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The Concept of Life
Life is a brilliant demonstration of God’ s wisdom and knowledge, a vivid reflection of
His art and power. He is the Giver and Creator of life. Nothing comes to existence by
chance, and nobody creates himself or anybody else. Life is a dear and cherishable
asset, and no sensible or normal person would like to lose it by choice. Even those
who feel so desperate and take their lives by committing slow suicide, try in the last
minute to regain their existence and wish to capture a second chance to live. Life is
given to man by God, and He is the only Rightful One to take it back; no one else has
the right to destroy a life. This is why Islam forbids all kinds of suicide and self-
destruction, and recommends patience and good Faith when a dear soul passes away.
When a murderer is executed in punishment, his life is taken away by the right of God
and in accordance with His Law.
When God gives life to man, it is not in vain that He endows him with unique
qualities and great abilities. Nor is it in vain that He charges him with certain
obligations. God means to help man to fulfill the purpose of life and realize the goal
of existence. He means to help him to learn the creative art of living and enjoy the
good taste of life according to the Divine guidance. Life is a trust from God, and man
is a trustee who should handle his trust with honesty and skill, with mindfulness of
God and with consciousness of responsibility to Him.
Life may be likened to a journey starting from a certain point and ending at a certain
destination. It is a transitory stage, an introduction to the Eternal life in the Hereafter.
In this journey man is a traveller and should be concerned with only what is of use to
him in the Future Life. In other words, he should do all the good he can and make
himself fully prepared to move any minute to Eternity. He should consider his life on
this earth as a chance provided for him to make the best of it while he can, because
when his time to leave comes he can never delay it for one second. If his term expires,
it will be too late to do anything about it or extend it. The best use of life, therefore, is
to live it according to the teachings of God and to make it a safe passage to the Future
Life of Eternity. Because life is so important as a means to an ultimate end, Islam has
laid down a complete system of regulations and principles to show man how to live it,
what to take and what to leave, what to do and what to shun, and so on. All men come
from God, and there is no doubt that they shall return to Him. In one of His
comprehensive statements Prophet Muhammad wisely advised man to consider
himself a stranger in this life or a traveller passing by the world
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