Islam.. a Religion and Way of Life, for Muslims

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May Hiss Peace and Blessings be upon our Holy Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions, and upon all those who follow his guided path, at all times.

There’s no doubt about the fact that Islam is a religion, as it is also a complete way of life. If Islam is a religion, this means it is solely for Muslims (its followers) in its teachings and regulations. In that case, it is not a way of life; how can it be a way of life, since a way of life is expected –to some people- to be for mankind rather than for a particular group of people (Muslims)?

One can easily notice that in the Holy Qur’an, Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, addresses His servants (mankind) with “Oh mankind!”, sometimes, and with “Oh those who believe!” some other times. How do we conciliate between these two different approaches used in the Holy Qur’an?

In the Qur’an, when “Oh mankind!” is mentioned, Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, draws the attention of mankind to a common reality, regardless of their differences in belief, and regardless of whether or not, they will accept the truth that is presented. Some of such, mostly, reveal a common reality and emphasize the oneness of Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, the truth of the prophecy of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, salla Alalhu ‘alaihi wasallam, creations, differences in languages, races, nations and cultures; differences in time, day and night, winter and summer, rain and dry; and etc.

Examples of some common reality which Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, draws the attention of mankind to are the following:

1. “O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become the pious. Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur’an) to Our slave (Muhammad Peace be upon him), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful” [Al-Baqarah: 21-23].
2. “O mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) with the truth from your Lord, so believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise” [Surah Al-Nisa: 170].
3. “O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily! We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge i.e. offspring of Adam), then from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then from a little lump of flesh,— some formed and some unformed (as in the case of miscarriage), that We may make (it) clear to you (i.e. to show you Our Power and Ability to do what We will).  And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (give you growth) that you may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).”[Surah Al-Hajj: 5]
4. “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqûn. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [Surah Al-Hujurat: 13]

So, when Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, addresses His servants by “Oh mankind” it does not make everyone who listens a Muslim until he believes in Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, and obeys His orders. That is why it is not anyone who can fluently read the Qur’an is a Muslim until he declares openly his ‘Shahadah’ which entitles him to be a Muslim. Anyone who perfects the actions of salat without prior ‘Shahadah’ is just performing aerobics, and hence, cannot be regarded as a Muslim. And he/she is not obliged to the various commandments of Islam. The logic here is that, many non-Muslims, although they are not Muslims, agree with what have been revealed in the Qur’an with regards the realities and truths mentioned in the above verses of the Qur’an.

When Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, addresses Muslims in the Qur’an with “Oh those who believe!”, we can notice that such kind of approaches in the Qur’an are followed with orders, teachings, explanations and hence, obligations. Such orders and instructions include Faith in Him, subhanahu wata'aalaa, Solat (the prayers), fasting, Hajj (the Pilgrimage), obedience and etc.

And the logic here is that, the one who believes you, trusts and loves you is the one who will follow your instructions and obey your orders, and hence, they deserve to be addressed with the “Oh those who believe!” approach.

Examples of such orders and instructions that comes with “Oh those who believe!” are the following:

1. “O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salât (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sâbirun (the patient.)” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 153].
2. “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 183].
3. “O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations. Lawful to you (for food) are all the beasts of cattle except that which will be announced to you (herein), game (also) being unlawful when you assume Ihrâm for Hajj or ‘Umrah (pilgrimage). Verily, Allah commands that which He wills. O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded people or animals, and others nor the people coming to the Sacred House (Makkah), seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you finish the Ihrâm (of Hajj or ‘Umrah), you may hunt, and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid-Al-Harâm (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.” [Surah Al-Maidah: 1-2]
4. “O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands.[] Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be thankful.” [Surah Al-Maidah: 6]
5. “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), That is better for you if you did but know!” [Surah Al-Jumu'ah: 9]
6. “O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?” [Surah Al-Saff: 2]

Islam is a religion; a religion for Muslims in its teachings and commandments. “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût (Evil) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” [Al-Baqarah: 256]. ‘Muslim’ here refers to believers of all times, those who believed and obeyed the Prophets and Messengers of their respective times, and did not deny or reject any of the Prophets and Messengers of other times. “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.” [Surah Aal-Imran: 19]. That’s why when a Muslim commits crime in Islamic state, he’s supposed to be punished according to Islamic rulings. When he passes away, he’s buried according to Islamic teachings. Same thing applies to his marriage, distribution of wealth after death, and etc. So it shouldn’t be a surprise when the zakat that are paid by Muslims is distributed among Muslims or given to Muslims.

Although Islam is a way of life for Muslims, anyone who wishes to live a life with full of happiness will find the Islamic way of life the best for him.

It is also important for us remember that, even non-Muslims are addressed particularly in many occasions, in the Qur’an.

1. “Say (O Muhammad SAW): “O you Jews! If you pretend that you are friends of Allah, to the exclusion of (all) other mankind, then long for death if you are truthful.” [Surah Al-Jumu’ah: 6]
2. “O people of the Scripture! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah Īsā (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word, (“Be!” – and he was) which He bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rûh) created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not: “Three (trinity)!” Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allah is (the only) One Ilâh (God), glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is All¬Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.” [Surah Al-Nisa: 171]
3. “O people of the Scripture! (Jews and Christians): “Why do you disbelieve in the Ayât of Allâh, [the Verses about Prophet Muhammad SAW present in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] while you (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth).” O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): “Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?” [Surah Aal-Imran: 70-71]

May Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, accept and our intentions before our deeds. And may He, subhanahu wata'aalaa, guide us through righteous deeds, and fill our hearts with His Love. Ameen.

Allah knows best. Allahu Hafiz 🙂