In the name of Allah the most merciful the most compassionate

How to live an Islamic lifestyle (4)

From childhood to Adulthood we face many obstacles to discovering who we are, what our purpose on this earth is, and what is our responsibility and job in this world. Discovering this piece of the puzzle will help you complete the puzzle faster, it is the bulk of the puzzle. To come to know ones responsibility and more important acting on that responsibility requires more courage and bravery than any other moments in that person’s life. It is one thing to know what the right thing to do is and it is another thing to do the right thing in action. For this reason much importance has been given to the idea of what is the meaning of Islam? Compared to what the meaning of Iman? Islam simply means “submission” meaning submitting to the will of Allah (SWT) by saying verbally the declaration (shahada) of becoming a Muslim. However, when it comes to Iman (faith), it means to practice what you say in action. Moreover, we make this Dua in our daily prayers in sura al-fatiha (chapter of the opening) in the holy Quran:

اهدنا الصراط المستقيم

Guide us to the straight path[1]

Meaning that we ask Allah (SWT) after we have proclaimed the declaration of becoming a Muslim that it is also incumbent upon us to continually ask Allah (SWT) to continue to guide us on the straight path. Now one may come and ask what is the straight path? I can say that the majority of Muslims will come to a consensus and agree that the straight path includes the holy prophet and his holy progeny the holy infallibles. Moreover, when we come to the subject of living an Islamic lifestyle it is from the holy traditions that we reap lessons on how to attain faith and then maintain that faith throughout our life. Indeed, it can be a challenge trying to live a life of truth with a firm faith.

 Our dear prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states:

يأتي على الناس زمان الصابر منهم على دينه كالقابض على الجمر

“The one who is able to maintain his faith is like the one who is holding a piece of coal in his hand “[2]

In order for one to constantly keep themselves constantly in check and make sure that they are doing the right thing a few rules must be followed and kept in mind.

Firstly the Intention must be solely for the sake of gaining the pleasure of Allah (SWT). Meaning that when I exit my home I should keep Allah (SWT) in my heart and my mind I should always be thinking of gaining his pleasure and satisfaction in my actions and in my thoughts. Many self-help gurus try to apply the theory of the law of attraction suggesting that whatever we think we will attract in our reality and will come to life. The same idea could be applied in spiritual terms when we for example ask in our supplications for something from Allah (SWT) we should think that Allah (SWT) has already answered our prayers. 

 In addition to the subject of the answering our prayers, sometimes our prayers may be delayed and the reason for that action is stated in the holy Quran:

وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ

But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you.[3]

In conclusion, when we want to live an Islamic lifestyle it can come with many obstacles and barriers until we are able to actually do it by action because as we said it is one thing to declare that we are Muslims however it can be another thing to implement our faith into action as it is mentioned in the holy Quran:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds[4]

Therefore, the first step to applying our faith into action is to practice a pure intention which is to do things solely for the sake of Allah (SWT).