Daily Reflections

Learning from the life of Prophet Muhammad

Since Prophet Muhammad is the best model for whole of humanity, his words and actions are for us to follow. Recently, after a little study of a book mentioning the times and ways of Prophet Muhammad, I noticed that two things must be made a part of character:

1. Pacts should be written down so as to make them binding.

2. Decision of majority of the concerned person of a party precede the opinion of the leader. Many-a-time did Prophet (may peace be upon him) acted upon this principle. He surrendered before the will of his people in worldly matters.
Economic philosophy of Islam

There are some principles on which the economic life of a Muslims revolve markedly different from the principles of other systems, say capitalism - a Muslim is unique in his identity as this is just a manifestation of the very principle of Tawhid (that God is one and that there is nothing like Him, see surah Ikhlas):

Firstly, wealth/money is not the purpose or end-goal of life, but it can be used to succeed in the life after death.

Secondly, "The life of this world is but comfort of illusion." (Quran) And that the real life is the life of hereafter, which is eternal. What matter are good deeds in the way of Allah.

(Adopted from a booklet by Dr. M. Islam, "Ghulami say Nijat ka Wahid Zariya".)

Is secularism compatible with Islam (at all)?

This is a very simple question. According to Wikipedia, "Secularism is the assertion that governmental practices or institutions should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs." Therefore, God and His voice/message no more are seen to be commanding on earth, only human spirits reign. This is done even by some of those (who while hiding truth) accept Him as the Lord of heavens, but deny Him access to their matters on earth. Whereas a Muslim is bound to accept God not only as the Lord of heavens but that of earth as well. He, being a slave of Him, must give Him the authority to rule, as Quran states:

O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination. (Surah An-Nisa, verse # 59)

Since Islamic shari'ah covers every aspect of human life, it becomes compulsory for a Muslim to obey the commands of His Creator and Sustainer in all aspects of his life. Only then will he may be able to answer rightly in grave as to "what is your religion?" which is only possible if he has tried to implement completely his religion in his life.

God knows best!