Why is Islam a complete way of life?

People like Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Hegel and Karl Marx viewed man from various angles. In their search for understanding human nature, some concentrated on the body and its form and shape. So they came to certain conclusions which were body-centered. Some viewed man from the occupation he once followed, and thought of him as an animal subjected for evolution. The thought of some other thinkers fell on human belly and they related everything with it. They found it most important and decided that hunger was the cause of all problems. They thought that once this problem is solved, everything would be alright. Those who viewed man and life through sexuality believed it to be the most important thing and whatever they knew, saw and heard was related to it. They declared that the whole human activity is sex centered and if the restrictions imposed on sex were removed everything would be all right. Some others gave undue importance to spirituality and disregarded the body and its needs. So the people who tried to understand man in the absence of divine revelations were like the proverbial blind men, who tried to understand the elephant in their own partial ways. They arrived at certain conclusions which were imperfect and full of errors.
Those who do not know man cannot understand how man should live. Every individual must possess the basic awareness to understand how he should live in this world. This awareness is achieved only through the divine message. It was religion that taught man about the meaning, objective and destiny of his existence.
The manufacturer knows best about the product he manufactures. To give an example, vehicles work best with the oil, spare parts etc. recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Even if it is a simple thing like air pressure of the wheels, we follow what the manufacturer says. One might ask why? It is our vehicle. We own it and we use it. Why not use it the way we want? Why not change the air pressure of the wheel depending on our mood that day?
We would not try changing it based on our whims and fancies, because we trust that the vehicle maker knows what is best for the vehicle. We trust the manufacturer of the products even for trivial things, how is it rational to make decisions about our lives without looking for guidance and instructions from our creator, God Almighty?
If I may call human beings a machine, we are the most complex machine on earth due to our emotions and thoughts. Our creator, God, knows exactly what is good for us and has prescribed a way of life which was taught to us by the Messengers of God and the scriptures revealed by Him. Like as The Holy Book Quran revealed in the time of Mohammad The last Messenger. Going away from the guidance of God, would lead to chaos and destruction.
Since Islam was revealed from our creator, God Almighty, it is a complete way of life and therefore addresses all the aspects of human life.
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.

Value of Respecting Parents in Islam

In today’s rapid-paced life, we often tend to get so busy that we forget our parents’ rights. Family values have significantly dropped in our lives, and our friends often become more important to us than our own relatives. Our parents are the people who provide the most care for us in this world. Unfortunately, most of us often fail to show them the respect they deserve.
In Islam, parents' rights are the most venerable rights after those of God. In several verses of the Holy Book Quran, God makes clear that duty, kindness and gratitude towards parents is an essential part of Islam. However, women in Islam, particularly mothers, have been singled out for the upmost respect and devotion. God Himself tells of the hardships involved in motherhood.
What better can emphasize the good treatment of our parents than the following verse from the Holy Book Quran (interpretation of the meaning) {And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor rebuke them, and speak to them in honorable terms} [Quran Al-Israa 17:23]. There are two noteworthy conclusions that may be noticed from this verse. First, Allah the Exalted has called for good treatment of parents immediately after ordering us to worship Him. This proves the importance of being kind to our parents and the elevated status in which Allah (SWT) has placed parents in our lives. Second, He has ordered us not to utter even the least of inappropriate comments to them; thus it is very surprising that some people yell at their parents or even tell them to shut up.
Furthermore, when Mohammad The last Messenger (may peace be upon him) was asked which deed was the best, he replied: “The prayer at its appointed hour”. He was asked: “Then what?”, to which he replied: “Kindness to the parents”. Again he was asked: “Then what?”. He replied: “Earnest struggle (Jihad) in the cause of Allah [Muslim].”
Whether or not you live with your parents, or if both of them are still alive, here are some tips to a good relationship with them: If you live with your parents bring something home every now and then. For example, buy them a gift or a cake whenever you receive your paycheck.
Make sure to spend time with them every day, whether it is for reciting Qur’an or reading hadiths together, conducting household chores, or just plain friendly talk. Take them out for picnic. Obeying whatever they ask you to do, as long as it complies with Islam.
If you don’t live with your parents Visit them regularly -- say once a week or every two weeks. If you are unable to visit them often because you live far away for example, then do the next best thing and call them frequently. Also, you may send them letters, and don’t forget greeting cards on Islamic occasions (Ramadan, Eid, etc.) .In the authentic Hadith, a man came to the Prophet (may peace be upon him) and asked him whether he can do any good for his parents after they passed away. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him to do the following:
- Supplication and istighfar for them,
- Executing their will,
- Connecting with relatives that are likely to be cut with the parents’ death, and
- Honoring their friends
Difficulties with parents:
Reverts to Islam often tend to face difficulties with their non-Muslim parents. Likewise, Muslims who take up new acts of worship (such as growing a beard or wearing hijab) might get into unpleasant situations with them. Although one should not abandon such acts of worship in order to obey one’s parents, one should still retain a good relationship with both parents and treat them kindly. Allah the Exalted has ordered us to obey our parents even if they are non-Muslims – but, once again, as long as what they ask complies with Islam. Conditions such as this require a good deal of patience and can be considered opportunities to show your parents that your newly-found beliefs have actually made you better and closer to them.

