How Islam is A Complete Code of Life?
The claim of Muslims that Islam is the complete code of life is not merely a false or shallow claim, rather from reading the ayahs of Quran and the knowing traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) give this claim a strong and provable groundings on the bases of which a Muslim can follow Islam and its instructions without any doubt.
The prime focus of Islam is to make sure that maximum of its followers rest in heavens in the afterlife. However, in order to do so, the followers have to live this life according to the instructions of Islam and follow the path of righteousness. Unlike other religions, the path of righteousness is not related to religious traditions and obligations only, rather righteousness is to be observed in every aspect of life and this is why Islam gives proper instructions to live life.
Before moving on to explaining how Islam gives complete code of life by giving some examples, the need is to understand the essence of being righteous or doing right deeds in this world. In Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“Say: ‘Truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. No partner has He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit to His Will.” (6:162-163)
From the ayah in can be deduced that one of the prime purposes of human life is to submit to the Will of Allah. Now the question that arises is that how can a Muslim know the will of Allah or what it is as a whole? This is what gives the answer to the complete code of life, as Allah Almighty has given His will with regards to the way Muslims must live life, so that it is according to His will and the Muslims could be rewarded consequently. Regarding this Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never (fail).” (41:8)
Therefore, the prime reason behind Allah Almighty giving a complete code of life is the fact that there should be no area in the life of a Muslim that does not have any instructions, and by following those instructions in life Muslim actually submits to the Will of Allah, which pleases Him and He then rewards a better world to the Muslims in the world Hereafter.
The lines below give some examples of Islam being complete code of life by highlighting the instructions related to different walks of life.
Honesty in Trading:
Islam does not emphasize upon the religious life of a person only, rather it commends the followers to be honest in every walk of life, especially when it comes to trading in the form of buying and selling. In Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witness to fair dealing, and let not hatred of others make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (5:8)
Therefore, from this ayah, it is clear that Islam wants Muslims to be just and be fair in their dealings. Further to that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of His hadiths:
“”The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they par; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost.” (Bukhari)
Therefore, pertaining to conduction of trade, Islam has given forward its rules and for a Muslim to be successful in this life and the one hereafter it is imperative to follow these rules.
Weighing And Measuring In Business:
In addition to honesty in business, Islam also wants the followers to be fair especially when it comes to weighing and measuring the goods in business. Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even balance. That is the best (way) and best in result.” (17:35)
Thus, Islam wants the followers to be just in dealing and whenever it comes to weighing or measuring goods for selling and buying purposes, one needs to be fair and just in that occupation as well.
Condemnation of Bribery:
Another evil for which the societies of the world today have laid down laws and regulations is bribery. It is abhorred in all societies, however, for them it is purely a matter of legal pursuit. On the other hand, Islam does not let bribery go out of the reach of the religion, and condemns it in the religious manner so that Muslims wont fall prey to it. Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it (in bribery) to the rulers in order that (they might aid) you (to) consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know (it is unlawful).” (2:188)
This ayah explicitly forbids the act of bribery and regards it as a sin. Therefore, for people of other religion and societies, bribery might be against the law, however, for Muslims, bribery is against the religion.
Avoiding Hoarding:
Another aspect of life that Islam gives clear instructions about is hoarding of money, which primarily happens because of either a person wishing to achieve monopoly or out of sheer miserliness. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in this regard in the following way:
“Do not withhold your money by counting it, (for if you did so), Allah would also withhold His blessings from you.” (Bukhari)
Paying Wages On Time:
Hiring labor is a daily life activity, which everyone of us does in one form or another. Regarding hiring of labor and their wages, Islam instructs the followers to pay the wages of the labor on time without any delay so that they get their right on immediate bases. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in this regard:
“Allah says: ‘I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection: One who makes covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous; One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price; and One who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.” (Bukhari)
Therefore, where in other societies of the world taking wages on time is the right of the labor, Islam makes it a religious obligation.
Avoiding Fighting And Crimes:
Islam is strictly against all kinds of crimes in general and murder in particular. In Islam, murder is one of the worst evils that a person can commit, and the graveness of it increases even further when it takes place between two Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in this regard:
“When two Muslims fight (meet) each other with their swords, both the murderer as well as the murdered will go to Hell-fire.” It was said: “O Allah’s Messenger! It is all right for the murderer but what about the murdered? Allah’s Messenger replied: “He surely had the intentions to kill his companion.” (Bukhari)
Therefore, killing is one of the gravest sins that guarantees life in hell for both the people involved in pursuit of the deed.
Peace:
Where people in different societies of the world are laying down rules and regulations to ensure peace, Islam gives the need for peace as a religious and moral instruction. Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah; for Allah loves not those who do wrong.” (42:40)
Therefore, Islam does not encourage violence, rather it wants its followers to be peaceful and forgiving to ensure a society where love prevails.
Kindness Towards All:
Above all the one thing that Islam preaches to its followers the most is kindness towards others. Islam wants the followers to be peaceful and live a life where they are kind towards the others and respect and care for each other. Regarding this, Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“…..Treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and ophans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and give Zakaah.” (2:83)
Thus, one ought to be kind towards all if one is a true Muslim. Other societies of the world that work on preaching ethics to people, Islam makes kindness a part of religion. Moreover, besides kindness in general, Allah has given the rights to women which the women of west have come to gain not more than a century ago. Regarding the rights of women, Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity if you take a disliking to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.” (4:19)
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, there is no matter of life about which Islam has not spoken either in the form of verses of Quran or in the form of traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Therefore, whenever there is guidance required by a Muslim regarding any aspect of life, he or she must consult both these resources before going for any other book or worldly rule.