Islam: the perfect religion and way of life for all

Islam: the perfect religion and way of life for all

It is imperative that we strive to know Islam. Allah’s  Messenger   (may Allah exalt his mention) who was sent to the whole mankind, encouraged us to acquire knowledge of Islam in order to comprehend it.      Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet   said:   “Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance will be the best in Islam  provided   they comprehend the religious knowledge.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

‘Abdur Rahmaan bin Abi Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated on the authority of his  father  that   the  Prophet,   sallallaahu  ‘alayhi  wa sallam,  said: “If   Allah wants to do good to a person, he makes him comprehend the religion; and of course knowledge is attained by learning.” [Al-Bukhari] Mu‘aawiyah bin Abi Sufyaan, may Allah be pleased with him,  narrated that Allah’s Messenger    said: “Goodness is a (natural) habit while the evil is a stubbornness. To whomsoever Allah wills to show goodness, He favors him with the understanding in the Religion.” [Ibn Maajah]

When we study Islam or read the Quran and the authentic  Ahadeeth (narrations of the Prophet  ) we learn that Islam is easy to follow and the perfect  religion and complete way of life for the entire humankind.  We read in the Quran and the Ahadeeth the following unique features of Islam:

Islam is easy

The Quran says (what means): “But whoever believes and works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward and easy  will  be his task as We order it  by  Our  command.”   [Quran 18:88]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu  ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Religion (Islam) is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way.   So you should not be extremists, but  try to  be  near to perfection and receive the good  tidings   that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the prayers in the mornings, afternoons and   during  the  last   hours   of the nights.”     [Al-Bukhari]

Anas bin Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him,   narrated   that the Prophet   said: "Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them).” [Al-Bukhari]

Islam is complete

The Quran says (what means):

“…He it is Who has sent unto you the Book, explained in detail. They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it has been sent down from your Rabb in truth. Never be then of those who doubt.” [Quran 6: 114]

And (what means):

For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge, which We explained  in detail --  a guide and a mercy to all who believe.”     [Quran 7: 52]

And (what means):

“…(This is ) a Book with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning) -- further explained in detail -- from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things).” [Quran 11: 1]

Islam is perfect

The Quran says (what means):

“...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen   for you Islam as your religion.”     [Quran 5: 3]

As the  perfect religion, Islam teaches humankind how to attain success in the most perfect way.  The following are some of the Ahadeeth that serve as a source of enlightenment and guidance to those who desire perfection.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu  ‘alayhi wa sallam,  said: "Goodness and comfort are for him who worships his Rabb in a perfect manner and serves his master sincerely.”  [Al-Bukhari]

Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah’s Messenger     said: "If a slave is honest and faithful to his master and worships his Lord in a perfect manner, he will get a double reward.” [Al-Bukhari]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him,  narrated that the Prophet   said: "Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, offers prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allah to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allah’s cause or stays in the land where he was born.” They (the companions of the Prophet,   ) said: "O Allah’s Messenger, sallallaahu  ‘alayhi wa sallam! Should we not inform the people of that?" He said: "There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allah has prepared for those who carry on Jihaad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth.  So if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaws, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of The Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.”  [Al-Bukhari]

‘Abdullaah bin Hishaam, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: “We were with the Prophet, sallallaahu  ‘alayhi wa sallam, and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him. 'Umar said to him: "O Allah’s Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet   said: "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete or perfect faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then 'Umar said to him: "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet,  sallallaahu  ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Now, O 'Umar, you are a believer.”  [Al-Bukhari] 

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet     said: “The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in manners.”  [Abu Daawood]

Abu Humamah, may Allah be pleased with him,   narrated that the Prophet   said: “If anyone loves for Allah’s sake, hates for Allah’s sake, gives for Allah’s sake and withholds for Allah’s sake, he will have perfect faith.” [Abu Daawood]

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him,   narrated that the Prophet   said:  “Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.”  [At-Tirmithi  and Abu Daawood]

‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her,  narrated that Allah’s Messenger, sallallaahu  ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Among the believers who show most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition, and are kindest to their families.”  [At-Tirmithi]

All the above Prophetic teachings in addition to the Quranic Ayaat (verses) quoted earlier, clearly tell us that indeed, Islam is the perfect religion and hence the best way of life for all.  Islam as a universal religion is Allah’s Blessing and Mercy  for all of us.   It is for us to obey it and be successful in the eternal world to come.  The best way to attain success through Islam is to learn about the religion according to its authentic sources.  That is, to acquire knowledge of Islam  through the Quran and the Sunnah and the right deductions from these revealed sources of knowledge and guidance.