Women’s Rights in Islam

Over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam gave women rights that women in the West have only recently began to enjoy. In the 1930’s, Annie Besant observed, “It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognized the right of woman to property, while Islam has allowed this right from all times. It is a slander to say that Islam preaches that women have no souls.” ( The Life and Teachings of Mohammed, 1932).
Men and women all descended from a single person – the Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). Islam does not accept for either of them anything but justice and kind treatment.
Below are some women rights in Islam :
Equal Reward & Equal Accountability
Men and women in Islam worship Allah in the same way, meaning they worship the same God (Allah), perform the same acts of worship, follow the same scripture, and hold the same beliefs. Allah (the Arabic word for the One true God of all creation), judges all human beings fairly and equitably. Allah emphasizes the just treatment and reward due to both men and women in many verses of the Holy Book Quran :
“Allah has promised to the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.” Holy Book Quran 9:72
“Never will I allow the loss of the work of any worker amongst you, male or female; you are of one another.” Quran 3:195
These verses show that reward is dependent upon one’s actions and not one’s gender. Gender does not play any part in how a person is rewarded and judged.
Equal Right to Knowledge
Both men and women in Islam are equally encouraged to seek knowledge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Education is compulsory for every Muslim.”
Also, great female Muslim Scholars existed at and around the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Some were from his family and others were his companions or their daughters. Prominent amongst them was Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) through whom a quarter of the Islamic law has been transmitted.
Equal Right to Choose a Spouse
Women in Islam are honored by giving them the right to choose a spouse and keep their original family name once married. Additionally, many have the impression that parents force their daughters into marriage. This is a cultural practice, and has no basis in Islam. In fact, it is prohibited.
Equal yet Different
While men and women in Islam have equal rights as a general principle, the specific rights and responsibilities granted to them are not identical. Men and women have complementary rights and responsibilities.
It would be foolish to treat both genders the same and to ignore their differences. Islam teaches that men and women have complementary, yet different, roles because it is best suited to their nature. God says:
“And the male is not like the female.” Holy Book Quran 3:36
“Does not the One who created, know? And He is the Most Kind, the All Aware.” Quran 67:14
The Family Unit
God created men and women to be different, with unique roles, skills and responsibilities. These differences are not viewed as evidences of superiority or inferiority, but of specialisation. In Islam, the family is of central importance. The man is responsible for the financial well-being of the family while the woman contributes to the family’s physical, educational and emotional well-being. This encourages cooperation rather than competition. By fulfilling their mutual responsibilities, strong families are created and hence strong societies.
Lofty Positions of Mothers & Daughters
A mother has the greatest influence on a child especially in the earlier years through her affection, care and love. Undoubtedly, the success of a society is due to mothers. Therefore, it is only right for Islam to honour and raise their status.
Allah says in the Holy Book Quran:
“And we have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his Parents, His mother bears him with hardship and she brings him forth with hardship.” Quran 46:15
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was once asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who among people is most deserving of my good treatment?” He said, “Your mother.” The man asked twice more, “Then who?” and was given the same response. Only until the fourth time did the Prophet responds, “Then your father.” Reward is not only given to the good and kind treatment towards mothers. In fact, Islam has designated a special reward for raising daughters that is not granted for raising sons.
Conclusion
Before Islam, women were considered shameful, female children were buried alive, prostitution was rampant, divorce was only in the hands of the husband, inheritance was only for the strong, and oppression was widespread. Islam came and abolished these practices. Even now, in “developed countries”, women are not granted respect, dignity and honour, let alone equal pay for equal work. Islam, however, regards women as precious and valuable, not to be disrespected or disgraced. The mistreatment of women in some Middle-Eastern countries or Muslim families is due to cultural factors that some Muslims wrongly follow, not because of Islam.

