Islam is a comprehensive and Perfect system of teachings, regulations, and instructions. it is a code of life, Through the Holy Quran and Prophet Mohammad's sayings and deeds, Islam gives Muslims the world over guidance in all aspects of life, it does not leave them at the mercy of inherited traditions which differ from one place to another and which may be right or wrong. Islamic values are logical and cohesive, and shared by knowledgeable Muslims everywhere.
In fact, most people who are not Muslims are not Muslims because they do not know Islam, know very little about it, or have a distorted picture of it.
Islam's comprehensiveness is too broad to cover in a brief article, but here are some highlights:
Humility
Islam urges the Muslim to be humble, Allah says in the Holy Quran, 'O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you info nations and tribes, that you may know one another, Truly the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is he who is most Pious and righteous, Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” This shows that Islam equalizes all peoples, According to Islam, no person is better than another because of color, race, sex, or tribe. A person is only better than another if he is more pious and righteous.
Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, "Be modest. No one is to be arrogant towards others or wrong others.' He also said, “if you humble yourself God will raise you in rank' When Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, passed by some children, he greeted them as a sign of humility.
Allah also says in the Holy Quran about self- conceit-. 'And turn not your face away from men in pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster.” And Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, 'The conceited person will not get into Paradise.”
Belief in One God
The starting point in Islam is to believe in Allah, the One who has no partners and who has no father or sons. The only unforgivable sin in Islam is taking a partner with Allah. In the Holy Quran, Allah says, “Say (O Mohammad): He is Allah, the One,, Allah 'As-Samad ' (the seff-Sufficient Master, whom all creatures need); He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable to Him.”
Kindness to Parent
Islam emphasizes a person's kindness to his parents and makes this kindness second only to worshipping Allah, Allah says in the holy Quran “And your lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you dutiful to your parents. If one or both of them attain old age in Your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honor, And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: My Lord! Bestow on them your mercy as they did bring me up when I was small”
The position of parents is so exalted that when a man once asked, 'O Messenger of Allah who among the people is most entitled to my kindness and good company?” the Prophet, peace be Upon him, answered, 'Your mother, " The man asked, 'Then who else?" The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, 'Your mother," The man again asked, 'Then whoelse? 'and again the Prophet, peace be upon him, answered, 'Your mother. " The man asked yet again, Then who else?" Only then did the Prophet reply, 'Your father.”
Collective Prayer
Islam encourages believers to perform prayer in groups. In Islam, the collective prayer is preferred to individual prayer. Prophet Mohammad, peace upon him, said, "The collective prayer is superior to the individual prayer by twenty-seven ranks." Praying together tends to promote the equality and social solidarity of believers, to overcome the tendency towards introversion of some members of society, and to enhance sociability in all.
Women in Islam 1
Women are held in utmost respect in Islamic society. Woman is completely equated with man spiritually in the Quran. Both are promised equal rewards for “whoever works righteousness, man or woman.” In the Quran, woman is not blamed for Adam's first mistake.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Whosoever has a daughter... and he does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise."
According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent.
In Islam, the natural difference between the sexes entities the weaker sex to protection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband's dictatorship over his wife. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “... The best of you are those who are best to their wives.”
Women's Rights 2
Islam decreed a right of which woman was deprived both before Islam and after it (even as late as this century), the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law, the woman's right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all her properties.
Man's responsibility for his family's (and in some cases his relatives') maintenance is not reduced because of his wife's wealth. Woman, on the other hand, is far more financially secure, and far less burdened with any claims on her possessions. Her possessions before marriage do not transfer to her husband and she also keeps her maiden name. She has no obligation to spend on her family.
With regard to the woman's right to seek employment, it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one. Such a Noble and vital role, which largely shapes the future of nations, cannot be regarded as ' idleness'.
However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids woman from seeking employment whenever there is a necessity for it, especially in a position which fits her nature and physique and in which society needs her most. Examples of these professions are nursing, teaching, and medicine,
Islam also restored to woman the right of inheritance, aft she herself was an object of inheritance in some societies.
A woman also has the right to participate in public affairs. Both in the Quran and in Islamic history we find examples of women who participated in serious discussions and argued even with the Prophet himself. And in Islam, the right of women to learning is not different from that of men.
