The Benefits of Being a Muslim

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Description: The benefits that grow as a person grows in faith and learns more about Islam.

Published on 18 May 2015 - Last modified on 18 May 2015

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Objectives:

·To recognise the depth of meaning in all aspects of Islam.

·To understand and appreciate how Islam reveals itself over time; according to a person’s level of understanding and their growing needs.

Arabic Terms:

·Dunya - this world, as opposed to the world of the Hereafter.

·Akhirah - the Hereafter, the life after death.

·Aayaat - (singular – ayah) the word aayaat can have many meanings. It is almost always used when talking about proofs from Allah. These include evidences, verses, lessons, signs, and revelations.

·Hadith - (plural – ahadith) is a piece of information or a story. In Islam it is a narrative record of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

Having converted to the religion, the way of life, that is Islam, the new Muslim has clearly seen the benefits that would come from such a decision. These include being able to achieve tranquillity and happiness even in the face of adversity and tribulation, understanding the meaning of life and establishing a relationship with Allah. However after living Islam for some time these benefits come to have deeper dimensions and meanings not seen at first glance. Some of the benefits of being a Muslim are not fully revealed until a person has immersed himself in a lifestyle that is centred on pleasing the Creator. In this lesson we will take a closer look at the benefits that are revealed slowly over time.

1.A deep and abiding relationship with Allah

Islam teaches that the purpose of life is to worship the Creator. Therefore by converting to Islam and concentrating all one’s efforts on pleasing Allah and following His guidance, believers are able to fortify the relationship that was forged in the act of conversion. The inner peace and tranquillity that was acquired on that fateful day becomes a lasting happiness that cannot be maintained by following one’s more base desires or accumulating material possessions. True contentment is now found only by worshiping and obeying the Creator.

“…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)

2.A pure concept of the nature of the Creator

The foundation of Islam is the worship of One God. He is incomparable and unique thus the believer not only acknowledges this, he or she understands the depth of His complete perfection and greatness. This understanding is inherent in all human beings and many people convert to Islam because the Islamic way of life encourages and strengthens this belief. Over time the believer learns more about Allah and begins to understand His names and attributes and is able to integrate the nature of the creator into his everyday wants and needs.

“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah so call on Him by them…” (Quran7:180)

3.A clear perspective on life

Islam encourages a believer to understand the events in his or her life in the context of the overall purpose of life. The dunya was designed by our Creator to maximize our chances of living a blissful life in the akhirah. Allah advises us to bear our trials and tribulations patiently. This may at first be difficult but as one grows in understanding he or she can truly reconcile with the fact that everything that happens in this world happens by the permission of Allah and whatever He does has wisdom and a reason behind it. No marriage ends, and no business fails without Allah’s permission. Patience and gratitude for all our affairs is the formula for balanced life.

Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is also good for him.”[1]

4.An evidence based faith

Islam is an evidence based faith. It encourages people to open their hearts and minds to ponder the big questions such as life, love and the universe. God has provided signs in the dunya that point to Him and the wonder of His creation. The Quran encourages us to look at the visible signs and to think about them. This increases faith and certainty.

These signs are many and are visible and discernible to all. The earth, the sky, the sun, the moon, animals, rain, the miraculous workings of the human body, the nature of ecosystems... all these and much more point to a Creator. After converting to Islam these everyday miracles continue to be appreciated and add to one’s faith and conviction.

We (Allah) have certainly sent down Signs that make things clear: and God guides whom He wills to the straight path.” (Quran 24:46)

5.Accountability and Justice

Just as each person is been given the capability to view and ponder the signs of Allah, they also have been given the free will to choose between right and wrong. Islam teaches that Allah is the Most Just and that on the Day of Judgement people will be held accountable for their deeds and questioned by Allah. One of the benefits that are not immediately discernible when a person converts to Islam is the number of ways Allah gives us to seek forgiveness of our sins or the number of chances He gives a sincere believer. There are many aayaat (verses) and ahadith that tell us how to prepare ourselves for the final accounting and as we discover them the mercy and forgiveness of Allah becomes breathtaking.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Allah will bring the believer very close and privately ask him ‘Do you know this sin? Do you know that sin?’ The believer’s reply will be, ‘Yes Oh Lord,’ until he is reminded about all of his sins, and he thinks he will perish. Then Allah will say ‘I covered up your sins during your life, and I will forgive your sins today.’ Then he will be given his book of good deeds.”[2]

6.A holistic way of life

Islam is a holistic way of life. Islam is a lifestyle not a religion practiced only on weekends or festive seasons. Life is organised in a spiritual and moral way, taking into account humankind’s innate needs and desires. The tenets of Islam are derived from the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad and these two sources of revelation are a guide, or a manual for life. Islam teaches us to be concerned about the whole person. It teaches us to take into account our physical, emotional and spiritual needs and provides us with the best guidance in all matters.

By following the guidance and commandments of God, we are able to cope with trials and tribulations, and illness and injury, with patience and even gratitude. As a person spends more and more time living the way of life that is Islam the more they are able to see how following the guidance of Islam steers us in a direction that satisfies all our needs.

Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh Muslim

[2] Saheeh Muslim, Saheeh Bukhari

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