added worship, which falls
under this category. Developing good habits and perfecting one’s interpersonal
skills are also extra deeds. Similarly, desires and comforts, which beautify life, such
as fine clothing, nice furniture, and delicious food, are incorporated here, provided
one does not indulge in them at the cost of their physical and spiritual health.
The necessary, supplementary, and voluntary principles within Sharia all seek to
promote its primary objective: to achieve benefit. In its broadest sense, benefit
encompasses this life and the afterlife, the individual as well as the society, the
present and the future. Human intellect requires the comprehensive knowledge and
guiding wisdom of God to achieve this benefit in its entirety. Indeed, God has
ordained Sharia for the benefit of His creatures and it exemplifies His Mercy.
Sharia is much more than ‘Islamic law’ because it is not limited to legal issues. While
it covers areas of contracts, family law, and international relations, it also includes a
social system that encourages the just and generous treatment of neighbors, the
preservation of the environment, and caring for the poor and oppressed, along with
personal acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and charity.
In addition, Sharia seeks to protect all the vulnerable segments of society. The
following is a brief list of these: • Women have the right to education, to marry
someone of their choice, to divorce, to work, to own and sell property, to vote as
well as to participate in civic and political engagement, and to be protected by the
law. • Zakah, an obligatory charity, is collected from individuals who fall above a
specific income bracket, amounting to 2.5% of their wealth. This money is
redistributed to eight different groups of needy people and institutions, starting
with the local needs first. • Children have rights that Sharia protects, including the
right not to be abused. When parents get a divorce, custody is granted according to
the child’s benefit. • Caring for the poor, orphans, widows, and the elderly is a
collective responsibility of the community. • Animals are to be treated with
kindness, and cruelty towards them is a grave sin.
The primary theme in all of these examples is the individual and collective effort to
achieve benefit in material, moral, and spiritual spheres of life through mercy and
compassion.
Many people think Sharia forces Muslims in America to reject the U.S. Constitution
while others openly assert that American Muslims want to replace the U.S.
Constitution with Sharia. In reality, this is not true. Sharia actually demands that
Muslims follow the law of the land. This command is binding so long as they are not
forced to commit an irreligious act or prevented from fulfilling their religious duties.
Thankfully, this is not the case in the U.S. because the Constitution protects freedom
of religion.
In fact, the U.S. Constitution and Sharia have much in common. The Constitution
begins with, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect
Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United
States of America.” These stipulations are very similar in nature to the objectives of
Sharia, as described above. In addition, Sharia is comparable to the laws of other
religious communities, such as Jewish customs in terms of dietary restrictions,
aspects of ritual purity, and a detailed code of conduct.
As any other faith-based community in America, Muslims may disagree with certain
laws enacted by the majority, and may exercise their right to peaceful persuasion, in
order to bring about a change. However, this free and peaceful expression of ideas
can hardly be deemed a threat, given that the Constitution itself guarantees this
right for every individual under the First Amendment. Indeed, a healthy attitude
toward differences of opinion is a source of enrichment for our common culture.
The aspects of Sharia related to a Muslim’s ability to practice Islam, such as prayer,
fasting, and charity, do not conflict with Common Law. However, differences do
arise in some matters. For instance, the laws of inheritance in Sharia are distinct
from those in Common Law. In this case, Muslims have utilized means provided by
the Common Law, such as writing wills in accordance with Sharia, in order to be
faithful to their religion while following the law of the land.
Peaceful coexistence is mandated by Sharia. When a Muslim lives in the U.S., they
are doing so while agreeing to follow the law of the land and this agreement is
binding upon them according to Sharia. In the Quran, God commands Muslims to
fulfill their covenants: “O you who have believed, fulfill (all) contracts.” (5:1) God
also commands Muslims, “Fulfill your agreement with them to the end of their term.
