Islam Arrives to Honor Humanity
Introduction
The colorful life of this world often distracts human beings. Amidst the busyness of hoarding wealth, pursuing careers, and fulfilling material desires, we often forget the fundamental essence of our existence on this earth. Allah SWT reminds us of the purpose of human creation in the Qur’an:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ
Meaning: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (QS. Adz-Dzariyat: 56)
The world we live in today is very different from Paradise—the original home of our ancestor, Adam ‘alaihissalam. Paradise is a place of eternal delight where all desires are permitted without any restriction. On the contrary, the world is designed as a temporary testing ground, filled with regulations, boundaries, and hard work.
In order for this dynamic worldly life to run harmoniously and to secure our safety in the Hereafter, Allah SWT sent down the Islamic Sharia. Islam is here not to cause hardship, but to honor humanity.
Allah’s Guidance: Dispeller of Fear and Grief
When Adam was sent down to earth, Allah promised guidance for his descendants so they would be safe in navigating worldly life.
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوْا مِنْهَا جَمِيْعًا ۚ فَاِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِّنِّيْ هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ
Meaning: “We said, ‘Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance—there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.’” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 38)
Obedience to Allah’s Sharia brings immense peace of mind in this world and happiness in the Hereafter. Believers do not suffer from excessive anxiety because they entrust all their affairs to the All-Rich, All-Wise Lord.
Conversely, ignoring Allah’s Sharia and indulging in sins only breeds fear, anxiety, and distress in the human heart:
سَنُلْقِيْ فِيْ قُلُوْبِ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ بِمَٓا اَشْرَكُوْا بِاللّٰهِ
Meaning: “We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve because they have associated with Allah…” (QS. Ali Imran: 151)
Every Command Is a Blessing, Every Prohibition Is a Shield
When we reflect on every rule in Islam, we realize that all Sharia laws aim for the benefit of humanity itself.
Allah’s Commands are revealed to cleanse the soul and perfect the blessings of life:
مَا يُرِيْدُ اللّٰهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَّلٰكِنْ يُّرِيْدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهٗ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ
Meaning: “Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.” (QS. Al-Maidah: 6)
Allah’s Prohibitions are established to protect humans from dangers that are far greater than any temporary benefit. For example, the prohibition of alcohol (khamr) and gambling:
يَسْـَٔلُوْنَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِۗ قُلْ فِيْهِمَآ اِثْمٌ كَبِيْرٌ وَّمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِۖ وَاِثْمُهُمَآ اَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَّفْعِهِمَاۗ
Meaning: “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 219)
Patience: The Key to True Honor
The ultimate key for humanity to achieve honor in this world and the Hereafter is patience in obeying Allah and always maintaining a good opinion (husnuzhan) of His decrees. When life’s trials strike, know that Allah has prepared ease to follow:
فَاِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًاۙ اِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًاۗ
Meaning: “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (QS. Al-Insyirah: 5-6)
Having a bad opinion of Allah when tested will only plunge a person into clear ruin in both worlds. Allah SWT says:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَّعْبُدُ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى حَرْفٍۚ فَاِنْ اَصَابَهٗ خَيْرُ ِۨاطْمَئَنَّ بِهٖۚ وَاِنْ اَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةُ ِۨانْقَلَبَ عَلٰى وَجْهِهٖۗ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْاٰخِرَةَۗ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِيْنُ
Meaning: “And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face. He has lost [both] this world and the Hereafter. That is the clear loss.” (QS. Al-Hajj: 11)
Conclusion
Islam is not a shackle that limits human freedom, but a compass that guides humanity to live an honorable and dignified life. By complying with His commands and avoiding His prohibitions, we are preserving the purity of our souls and securing eternal happiness in the Hereafter. May Allah grant us steadfastness to always stay under the shade of His magnificent guidance.
Adapted from the Friday Sermon by Ustadz Fahrurozi, M.Pd. (Dakwah.id).
