Benefits of the Islamic Way of Life

The Islamic way of life is indeed one that will achieve for its followers 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.

1. Usury: God, Almighty, says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.”  (Surah Al-Baqarah: 278) Any aware individual will know that interest is a form of injustice through which the wealthy consume the wealth of the less fortunate. In short, it is a disgusting form of greed that exploits the weaknesses of people. From an economical perspective, it will limit the wealth in the hands of a few. Many non-Muslims have spoken out against this system and have confirmed its flaws.

2. Unlawful Sex: Whoever lives in Western society will know full well the grave dangers that pertain to sexual freedom. The dangers include diseases that have become widespread. God, the Exalted, says:
“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” (Surah Al-Isra’:32)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “If unlawful sex becomes widespread among a people diseases will spread amongst them that were not known in previous generations.” (Reported by Ibn Majah)

3. Drinking liquor: The dangers of liquor 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?” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 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:

• Cirrhosis of liver

• Various forms of cancer

• Oesophagitis, gastritis, pancreatitis and hepatitis

• Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, angina and heart attacks

• Strokes, apoplexy, fits and different types of paralysis

• Peripheral neuropathy, cortical atrophy, cerebelar atrophy

• Numerous endocrine disorders

• Anemia, jaundice and platelet abnormalities

• Recurrent chest infections, pneumonia, emphysema and pulmonary tuberculosis

• During pregnancy, alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the fetus

4. Consuming the flesh of swine. It has been affirmed by modern medicine that eating the flesh of swine is detrimental to one’s health. Many diseases are spread, especially if the pork has not been cooked properly.[1]

God, the Exalted, says: “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a headlong fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin-then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah:3)

Professor Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg, M.D. said: “The consumption of pork gradually chokes the connective tissue with mucous; in addition, it is so enriched with fats that someone whose diet consists of much pork, outwardly soon resembles the animal he has eaten. We all know the saying ‘you are what you eat.’”[2]

5. Castigatory laws: God, Almighty, says:
“And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, O you [people] of understanding, that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 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 and 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].” (Surah Al-Ma’dah: 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 of man 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.