Islam a way of life

Islam is not just a religion but it is a complete way of life, when we say a way life, everything we do in the life falls within boundary of Islam. This is a very broad definition and indeed it is. As Muslims turn adult and grow, they practice Islamic guidance in every activity of the life till their very last breath.

Allah said in the Quran.

I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Deen (religion and a way of life) for you. 5:3

Islam is described in this verse as ‘deen’ which means ‘a complete way of life’, and not just a religion. No part of life is outside the realm of Islam, Islam covers all the aspect of life from cradle to grave.

In Islam though, primary rituals (Ibaadats) like praying, fasting, giving charity or performing pilgrimage are the most important forms of worship, but Islam does not end there. Islam covers all aspect of life. In Islam every routine activity of daily life, whether mundane or crucial, whether personal, social, educational, economical or political are the part of the religion, and following religious guide line in all activities of life is essential.

There are guidelines on how to eat, drink, dress, sleep, deal with family, relatives, children, elders, parents, how to conduct mutual transactions, what are our responsibilities towards our own self, our parents, our family, our neighbors, our community and society.

All daily routine activities that a person enjoys doing and get pleasure out of it like eating, drinking, sleeping, dressing appropriately, gaining knowledge, earning livelihood, getting married, spending time with family, spending time with spouse and kids, being active in the society for promoting good and removing evil are part of religion and counted as worship provided they are done as per the guidelines of Islam. Even just looking at the parents with love and respect is part of religion and considered worship. Allah has promised generous rewards for all these activities.

Quran contains multiple verses dealing with do and don’t in everyday life, and there are multiple sayings of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) dealing with same. We will visit few verses and few examples from the both here.

Here are few verses from the Quran.

1. Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good. 3:134
2. Forgive others for their mistakes, enjoin good and turn aside from ignorant. (7:199)
3. Treat parents well, whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, don’t say them so much as, “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. 17:23
4. Think good about others (24:12)                               

Some of the sayings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are like these,  

• “The best of my people is one who displays perfect kindness and goodness to his family“.

• “Faith is made of seventy and some branches: the highest of which is the belief in the oneness of Allah (SWT), the lowest in the scale of worship is removing obstacles and dirt from people’s way”.

• “Whoever finds himself at the nightfall tired of his (lawful) work, God will forgive his sins”.

• “Receiving your friend with a smile is a type of charity, helping a person to load his animal is a charity and putting some water in your neighbor’s bucket is a charity”.

• “Whatever one spends for his family is charity, he will be rewarded for it if what he acquires is through permitted means.”

• “Kindness to one’s family is worship.”

In short in Islam does not limit religion to ritual worship only, rather Islam emphasizes that every activity in every part of life at any given time is part religion and worship.

What a wonderful religion and a Merciful God.

If you want to read the Quran you can download it for no cost from our website www.quranforhumanity.org. We have translations of the Quran in more than 100 languages.