Islam (An Overview)
Published on: 18-Jun-2025Islam represents the comprehensive way of life designed by the Lord of this universe for humanity, regarded as “the Best among His creatures.”
إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ 191
Without a doubt, the dīn in the sight of Allāh is Islam only.
Islam is not just a religion; it is also a comprehensive way of life that encompasses both spiritual and worldly matters. In fact, for Islam, no part of life is considered secular; it governs every aspect of human existence. In short, it provides guidance for all matters, whether material or immaterial.
As the Supreme Being created the universe and everything within it, including humanity, He also set forth laws governing their natural actions. Creation alone could not establish laws that ensure complete well-being and fulfill its purpose. Consequently, the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Almighty Allah established laws to govern His creations based on their needs.
The Dīn al-Islam (Islamic way of life) directs individuals towards a fulfilling existence on Earth while equipping them for achievement in the Hereafter. The comprehensive nature of Islam guarantees thorough guidance for this purpose. It is up to us to decide whether we aim to earn the pleasure of our Master, leading to ultimate success and everlasting happiness, or whether we choose a different path —intentionally or not —that may result in becoming the ultimate loser by provoking His wrath. 2
Islam directs us toward the correct path and cautions us against straying from it. It thoroughly outlines this path, explains how to navigate it correctly, highlights the benefits of adhering to it, and identifies Heaven as the ultimate goal for its faithful followers. Islam instructs us to safeguard ourselves from harm, avoid straying off course, evade misdirection, break free from the influence of our baser instincts, resist becoming enslaved by worldly temp-tations, and protect ourselves from Shaytān's (Satan's) deception, ensuring we do not become permanent inhabitants of Hell due to incurring the Lord’s displeasure.In Islam, there's no reason for worry or confusion about any issue; everything is clearly outlined. We simply need to learn and adhere to these guidelines. Engaging all human faculties is acceptable to make informed choices. Islam promotes reasoning and constructive criticism as long as the intent is to reinforce one’s faith 3. As our choices lead to success or failure in both this world and the Hereafter, we should search with deep sincerity.
Does Islam truly offer a comprehensive way of life and address every question faced by humanity? In response, I will elucidate Islam and delve into every aspect of this book's subject matter.
Islam is a divine religion, revealed by the Lord to humanity through His chosen individuals, namely, the prophets.
- It is monotheistic- the belief in one Creator, the Lord of us all.
- It is a comprehensive guide and manual encompassing everything we need to know about human life and its purpose.
- It is not merely confined to a place of worship; rather, it governs the entire lives of its followers beyond the place of worship.
- It provides a comprehensive set of codes governing every aspect of human life and does not overlook even the smallest detail that should concern us.
- It influences our personal lives and our most intimate moments.
- It provides micro- and macro-level guidance, facilitating practical agendas for national and international relations.
- It lays down foundational principles to establish relationships between individuals and among communities.
- It establishes guidelines for addressing social, economic, and political needs.
- It defines what is right and what is wrong.
- It distinguishes between good and bad deeds.
- It illuminates the path to success and shields against failure.
- It references the past and emphasizes the future.
- It brings glad tidings of reward and threats of punishment.
Islam understands human challenges and offers practical solutions. It takes into account every facet of human existence and provides guidance accordingly. Islam aligns perfectly with human nature, as the same Creator crafts both humans and Islam. Who could possibly have a better understanding than our Lord, who has delivered a message that suits our nature so well?
Islam views our physical and mental conditions as straightforward, ensuring that its prescribed duties are both fair and practical. It recognizes human weaknesses as inherent, with its flexibility shaped by our limitations. Much like an inventor who understands every part of a machine, our Lord knows us intimately and caters to our needs and abilities through His infinite wisdom.
Islam serves not as a force pushing people away, but rather as a welcoming influence. It encourages the formation of meaningful, strong, and enduring relationships among individuals. Islam aims to strengthen the human community through various interconnections that are intended to please the Almighty 4. Such connections lie at the core of the society that Islam wishes to develop. Islam advocates for interactions grounded in equality, dignity, love, and mutual respect 5. It challenges selfish, individualistic behaviors. Instead, mutual care and cooperation are the bedrock upon which Islam encourages people to build their lives. Essential virtues such as love, sacrifice, kindness, tolerance, forgiveness, respect, patience, perseverance, piety, morality, modesty, sincerity, honesty, humility, and purity of intent promote equality and uphold dignity, privacy, and justice. These elements are vital to Islamic teachings, guiding followers in their responsibilities toward both humanity and the Almighty. Collectively, these qualities foster positive interactions and reduce individualism and selfishness, enabling the human community to move closer to its intended purpose.
