1. Islam’s Vision of Life
Teresa Lesher, Ph.D.

2. An Intuitive religion
Each of us is born with an innate recognition of an all-Powerful God and an inclination to goodness.
A Muslim believes in:
a single, exclusive Deity
God’s knowledge of and power over all things
all of God’s prophets, who were sent to guide
all the scriptures in their original form
an Afterlife and Recompense for good and bad deeds
angels

3. A need to worship
Humans have a need to worship, a need most appropriately satisfied in the worship of God
When God is not worshipped, other things fill the vacuum
physical pleasure (food, drugs)
wealth and materialism
romantic love
human abilities and qualities (intellect, youth, beauty)
power and domination
elements of nature

4. The Muslim’s worship is God-centered
Every deed is worship when it’s done to please God
The testimony of faith is a pledge and a commitment to God to submit to His will.
Prayer is performed at regular intervals and engages the body, mind, voice and heart.
Fasting is an annual month-long course in self-discipline, compassion and gratitude.
Zakat is compulsory charity that reinforces the concept of collective responsibility.
Pilgrimage unites believers through time and space in a single rite whose focus is serving the Creator.
Mind
Body
Restraint
Expenditure
Community

5. The Purpose of This Life keeping it all in perspective
“[He] created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed...”  (67:2)
And We will certainly test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient who, when disaster strikes them say, “Indeed we belong to God and indeed to Him we will return.” (2: ) (choice:)
“And by the soul and He who fashioned it, and informed it with consciousness of its wickedness and its righteousness, truly, whoever purifies it has succeeded and whoever defiles it has failed.” (91:7-10)
“…every soul may be recompensed for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.”  (45:22)
Method
Criteria
Results

6. inclusive, not competitive
The Context of Life is Community
inclusive, not competitive
Prophet Muhammad said:
“You will not enter paradise until you have faith; and you will not complete your faith till you love one another." (Muslim)
“ Do you know what the rights of a neighbor are? If a neighbor seeks your help, extend it to him. If a neighbor asks you for a loan, lend him. If your neighbor becomes poor, then help him financially and attend to his poverty if you can. If your neighbor becomes ill, then visit him. If your neighbor is happy on certain gain, then congratulate him. If your neighbor is suffering a calamity, then offer him condolences. If your neighbor dies, then attend his funeral. Do not raise your building over his building, so that he would have no sun exposure or wind passage. Do not bother your neighbor with the smell of your cooking, unless you intend to offer him some.” (Tabrani 101)

7. A Life of Moderation and Ease “We have appointed you (Muslims)a moderate nation.” (2:143) “God intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (2:185)
“And they were not commanded except to worship God, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give alms. And that is the correct religion.” (98:5)
"And those, who when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)." (25:67)
"And eat and drink but do not waste; certainly He does not like the extravagant." (7:31)
Hadith: "Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of religion." He repeated this three times. (Muslim)

8. Living the good life sound belief and good work
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life… (16:97)
“Whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a difficult life.” (20:124)
“Or do those who commit ill-deeds suppose that We shall make them live as those who believe and do good works, so their lives and deaths are the same? Bad is their judgment!” (45:21)

9. What is the “Good Life”? a physical, spiritual, social, material and mental state of well-being.
A close relationship with the Creator and sustainer.
A serene spirit and an enlightened mind
Righteous earnings: from valued and wholesome activities
Healthy relationships: characterized by respect and kindness
Healthy body: avoiding harmful substances
(Righteous earnings) Not from gambling, production and distribution of intoxicants, sex industry, and charging interest

10. Our Purpose in Life Achieved through fulfilling our responsibilities

11. Striving for purely monotheistic worship
Gratitude
Reliance
Obedience
Trust
Glorification
Remembrance
Repentance
Contentment
Patience

12. Striving for virtue and personal growth
Self-discipline
Knowledge
Truthfulness
Sobriety
Reason
Courage
Moderation
Chastity
Charity
Humility
Patience
Faith
Compassion
Forgiveness
Purity
Gentleness

13. Striving for social perfection
Justice
Security
Education
Health care
Civil rights
Economic stability
Environment protection
Self-determination
World peace

14. Summary: The Paradigms of Islam
Intuitive religion
A need to worship
Testing and growth
Community is the context
Moderation and ease
The good life: belief & deeds
Striving for:
Purely monotheistic worship
Personal virtue and growth
Social perfection