Since Allah Almighty is the One Who gives guidance, earnestly ask Him for authentic Islamic knowledge.  We must seek His help and guidance to be able to apply such knowledge and share them with others – all for His Pleasure.

May our Cherisher and Sustainer increase our knowledge of Islam and grant us the best life -- of being true Muslims forever.  Aameen.

By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Allah Wishes Ease for You (Pearls from the Quran)

There is a very beautiful verse in Surat Al-Baqarah that I wanted to comment on today.

It is verse 185, where Allah (SWT) says:

…Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship… (2:185)

This verse is one of the over-arching, over-riding principles of our religion.

The Quran mentions this point in half a dozen verses, and our Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly stated it.

1- In Surat Al-Ma’idah, Allah (SWT) says:

…Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you… (5:6)

So Allah wants to make things easy, He does not want to place difficulty.

2- In Surat Al-A’raf, (in verse 7:157), we read that the prophet, peace be upon him, has been sent so that he commands people to good and he forbids them what is evil.

And eventually He says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) removes the burdens and removes the chains that were on them.

So the Quran has come, and the Sunnah has come, to remove the chains, to make us free to make us easier.

3- In Surat Al-Hajj, Allah (SWT) says:

…He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty… (22:78)

4- In Surat Al-Baqarah, we read:

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity… (2:286)

5- In Surat Al-Nisaa’, Allah (SWT) says:

And Allah wants to lighten for you [your difficulties]… (4:28)

Islam is Ease

And the Quran goes on and on about the ease of this religion…

And that is why one of the five main principles of Islamic fiqh is difficulty begets ease.

So the more difficult things become, the more easy the Shari’ah becomes.

If you can’t pray standing up, pray sitting down.

If you cannot fast when you are sick, don’t fast on those days…

And a million and one examples coming from the Shari’ah.

The prophet (peace be upon him) mentions in so many hadiths about the ease of this religion.

He said:

The most blessed of your religion is the easiest of it.

And Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said that:

The Prophet never had two choices except that he chose the easier of them, as long as the Shari’ah was not infringed, and there was no haram done.

say, how can the religion be easy when we have to wake up for fajr, and that is difficult?

When we have to fast in the summer months, and that is painful?

How can the religion be easy when we are depriving ourselves from 16-17 hours of eating and drinking in the month of June?

How is that easy when we face difficulty?

And the response is there are two types of difficulty.

The first category is that which is uncomfortable, but bearable.

It’s awkward but it is not something that is beyond reason…

That type of burden is a test from Allah, to sift the good from the bad.

And that is something that the Shari’ah might have partially.

However, even if it has it, the rewards that come are more than the difficulties you put in.

The ease that will come from these minor difficulties will be much more than the pain that you put in.

And a simple example is that today was our first day of fast, and I know you would tell me it was amazingly easy. How did that happen?

Because Allah said:

Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you

The second category of difficulty, is that which is unbearable and unreasonable.

It is this category that the Quran has negated. It does not exist in Islam.

There is no pain or suffering that comes as a result of the religion that is unbearable…

Don’t Go to Extremes

In a beautiful hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

This religion is ease. And no one will make the religion more difficult except that the religion will win over him.

You can’t beat the religion.

If you become fanatic, if you become overly-religious beyond what the Shari’ah wants you, if you make the halal haram, if you think you can do more than what the Prophet (peace be upon him) did, that fanaticism will destroy you…

So the prophet warned against extremism and fanaticism…

He said:

be firm, be moderate and be sincere.

Keep on doing what you can according to your level and you will get to the destination…

This religion is easy … No difficulty is in it…

And Allah wants to make things easy for us, so be moderate and do what you can and be persistent and you will get to the end, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said.

source:http://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/allah-wishes-ease-pearls-quran/