ISLAM insists Muslims uphold religious values in leading their lives to ensure they are able to achieve real success in this world and that this will be followed by success in the hereafter.
This will require a well-rounded lifestyle that will harmonise the material and spiritual needs and also the individual’s interest and social responsibilities.
To a Muslim, a wholesome life will ensure peace of mind, contentment and a sense of security.
And it is such a state of mind that is conducive to building a healthy, moral and spiritual atmosphere for progress.
This Islamic approach to living can develop within an individual the sense of a real purpose of life. It fulfils all aspects of human needs and develops the need for continuous struggle in all aspects of human endeavour.
To maintain the momentum for social progress, the spirit of struggle ( jihad ) must be nurtured in society.
The loss of idealism normally develops when individuals are corrupted and are preoccupied with luxurious living.
In a materialistic society, the yardstick for success is always material affluence and luxurious living.
It is wrong to measure individual success and social status by a luxurious lifestyle.
It not only contradicts the religious requirement, but undermines economic performance.
The willingness to work hard for continuous improvement cannot be sustained if people focus on leading a self-indulgent lifestyle.
The number of people living below the poverty line is substantial.
They would be demoralised if the well-to-do waste their wealth on luxurious living.
Social inequity creates social disequilibrium which eventually hinders social progress.
The Islamic approach to living calls upon man to lead a balanced and moderate lifestyle.
Allah in the Quran has mentioned in very clear terms: “Say: Who has forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of God which He has produced for His servants and the things cleaned and pure, (which He has provided) for sustenance.” (7:32)
The Quran insists that the beautiful and good things of life are really meant for, and should be the privilege of those who have faith in God.
According to Islam, everything in this world is created for man. Man should benefit from the material prosperity but be moderate in leading his life in this world.
Moderation is important. It inculcates in man a balanced and dynamic personality. It develops a well-rounded character whose material and spiritual needs are kept in proportions.
A complete and well-developed person is dynamic and contributes effectively in all areas of human activities.
In another verse of the Quran, Allah says: “O people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (2:168)
This verse emphasises the ethics of spending.
The characteristic of the evil or godless individual is one who over-consumes when he spends.
He involves himself in extravagance or becomes involved in spending in immoral ways for purposes that contradict religious teachings.
The message that one needs to understand about leading a moderate life is not to become involved in the extravagance of luxurious living and also not to participate in wrongful spending that arises from vices such as bribery and gambling.
One also needs to live within one’s means.
The temptation to spend during festive seasons is great. We need to be disciplined.
Desire and lust, if they control us, will not be able to meet all our requirements.
It is natural that human desire can never be satisfied.
A desire-oriented society can contribute to high consumption and this is detrimental to its development.
The needs-oriented strategy can discipline us to lead a moderate life and enable us to live within our means.
Our needs are basically limited; what is unlimited is our desire.
The desire is normally influenced by lust.
Fasting during Ramadan is one way to help man understand lust in the right perspective.
Islam does not insist on suppressing human lust, which is a natural part of man and has a role to play.
The Islamic approach is to educate man to use his lust for right action.