more blessed than that for which he has worked with his own hands. That is what the Prophet David used to do. He lived on what he had earned.” (AL-BUKHARI, SAHIH) Avoiding condescension “Craftsmen are

life—in particular, about the purpose of human life. Why have we taken birth here, on Earth? What is death? What happens to us after death? These issues are a central focus of the Quran. In fact, one could

first and foremost task for each one of us is to discover the purpose of human life and to understand what happens after we die. We need to reflect on the reality of death. Being heedless of death, we set

death, we will not take any of these accomplishments with us to the afterlife. We need to know for what eternal purpose we have come into this world. How should we plan for our life by rising above superficial

society, try to make out what these signs imply. Do not just go by outward signs; try to reach the meaning behind them. If one just goes by what one sees and fails to see what lurks in the background,

scholar, Ian Nash, who spent eleven years in Japan making a detailed study of the people and the nation, what shook the Japanese most profoundly was not upheavals in politics, but the great Kanto earthquake,

behaviour to a strict code of ethics. What should be the underlying principle of this code of ethics? According to a hadith it is simply this –you should like for others what you like for yourself, that is,

problems for others. Everyone wants others to deal with him in a sympathetic and cooperative manner. So what everyone ought to do while dealing with others is to give them his

behaviour to a strict code of ethics. What should be the underlying principle of this code of ethics? According to a hadith it is simply this –you should like for others what you like for yourself, that is,

problems for others. Everyone wants others to deal with him in a sympathetic and cooperative manner. So what everyone ought to do while dealing with others is to give them his

brought into existence? What was the logic, after all, which made the stars, after they were formed, move through the vastness of space with such perfect precision and regularity? And what was the logic, which

which brought about the formation of the solar system in a far corner of the universe? What was the logic, which was responsible for those extraordinary changes in our earth, which enabled life to begin

have not been found replicated in any other place in the vast, countless worlds in the universe. Then what was that unique logic which caused life to grow from lifeless matter? Is there, in fact, any reasonable

granted to you. If you are told to go away, then go away. That is more proper for you. God knows well what you do. (24: 27-28) These verses give the Quranic etiquette for social living. The Quran emphasizes

wise guidance. No mere talk of activism can be an alternative to realistic planning. 32 Spirit of Islam Issue 32 August 2015 and used unconventional methods. He made full use of modern means—the printing

divine guidance is sought.5.CAN I ASK GOD FOR DEATH?No, this is completely forbidden according to Islamic teachings. This has been alluded to in the following hadith: Sad ibn Ubaid narrated that the Prophet

1854 C.E.) commented about the term iqamat-e deen as used in this context as follows: The deen of Islam is the name for the oneness of God, obedience to God, and faith in His books, His prophets and the