God loves those who are mindful of Him.” (9:4)
Therefore, attempts to outlaw Sharia are not only absurd; they can potentially
alienate millions of peaceful, law-abiding Muslims currently living in America. After
all, Sharia safeguards essential rights such as acts of obligatory worship, instructs
Muslims regarding their dietary regulations, and encourages them to be pious,
truthful, and tolerant individuals. Misguided efforts to outlaw Sharia would in fact
impede Muslims from practicing the very basics of their religion, from praying and
fasting to consuming food according to Islamic guidelines. Hence, these anti-Sharia
bills are far from securing Americans from an impending threat and actually infringe
upon the rights of the American Muslim community.
Contrary to its distorted image, Sharia is a comprehensive social and legal system,
which is an integral part of a Muslim’s life. Its guiding principles are based on mercy
and compassion and its core objectives are designed to achieve benefit and justice,
on an individual as well as collective level.
Reason for Creation: Love/Compassion
Primary Source: Sunnah
• “The believer does not defame, abuse, disparage, nor vilify.”
• “You do not believe
until you love for your brother (in faith and in humanity) what you love for
yourself.”
• “The world is green and delightful and God has put you in charge of it
and is watching how you behave.”
• “Show mercy to those on earth so that He Who
is in Heaven (God) will show mercy on you.”
• “Make things easy on people and do
not make them difficult, and cheer people up and do not put them off (by your
behavior).”
Secondary Source: http://www.whyislam.org/character/character-inislam-an-introduction/
An individual’s character is one of the most important aspects
of Islam. While acts of worship hold great significance, Islam is a way of life.
Everything in a Muslim’s life, including manners and personality, should be in line
with Islam. Thus, proper Islamic values and traits are extremely important, not to
mention relevant, in the daily lives of Muslims, even though they are unfortunately
neglected at times.
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, alludes to various Islamic values at different
points. One of the best examples is found in the chapter called “Luqman” in the
Quran:
We endowed Luqman with wisdom: ‘Be thankful to God: whoever gives thanks
benefits his own soul, and as for those who are thankless––God is self-sufficient,
worthy of all praise.’ Luqman counseled his son, ‘My son, do not attribute any
partners to God: attributing partners to Him is a terrible wrong.’
We have commanded people to be good to their parents … If they strive to make you
associate with Me anything about which you have no knowledge, then do not obey
them. Yet keep their company in this life according to what is right, and follow the
path of those who turn to Me… (31:12-15)
The very first virtue mentioned in this passage is thankfulness. Too often we hear
complaints, and no one is innocent of this charge. Too many times, the voice of “I
want…” or the question of “Why me? Why now?” consume us. In this verse, we are
reminded that we should be grateful to God, regardless of the situation.
There are always those who are worse off than us, and no matter what is happening
to us, we should constantly keep this in mind. We are the ones that need to be
thankful to God; if we are not, it is our own loss. Thus, gratefulness is a significant
aspect of Islamic character.
Luqman’s advice to his son Luqman the Wise then counsels his son to worship the
One God. Faith in God alone is the single most important value in Islam: it is the first
pillar of Islam, and joining others in worship with God is the only unforgivable sin.
This verse reiterates the importance of this as an Islamic value. Next, God reminds
us to be respectful to parents so much so that we are commanded to be kind and
considerate to them even if they try to make us associate partners with Him.
Prophet Abraham is a prime example of this: he constantly remained caring and
gentle towards his father even though he rejected idolatry. This exemplifies the
absolute importance of always being respectful towards our parents in Islam. [Read
more: The Importance of Parents in Islam]
After that, Luqman offers further advice to his son:
‘My son, if even the weight of a mustard seed were hidden in a rock or anywhere in
the heavens or earth, God would bring it [to light], for He is all subtle and all aware.
