Islam: A Way of Life

Islam as a Deen, Not just a Religion

Islam is not merely a religion (Mazhab) centred on worship and rituals; rather, it is a complete way of life (Deen) that governs all aspects of human existence. Unlike Mazhab, which allows people to practice rituals freely alongside their occupations, Deen establishes moral, ethical, and legal principles that govern human behaviour in every domain – personal, social, economic, and political.

 

The Quran defines Islam as a Deen rather than a Mazhab: “Indeed, the religion (Deen) in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Ali-Imran 3: 20)

 

This distinction is essential because Deen ensures that every action aligns with divine principles rather than personal whims or desires. For example, whereas some religions separate faith from governance, Islam integrates spirituality with justice, social responsibility, and legal systems, ensuring that no human activity contradicts divine laws.

Divine Union in Islam

Union with Allah 

The experience of union with Allah, as I have already mentioned in my previous sermon, is profoundly spiritual and transcends human understanding, to the extent that it cannot even be described in words. A person who experiences a connection with Allah will find that the words they (i.e. he or she) use (uses) to describe this experience do not truly capture the depth of what they have lived through spiritually. It is something that the person – the believer – feels and experiences personally, yet cannot fully explain. Only those who have personally gone through this deep connection can truly understand it, and even they struggle to convey the essence of this extraordinary experience to others.

The gift of 'Khair'

 

The Good of this World & the Hereafter

Allah, in His infinite mercy, has kept extraordinary blessings for His believing servants. Even those who have made mistakes and committed sins but later received His forgiveness and mercy are included in these blessings. These rewards exist both in this world (Dunya) and in the next life (Aakhirah). The terms used to describe these blessings are “Khair’ud-Dunya” (the good of this world) and “Khair’ul-Aakhirah” (the good of the afterlife). However, the word “Khair” does not just mean a simple blessing – it refers to a state of true fulfilment and peace for a believer. This peace, enhanced, fortified and deepened by Allah’s mercy, grants a person access to provisions specially kept for them (i.e. him or her) in this world, as well as an even greater reward beyond imagination in the afterlife. But to receive this, they must remain on the right path and die in a state where Allah is pleased with them. This state is called Al-Nafs-Al-Mutmaina (the soul at peace).

 

Every true believer in Allah and His Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh), should aim for this state of inner peace, because it is in this state that one can spiritually connect with Allah. Life on Earth is full of hardships and difficulties, yet, amidst this chaos, Allah grants some people the ability to disconnect from worldly distractions and truly connect with Him. Through Salat (prayer) and Zikr (meditation and remembrance of Allah), a person can reach a level of spirituality where, even though problems may rain down upon them, those troubles feel insignificant – like water dripping off a leaf. They feel deeply at peace, submerged in a connection with Allah, which He Himself has permitted. There is a sense of harmony between the servant and their Creator [be it for a male believer or a female believer], a deep synchronization between Allah and the one He created. This is the real meaning of Khair’ud-Dunya, where the good is not just material, but also spiritual.

'Al-Hayaa' : Modesty in Islam

  

In Islam, Al-Hayaa is a noble quality that represents modesty, humility, and shame in a positive sense of the term. Our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) emphasized its importance, saying: “Faith (Iman) has over seventy branches, and modesty is an essential part of it.” (Bukhari). This virtue is deeply connected to faith, as Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) also stated: “Modesty and faith are inseparable. If one disappears, the other will also vanish.” (Baihaqi)

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was himself a model of modesty. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (ra) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) never looked at people in an inappropriate way, even during a time when nudity was present, such as during pagan rituals around the Ka’aba. He (pbuh) also taught: “Modesty brings only good.” (Bukhari)

 

In the Holy Quran, Allah commands believers to protect their chastity and lower their gaze: “Tell the believers to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is fully aware of what they do.” (An-Nur, 24: 31). This verse puts emphasis on the importance of modesty as a way to purify the soul and strengthen faith.

 

In today’s world, society faces a decline in moral values, worsened by the influence of the media and Western culture. Pornography, which was once marginal, has become widespread due to the internet and modern technology.