‘Bear in mind that the present life is just a game, a diversion, an attraction, a cause of boasting among you, of rivalry in wealth and children. It is like plants that spring up after the rain: their growth at first delights the sowers, but then you see them wither away, turn yellow, and become stubble. There is terrible punishment in the next life as well as forgiveness and approval from God; the life of this world is only an illusory pleasure. So race for your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers: that is God’s bounty, which He bestows on whoever He pleases. God’s bounty is infinite.’ (57:22) Leading a good life is an all-embracing aspiration for every human person in this world. And yet, what it means to lead a good life? In life’s varied settings, values professed by a person would guide the decision on what is ‘good’ for him/her under the conditions of individual and social life. Perhaps in shaping one’s frame of reference in such critical junctures, an ethical and spiritual outlook intuitively appeals to the human mind. Certainly, the teachings of religion -rooted as it is in the wisdom of the ages- offer fascinating ideas to reflect on, especially for those who are at the crossroads of life journeys.
Those
who struggle with life’s contingent circumstances could find
profound insights, generative of amazing hope of Divine mercy in the
rich legacy of Islamic teachings. The
Islamic Way, or the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), offers
us glimpses of a good life for anyone hoping to embark on a journey
in the highway to God. Muslim saints of the past have preserved in
their books some of these
appealing pieces of advice on leading a good life left behind by that great prophet of human kind. For the benefit of
our readers, we reproduce below the gist of certain vital advices in
the words of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) describing
what it takes to lead a good life:
I.
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings
be upon him, said, “Take
advantage of five before five: your youth
before
your old age; your health
before
your illness; your riches
before your poverty; your free
time
before your work; and your life
before your death.” (Attributed
to Shu’ab
al-Imān).
II.
Abu Dharr reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, instruct me.”
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I
advise you to be
mindful of Allah Almighty, for it will beautify all of your affairs.”
I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “You
must recite the Quran and remember Allah Almighty, for you will be
mentioned in heaven and you will have light upon earth.”
I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “You must observe long periods of silence, for it will drive away Satan and help you in the matter of your religion.” I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Beware of too much laughter, for it will deaden the heart and take away the light on your face.”
I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “You must observe long periods of silence, for it will drive away Satan and help you in the matter of your religion.” I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Beware of too much laughter, for it will deaden the heart and take away the light on your face.”
I
said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Speak
the truth, even
if it is bitter.” I
said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Do
not fear the blame of any critic in the matter of Allah.”
----[Attributed
to
Shu’ab
al-Imān]