The essence of the Islamic model for humanity lies in fostering enduring relationships among various societal groups, united by the shared aim of seeking the Lord's pleasure and acknowledging His Sovereignty. Islam, therefore, promotes equality among individuals, directing them toward a common purpose: establishing a solid foundation for unity and collaboration to achieve everlasting success in the Hereafter. Additionally, it discourages self-serving behavior focused on material gains and opposes the chase of fleeting pleasures. In Islam, the Almighty's pleasure remains the primary objective and foremost concern for its devoted followers.
Islam curtails aspects of human nature that can be damaging to oneself and others. It helps to prevent societal disruption, protect peace, avoid injuries, uphold justice, respect human rights, counter social class divisions, challenge hierarchies, deter abuse of power, reject hypocrisy, enhance values, diminish individualism, discourage selfishness, foster responsibility, acknowledge duties, and combat carelessness, thus alleviating various forms of suffering for society and humanity. When individuals neglect to control these harmful tendencies, they risk becoming heartless beasts and inflicting significant harm on others. Islam encourages people to uphold their dignity and remain steadfast in the elevated status granted by Allāh —the “Best of all Creatures.”
Recognizing the inherently harmful aspects of human nature, such as anger and hate, Islam provides essential guidance to suppress and control them. Those who succeed in managing these negative traits will maintain their elevated state, ultimately attaining the pleasure of the Almighty and, consequently, eternal life in Heaven.
Through its divine teachings and sacred regulations, Islam clarifies its role in safeguarding humanity from the earliest stages of life to the final moments on earth and into the afterlife. It obligates both individuals and communities to adhere to these divine laws, ensuring protection for everyone, irrespective of wealth, status, gender, ethnicity, or other aspects of identity.
To uphold heavenly laws and ensure justice, Islam prescribes strict yet suitable punishments for all crimes, both overt and covert, addressing offenders robustly yet fairly who infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others. Islam acknowledges that lasting peace and order are unachievable without enforcing legal protections and relevant penalties through due process 6. Hence, it outlines a framework that enables individuals to attain justice, coexist peacefully, and fulfill their higher purpose in life. Additionally, Islam emphasizes the significant duty of both the government and each citizen to foster security and protection. It is clearly stated that no one is exempt from the law.
Islamic rules are harmonious and free from contradictions. There is no permission or necessity to breach any principle, no matter how minor, to apply or uphold another rule. Breaking any Islamic rule is unacceptable, regardless of the perceived significance of the good. Ignorance does not excuse the violation of rights or the infliction of harm on others. In these instances, appropriate punishment should be administered, and fair compensation must be given to the affected party.
In Islam, believers are never truly alone. The faith recognizes that loneliness can lead to various setbacks in life. Therefore, it emphasizes the importance of family connections, nurturing friendships, valuing strong relationships, and fostering consistent interactions among individuals. Additionally, a deep connection with the Lord, achieved through constant remembrance, ensures that one never feels isolated and experiences His presence constantly 7. This relationship with the Lord enables an internal dialogue, offering a sense of companionship that brings genuine satisfaction and joy. Without this internal presence, one may experience loneliness, even in the midst of a crowd of millions.
At this stage, I believe I have sufficiently covered the fundamentals of Islam. To summarize briefly, Islam serves as a comprehensive system of worship, simultaneously upholding human values, safeguarding human rights, encouraging social initiatives, and promoting scientific and technological progress for societal improvement.
With this introduction, I will delve deeper into the previously mentioned topics and additional ones. We can ponder whether complete happiness truly exists in our world based on the arguments presented. Does Islam guarantee total happiness? Is absolute peace attainable? Does Islam provide guidance on achieving this peace? Can a person reach a state of content-ment? If possible, what are the steps to achieve this?