What is Islam?
The word Islam is an Arabic word that carries a load of meanings. The main two
are submission and peace. Submission: Total submission to and acceptance of the
One and Only God (Allah) and His will. Peace: Inner peace (peace with oneself),
peace with the Creator, as well as peace with all creations. It is through the
total submission to the will of God that one reaches this form of peace. A
Muslim is a person who believes in Allah as the One and Only God and in
Muhammad as his last Prophet and Messenger.
Relationship between God and Human:
The human, like all of Allah's creations, is in a state of total submission
(Islam) to the will of Allah. The difference between humans and other
creations, however, is that we have been given the ability to choose. When our
minds submit to Allah, then we would have completely submitted to Allah, and we
would be referred to as "Muslims." At this level of total and complete
submission, the relationship between Allah and the human is one of a complete
peace. It is an Islamic characteristic to have complete obedience to Allah and
acceptance of His will and commands. It is also an Islamic characteristic to
acquire a unique feeling of satisfaction, fulfillment, and content as a result
of this obedience and acceptance.
The relationship between Allah and us humans in Islam is a direct one, with no
mediators. In this direct relationship, we recognize that there is no other
party that can help, give, take, support, provide, or grant forgiveness but
Allah. In such a direct relationship, we do not associate any other deities
with Allah. Moreover, our faith and submission to Allah become complete and
pure.
Islam teaches that all humans are born sinless. We are only responsible for the
sins we commit intentionally. Recognizing our human nature, Allah the Most
Merciful, accepts our sincere repentance and forgives our sins.
Islam also teaches that true belief and righteous deeds are two key elements
for one to attain Allah's pleasure and satisfaction. It takes both elements to
establish healthy individuals and healthy societies.
It is a fundamental Islamic belief that we were created to serve (worship)
Allah. Allah has entrusted us with the great responsibility of being His
deputies and representatives on this earth. As He entrusted us with our lives,
our physical beings, our wealth, and our families, He also entrusted us with
our communities, our environment, and our earth. It is our responsibility to
care for and maintain that trust. Carrying on this responsibility is part of
serving and worshipping Allah. It the sincerity of the Muslim's worship that
gives it its effectiveness and usefulness. Islam teaches us to worship Allah as
if we were able to see Him, since although we do not see Him, He sees us.
Muslims believe the life on this earth is only a transition period that
precedes the latter life. Winning the latter life is the goal of every Muslim.
This is achieved through gaining Allah's satisfaction through believing in Him
and following His commands and prescriptions. The reward for those who gain
Allah's satisfaction and forgiveness is Heaven, and that for those who strayed
is Hell. Muslims are advised by Prophet Muhammad to work for this life as if we
are living forever, and work for the latter life as if we are dying tomorrow.
This saying highlights the balance that Muslims are to work towards achieving
in their life on earth.
Islam is a Way of Life:
Islam is a religion for both the individuals and the communities (including
that of the whole world). The teachings of Islam do not separate religion from
human affairs. Politics, economics, law, and all other aspects of human affairs
are integrated into one system of worship to Allah. Islam provides both the
individual and the state with a comprehensive "constitution." Through this
constitution, ethics, righteousness, legitimacy, correctness, and similar
fundamentals are well defined and are not left to individuals to experiment
with or differ about. Having been legislated by Allah, the Creator of this
world, Muslims believe that the Islamic way of life is the most suitable one
for us to follow.
In an Islamic community, the family system is very strong.
Family ties and closeness are not limited to the parents and the children, they
extend to include all relatives of different degrees. Neighbors and friends
play an important role in the family system. People do not interfere in each
other's affairs, rather, counseling and advising within the Islamic frame
constitute the basis of this closeness and relationship. As a result, the whole
community, even the whole nation, becomes like one big family. With such
attitude the elderly, the orphans, the disabled, or the needy (if there is any)
do not face starvation, homelessness, or similar forms of suffering.
When members of the family, neighbors, or friend's circle grow old, they are
looked upon as valuable members whom you can turn to for advice and council.
When they get sick, or they lose their ability to care for themselves, they are
surrounded by a younger and more able generation who take the responsibility of
care for them. Care is provided with love and courtesy as to make them feel
wanted. The belief within, that it is a phase of life that we will all
experience, and that each has a responsibility and a role to play, highlights
the spirit of this love and courtesy. No one feels that he is burdened by this
older person and his needs. On the contrary, close people often challenge their
limited resources and their finite will to make sure that a terminally ill
person spends his last days in peace and in satisfaction. The motive is always
seeking the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah.
Islam demands that children care for their aging parents. "Your Lord has
decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether
one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of
contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of
kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: My Lord, bestow on them
thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." This is taken from the
translation of the meaning of the Holy Qur'an, 17:23-24.
Muslim's view of Life
Muslims consider themselves on a mission in this earth, and we are committed to
this mission by our belief in our Creator. We have responsibilities to fulfill
and we have trusts that we must maintain. One main trust that each of us has to
take seriously is the commitment to life. It is our responsibility to care for
life in all possible ways:
Physically by keeping our selves as well as others out of dangers, and by
caring for health and fitness.
