How to live an Islamic lifestyle?

We all come from different backgrounds including the country that we were born in or migrated to, the culture of the family that we came from to the language that we speak to in the house. Each person comes from a different nationality, race, and color. All of these components of one’s life may influence his outlook on life in addition to his environment that may also shape his beliefs. The traditions and culture of a person as a result may moulid their character at one point or another in their life.

However, when it comes to living an Islamic lifestyle it does not have to do with anything of your background, race, language, color or culture. For example, it has to do with the environment that one lives in to know what it is from Islam can be applied to make a difference in that person, family, community, nation, or society. The holy infallibles were not monks and did not live in caves, they actually mixed with society however they did not try to blend in. They were with the people but they were not of the people. Meaning that they respected the people of their time and did not force the religious laws down their throats, meaning that they would not impose the rule of Islam upon the people by force.

For example, when one is living in America he can practice an Islamic lifestyle without having to live in an Islamic country. In 2009 I was a district manager having to manage 35 employees with tasks including training, hiring and firing. I would also have to maintain the display, merchandising, and inventory of the company. Over my career as a business manager I had the opportunity to spread Islam through my honest dealings with the customers that I came to face with. At the end the business transaction they became attracted to my level of professionalism and expertise and came to ask me what my name was and I replied with Muhammad. They then would ask me where did this name come from and I replied I was named after our dear prophet of Islam (PBUH) and thereafter they became my customers for life and passed my business on to others. Therefore in a nutshell I was able to influence my co-workers, employees and customers through my character and actions. Applying the tradition of our holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

Allah (SWT) does not look at your looks nor does he look at your wealth however he looks to your hearts and deeds.

What does it mean to have purpose in life or how can I know what my purpose in life is?

Allah (SWT) says in the holy Quran:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51:56)

One may ask why Allah (SWT) would want me to worship him what’s in it for me. When it comes to business there is an acronym: WIIFM: which means what’s in it for me. To look at religions under the lens of a business perspective. If one wants to think in a business kind of way he would ask what is it that I can make the least investment and get the most reward when it comes to religion. 

For example, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

الدُّنْيَا مَزْرَعَةُ الآخِرَةِ.

The world is the farm of the Hereafter. (Ihya’ al-ulum, iv, 14.)

Meaning that whatever you invest in this world with your deeds and your actions you will reap in the hereafter.

In conclusion, if we want to understand how to live an Islamic lifestyle we must follow the best example given to us in creation, and that is no other than the character of the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In which, he was sent to perfect the moral values of the human being. If we want to attract the people to Islam the best way to do it is through our character and morals. Stay tuned with me while I continue these series of topics that deal with the question of how to live an Islamic lifestyle.

Written by : Mohamed alnajjar