MODERN LIFE AND THE BENEFITS OF ISLAM

All the Prophets sent by Allah (s.w.t.) preached Unity of Allah (s.w.t.) which is Islam. From the time of Prophet Adam to the modern times, the human nature remained the same and did not change over centuries. Cultures brought about the changes in the way man speaks, eats, his social activities etc. The basic passions and emotions remain the same; love and hate, happiness and fear, worship and supplication remained unchanged. Need for food remained the same but modes of growing agriculture changed. With the industrial revolution in Europe, automation entered the social environment of every society.

Allah (s.w.t.) sent divine books according to the needs and intellectual status of the people of that time. The Glorious Qur’an is the last Divine Message revealed on the heart of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Islam is the last Message of Allah (s.w.t.) uniquely expressed in the last and final Message-the Glorious Qur’an.

The modern industrialized society has acquired the material comforts at the cost of peace of mind. Even in the industrialized societies with comfortable way of life, people do not have peace of mind and the incidence of suicides are on the rise, family life is devoid of serenity and contentment. It is felt to re-evaluate the benefits of religion-Islam. Man, wants to do those things which have benefits for him. Hence, it is imperative to think and ponder about the role religion can play in our lives to attain peace of mind and contentment, to achieve eventual perfection in both the worlds.

Islam preaches the creatures to have close relations with the Creator to achieve peace, tranquility and happiness. Surah al-Ra’d Ayah 28 says, “Remembrance of Allah certainly brings comfort to all the hearts.”  

With the firm belief in Unity of God and His Omnipotent Power, a true Muslim will have a positive outlook on life and exercise patience and gratitude to his Creator for the bounties Allah has provided.

A true Muslim having a clear concept of God acknowledges the perfection of All-Mighty God with His Divine Attributes; Most Powerful, Most High, Absolutely Perfect and the Unique Unity. The Glorious Qur’an calls the Muslims to think about themselves, the Universe and other Signs of Allah. Pondering about his own self, man realizes the start of his life, his development and the uncertainty of the time of death. The gigantic solar system with celestial bodies busy in their destined orbits makes a thinking mind wonder about the Divine Order! Man realizes the greatness of Allah and negates other short-lived entities and sincerely returns to Him.

To attain an accomplished life, one must balance his life between the hope and fear. Hope for a successful life in this world and pray for his salvation and the fear of his sins and ultimate punishment on the Day of Resurrection. Surah al-Zumar Ayah 53, “(Muhammad), tell my servants who have committed injustice to themselves, “Do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.” On the other hand, Allah warns the sinful people in numerous Ayahs e.g. Surah al-Qamar Ayah 47, “The sinful ones will face the blazing torment of Hell.”

In Shia Islam, the fifth root of Islam is the Day of Resurrection when the creatures will be brought back to life and must account for all the deeds he had committed and Allah will be the Judge and will dispense Justice by rewarding those with excessive good deeds and punish those who were sinful, specially believing partners with Allah and committed excesses on the helpless creatures. Allah will be just and equitable with His creatures but the final decision will be His.

Allah had sent Islam for the humanity at large, the people who accepted the basic requirement of confirming the Unity of Allah, the Prophet hood of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) and the Message he preached-the Glorious Qur’an and the Day of Resurrection. They are considered a Muslim. To be a faithful, one must believe in the other two roots of Islam viz. the Imamate (of Imam Ali and his Infallible progeny) and the Justice of Allah.

As Islam is the last Message of Allah till the Day of Resurrection, it is a universal and everlasting message for humanity. It caters to the the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of humanity. To achieve salvation, the faithful should read the Glorious Qur’an, study the life of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Progeny (a.s.), ponder, inquire if confused form the experts, accept the Commands of Allah from his heart and practice Islam in letter and spirit.

Similarly, the “Branches of Islam” or “Furu-e-Deen” has countless benefits for the individuals and the community. Branches of Islam are: Salaat, Fasting, Hajj, Zakaat, Khums, Jihad, Amre bil Ma'ruf, Nahi anil Munkar, Tawallah, Tabarrah.