Keep up the prayer, my son; command what is right; forbid what is wrong; bear
anything that happens to you steadfastly: these are things to be aspired to. Do not
turn your nose up at people, nor walk about the place arrogantly, for God does not
love arrogant or boastful people. Go at a moderate pace and lower your voice, for
the ugliest of all voices is the braying of asses.’ (Quran, 31: 16-19)
Here, Luqman warns his son that God is all aware of even the tiniest of things, which
may seem hidden to our eyes. This awareness of God’s comprehensive knowledge is
an essential characteristic of Islam. This world and all it contains is God’s creation
and He is conscious of everything within it. Similarly, God is always watching over
us and every deed is recorded. [Learn more: Spiritual Awakening]
After laying down the foundations of faith, we are reminded of essential Muslim
values: praying, performing good acts, forbidding wrong, and being patient in all
circumstances. These are basic Islamic obligations, which enable people to beautify
their relationship with God as well as those around them.
Shunning pride and arrogance
Luqman’s last lessons for his son teach him about communicating with others. Pride
and arrogance are to be shunned. They are hateful traits not only in the Eyes of God,
but in the eyes of other people as well. Everyone hates those who are arrogant: no
one can stand to be around one who constantly boasts about him or herself. We are
also reminded not to speak too loudly; shouting is compared to the braying of a
donkey, the worst of all sounds.
These characteristics are not only relevant to Islam; they are also very dear to
humanity at large. After all, historically, the guidance, which has come to us, through
different prophets and revelations, is from the same One God. Adam, Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them) all brought the same message:
to worship the One God and to live a morally upright life. [Click here to learn about
Muslim belief in prophets.]
As God states in the Quran: “(God) created you from a single pair of male and female
and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the
most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.” (49:13)
Hence, we all endorse common values. Let us pray to God to enable us to act on the
knowledge that we have and to mutually uphold our shared values.
Reason for Creation: Community
Primary Source: The Koran quoted within the secondary source
Secondary Source:
http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/articles/65899/theideal-muslim-in-the-community
The Muslim community is based on sincerity, purity of human feelings and
fulfillment of rights and needs to every member.
The Muslim has a mission in life. Within the community he calls the people to Islam
with good preaching and the best character. He teaches from what he learns and
deals with those whom he comes in contact with based on Islamic values and morals.
All this is done seeking the pleasure of Allah, the Exalted, while striving to attain the
reward of His Paradise.
Wherever the Muslim is, he should be a beacon of guidance and a positive source of
correction and education, through both his words and deeds.
The true Muslim has a refined social personality of the highest degree, which
qualifies him to undertake his duty of calling others to Islam. He demonstrates the
true values of his religion and the practical application of those values by attaining
beautiful Islamic attributes. His distinct social character represents a huge store of
Islamic values, which can be seen by the way, in which he interacts with the people
around him.
The Muslim, as Islam meant him to be, is a unique and remarkable person in his
attitude, conduct and relationships with others at all levels. He treats them well by
being friendly with them, humble, gentle of speech and avoiding offence. He likes
others and is liked by them. He tries to follow the example of the Prophet, as he was
the best of people in his attitude towards others. He said: “Nothing will weigh more
heavily in the Balance of the believing slave on the Day of Resurrection than a good
attitude towards others.” [At-Tirmithi]
Because Islam is based on truthfulness, the Muslim is always truthful with all people.
Truthfulness leads to goodness and goodness leads to Paradise. Therefore the
Muslim strives to be true in all his words and deeds.
The Muslim never gives false statements, because this attitude is forbidden in the
Quran. Allah, the Most Glorified, Says (what means): “…And shun the word that is
false.” [Quran 22: 30]
The Muslim seeks to offer sincere advice to everyone he comes in contact with. It’s
not just the matter of volunteering to do good out of generosity; it is a duty enjoined
by Islam. The Prophet said, “(The essence of) Religion is (offering sincere) advice.”
[Muslim]
By the favor of Allah, the Muslim is a guide for others to righteous deeds, whether by
his actions or words. He never cheats, deceives or stabs in the back. These shameful
acts are beneath him, as they contradict the values of truthfulness. The Prophet
said: “…whoever cheats is not one of us.” [Muslim]
When the Muslim promises something, he means to keep his promise. This attitude
stems naturally from truthfulness, and indicates the high level of civility attained by
the one who exhibits it. Allah Says (what means): “And fulfill every engagement, for
[every] engagement will be enquired into [on the Day of Reckoning].” [Quran 17: 34]
One of the worst characteristics that Islam abhors is hypocrisy, therefore the
Muslim can never be a hypocrite; he is frank and open in his words and opinions.
