Discover Why Islam Is a Complete Way of Life - Part 02

Islam: A Complete Code of Life (Part: 02)

Family and Domestic Needs in Islam:

Islam has not enjoined any encouragement or virtue in living in caves and mountains for its adherents. Rather, it is a demand of human nature that a person feels strangeness in solitude and a sense of familiarity and belonging among their own kind. Indeed, upon reflection, every species feels affinity with its own kind and prefers to live among them. The ancient history of humanity also affirms that the very first relationship formed in the universe was that of husband and wife, established between the first Prophet and Messenger, Sayyidunā Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, and Sayyidatunā Hawwā رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهَا. When a person enters into a marital relationship, they are required to fulfil the rights and duties of many individuals. Comprehensive information regarding marriage (nikāḥ), its related matters, and the relationships formed as a result is provided solely by Islam. Islam provides guidance on seeking a spouse before marriage and on choosing a woman. Regarding whether to choose based on beauty and charm, wealth and affluence, or status and lineage, our Beloved Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated: "A woman is married for four reasons: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religiosity. But you should give preference to the religious one."[1] Islam has connected its followers to the family system. Muslims should not regard this system as a burden, but rather fulfil it as an act of worship and a source of blessings. For this, there are glad tidings of a better reward and blessings in sustenance, as the Beloved Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: "Whoever desires that his lifespan and sustenance be increased, let him treat his parents well and maintain ties of kinship with his relatives."[2] He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم further said: "Whoever treats his parents well, there is glad tidings for him that Allah Almighty increases his lifespan."[3] If Allah Almighty blesses a Muslim with the gift of children as a result of marriage, Islam teaches that their upbringing should be considered a means of spiritual prosperity, spending on them as a pious deed and a means of attaining Allah's pleasure. Moreover, children can earn the reward of Hajj by looking at their parents with kindness and compassion. Our Beloved Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم connected the family system to eternal salvation and success, which can be understood from this narration. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, regarding one who takes care of two daughters, or two sisters, or two maternal aunts, or two paternal aunts, or a maternal grandmother, or a paternal grandmother, joined his index finger with the one next to it and said: "He and I will be together in Paradise like this."[4] With such glad tidings and promises of reward, who would consider it a burden? Rather, every Muslim will fulfil their responsibilities, considering it a means of eternal prosperity, and will attain proximity to Allah Almighty.

Social and Societal Needs in Islam:

Society is formed by the coming together of individuals. Who does not desire a paradise-like society of peace, tranquility, compassion, protection of life and property, a pleasant environment, cleanliness, mutual love and affection, and people who are supportive in times of sorrow and pain? An unparalleled society can only be formed by acting upon Islamic teachings, as the Holy Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: "A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim; he does not oppress him nor abandon him. Whoever fulfils the need of his brother, Allah Almighty will fulfil his need. And whoever removes a hardship from a Muslim, Allah Almighty will remove one of his hardships on the Day of Resurrection. And whoever conceals a Muslim's fault, Allah Almighty will conceal his fault on the Day of Resurrection."[5] Both known and unknown individuals are part of society. Islam has provided guidance for everyone that they may live together in harmony, love, and peace. For this, the spreading of Salām has been encouraged, as the Holy Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: "Give Salām to everyone you know and do not know."[6] This is because the blessing of Salām fosters love among people. Islam's connection is not limited to a person's life; rather, after a Muslim's demise, their children are encouraged to maintain good conduct with their acquaintances and friends. As the Holy Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: "The greatest pious deed is for a son to maintain ties of kinship with those who loved his father."[7] Responding to a Muslim's Salām, accepting invitations, showing goodwill, replying to sneezes, visiting the sick, and attending the funeral of the deceased have been declared as the rights that one Muslim owes to another.[8] All of this is because an excellent society demands these things, and Islam provides comprehensive guidance on them.

Whether it concerns the apparent purification of society or the beauty of its inner self, Islam provides complete guidance. There are aḥādīth encouraging the planting of trees to make the environment pleasant and keep the air clean, as well as injunctions to fulfil the rights of pathways and to refrain from every action that would violate a Muslim's honour and dignity - whether it pertains to internal ailments that destroy society, like backbiting and tale-bearing, or to national and traffic laws, the violation of which leads to humiliation. While living in an Islamic society, there is strong encouragement to fulfil the rights of neighbours as well as relatives. Islam prohibits every action that causes them undue harm, so that an Islamic society built on compassion, empathy, and goodwill may endure.

Private and Personal Needs in Islam:

Allah Almighty has bestowed upon humanity the invaluable blessing of life. Islam commands its protection. Islam instructs the safeguarding of one's life, property, honour, and lineage from all kinds of filth, impurity, defilement, and pollution. While living in the world, a person travels from one place to another to fulfill their needs. Islam also provides guidance regarding this journey; it guides and offers protection for our lives and property concerning the day, time, and even the decrease or increase in travel speed, as stated in a blessed Hadith: Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh ibn ꜤAbbās رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُما was travelling with the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم on the day of ꜤArafah (from the plain of Arafah towards Muzdalifah), when the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم heard the loud reprimanding and beating (sounds) of the pilgrims' camels behind him. He gestured to them with his whip and commanded: "يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالسَّكِينَةِ فَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ لَيْسَ بِالْإِيضَاعِ" meaning: "O people! Maintain calm, for goodness is not in rushing the ride."[9] Meaning, rushing the camels at that place is not a source of reward; rather, it poses a danger of becoming a sin due to the large crowd and the risk of pilgrims being trampled or injured. Instead, the reward lies in performing the rituals with composure. Even now, pilgrims should avoid rushing.[10] In short, Islam is the only complete and perfect religion that guides us in every sphere of life. Whether it is worship and spiritual striving, eating and drinking, matters of marriage and divorce, the upbringing of children, or the rights of a wife; whether it is the mutual rights of a teacher and student, serving one’s parents, or treating relatives with kindness; whether it is relations with neighbours or the rights of minorities; whether it pertains to peace and security or a situation of war and conflict; whether it is the governance of a country and nation or the rights of prisoners; whether it concerns reforming rulers or guiding the public—Islam does not leave its followers helpless in any matter. In essence, Islam expounds guiding principles in all spheres of life, on which separate treatises can be written. The need is for us to learn Islam and become its practitioners. The world too will be reformed, and the best recompense and reward in the Hereafter is certainly reserved for Muslims.