Islam is a perfect and comprehensive spiritual and social package of life.
It is a well integrated whole of beliefs, moral values and actions.
The straight path (which every Muslim is supposed
to beg from Allah(God) at least five times a day while performing
obligatory five prayers) leads him to achieve the pleasure of Allah(God) which
ultimately has its manifestation in the attractive shape of heaven. But this
path does not have any deviation from the society. One has to involve
himself enthusiastically with full sense of commitment and active
participation in various social aspects of life.
Dealings among human
beings, mutual relationship in the society and multi layers of human associations must be practiced upon alongside fulfilling the commandments of Allah(God). This is the beauty of Islam
that never isolates the man from his social obligations but Monasticism
believes to quit material practices in order to gain the purity of the
soul from the grubby feature of this material world.
"But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah(God); but they observed it not as it should be observed" (Quran: 57/27)
Moreover, the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) is a practical form of the
Quran which clearly testifies about his active involvement in the family
affairs, as well as other social aspects like trade and political matters etc.
So the self purification is not synonymous to monasticism.
Islam strongly believes that body is
the appropriate asylum for soul. That is why the strengthening of the
body in a tidy and hygienic environment
is equally important as much as it is desirable for the grooming of the
human soul, its healthy growth and prosperous flourishing.
Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal ATATURK said: "Strong Minds are found in Strong Bodies" .
Proper diet is evenly essential to be supplied to the body as well as to the soul.
Narrated Anas bin Malik: A group of three men came to the house of the the Prophet(pbuh) . Then one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever." The other said, "I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast." The third said, "I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever." The Prophet(pbuh) came to them and said:
"I am more submissive to Allah(God) and more afraid of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers)." (Hadith #1 , Book #62, Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: The news of my daily fasting and praying every night throughout the night reached the Prophet(pbuh). So he sent for me or I met him, and he said: "I have been informed that you fast everyday and pray every night (all the night). Fast (for some days) and give up fasting (for some days); pray and sleep, for your eyes have a right on you, and your body and your family (i.e. wife) have a right on you." ( Hadith #198 , Book #31 , Sahih Bukhari)
( pbuh = peace be upon him )
