Islamic religious studies Islamic religious studies; Islam as a school subject (taught in Pakistani schools)., Lecture notes of Islamic Law

Download Islamic religious studies Islamic religious studies; Islam as a school subject (taught in Pakistani schools). and more Lecture notes Islamic Law in PDF only on Docsity! COMSATS University Islamabad, Virtual Campus HUM110 Islamic Studies Lecture 05 Handouts Page 1 of 3 Purpose of Life We have discussed that someone is the creator of this universe, the Quran is the holy manual to lead our lives. Messengers from God have been coming since the first day to guide mankind. We found in Quran, “For every nation we have sent the messenger, saying that, only worship one God and leave other false deities.” Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the last prophet and his message will remain till the day of judgement. As Prophet Mohmmad (PBUH) raised his two fingers and said, “My coming and hour are like this. After me, there is no messenger, no book but only the day of judgement”. Now the question is Why have we been created? What’s the purpose of our lives? 1. Tests of Life In search of our purpose of life, what we find in the Quran is: “(Allah) Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed.” [Al-Mulk 67:2] Everything that we do is our test and we will be judged for our response to it. We have the freedom to choose our path but the consequence will depend on our actions. The test could be anything. Allah can test us with good things and even with unpleasant things such as children, health, wealth or death of near one. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) says, “How strange is the case of a believer that if good befalls him and he feels grateful to Allah then it is good for him if something bad happens for him and he does sabr (Patience) then even that is good for him.” Because through sabr (Patience) Allah can bestow him such ranks which he could never achieve otherwise. We just should choose the best option to succeed in those tests, as Allah has bestowed us with the power of choosing the best option. “We have certainly created man in the best of stature”. [Surah At-Tin 95:4] So, if we strive, we can raise our status higher than the angels and if we won’t we can be worse than animals. Allah’s judgement is fair to everyone. The punishment of our sins in this world may relieve some of our sins. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that even if a thorn pricks you, some of your sins will be wiped off through that. Likewise, illness is a way of purification of sins. There are some sins for which we can be punished both in this world and the afterlife. Quran states the example of Pharaoh, we are making an example out of him and we will punish him in the mornings and afternoons (which means in his grave) and when the day of judgement will establish, his punishment will be doubled. Page 2 of 3 Leaving righteous offspring can be beneficial to raise our ranks in the afterlife. Besides, there are some deeds like Sadqa-e-Jaria whose rewards will be endlessly received to us even after our deaths. The deeds like planting a tree, beneficial knowledge that you may have passed to anyone, building a mosque, donating a wheelchair etc. if those things are there, we will be rewarded. Repentance is the key to free from the consequences of sins. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, “remorse is repentance”. As far as Haqooq-ul-Allah is concerned, Allah forgives after true repentance. For Haqooq-ul - Aibaad, one must seek forgiveness from the person whom he hurt. At the Day of Judgment, sinners will have to give up their good deeds. For example, If we have committed the sin of backbiting of someone then our good deeds will be added to his/her account of good deeds. Our punishments in this world can reduce the effect of a sin or some could be saved for the afterlife unless we repent. It is best to recite Astaghfaar (forgiveness) abundantly. Prophet Mohmmad (PBUH) said that I make Astaghfaar 70 times in a day although he was not a sinner, as prophets of Allah cannot sin. Everyone will have to face tests of life according to his level. Allah says, “Allah does not charge a soul except (with that within) its capacity”. [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286] Insane or mentally retarded people are not accountable for their sins as they do not have any control over themselves. 2. Worship of The One, Allah Almighty Secondly, Allah (SWT) also said in the Quran: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me”. [Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56] Worship doesn’t only mean offering prayers or fasting. All of our actions can be the acts of worship if we intend to please Allah and keep ourselves away from disobeying Him. In the modern world, the word “slavery” is considered very disgraced. While in the perspective of worship and relation of a man and god, slavery refers to our obedience to our Master. Prophet Mohmmad (PBUH) is the best of Mankind. He said, “No me as nothing more than Abduhu wa Rasuluho (No me means) slave and messenger”. Allah (SWT) defines slaves as Ibaad-ur-Rehman. “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” [Surah Furqan, 25:63].