Man has been created in the best form of all living things on earth, and is therefore urged to utilize the resources on earth with great care and responsibility. As life in the next world depends on his actions in this world, he should view all his actions as a mode of worship of Allah. In this regard, all his actions should benefit him and other people.

The Islamic guidance, as given in the Qur’an and the Hadith, is meant to enable man to start out in the right direction in all his social actions, economic endeavors, and intellectual pursuits and to cultivate a personality that is totally Islamic.  Allah characterizes Muslims who have been guided thus as “Those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish shalat, pay zakat, enjoin good, and forbid evil.” (Qur’an 22: 41)

In order to fully understand the need for the Muslim youth to possess a dynamic Islamic personality, he has to be fully aware of the beauty and dynamism of Islam and Allah’s purpose in creating human beings. He must also properly understand the crucial role of Islam in human development and nation-building to enable him to assume his role as a dynamic practicing Muslim.

Islam is a dynamic and practical religion that integrates both worldly and spiritual considerations in a Muslim’s life. It wants a Muslim to be guided by ethical considerations in everything he does in his life. A Muslim, be he a laborer, a salesperson, a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer, has to have a personality that radiates and shines, reflecting the source from which it originates – Islam.

Islam is an excellent way of life, the highest method of gracious living. Islam was revealed by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) over 23 years from the year 610 as the final stage or completion of Allah’s religion for mankind. These revelations are contained intact in the Qur’an, a miracle by itself in many aspects, including its formation, contents, and freedom from interpolation. Indeed, when his followers asked the Prophet what his miracle was, the Prophet said his miracle was the Qur’an, a tangible miracle existing right to this day and available in the homes of Muslims.

Islam is a complete system that provides a new concept of human life, a system based on the foundation of submission to Allah, the Creator of the world (Al-Fatihah: 2). It provides comprehensive guidance in spiritual and social matters with form rules and regulations on everyday issues such as hygiene, diet, education, the roles of men and women, positive work attitude as well as life after death.

A logical religion, Islam looks at every issue from a realistic and practical point of view. Indeed, it is a thinking religion and encourages its followers to think. For instance, Islam says that all newly-born babies, even those of non-Muslim parents, are pure and sinless. There is no inherited sin. Islam teaches Muslims never to entertain taboos based on ignorance, superstition, traditions, and customs. It encourages them to be active in worldly affairs and contribute to the well-being of life.

Among the notable characteristics of Islam is that it guarantees freedom of belief. Allah (SWT) said: “There is no compulsion in the Faith.” (Al-Qur’an2: 256). Allah (SWT) adds: “If it had been your Lord’s will, they would have believed – all who are on earth.” (Al-Qur’an 10: 99). Allah (SWT) did not make every human being a believer, without a choice, like the angels. Even the Prophet (SAW) was not allowed by Allah to compel people to become Muslims. Instead, Allah commanded the Prophet (SAW) to invite people to Islam with wisdom and kindness. Allah (SWT) said: “{O’ Prophet} call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way.” (Al-Qur’an 16: 125).

Hence, in the course of his 23 years of Apostolic mission, the Prophet did not compel a single individual to accept Islam against his own will, not even his own uncle and guardian, Abu Talib, who was never formally converted to Islam. Allah (SWT) advised the Prophet (SAW) to tell those who wished to carry on with their religions, thus: “You have your faith and I have my faith.” (Al-Qur’an 109: 6).

People were and are attracted to Islam because of its beauty, rationality, and dynamism as well as because of the personality of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

(To be continued)

by Shaikh A. Kadir