Islam: An Incomparable Gift

 

Islam is a gift that Allah has given to humanity at its birth; and it is a more honourable gift for anyone who is born Muslim and who grows up in the Islamic environment. A child’s upbringing in this honourable environment means that the parents also have a very great responsibility to guide them and maintain them in this Islamic, pure environment until these children become sufficiently mature, especially after the age of puberty, to know the difference between good and evil and to choose with full awareness to follow the path of truth, the path of Islam; and to make effort themselves to remain attached to the straight path, and to do everything possible to gain the pleasure of Allah, and to become a true Muslim, not by birth or by the Islamic environment in which they grew up, but by choice; a choice that is personal, that is pure, where a child, an adolescent, or even an adult – whether a young adult or even one in middle age – all have a choice to make. After the parental education they have received, where their parents guided them towards Allah, towards His Deen, towards good practice that will lead them to Paradise, will they follow this path or follow a path led astray by the influence of bad companions, bad guides who exist in the world and whose primary work is to divert them from the straight path?

Preparation for the Afterlife

  

In Islam, we all know that this worldly life is temporary. Our bodies of clay and water, of flesh and bones, will decay; while it is our soul that will return to its Creator, the One Who gives life. The Creator is indeed the One Who gives life, and He is also the One Who takes life back. The life of a human being is an Amaanat (a trust) given to his parents, his family, his environment and native land – and wherever he resides upon the earth – only for a short time. Death is a truth that cannot be denied; it is an obligatory passage that every soul must taste. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Kullu nafsin zaa’ikatul mawt” [Every soul shall taste death.] (Al-‘Imran 3: 186)

Faith & Action

 

Faith and action is a subject that deserves deep reflection, because the relationship between the two cannot be broken. When a person believes in Allah, in the Day of Judgement, and in the message of the prophets, he receives a profound motivation to please his Creator, to walk on the straight path, and to prepare for his return to Him. Faith without action is like a lamp without light; and action without faith is like a body without a soul. Allah informs us in the Qur’an: “He who created life and death in order to test you, as to which of you is best in conduct; He is Mighty and Forgiving” (Al-Mulk 67: 3). This shows that existence itself is a test, an examination that humans must pass, and the principal criterion is the quality of their actions.

'Sunnah' on Labour Rights

 The Rights & Respect for all Good Workers

 

The human condition rests upon two fundamental states: either a person enjoys good health, or he is ill. Workers, like all people, deserve respect and justice in all circumstances. Islam teaches that every human being must be treated with dignity, compassion, and fairness. The right of a worker includes receiving a fair wage, work according to his capacity, and a balanced schedule that is healthy – not exceeding limits. When a worker falls ill, his employer must make arrangements for his physical and spiritual recovery; that is, to support him with sympathy and assistance. Our Creator – Allah – has shown that Islam is not merely a religion, but a complete code of life that protects the rights of every person, including workers.

 

In the Qur’an, Allah says: “Indeed, Allah commands you to fulfil your trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, judge with justice.” (An-Nisa 4: 59)

Life & Health as an 'Amaanah'

  

Health is a sacred treasure that Allah has granted to each of us; it is a capital that cannot be purchased with money. In the Qur’an, Allah says: “And do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction” (Al-Baqara 2: 196). Among the many interpretations of this verse, one is that a believer must preserve his health, and this is also a religious obligation; a responsibility towards our Creator – Allah. In another verse, Allah says: “And do not kill the (human) life (Nafs) which Allah has made sacred, except by justice” (Bani Isra’il 17:34).

 

This divine reminder shows the value of the human body as a sanctuary that must be protected. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “Your body has rights over you” (Bukhari). This Hadith teaches us that caring for health is not a luxury, but a duty.

Stages in Proximity with Allah

  

In spiritual life, one truth remains eternal: whoever remembers Allah with sincerity receives a special light, a Nur, which illuminates his heart and purifies his soul. Allah has said in the Qur’an:

 

“Remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and never be ungrateful.” (Al-Baqara 2: 153).

 

This verse, this divine word, is truly powerful. It shows two fundamental principles: Zikrullah (Remembrance of our Creator) and Shukrullah (Gratitude towards our Creator). These two principles form the foundation of the spiritual life of a true believer, and they attract divine reward upon him. A servant of Allah who practises these two principles finds his path opened towards divine closeness and towards a life filled with Allah’s blessings.

A Prayer in the Mihrab

 

In the quiet mihrab, silver crowned with age,

Zakariya stood, though his frame was frail.

'My bones have weakened, my hair is ablaze,'

Yet his hope in his Lord did not pale.

Childless years weighed heavy on his chest,

He feared for his people when he was laid to rest.

Who would guard the way if heirs went astray? 

So he turned to his Lord, and began to pray.