A Balance Between the Needs of the Soul and Body

Muhammad (peace be upun him) came with a revelation from Allah, presenting a religion compatible with human nature – one satisfying the needs of the soul as well as those of the body, and establishing a balance between worldly deeds and those done for the Hereafter. It is a religion which disciplines human instincts and desires without suppressing them completely as in some other cultures which became obsessed with ideals contrary to human nature, depriving religious men given to worship of such natural human rights as marriage and of such natural reactions as anger toward transgression, expecting them not even to defend themselves against aggressors. This led most members of those societies to reject religious teachings and become absorbed in the material world which caters only to their bodies while leaving their souls in a miserable state.

Indeed, the one who sent Muhammad (peace be upun him) with the message of Islam is none other than Allah, the Creator of all people. He knows what is best for them and what is compatible with their natures, tendencies, abilities and needs. Human nature will not remain upright unless it is satisfied or appeased, and it will not remain upright when confronted with opposition. This nature, when perverted or corrupted, will damage and destabilize man's life on earth and cause incurable psychological and social diseases to appear. This is what has actually happened in many parts of the earth, in societies that promote such forms of opposition to sound and upright human nature as renouncing marriage, monastic abstention, homosexuality, seclusion from society, excessive materialism or pursuit of physical gratification without regard for spiritual needs and requirements.

Anyone who contemplates the Islamic religious teachings conveyed from Allah through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upun him) will notice a balance in the various aspects of human life: between the need of the physical body for food and drink, marriage and personal rights, the need of the soul for worship and moral purification and the need of the intellect for knowledge, research and discovery.

Islam has set a comprehensive balance for all of these without exceeding limits in any aspect. And it confirmed this by prohibiting excess and immoderation just as it prohibited disregard and neglect. It orders moderation in all situations and its legislation was established for the realization of these aims. It clarifies limits which are not inconsistent with human nature and the role for which man was created: the service of Allah and development of the earth in beneficial ways. Islamic law permits everything that has potential benefit for mankind and prohibits everything harmful or detrimental to human life regarding one's mind, body and property.

The following are some of the significant verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upun him):
Allah said: "And He subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth – all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought." [Surat Al Jathiyah:13].

So Allah did not create this universe to remain neglected without yield or for its inhabitants to be indifferent to it. The words "subjected to you" express the meanings of subjugation, facilitation and discovery in this universe in order to benefit from its elements and its wealth.

He also said: "Seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; but do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." [Surat Al Qasas:77].

And He described His righteous servants as: "Men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah." [Surat An-Nur:37].

Even when involved in business, they do not forget spiritual and moral duties due to fear of the account before Allah in the Hereafter. Imagine the conduct of these businessmen with this kind of belief and moral character, and how life in its every aspect would be among such people. History bears witness to the fact that the likes of these Muslim traders were the cause of Islam's spread into many vast and distant regions, like Indonesia and Sudan, without military conquest, contrary to the claims of those who fail to study history adequately.

Allah also said: "And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him [i.e., Jesus] compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance." [Surat Al Hadid:27].

But Muhammad (peace be upun him), the Prophet of Islam, presented the most splendid examples and directives concerning the balance between spirituality and materialism. He (peace be upun him) would become extremely angry with those who opposed the inborn human nature and traditions of the prophets and messengers. Once, he heard that some people, out of keenness to worship Allah, had taken an oath to refrain from sleep, from marriage and from food and drink. His position toward them was strict determination to uphold the balance he had been charged to teach.

Anas bin Malik reported: "Three members of the Prophet's (peace be upun him) wives' families came asking about the worship of the Prophet (peace be upun him), and when they were informed they seemed to consider it little, and said, 'How can we compare to the Prophet (peace be upun him) when Allah has forgiven his previous and future errors?' So one of them said, 'As for me, I will pray all the night.' Another said, 'As for me, I will fast every day and not break my fast.' The third said, 'As for me, I will avoid women and never marry.' When the Prophet (peace be upun him) arrived he asked, 'Are you the ones who said so and so? I swear, I am the most conscious and fearing of Allah among you, but I fast and break my fast, I pray and sleep, and I marry women. And whoever refuses my Sunnah (instruction and example) is not of me." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

He (peace be upun him) also encouraged work and affirmed that it is the best source of income. He (peace be upun him) said: "No one has eaten better food than that earned by the work of his own hands, and Allah's prophet, David (peace be upon him) used to eat from the work of his hands." [Reported by Al Bukhari].