ISLAM is the most ideal System for man both individually and collectively, physically and spiritually, concerning his present or hereafter life, in peace or war, in judgments and rights. In the sight of Islam, a true Muslim is not someone who neglects his present life for the sake of his afterlife or his afterlife for his present life. A true Muslim is someone who cares for his life in both abodes, the present world and the world to come. This is because for the former leads to the latter.

Islam is Allah’s Message to man and His System for every aspect of human life and in all fields of human activities. It does not leave any aspect of man’s life without having an attitude concerning it, which is manifested by approving, supporting, modifying, correcting, supplementing, perfecting, changing, and altering. It might also interfere in directing and guiding, or in legislating and codifying. Sometimes, it follows the way of good counsel; and sometimes, it takes up deterring punishment, according to the situation….

The ultimate final goal is to attain Allah’s good pleasure and His generous Recompense in both abodes. In this context, Allah, the Almighty, says: “O you man! Verily you are ever toiling on towards your Lord – painfully toiling – but you shall meet Him.” [CXXXIV ; 6]

Of course, there are many other humanitarian and social goals and objectives in the doctrine of Islam. But upon contemplation and analysis, they are found to serve one and the same basic goal, i.e. Allah’s good pleasure and generous Reward.

In the religion of Islam, there are legislations and transactions. However, they are intended to regulate people’s life in order to lead a happy comfortable life away from dogfight for the perishable mundane pleasures and enjoyments, and to enable them to know their Lord, devote themselves to His service and seek His good Pleasure and generous Recompense in both abodes.

Islam also incites Muslims to strive to earn a decent sustenance and an honorable life and considers man’s work a basis for trial and testing and the Favors that Allah confers upon His servants as a means to know the Benefactor and offering Him due service and sincere devotion. To this effect, Allah, Glory be to Him,  says: “Eat of the Sustenance (provided) by your Lord, and be grateful to Him.” [XXXIV ; 15]

In Islam, there is also Jihad and fighting enemies. Allah, Praise be to Him, says: “And fight them until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah.” [II ; 193]

In fact, all Islamic legislations, directives, and guidance are intended to qualify man to be a true servant who knows his Lord All Mighty, obeys Him, professes His Oneness, and worships Him. Allah says: “Not a Prophet did We send before you without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I, therefore, worship and serve Me.” [XXI ; 25] By then, man deserves his Lord’s Mercy: “Except those on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy, and for this did He create them.” [XI ; 119]

The Holy Quran gives the term “Jihad” a human, noble, and unique connotation. It determines its sublime objectives, which are free from caprices, temporal and materialistic purposes, as well as personal or racial aspirations: like the desire of being superior on earth, or extending on it in order that on nation be superior to another one. It considers it to be a main way for the establishment  and preservation of high values and ideals in the human existence.

Islam has not made Jihad one of the first and foremost religious obligations, and in fact the most rewarded one, just for defending existence or persevering its fundamentals. It has made it a substantial support for its Call, which aims to spread the Message of the heavens on earth, in order that man’s being Allah’s Vicegerent on earth  be  accomplished  by  adherence to the sublime principles of Truth and Good, as well as the paramount values of Justice and Righteousness.

Islam has made Jihad merely and purely for the sake of Allah and for gaining His good pleasure. However, His pleasure is not attained unless His Commands and Orders prevail on earth and His values dominate the world, and unless there is no enmity and discord among human beings and the religion is all for Allah. There is no clearer proof on the soundness of these principles and notions than the happiness which overwhelms man when he discovers the purpose of his existence and the essence of his mission, and when he proceeds on the way of the great Goal for which he has been created…

Let us consider the following scene. When Muslims had finished their fight in the battle of Uhud , the Prophet (PBUH) said: “I’d like one of you to see what the matter is with Sa’ad Ibn Ar-Rabi’; whether he is still alive or dead!” One of Al-Ansar (the Helpers) went to look for him. He found him among the injured at his last spark of life. He said to him: “The Messenger of Allah ordered me to see whether you are dead or alive.” He said: “I feel like I am dying. Therefore, I’d like you to give the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) my Salam (Salutation of Islam), and tell him: ‘Sa’d Ibn Ar-Rabi’ tells you: ‘May Allah reward you with the best thing that He rewards a Prophet for his people!’ And give your people my Salam and tell them: ‘Sa’d Ibn Ar-Rabi’ tells you: ‘You have no excuse before Allah if your Prophet is hurt or done harm to while your eyes still blink(i.e. you are still alive)’.” The man said: “I did not leave him until he passed away. So I came to the Prophet (PBUH) and told him about that, so he cried until his beard became wet with tears.”

Such sublime principles and values produced unprecedented and incomparable heroic acts the like whereof can hardly be found in societies where people turn  away from Allah’s System and involve in their own caprices and desires. Allah, the Almighty, says: “But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts; soon, then, will they face Destruction.” [XIX ; 59]