The Prophet said: “One of the worst people is a double-faced man, who comes to one
group with one face and to another group with a totally different face.” [AlBukhaari]
Islam does not approve of begging. It makes it a sin that a person should beg when
he has enough to satisfy his immediate needs. Therefore, the Muslim does not beg. If
he is faced with difficulty and poverty, he seeks refuge in patience, whilst doubling
his effort to find a way out. The Prophet said: “Whoever refrains from asking from
people, Allah will help him” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
A sign of one's excellence in Islam is his ignoring what does not concern him. The
Muslim should only participate in what concerns him, such as anything that is his
property, right, obligation or under his control. To be concerned with something
entails preserving and taking care of this thing that one is allowed to be concerned
with. The Prophet said: “A sign of a person’s being a good Muslim is that he should
leave alone that which does not concern him.” [At-Tirmithi]
The Muslim never searches for people’s faults or slander their honor. He doesn’t slip
into the error of pride, boasting and showing off. He judges fairly, is never unjust
(even to those whom he does not like) or biased by his own whims, and avoids
suspicion. He does not rejoice in the misfortunes of anyone. He carefully avoids
uttering any word of slander, cursing, malicious gossip and foul language.
He does not make fun of people but is gentle, kind, compassionate and merciful,
strives for people’s benefit and seeks to protect and help them.
One of the virtues of such a great value and importance that Islam, not only
recommends, but also orders Muslims to characterize themselves with, is generosity.
Therefore, the Muslim is generous and gives freely without waste to those who are
in need. When he gives, he does not remind people of his generosity. He is patient,
tries hard to control his anger and is forgiving. He does not bear grudges or
resentments, and is easy on people, not hard.
One of the worst diseases of the heart is envy, which leads to foul conduct and bad
behavior. Therefore the Muslim is not envious, because he knows that the pleasures
of this life are as nothing in comparison to the reward that Allah has prepared for
the believers, and that whatever happens in life happens according to the decree of
Allah.
The Muslim, who truly understands the teachings of his religion, is gentle, friendly,
cheerful and warm. He mixes with people and gets along with them. He is humble
and modest; and does not look down at other people. He is lighthearted and has a
sense of humor and does not disdain others. His jokes are distinguished by their
legitimate Islamic nature. He is keen to bring happiness to people. It is an effective
means of conveying the message of truth to them, and exposing them to its moral
values, because people only listen to those whom they like, trust and accept.
The Muslim keeps secrets; keeping secrets is a sign of maturity, moral strength,
wisdom and balanced personality. He is concerned about the affairs of people in
general. He is happy to welcome his guests and hastens to honor them.
The Prophet said: “Every religion has a (distinct) characteristic and the
characteristic of Islam is modesty.” [Ibn Maajah] The Muslim adheres to the
principle of modesty in all things. He does not accept every custom that is widely
accepted by others, for there may be customs, which go against Islam.
The Muslim does not enter a house other than his own without seeking permission
and greeting people. He sits wherever he finds room when he joins a gathering. He
avoids whispering and conversing privately when he is in a group of three. He gives
due respect to elders and those who deserve to be respected (like scholars etc.).
Reason for Creation: Theology
Primary Source: The Koran quoted within the secondary source
Secondary Source: http://www.whyislam.org/islam/islamexplained/
Islam completes the long chain of guidance from God to humanity. Meticulously
preserved and thoroughly documented, Islam’s message has a familiar resonance,
owing to its shared history and common values, with Abrahamic religions.
Additionally, Islam reiterates a return to basic principles of faith: belief in one God,
righteous living, and faith in the afterlife. This brochure introduces the central
themes of Islam and its core components – with a special focus on our purpose in
life and the all-encompassing nature of Islam.