Spiritually by maintaining our faith. Worshipping Allah sincerely is guaranteed
to purify the soul and to secure spiritual tranquillity and satisfaction.
The Sacredness ofLife
Islam has made human life sacred and has safeguarded its preservation.
According to its teachings, aggression against human life is the second
greatest sin in the sight of Allah, second only to denial of Him. The Qur'an
declares, "..If anyone kills a person for any reason other than for (the
killing of) a person or for sowing corruption in the land, it will be as if he
had killed the whole of mankind." (5:32)
"It is not permissible for the Muslim to frighten his brother." The sin of
murder is not limited to the murderer alone. Each individual who participated
in this crime, by deed, or by word, will be the recipient of Allah's punishment
in proportion to his share in it. Even a person who happened to be at the scene
of the murder will receive a share of the sin for not defending the victim.
Suicide
Whatever applies to the crime of murder likewise applies to committing suicide.
Whoever take his life by any means whatsoever has unjustly taken a life which
Allah has made sacred. For since he did not create himself, not even so much as
a single cell of his body, the life of an individual does not belong to him; it
is a trust given to him by Allah. He is not allowed to diminish it, let alone
to harm or destroy it.
The Islamic teachings require the Muslim to be resolute in facing hardships; he
is not permitted to give up and to run away from the hardships of life when a
tragedy befalls or some of his hopes are dashed. Indeed, the believer is
created for striving, not for sitting idle; for combat, not for escape. His
faith and character do not permit him to run away from the battlefield of life,
and he possesses a weapon that never fails and ammunition that is never
exhausted: the weapon of his unshakable faith and the ammunition of his moral
steadfastness.
Our duration here on this earth is not for us to determine or control. A Muslim
believes that he has no right neither does he have the power to determine his
nor any body else's time to die. Our lives belong to the creator, and we can
neither shorten it nor prolong it. Although it might appear that a person
committing suicide is ending his own life or that a rescue squad or a medical
treatment has prolonged a person's life, it is a basic Islamic belief that a
person's life ends only when Allah decides for it to end.
Can we end the suffering..?
A controversial discussion is taking place nowadays in this and other countries
of the world related to the right of individuals to end a life under certain
circumstances. This is a critical issue in particular in our days with many
cases of terminally ill individuals where the person, his family, or the doctor
need to take a decision related to medical treatments and when to "pull the
plug." In Islam, this controversy is looked upon in the light of three basic
criteria:
We must do our best to maintain the trust given to us by Allah as he gave us
life. We must do our best to maintain life.
Doing our best in maintaining life is within the limits of knowledge and
financial resources.
We have to ensure that whatever we do does not introduce unbearable pain or
suffering to the human in consideration.
In other words, if an affordable medical treatment is available, it must be
administered to the patient provided it does not expose the patient to unusual
pains and suffering. On the other hand, using devices or drugs aimed at ending
a person's life is not allowed in Islam no matter how much is the illness or
the suffering.
Emotional factors should not be used in making the treatment decision since
belief in the Will and Mercy of Allah should provide the patient, his family,
and his friends with the needed support. Muslims look upon such hardships as
tests from Allah. Patience, persistence, and hope in Allah's Mercy not only are
prescribed for the patient and his family and friends but also are better
rewarded by Allah.
Treatment decisions are typically discussed between the doctor and the
immediate family members. The doctor is trusted to have the scientific medical
knowledge. An Islamic rule which is relevant to state here is that as long as
the efforts are sincere and the intentions are to abide by the Islamic rules
and follow the commands of Allah, no one is held responsible for the results.
No one is asked to do things beyond his true means and his true abilities.
In summary, knowing that every single one will die when Allah wills him to die,
we all are asked to only do our best, within the Islamic regulations, in
whatever treatment decisions we take.
Death:
When death approaches, the close family and friends try to support and comfort
the dying person through supplication as well as remembrance of Allah and His
will. The attendance is to help the dying person to iterate his commitment to
unity of God.
Upon death, the eye lids are to be closed, the body should be covered, and
preparation for burial takes place as soon as possible. The whole body is
washed and wrapped in a shroud. Muslims gather and a prayer is performed for
the dead. The body is to buried soon after the prayer. The wrapped body is to
be laid directly at the bottom of the dug grave. The body is to be laid on its
right side facing the direction of Makkah. A ceiling is attached to the grave
and then covered with dirt. The grave is to be marked by raising its top level
of dirt above surrounding grounds. A stone may be used to mark its location,
but no writings are allowed. Buildings or other forms of structures are not
allowed on top of the grave.
The family of the dead has a responsibility to fulfill any debts he had as soon
as possible. They have the commitment to maintain contacts and courteous
relationships with close relatives and close friends. They frequently pray and
supplicate for him. Charity, fasting, prayers, and pilgrimage is often
performed on behalf of the dead. Visiting the graves is recommended for the
living to remember death and the day of judgment.
