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Your Questions Answered

Time and again I have come across people who have promised something and not kept their word. What is the Islamic perspective about promises?

In mutual dealings in social life, it often happens that a person gives his word to another. There is apparently no third person or group between the two, yet there is always a third present and that is God who is the supreme witness. That is why every promise becomes a divine promise.

A believer therefore should be extremely sensitive about giving his word. His conviction is that every commitment made between two persons is under the watchful eyes of God, and that he will be accountable for its fulfilment in the court of God. This compels him to be highly responsible as regards his promises. Whenever he gives his word to anyone he makes a point of keeping it.

Many other virtues come in the wake of the regular fulfilment of promises. One of these is mutual trust. In a society where mutual trust exists, there is no discord and dissension between the people; there is an atmosphere of confidence and peaceability as there is no fear of promises being broken. Readiness to fulfil promises is a commendable trait; it is true faith that makes man the possessor of this highest human virtues.

I have heard that Islam gives a sort of daily program to its adherents to follow. Can you elaborate on this?

Islam gives a programme for life covering the individual’s entire existence. From morning till evening not a single moment of the believer’s life excludes the sphere of Islam. It is only after saying his prayers that he goes to bed at night and when he wakes up early in the morning, he first of all purifies his body, performs his dawn prayers.

The day begins with purity and worship which is the beginning of a God oriented life. The ensuing hours between morning and noon are meant for economic activities. However during this period too a believer remembers God constantly. In all matters he adheres strictly to the limits set by God, and in his dealings with people, he is scrupulously honest in all kinds of interactions.

Then between noon to night there are 4 more prayers which keep reminding him that God’s help and guidance is there for him to face his day-to-day challenges. The rest of the day he does all kinds of activities connected to his work or studies daily chores, meals, rest etc. Like I mentioned in all his actions he tries to conduct himself in a way which will be acceptable to God. He will be duty-conscious more than rightsconscious. He will be a man of principle, a predictable character and he will make the best use of all the resources of time, energy and money to benefit himself and the society.

To sum up, the day is divided into 5 parts which is based on the time between one prayer to another and there is guidance in the Quran and teachings and life of the Prophet of how to plan efficiently the activities for working towards success based on the role of each person in this world.

Once while waiting in a lounge during travel I observed a Muslim praying in a corner. Many of the actions he was performing I could understand the meaning but towards the end he turned his face to the right and to the left what does this stand for?

As per your observation the kneeling and prostrating and standing in a humble posture before God is the physical expression of the idea that the only course that befits him is to lead his life as a submissive servant of God. The prayers is concluded by turning the face first to the right side, then to the left, and reciting the words Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah (Peace and blessings of God be upon you). This is a demonstration of the fact that, spiritually conditioned by prayer, the devotees are now entering into the world with no other thoughts and feelings in their minds but those of mercy towards people all around them and peace for all humankind. Prayer turns their resolve to remain peaceful members of society, and to harbour no ill feelings towards anyone.

Prayer in one respect is the worship of God and in yet another respect, it prepares the individual to lead a worthy life among people, adopting an attitude of modesty, sympathy and goodwill in all his dealings. It perfects man’s relation with God as well as with other human beings.