Islam is a faith and comprehensive way of life that literally means ‘peace through
submission to God.’ It provides a clear understanding of a person’s relationship with
God, purpose in life, and ultimate destiny. A Muslim is someone who adopts the
Islamic way of life by believing in the Oneness of God and the prophet hood of
Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh). Today, Islam is one of the fastest growing
religions and is practiced by more than 1.2 billion Muslims across the world.
The most essential principle in Islam is the purely monotheistic belief in one God.
God is the Creator of everything in the universe and is unique from His creation.
Muslims are encouraged to develop a direct and personal relationship with God
without any intermediaries. Muslims often refer to God as Allah, which simply
means “God” in the Arabic language. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians also refer
to God as Allah.
God describes Himself in the holy book of Muslims, the Quran (also spelled ‘Koran’),
by stating:
“Say, ‘He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten. No
one is comparable to Him.’” (112:1-4).
Islam is the culmination of the universal message of God taught by all of His
prophets. Muslims believe that a prophet was chosen for every nation at some point
in their history, enjoining them to worship God alone and delivering guidance on
how to live peacefully with others. Some of the prophets of God include Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be
upon them all. The prophets all conveyed the consistent divine message of
worshiping one God, along with specific societal laws for each nation’s
circumstances.
However, after the prophets delivered the divine guidance to their people, their
message was lost, abandoned, or changed over time, with only parts of the original
message intact. God then sent another prophet to rectify their beliefs.
In order to restore the original call of all prophets, God sent Muhammad (pbuh) as
the final prophet to all of humanity in the 7th century C.E.
In 610 C.E., Angel Gabriel visited Muhammad (pbuh) with the first divine message.
For the next 23 years, he continued to receive revelations until the message was
completed. Muhammad (pbuh) called people towards the belief in one God and
encouraged them to be just and merciful to one another. He was a living example of
God’s guidance for the benefit of the entire humankind.
“Then We revealed to you [Muhammad], ‘Follow the creed of Abraham, a man of
pure faith who was not an idolater.’” (Quran, 16:123)
Muslims also believe that God sent revealed books as guidance to humanity through
His prophets. These include the Torah given to Moses, the Gospel conferred upon
Jesus, and the Quran received by Muhammad (pbuh). The Quran is the last
revelation from God, consisting of God’s literal speech. It confirms truths from the
previous scriptures and maintains the same core message of worshiping God and
living righteously. God has ensured that the Quran is protected from corruption,
safeguarding it for all of humanity to benefit from until the end of time. It is the only
holy book that has been meticulously preserved in its original text.
Islam clearly addresses one of the most central and challenging questions in human
history: “What is the purpose of life?” God declares in the Quran, “And I did not
create … mankind except to worship Me.” (51:56) For Muslims, the purpose of life is
to worship God, the Creator of all things. Worship in Islam is a comprehensive
concept that urges people to be conscious of God throughout their daily lives and
provides a framework to help people live a balanced and virtuous life.
This way of life promotes strong moral character, good relations with people, and
just and harmonious societies. Devoting one’s self to a life of submission to God is
the key to attaining a true sense of peace because it produces a balance of spiritual
needs with worldly affairs. It also lends special meaning to the concept of living
one’s life responsibly, aware of the accountability to come in the hereafter.
Belief in the Day of Judgment is extremely important in Islam. This event will signal
the transition between the temporary life of this world to the eternal life in the
hereafter. On that day, people will be resurrected and held accountable for their
deeds in life, which will determine their eternal destination in Heaven or Hell. Many
verses in the Quran describe the events on the Day of Judgment in great detail and
give a description of Heaven and Hell.
Worship in Islam is woven into the daily life of a Muslim and is not confined to a
holy place. The fundamental aspects of worship in Islam are encompassed within
five pillars, which enable Muslims to cultivate their relationship with God.