The Fundamental Beliefs of Islam

Each religion has a few fundamentals that set out the system of that specific religion. The followers then guarantee that the fundamentals are kept up and saw on consistent premise to guarantee that the religion stays consistent with its unique structure and that the people have a solitary way to take after.
Like different religions, Islam likewise has its arrangement of fundamentals. The fundamental of Islam can be conveyed into two classifications. The main class of the fundamental of Islam is identified with practice that requires demonstration, while the second classification can be the fundamentals that remain as center Islamic beliefs.
The lines below discuss about core Islamic beliefs so that the readers of this post can increase their knowledge about Islam and the fundamental of Islam.
Fundamental Beliefs: 
In addition to the fundamentals that have to be practiced, there are others that comprise the belief of a Muslim. A Muslim has to believe in these fundamentals in order to have pure and complete belief. The core fundamental beliefs in which a Muslim must believe from the bottom of the heart are discussed below.
Believe In Allah: 
Firstly a Muslim has to believe in Allah as the Lord of this universe and whatever is in it. No matter whatever a Muslim says from the tongue, this belief should be instilled and engraved in the heart of a Muslim.
Believe in Angels: 
Secondly, a Muslim has to believe in angels as the creation of Allah Almighty. These angels are servants of Allah and all they do is carry out His orders and praise and worship Him.
Believe in Prophets: 
Besides Muhammad (PBUH) a Muslim has to believe in all the other Prophets that Allah Almighty sent for the guidance of mankind and give them equal respect and reverence.
Believe In Divine Books: 
Like other Prophets, a Muslim has to believe in all the other books that were revealed to those Prophets for the guidance of their nations. Therefore, in addition to the Holy Book Quran, the other divine books are also to be believed in by a Muslim.
Believe in Judgment Day: 
A Muslim is to have the belief that the Judgment day is inevitable and once it arrives, all the people will be held accountable for their deeds which they committed in this world.
Believe in Destiny: 
A Muslim must also believe that there are some things that are beyond human power and comprehension and should be regarded as elements of destiny or faith.
Believe In Resurrection: 
A Muslim must believe that there is life after death and once a person dies, he or she will rise again and the life that will be given to a person then will be the eternal life with no end.
Conclusion: 
In a nutshell, in order to be a true Muslim and complete in belief, a Muslim has to believe in and practice the core fundamental of Islam. The personification of these fundamentals can be seen in the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); therefore, every person must find guidance from His Sunnah.

