GUIDANCE FOR LIFE IN ISLAM

from this perspective, the idea of Islam being a complete system of life produces counter-productive results. Such an interpretation of Islam can only foster an atmosphere of hatred and violence. The notion that Islam is a complete and comprehensive religious system is quite famous among present-day Muslims. Apparently, this interpretation presents Islam as a complete religion, however, the truth is that it is an incomplete interpretation of Islam. This is because according to this interpretation, Islam is reduced to a kind of a manual. Even if a manual were considered comprehensive, it can, by its very nature, take into consideration only a partial aspect of a human being. A manual can be complete only for a robot, not a human being. This is because a human being is essentially a thinking animal. Any kind of manual can serve to fulfil only the physical needs of a human being, however, the greater intellectual aspect of a human being can never be encompassed in a manual. Islam: A Continuous Thinking Process Islam is not complete in the sense of a manual on paper, but rather it is complete when it is understood as a continuous thinking process. True Islam is one that creates an intellectual storm in the mind of a person and thus initiates a continuous thinking process. Such an understanding of religion develops creativity through which one is able to discover novel aspects of God’s wisdom and understand the higher realities of life. In every experience or observation that one has, one is able to extract divine food for oneself. Two verses from Chapter 3 of the Quran are helpful in illustrating the above point. This passage describes those who reflect on and ponder over the world around them: “There are signs in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day for people of understanding; who remember God while standing, sitting and [lying] on their sides, and who ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth, saying, ‘Lord, You have not created all this without purpose. Glory be to You! Save us from the torment of the Fire.’ (3: 190-91). Here believers are defined as “people of understanding”. These are the people of faith who engage in reflection and contemplation of the world and the universe. They are thus able to discover God’s According to the creation plan, God has bestowed full freedom to man. Every human being has been given the opportunity to think as one chooses and to act accordingly. This divine scheme of things necessarily demands that every person enjoys full freedom.