1. Testimony of Faith (Shahadah): The first of the five basic foundations is
knowingly and voluntarily asserting that, “There is nothing worthy of worship
except God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” This statement is the basis of
faith in Islam, affirming that no partners can be associated with God and Muhammad
is His final prophet. As a result of this belief, Muslims seek guidance in life through
God’s revelation (the Quran) and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
2. Prayer (Salah): Muslims are required to pray five times a day to maintain a
spiritual connection with God and remind themselves of their ultimate purpose in
life. Through sincerity, repentance, and direct prayer to God, Muslims strive to
establish a personal spiritual relationship with their Creator all throughout the day.
This prayer includes physical motions of bowing and prostrating, which were also
performed by Jesus, Moses, and the prophets before them.
3. Charity (Zakat): This is an annual charity given to the poor. Muslims must give
2.5% of their yearly savings to help the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. Charity
is one of the vital sources of social welfare in Islam, encouraging a just society where
everyone’s basic needs are provided for.
4. Fasting (Sawm): Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of
the Muslim lunar calendar, by refraining from eating, drinking, and sexual
interaction from dawn to sunset. It is an act of self-restraint and spiritual cleansing
that increases one’s empathy for the less fortunate and enables one to consciously
control bad habits such as foul language, idle talk, and anger. Fasting also helps
people develop strong willpower as they overcome the essential desires of their
body and the damaging acts of their tongue.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The pilgrimage (journey) to Mecca is an act that every Muslim
must perform once in their life if they are physically and financially able. It
symbolizes the unity of humankind as Muslims from every race and nationality
assemble together in equality to worship God, following the traditions of Prophet
Abraham.
These primary acts of worship urge individuals to fulfill their purpose in life by
becoming more conscious of God and serving the practical needs of society.
However, worship is not limited to simply completing these acts.
Islam promotes a holistic approach to worship that encompasses spreading justice
and compassion in the world through one’s daily interactions with people. Smiling
at someone, visiting the sick, and defending an innocent person who is being
oppressed are all considered acts of worship as well. These forms of worship
exemplify the importance of good manners in Islam. Muhammad (pbuh) once said,
“The best among you are those who have the best character.”
Islam has a practical approach to living that positively transforms people’s
individual connection to God and fellow humans. Islam offers guidance on all
matters of life, including one’s diet, manners, and social relationships. God tells
Muslims to eat everything “good and pure” while adhering to simple dietary
restrictions such as avoidance of pork, alcohol and anything slaughtered in the name
of other than God.
When it comes to dressing and behavior, modesty and humility are ordained for
both men and women. Muhammad (pbuh) has stated, “Every religion has an
essential character and the essential character of Islam is modesty.”
Parental obedience and dutifulness is integral to Islam. Men and women are to
sanctify their relations in a marital contract, taking their spousal roles and family
units seriously. Raising children who are morally upright and responsible
participants in their communities is also a significant obligation. The preservation of
family ties is a fundamental principle of Islam, along with kind treatment of orphans,
widows, travelers, and neighbors. Professional and philanthropic contributions to
one’s society are encouraged in order to nurture individual and collective success.
God calls on people to remember Him in all of their actions and purify their hearts
so that they can live a truly balanced life. Spirituality in Islam is about nurturing
tolerance, kindness, control, righteousness, and forgiveness while shunning
arrogance, pride, ego, anger and selfishness. This spirituality and God-consciousness
should be reflected in a person’s interactions with other people. Therefore, Islam
stresses the importance of treating people with respect, mercy, and dignity.
In conclusion, Islam is not a new way of life; rather, it maintains the same message
God sent to humanity through all of His messengers. Islam teaches people how to
have a meaningful relationship with God, without any intermediaries, and how to
reform their souls, beautify their character, and be part of a vibrant, healthy
community. Through this message, God encourages individuals to draw closer to
Him and fulfill their purpose in life.
“Is it not time for believers to humble their hearts to the remembrance of God and
the Truth that has been revealed?” (Quran, 57:16)