Although I have been a Muslim long time ago, I still search for and find reasons for being a Muslim. I know that there are a lot of scientific books that prove the truth of Islam. However, what appeals to me is something different. The reasons that mostly depend on first-hand experience. That is why they will seem effective for those who share a part.
Man Has Cause:
Man is prepared and created to have a cause in life to live for. Man is here in this life to worship his Creator. As a human, when I pass a period in my life without a purpose or a cause, I feel I’m nothing. At these times, maybe I’m relaxed in interim happiness, enjoying myself by materialistic things. However, I feel that these feelings are superficial. When I return home, and stay alone, I feel depressed. In contrast, when I try to remind myself with the purpose of life conveyed by Islam, and struggle to have an effect in this life, I become physically tired, but spiritually satisfied and happy. Simply, this is man nature!
Practical Concept of Worship:
In Islam, worship has a wide range. It doesn’t only include the five pillars of Islam; Monotheism, five prayers a day, Zakat (poor dues), fasting Ramadan, and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca once in life.) It also includes everything that man can do or say to satisfy his Creator. For example, if a man works to provide a good life for his family, this is worship. Also, if he helps others or feed an animal, this is worship. If he even smiles for his brother in Islam, this will be worship.
Social Life:
Islam gives parents, relatives and neighbors top priority, even if they aren’t Muslims. Allah the Almighty says in Qur’an:
“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” [Quran.com/17/23-38]
Also,
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: ‘He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In addition, Islam cares about the relation between friends and encourages them to help each other in materialistic or religious matters.
In my family, we gather every week, we help each other with our problems and many other things. It’s very effective to feel that one of my friends or relatives may sometimes do something for me without any personal interest. It is only because Allah asked him\her to be like this!
Balance between Body and Soul:
Islam encourages us to settle this earth, to learn, and to look after our bodies and souls. In addition, Islam rejects the idea of taking a corner away from people to worship Allah. Instead, it encourages us to engage in life, and to reform the corruption. Qur’an speaks about the People of Book saying,
“Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah . But they did not observe it with due observance.” [Quran.com/57/27]
Happiness:
No one in this world denies how happiness is the ultimate direct or indirect goal for everyone. This goal may lead some people to go astray. However, the matter will be different if we consider this goal from an Islamic point of view. To illustrate, Islam makes a balance between world life and hereafter, and guarantees for its true followers happiness in this life and hereafter. Allah the Almighty says in Qur’an:
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do” [quran.com/16/97]
To conclude, life without Islam is nothing. Read Qur’an, read stories about people’s experience after Islam, like these: http://muslimconverts.com/converts/; discover yourself, discover your potentials!
