Muslim’s Outlook on Life

‘“He is the One” Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.’

[Al-Mulk 67:2]

The philosophy of life of a muslim is simple. He should strive to do the best deeds in this world to attain peace and success in this world and in the next. This is how muslims are generally wired. They know people will be rewarded for their good deeds and punished for bad ones.

But the sad part is that people fail to realize this fact and forget to live their lives according to it. They simply run behind the mere pleasures of this world forgetting the bounty of the hereafter. Allah says,

‘I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me.’

[Ad-Dhariyat 51:56]

and if a believer understands the purpose of his life, it becomes easier for him to live in a way that is beneficial for him in both worlds.

Islam, being the religion of peace, greatly emphasizes the importance of adopting moderation in every matter of life. The sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad also emphasizes that a muslim must resfrain from being materialistic and to focus on living a life pleasing Allah.

‘And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.’

[29:64]

So, according to Islamic teachings what are the ways in which a muslim should live his life?

Living like a stranger on earth

Imagine you are travelling for a business purpose to a foreign land. When you stay in that strange new place you will eventually have new experiences yet you will miss the comfort of your home and home town. You will be treated as a foreigner and you cannot make that place your permanent abode. Similarly according to Islam we all belong to Allah and we eventually need to travel back to our actual destination, the hereafter. Consider the following Hadith.

Ibn ‘Umar (RAA) narrated, ‘Allah’s Messenger took hold of my shoulders and said, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a passerby.” Ibn ’Umar used to say, “If you are alive in the evening, do not expect to be alive till the morning and if you are alive in the morning do not expect to be alive till the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and from your life for your death.” Related by Al-Bukhari. [Kitabul Jaami’ Book

[16:34]

Having a moderate life

Islam emphasizes that a muslim should be reasonable and moderate in every matter of his life. This implies how one could maintain self-control in life to fulfill both religious and secular responsibilities.

Being grateful

This world is merely a place for tests. The moments of adversity and misery are to test the patience and level of faith of a believer. Similarly moments of pleasures are to see if a person experiencing remembers Allah during the times of happiness. All the pain one goes through for the sake of Allah will alleviate his sins in the hereafter.