The Question arises why is Islam the perfect way of life? The Answer can be understood from the following:
Four blind persons were brought to an elephant. They touched it, each one at a different place. The one touching the stomach said that this was a huge round drum. The one who held the trunk said that it was a curved stick. The next, who gripped the leg, said that it was a pillar and the last one, who felt the ear, said that it was a huge leaf. Each one of them thought that what he had felt was a whole elephant, until someone who could see informed them that what they had felt collectively was the elephant and that each of them had felt one part of the whole elephant.
Similarly, many people who can see will not be able to give the correct information if they are placed in a pitch black room. The blind person's inability to give proper information is because he lacks the internal capacity to see. A person, who has sight, cannot do so if there is a lack of external light. (i.e. darkness)
From this, we understand that for correct, valid and total information to be gained, both internal and external light is essential. Similarly, two beacons are essential for spiritual guidance:
Islam recognises that intelligence will always be guided by inspiration and not vice-versa, because Deen (religion) is based on Wahi (inspiration) and not on intelligence alone. There are so many other reasons and aspects as to why Islam is the only way. For example, Islam and the family; by protecting each member of the family, Islam safeguards the family unit. This in turn makes society safe, secure and stable. A child develops emotionally, socially, mentally and physically within the family unit. Divorce is highly disapproved of and so is the intermingling of different sexes and indecent dress which reveals parts of the body and leads to illicit relationships and permissiveness. Islam classifies the role of the wife as a mother and not a female for commercial enterprise. Islam liberated the female from slavery, while the commercial world has plunged her into becoming a slave of materialism and for the satisfaction of whims and fancies of the lustful. The modern world has turned her into a commercial commodity and still demands her dedication in her role as a mother.
In non-Islamic or irreligious cultures, the equation is:
Alcohol + drugs + female nudity = illegitimate offspring + divorce + homeless children + aids
The Islamic equation for a well balanced society is:
No intermingling of sexes + no drugs + no alcohol + no female nudity = stable marriages + legitimate offspring + healthy society
Islam employs the above measures to generate the true father and true mother without the psychological health of a child being in jeopardy. Today we look at society being corrupt full of evil, where disunity fails. If Islam was implemented and practiced upon then this beautiful religion will eradicate, erase and wipe out all evil and differences in society. I will mention a few points, which if practiced upon, would inevitably lead to order within society:
(1) Prayers – Muslims are urged to pray regularly, collectively and in the Masjid. This makes the Muslim sociable. Furthermore, the following directives from Prophet Muhammad explain the importance of social harmony:
(a) “Your Imaan (faith) is not complete until you desire form others what you desire for yourself.”(2) Obedience to parents – Parents are so high in the social structure that even if they are non-Muslims, they are to be accorded with respect and mercy. They are to be obeyed in every command as long as it does not contradict the laws of Allah. The reward for looking after the aged is so great that Old Peoples Homes (Care Homes/Institututions) are not heard of in an Islamic society. How ironic is it that when they are young, active and busy they are surrounded by their families, but no sooner do they reach the age when social company becomes as precious as a breath of air, they are discarded into loneliness.
(b) “Smiling at your brother is an act of charity.”
(c) “A Muslim is a brother of a Muslim; he does not wrong him nor lets him down.”
(d) “Allah will help you if you help other brethren.”
(e) “You are not a believer if you harm your neighbour.”
Islam abhors this treatment of parents and the Aged and teaches tolerance and patience as the treatment/response for the irritations of infancy. Islam is a code of life which governs every aspect of our lives, the spiritual life, intellectual life, personal life, family life, social life, economical life, political life and international life.
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