Work
Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand." This means that to give is better than to take. He also said, "Verily, to collect a pile of firewood on one's back, even this will be better than begging from someone, for he may give you, and he may refuse." In this saying, Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, urges the believer to work and not depend on others. He also said, "No one will ever eat better food than that eaten through the work of his own hands...”
Tongue Control
According to Islam, the believer should control his tongue. Thus Islam urges him to avoid useless and harmful chattering. Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should say something good or keep silent." He also said, "The Muslim does not hurt others with his hand or his tongue."
Once a Muslim asked Prophet Mohammad, peace upon him, "What should / beware of?" The Prophet said, "The tongue." Another person asked, "What is the way to salvation?" The Prophet, peace upon him, advised him, among other things, to "Control your tongue.”
Self-control and Forgiveness
Allah orders the Muslim to suppress his anger as a rule for social interaction with others. This suppression of anger minimizes clashes among individuals in the same society. Islam also urges the Muslim to forgive others, and to control himself. Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, “ The strong man is not the one he who throws another to the ground, but he who controls himself when angry.”
No Backbiting or Suspicion
Islam orders the believers not to backbite one another and to avoid much suspicion. Allah said, “O you who belie! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite oneanother. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah; Allah is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”
Cooperation
Islam emphasizes cooperation among believers. Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, "Allah will help you if you help your brethren," He also said "Every favor is (rewarded as an act of) charity," and, "No one of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
Keeping Promises
Allah orders the Muslim to keep his promises. Allah says in the Holy Quran, 'Keep your promises; you are responsible for your promise.' He also says, 'O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?” and “O you who believe! Fulfill your counteracts.”
The keeping of promises has become one of the characteristic codes in the Muslim's life. Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, “The hypocrite'ssigns are three: if he talks, he lies. if he promises, he breaks his promise. if he is given a trust, he betrays his trust.”'
Alcoholic Drinks
Alcoholic drink is a poison that is licensed in many countries. However, Islam took a clear attitude towards alcoholic drinks more than 1400 years ago. Islam is prohibited in Islam regardless of the substance it is made from and regardless of the quantity. According to Islam, if too much of drink causes drunkenness, then any small quantity of this drink is prohibited, because all alcoholics start with small quantities, and then become the slaves of alcohol.
Individual Responsibility
Islam urges the Muslim to take action when Islam is transgressed. Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said, “If you see a forbidden, reprehensible action, correct it with your hand. if you cannot, correct it with your tongue. If you cannot even do this, abhor it in your heart, and this is the weakest degree of faith.”
If. Misbehavior is personal, Islam orders the Muslim to answer back, or preferably to forgive. However, if misbehavior is not personal, the Muslim is expected to do something or say something to put things right.
This means that the responsibility of the application of Islam is not the responsibility of certain people as it is the case with some religions. In Islam, every Muslim is responsible to protect Islam and see it put into practice.
Permission before Entry
God orders the Muslim not to enter another man's house except after taking permission. Allah also tells that when children reach the age of puberty they should get permission before entering a room. Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, taught the Muslim to give his name if asked when knocking at a door.
Greeting
Allah also tells the Muslim how to greet and return greeting. The Islamic greeting is Assalam Alaikum, which means; 'Peace be upon you.' The answer should be the same or better, such as “Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you.”
Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, also instructed whom should greet whom. He said, "The rider should greet the pedestrian. The pedestrian should greet the sitting person. The few should greet the many Theyoung should greet the-old." He also said, 'You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. May / guide you to what makes you love one another? Greet one another.'
Detailed Guidance
As we have mentioned, Islam gives the believer guidance related to all aspects of life including how to treat one's parents, one's spouse, and one's fellows. Islam tells the Muslim about the advantage of suppressing anger and of being merciful and kind hearted. Islam teaches the believer to be just and fair, to keep his promise, to be polite to his fellows, to remember Allah as often as possible, to take permission before entering another man's house, and to greet people whom he knows and those whom he does not know.
With these manners, a Muslim can lead a happy life and can be a source of happiness to other people, The more a person sticks to the orders of Allah and His prophet (peace upon him), the happier his life becomes, because all the orders of Allah aim at helping man to achieve happiness and psychological security.
Islam, when we know it, is perfect. Islam, if we abide by it, is the way to happiness. I do advise dear readers to find out themselves about Islam, read about it, and ask about it.
A final reminder: Consider well the source of any information about Islam; and remember that Islam may not be judged by individuals' actions; rather their actions must be judged in the light of Islam.
