Benefits of the Islamic Way of Life

The Islamic way of life is indeed one that will achieve for its follower’s true happiness, on the condition that one follows its commandments and refrains from its prohibitions. One is not deprived by the commandments of Islam. On the contrary, it is a divine system of law given to us by the Creator of man. He knows best what will benefit us in this world. Let us view some of these commandments and see whether or not they are beneficial.

• Usury:

  God, Almighty, says: (O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you are sincerely believers.)
  (2:278)

  Almost everyone knows that interest is a form of injustice through which the rich consume the wealth of the poor. In short, it is a disgusting form of greed that exploits the weaknesses of people. From an economical perspective, it places wealth in the hands of a few. Many non-Muslims have spoken out against this system and have confirmed its flaws.

• Fornication and Adultery:

  Whoever lives in Western society will know full well the grave dangers that pertain to sexual freedom. The dangers include a number of sexually transmitted diseases that have sadly become quite widespread. God, the Exalted, says: (And do not approach fornication and adultery. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.)
  (17:32)

  The Prophet (s) said: “If fornication and adultery become widespread among a people, diseases will spread amongst them that were not known in previous generations.”
  (Ibn Majah)

• Drinking Alcohol:

  The dangers of alcohol have been affirmed by modern medicine. God, Almighty, says: (O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?)
  (5:90-1)

  There are a number of medical reasons for the prohibition of the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year as a result of it. A few of the alcohol related illnesses are:

  • Liver failure.
  • Various forms of cancer.
  • Esophagitis, gastritis, pancreatitis and hepatitis.
  • Cardiomyopathy.
  • Seizures.
  • Brain damage and dementia.
  • Anemia, jaundice and blood abnormalities.
  • During pregnancy, alcohol consumption.
  • has a detrimental effect on the fetus.

• Castigatory laws:

  God, Almighty, says: (And there is for you, in legal retribution, [the saving of] life, O people of understanding, that you may become righteous.)
  (2:179)

  God, Almighty, has most certainly told the truth. When castigatory punishments are implemented, it would save people’s lives and protect society at large. It would also protect people’s wealth and honor.

  In order for any system to be successful, there must be an influential power to support it. People would freely go through red lights if no system were in place to punish those who do so. People would steal if no deterrent was present. In short, there must be an influential power supporting the system. If no such power is present, chaos will become widespread.

  Applying castigatory law is nothing new; it is common amongst previous divine systems of law. God, the All-Wise, says: (And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust].)
  (5:45)

  The question arises of which form of castigatory punishment is more effective in alleviating crime in society. Are the divine castigatory laws handed down by the Creator above those found within man-made systems of law? Man-made laws give more priority to the oppressor than to the oppressed. They can be easily interpreted and one can be saved from the punishment to come. No system of law in this age has proven to be as effective as Islam.