Name of Questioner: Coran
Date: 11-7-2019 06:27:28 AM
Consultant: Ask About Islam Editorial Team
Thank you for taking my questions. 1- I was wondering one thing: isnt it most important that our religion is reflected as a way of life rather than the recitation of a few lines? 2- Im a Muslim, and I truly believe in Islam, but I always get that evil thought, what if Islam is not the right religion, and of course I wont know the answer to that until I die, which well be too late to make another choice.
Dear Cora,
Thank you for your question.
Answering your question, Dr. Jasser Auda, Professor and Al-Shatibi Chair of Maqasid Studies at the International Peace College South Africa, the Executive Director of the Maqasid Institute, states:
"As for your first question, I agree 100%. Islam is a way of life, and this is the message of the Quran. You know the word 'shari`ah' which is often translated as 'the Islamic law', is actually wider than 'the law'. The root is shara`a, which means a way or a path.
So, when God told Muhammad (peace be upon him) that He appointed for him a 'shari`ah', He meant 'a way of life'.
The Prophet said: 'I have been sent solely to perfect good morals'.
And that is why I was saying that we should read the Quran as a message of faith and morality, more than anything else.
With regard to your second question, there is a narrated hadith that could give you some answers.
The following verse was revealed:
Unto God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. And whether you bring into the open what is in your minds or conceal it, God will call you to account for it. (Quran 2:284)
A group of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to him, and said: "Will we be accounted for what we conceal? We have evil thoughts that scare us. We would not even dare to announce these thoughts to people'. The Prophet asked the companions sitting with him: 'Do you get these evil thoughts?' They said: 'Yes.' He said: 'This is the true faith'.
In other words, it is 'normal' to have some doubts. You should know, though, that faith increases and decreases.
Faith increases with good deeds and decreases with evil deeds. So, if you continue on doing your good deeds, your faith will strengthen, insha' Allah, and maybe you will feel one day as one of the companions had felt when he said: 'If the hereafter comes now, my belief in it would not increase one bit'.
So, confirm your faith with knowledge, and ask God for His guidance."
We hope this answers your question.
Keep in touch.