THE ISLAMIC WAY OF LIFE

WORSHIP Observing a set of rituals is not Ibadah, or worship. It is a profound religious experience. It is the physical and spiritual expression of the human personality at a higher plane of consciousness. Addressing man, the Quran says, “Prostrate yourself in adoration and bring yourself closer (to God)” (THE QURAN 96: 19). The Prophet Muhammad was once asked ‘What is the essence of Ibadah?’ He replied: ‘The worship of God as though you are seeing Him. Or if you are not seeing Him, He is seeing you.’ There are two kinds of worship in Islam. The first is prescribed at specified times—these include the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramazan and pilgrimage or Hajj. These forms of devotion are among what are called the ‘pillars of Islam’. Other forms of worship are dhikr and fikr (THE QURAN 3: 191), which is to remember God with feelings of fear and love. This is to activate the human soul and see God’s signs in everything in one’s daily life. This is obligatory for every Muslim at all times. MORALITY What is morality? It is to lead life according to the teachings of Islam. The essence of Islamic morality is stated in a Hadith: “Behave with others as you would like them to behave towards you” (Al-Bukhari). By nature, everyone is aware of the sort of conduct one approves and disapproves. Following this generally accepted moral criterion in relation to others is essentially Islamic morality. Islam differentiates between social manners and social character. Social manners are based on the principle ‘Do as they do’. But Islamic morality is based on the formula of unilateral and unconditional positive conduct: ‘Do good to others, even if they do not.’ Being good to others is evidence that one is also good in relation to God. The Quran portrays Muslims as individuals who ‘repel evil with good’ (28: 54). Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad advised a Muslim to ‘do good to those who harm him’ (at-Tirmidhi). The Prophet Muhammad was the embodiment of the finest moral character. Addressing the Prophet, the Quran declares: ‘Surely you have a sublime character’. (68: 4) The task of enjoining good and forbidding evil has to be performed with utmost gentleness and well-wishing, not with harshness and violence.