To Christians With Love

To Christians With Love

Based on the lectures delivered by
Dr. Israr Ahmad

Rendered into English by
Dr. Ahmed Afzaal

Publishers
Markazi Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Qur’an, Lahore

Source: (Book) 'To Christians With Love' by Dr Israr Ahmad

The Muslim's Perspective of Worldly Life

(Speech was delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at the Islamic Center Of Raleigh, N. C., on August 12,1988)

 

Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Imran, (verse 14) what can be translated as, "Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring, and stored-up heaps of gold and silver (wealth), and horses branded (with their marks), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah has excellent Return with Him."

Also Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Hadid, (verse 20) what can be translated as, "Know that the life of this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller, but afterward it dries up and they see it turning yellow, then it become straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion."

The forgoing is referring to the worldly life as described through verses of the Qur’an and all people, believers and non-believers alike, experience this life through possessing its goods and encountering its lusts and vanities. Then they turn away from its pleasures. 

However, there is a major difference between a Muslim and non-Muslims in coping with this life and all that it encompasses. This difference is due to a difference in Creed (belief system), which is instilled within each of them. Each Creed shapes its bearer through its system of views, effects, and restraints.

The main goal of a non-believer or infidel, in this life, is to attain the highest degree of its goods (or material wealth), lusts, and vanities-without limitation or restraint, and there is no goal for life in the hereafter. Moreover, there is forgetfulness of the hereafter, or it is denied. 

Allah Has spoken of this type of people in surat Al-Baqarah, (verse 200) what can be translated as, "But of Mankind is he who says: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world," and he has no portion in the hereafter."
 

The goal of a Muslim, however, is the lasting eternal life of the hereafter, and his main concern is in achieving Allah’s pleasure and collecting the rewards of the hereafter, thereby, attaining the highest levels of eternal paradise, and towards this aim, he does not refuse or neglect this worldly life (with its chattels, and goods), but, at the same time, he does not make it his main objective. He enjoys it within the limitations that, thereby, attaining both the goods of this life and the Hereafter. 

Allah Has prescribed for him in surat Al-Baqarah, (verse 201) what can be translated as, "Of them (also) is he who says: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter, that which is good, and guard us from the doom of fire."
 
The distinguishing feature of Muslims in this life is the advise offered in the Qur’an in surat Al Qasas, (verse 77) what can be translated as, "But seek with that (wealth) Allah has bestowed on you, the hear after, and do not forgot your portion of legal enjoyment in this world"

Additionally, a Muslim has restraints in this life which are those limitations prescribed by Allah, and which, thereof, he may not exceed .The duration of time, in which a Muslim has to spend in this life, is merely a duration of testing and examination. 

The prophet (S.A.W.) addressing us in hadith reported by Imam Muslim "This life is a fair meadow, which Allah has appointed you to, watchful of your deed, so seek immunity from the temptations of this life and that of women, since the first temptation for the children of Israel was women."

Currency or money comes from this life, and a Muslim is one who earned it from permissible sources and he used it for the right causes as Allah had commanded us to do.
So are women, and a Muslim is one who balances his relationship with them within the limitations prescribed by Allah (S.W.T.). 

Children are from this worldly life, and a Muslims love for them never outweighs that for Allah and his prophet. Raising them in an Islamic way of life should be every Muslims main priority.

Horses, cattle, and other means of transportation are from this life, and a Muslim is one who fulfills Allah’s right with them, using these means in ways that please Allah (S.W.T.).
Ownership of land and its cultivation are from this life, and a Muslim acquires this only through lawful routes, giving Allah’s rights in it, and does not deal in it, thereof, except within the limits that Allah had allowed.

Sports and amusements are from this life, and in this a Muslim never exceeds what Allah (S.W.T.) Has limited us to. Ornamentation and beautification are from this life, and a Muslim uses that within the allowable limits around the issues enumerated by the previous verse about the possessions of this worldly life. 

The Imam ( Inshaa-Allah) will elaborated on the limits set by Allah (S.W.T.) regarding all of the foregoing and the Muslims position with them.
It is of major concern that we not overlook the reality of being Muslims, nor to forget our obligation towards this deen or way of life, and that this obligation imposes upon us restraints and limits, which are not adhered to by non- Muslims. 
 

We live within a society that differs from our way of life in all aspects, from its creed, philosophy, and various endeavors, to its customs and manners, It is incumbent upon us as Muslims to realize that we have a different belief system that we should adhere to, and that we should not adopt as an example of character, the way of life of this society.

Furthermore, it must be clear to us that, what is permissible within this society, in terms of lawful and unlawful acts, may go beyond the bounds of Islam. We must understand that not everything allowed in this society is allowable for the Muslims. It does not mean that, because this society has prospered materially and made scientific advancements, that we should adopt its customs or way of life, which are degenerative and suppressive to spiritual growth. 

Its doctrines and philosophies, which are based on a different belief system, uphold unlawful acts, which conflict with that which Allah (S.W.T.) has prescribed for the Muslims. Being Muslims is to profess that there is no God but Allah (S.W.T.) and that Muhammad is His prophet, the simplest implication, of which is the requirement of surrendering and yielding to the Legislation of Allah (S.W.T.), and any other deed leading to the acceptance of any other Legislator, be it directly or otherwise, jeopardizes the Muslim.