By: Sufaya Yousf
Islam is that religion which belongs to every individual and is meant for all ages and situations- A solution for every problem, the best medicine for every illness- whether physical or spiritual. It is a solution for everyone on individual as well as collective levels irrespective of race, caste, community.
Islam is often described as ‘the perfect religion’, for it is not only a religion but a way of life, a perfect guide for achieving the best qualities. It gives us manners and demonstrates difference between halal (approved) or haram (forbidden), right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It shows us how to behave with parents, what are their rights of relatives, neighbors and family. In jahaliyah (period of ignorance) people were shackled in the practices which were inhumane and dastardly and it was Islam which gave a proper code of life, a complete guide to prosperity and purpose.
Islam is the only religion which gives us complete and balanced way of life and its principles and teachings are perfect solutions for every problem whether that be of physical, material or spiritual nature. The religion taught us social, economic, political and even the diplomatic aspects of human life and drafted a perfect code of conduct of behaviour, ethics and social values which can help an individual to deal with all circumstantial realities.
It is the religion of Islam that elaborately teaches us how to live in harmony with others- “Seek the life to come by means of what God granted you, but do not neglect your rightful share in this world. Do good to others as God has done good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land, for God does not love those who do this” (Quran, 28:77).
Islam is the religion of peace and truth and never makes anything difficult for its followers and instead seeks ease for us. “And whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, let him fast the same number of other days. Allah desired for you ease; He desired not hardship for you”. (Quran 2:185). This religion encourages people to stay hopeful, even if someone has committed the worst sin or faced with most troublesome life event. It is more important to always hope for and pray for God’s mercy. “And never give up hope of Allah’s soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith.” (Quran, 12:87)
Like many other ill practices, suicide is totally prohibited in Islam. It is a sinful act because this life is given by Allah and only Allah has the power to take it away. Muslims should always remember Allah in the times of suffering and pain and they should have faith on God’s mercy that the pain and suffering shall be eased. Muslims should always believe that all suffering, life, death, joy, and happiness are derived from God and that God is the one who gives us strength to survive as in the case of loss or deprivation one has to maintain patience and full trust in God’s mercy.
It is a must to be thankful to Allah in all circumstances and we should not regret over the things which happened in the past, which one cannot go back and change, and not to worry about what will happen in future.
Islam outlines how we should lead life, worship, what morals and values we need in us and how to treat others inside or outside of the house besides guiding us in running a government or politics. It discourages division on the basis of colour, caste, place, gender and geography. All are same from one parent and the best are those who are best in their deeds.
The writer is perusing her bachelor’s degree at Srinagar Kashmir.
