ISLAMIC WAY OF LIVING (An English Translation of the Book Islami Muashrat) Dr. Syed Abdul Wadud ISLAMIC WAY OF LIVING Published by Tolu-e-Islam Trust ® At An-Noor Printers, Lahore First Edition February 2009 All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof shall not be reproduced without the written permission of publisher. For more information, please contact: Tolu-e-Islam Trust ® 25-B, Gulberg 2, Lahore – 54660, Pakistan Tel: (++92) 42-5753666, 5764484 Email: Islamic Way Of Living ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To take this project to its completion I would like to thank Maqbool Mahmood Farhat. I cannot show enough appreciation for his full dedication and constant hard work, without which this publication would not have been possible. Mrs Aqila Zaman (M.A.), Michigan University USA deserves many thanks for her help in providing valuable advice regarding the contents. Last but not least sincere thanks are due to Mohammad Aslam Qureshi of Elm Park, Essex, UK, who fully funded this project. Prof. Dr. Zahida Durrani Executive Head Tolu-e-Islam Trust. DEDICATION This translation is dedicated to the author Ghulam Ahmad Parwez who strived to understand the Quran and convey its message to others. Dr. Syed Abdul Wadud originally translated this book from the Urdu “Islami Muashrat” by Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, published in Lahore, Pakistan. (i) Islamic Way Of Living Preface PREFACE The future of a nation depends on the upbringing of its younger generation. Muslims everywhere are concerned that their children may go astray under the influence of a media, poor social values and other beliefs that go against Quranic teachings. Therefore the introduction and teaching of Quranic values is important today as it ever was. However, this book is not just for young Muslims. People of all ages, and beliefs can benefit from an insight into the Quranic values. The work I have produced is not an exact translation of the book Islami Muashrat by late Allama Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, but an exposition of this excellent work in Urdu language. It comprises Quranic injunctions that show the way to the formation of an Islamic society. It is not a philosophical treatise but a description in simple terms meant for the young, as well as for those who have neither the time nor the inclination to go into details. Hopefully this introduction will ignite their fire and start a quest for deeper knowledge and understanding. Syed Abdul Wadud DISCLAIMER This work is a translation of the original Urdu book ‘Islami Muashrat’ and as such any ambiguity is the responsibility of the translator and not the original author. (ii) Islamic Way Of Living Contents ISLAMIC WAY OF LIVING Foreword (Paigham Mustafa) vii Chapter 1: Certain Basic Facts 1 lWhat is Islam? 2 lThe Difference between man-made laws and God-made laws 4 lWhat is Eieman (belief)? 5 lRabubiyyat 6 lHow an Islamic Society is Established 7 lNo Small Matters 9 Chapter 2: Basic Principles 10 lRespect for Humanity 11 lPersonal Responsibility 13 Chapter 3: Personal Qualities 15 lDiscipline 16 lPractical Life 17 lAn Honest Day's Work 18 lSpending 19 lFood and Drink 21 lGood Foods 22 lExtravagance 23 lEating 23 (iii) Islamic Way Of Living Contents lBeauty of Life 23 lDress 24 lBeauty and Proportion 24 lHealth and Cleanliness 25 lIntoxicants and Gambling 26 lConversation 28 lIdle Talk 30 lVulgarity 30 lArrogance 32 lRumours 33 lIntellectually Blind 34 lEducation 35 Chapter 4: Mutual Contact 37 lGreetings 38 lMuslim Greetings 38 lDecent Behavior 40 lCooperation 42 lMutual Consultation 43 lKeep Promises 45 lLoans and Debts 46 lRepayment of Debt 47 (iv) Islamic Way Of Living Contents lUsury 47 lTrade 48 lTrading Standards 49 lJustice 50 lJustice to Enemies 51 lNational Trust 52 lEvidence 53 lFalse Statement 55 lBribery 55 lSocial Etiquette 56 lEtiquette of Assembly 57 lPermission to Leave 58 lInvitation to Meal 58 lMiscellaneous Matters 59 lEnvy 59 lBack Biting 60 lSpying 60 lSticks and Stones…. 61 lDo Not Spread Evil 61 lSlander 62 lSuspicion 62 (v) Islamic Way Of Living Contents lRidiculing Divine Laws 63 lVain Talk 63 lAnger 64 lPardon 65 lSelf-reform 66 lReforming Fellow Beings 67 lPay Attention to Good Advice 67 lHypocrisy 68 Chapter 5: Family Life 71 lResponsibility of an Elder Member 72 lHusband and wife 73 lMarriage 73 lDivision of labour 75 lBalanced living 76 lChildren 77 lParents 78 lAncestors 79 lObedience to Ancestors 79 lRelatives 80 lEmployees 81 lNeighbours 81 (vi) Islamic Way Of Living Contents lFriends 82 lOrphans 83 lThe Needy 84 lThe Beggars 85 lWayfarers 86 lRights of a Wayfarer 87 Chapter 6: Collective life of Muslims 88 lSectarianism 90 lBrotherhood Amongst Believers 91 lHow to Get Rid of Sectarianism 92 lIslamic Social Order 92 lNo Parties 93 lThe World Muslims 93 lHumanity as a Whole 94 Chapter 7: Relationship with Non-Believers 96 lEqual Treatment For All 97 lMeaning of the Word Kafir 97 lDo Not Revile The Idols 98 lThe Protection of Places of Worship of Non-Muslims 98 lThe Great Men of Non-Muslims 99 lRespect For Allah's Messengers 100 lFreedom of Belief 101 lSummation 104 lGlossary 107 (vii) Islamic Way Of Living Foreword FOREWORD In a diverse culture such as the one we live in today, it can be difficult for young people to know good values. This is especially true when Marketing Magnates, using the power of mass media, bombard their consumerist messages from every direction and every minute of the day. Indeed, it can be hard to recognise the truth when every belief is presented as tolerable and every lifestyle promoted as acceptable, if not desirable. This book, Islamic Way of Living, in its small way would like to introduce the higher values given in the Quran. Absolute values in a changing world lay the foundation of a better, greater person. As moral beings it is our duty to do things which improve our lives and of those around us. It is the Quranic permanent values that help us shine in a world eclipsed by selfish ideals. This is the third edition, the first published in 1987 and the second in 1991. Each edition has sought to present the Quranic principles in an easy to grasp language. It is hoped that this is a marked improvement of the previous attempts. The verses from the Quran have not just been translated but an exposition has been made to make the concepts comfortably understood. If we can get young people to apply the Quranic standards practically in their daily lives, then we have achieved our purpose. Paigham Mustafa, Editor. Glasgow, November 2008 (viii)