Understanding Women Rights in Islam

The western media has totally altered the position and rights of women in islam. According to them Islam never talk or rather give any rights to women. They subjugate and oppress women under all circumstances but this is absolutely a vague concept which is developed and propagated by western media. Islam perhaps pays wider and greater rights to women than any other religion. Islam considers both men and women equal but not in all respects.
Islam has guaranteed fourteen hundred years ago certain women rights which western media have guaranteed only recently. Islam allowed the women right to property fourteen hundred years ago, which even the western world hasn’t for women and they allowed women right to property just 70 to 80 years ago. There are far more rights which western world just guaranteed to women, but Islam has guaranteed them fourteen hundred years ago. Thus it is pointless to say that Islam oppresses women and negate all basic rights which western media is propagating with extreme measures.
Both men and women have the same obligations, duties and rewards hereafter. Both worship Allah in the same way and perform other religious beliefs. All are judged by Allah on equal grounds. It is not that men and women will be judged differently for the same deed. The position of women can be understood from the verses of the Holy Book Quran which says that the entire Jannah lies under the feet of a mother. To be more precise this means that the entire universe is a very minor and immaterial thing when compared to a mother. In one hadith it is said that a Muslim should love his mother thrice more than his father. This means that mother is far much greater than father. In another hadith is mentioned that the rewards which a father get from rearing and educating one single girl child is equivalent to rearing and educating three boy child.
Islam never stresses women with financial obligations. Financial obligations are for men only. However, it's also not with holds women from working. If women want to work, she certainly can but her primary work is to look after the affairs of the home. She has to manage the home and children in other words entire household matter is entrusted to her. That is why women are called home maker in Islam and not house wife. It puts more homely responsibility to women but completely make free a woman from financial responsibility.
Men and women have equal rights in Islam, but their rights are not identical since both have different nature. It is utter foolishness to believe that both should be given equal rights in every respect. In some parts a men practices greater rights than women and while other a woman has greater rights than men.

Co-existence of Morals and peace in Islam

Good morals and high ethical values are the major teaching of Islam. The entire Quran talks about morals and observing them under different circumstances. Observing and practicing moral values are indeed a must in Islam. There are established conduct of morals and ethics that one need to follow under different situations. Islam ordains Muslims to be trustworthy, faithful, loyal, social, and helpful towards others and show sympathy and compassionate to the general society. Islam asks a Muslim to shun all those activities that are harmful for the society as a whole and ay greater importance to the morals in Islam. It devoid a Muslim to strictly leave all those habits that hurts others and disadvantageous for the humanity, such as backbiting, mocking, cheating and other such activities. Islam asks Muslims to be humble and well wishers or others under all circumstances. The Holy Book Quran makes compulsory for a Muslim to show love and respect towards others and it furthermore ask to be clean-hearted and fair in justice. It is not feasible according to Islamic law for a Muslim to stop communication with other Muslim for more than three days. After three days, no matter how hostile is the relation; a Muslim should converse with his or her collateral.

A Muslim should not even use abusive language or any other language that is resentful towards others. A Muslim should not defame anyone’s name such as making fun of one’s name via adding some prefix or suffix to the name. They should call each other with their names and that too in a respectful tone. During the entire life of Muhammad (peace be upon him) he asks people to be respectful and helpful towards others. He stressed Muslims to love each other and show epitome good mannerism to each other. In one of the Hadith it is mentioned that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the people who are good in manners will be the most nearer to him on the day Qiyamah. In one another hadith it is said that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said that a Muslim is not Muslim until he or she thinks exactly the ways they think about themselves. In other words muslim should think fairly about his companion Muslim.

The morals preaching of Islam covers almost every arena of life and it clearly says or directs human being on observation of moral values in different situations. In a nutshell Islam never preaches immoral values in any circumstances. Moral values are the basis to lead a good life and also to generate a good society. A good morals leads to have a good social and personal life and it is only good morals that foster a good relationship between brothers and sisters, between spouses, among parents, among friends and society at large. Therefore, Islam and Morals go hand in hand. One is inevitable without the other.

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