Islamic Doctrine

The Benefecial Nature of the Islamic Doctrine

Some points in favour of this beneficial nature:

a. Islam provides hope to people to live and a purpose to pursue - a hope which ties them to God, a purpose which can vary from aiming at the satisfaction of the Creator to mere selfish interest.

The purpose of satisfying the Creator is a sublime thought. Imam `All (p.b.u.h.) said: "I worship God neither out of fear nor for gains, but because He is worthy of worship."

The selfish interests are manifested in the desire to enter Heaven and avoid the torment of Hell.

b. Islam fulfills the instinctive need for a religious belief. The need for religion is a fact which is admitted by all those who study religion in human society.

c. The Islamic attitude towards "Sin" is a rational one. It places the responsibility of committing sin on those who indulge in it. In other words, Islam denies the inheritence of sin. This attitude frees man from the sense of guilt of evil deeds which he has not committed.

d. The believers tend to respect themselves as dignified human beings and have the same feelings for others. This respect is the result of their communication with the Creator, through prayers, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.

e. The Islamic philosophy about life im- plants good and tender feelings in the Mus- li m's outlook. Muslims' view of life is that of co-operation:

"And how many a moving creature that do not carry its sustenance; Allah sustains it and yourselves; ..............." (Qur an, 29:60) "Who made the earth a bed (resting place) for you and the sky a structure and causes water to descend from heaven and thereby produces fruits for your sustenance; ..............." (Qur an, 2:22).

It is assumed that there is order, harmony and co-operation in the world. On the other hand, the materialistic view of life is that of struggle, vicious competition and war.

Therefore the Islamic philosophy inculcates the feeling of peace and tranquility. The materialistic philoso- phy injects tension, competition and conflict among people.

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