Religion Assignment Task 1

The purpose of life is to achieve real happiness by worshipping the one true God in everything we do”.
Dr Bilal Philips emphasises the centrality of a holistic life which must be devoted to Allah not just in
religious frames, but in all aspects of life. Through submitting to the will of Allah, eternal happiness
will be gifted in Jannah (Heaven). The Islamic ethical system is contingent on a set of principal beliefs
and practices that are key to providing Muslim adherents with purpose and meaning in life. The
belief of Tawhid as the indivisible oneness and transcendence of Allah as well as Akhira, the belief in
everlasting life beyond the “Day of Judgement” creates the foundation of the Islamic ethical system
informing Sharia law. These beliefs guide the five pillars of Islam including Shahada as the central
doctrine and profession of the Islamic faith and Sawm as an obligatory act of fasting during the ninth
month of the Islamic Holy Calendar (Ramadan).

The belief in Tawhid guides the pillars of Shahada and Sawm and therefore shapes the Islamic ethical
system providing meaning and purpose for Muslim adherents. Tawhid exemplifies Allah’s absolute
sovereignty and the submission of oneself to his will which are central themes of Shahada, which
declares “There is no God but Allah”. "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him… He who
associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin" (Quran 4:48). This quote
underscores the importance of Tawhid warning against associating Allah with other deities and that
adherents must constantly reaffirm their faith through the declaration of Shahada. Tawhid also
correlates with Sawm guiding Islamic practice to strengthen adherents’ connection with Allah.
Through Sawm, Tawhid influences adherents to engage in fervent worship involving spiritual and
physical guidance to submit to Allah perfectly. "Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is fasting, he
should not use foul or foolish talk" (Sahih Bukhari, Book 31, Hadith 118). This hadith corroborates the
protective nature of Sawm from sin implying that these acts of reverence demonstrate piety to Allah
purifying the adherent's soul. Further, Tawhid teaches that objects of idolisation such as drugs,
money, alcohol etc must be dismissed and Allah is the only source of moral guidance where all
ethical principles must be derived from the Quran and Sunnah. As a result, Tawhid expresses
mindfulness of Allah in all actions correlating with Islamic ethics providing purpose to adherents to
live under Sharia Law and Allah’s will. Therefore Tawhid informs Sawm, Shahada and the Islamic
ethical system to provide adherents with purpose and meaning.

The belief of Akhira informs the pillars of Shahada, Sawm as well as the ethical system to provide
purpose and meaning for a Muslim adherent. Akhira expounds on the belief in everlasting life after
death where individuals will be judged on their actions in the present life on the ‘Day of Judgement’
influencing the constant declaration of Shahada.“Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief...
except for one who is forced while his heart is secure in faith. But those who open their breasts to
disbelief… for them is a great punishment” (Quran 16:106). This verse is centred on a monotheistic
belief in Allah. The concept of being forced to renounce one's religion emphasises that Shahada must
be zealous to be viable and those who reject Allah will face consequences in the afterlife. Akhira also
reinforces Sawm on the importance of foresight over immediate gratification. "When Ramadan
comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed…" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book
31, Hadith 123). These blessings of Ramadan, where the opening gates of Jannah and closing gates of
Jahannam (Hell) symbolise spiritual elevation in attaining a higher level of spiritual consciousness and
reaping benefits in the afterlife providing purpose for adherents. In Islamic jurisprudence, Akhira is a
foundational concept that guides the Islamic ethical system for an everlasting sanctuary after death.
It influences accountability prioritising spiritual and ethical values over material pursuits such as
displaying reverence in Salat five times a day which involves physical movements and recitations of
verses from the Quran. As a result, adherents are informed about morality in their daily conduct
permeating all spheres of human life and informing Sharia law. Therefore Akhira serves as a
foundation for Shahada, Sawm and the Islamic ethical system to provide adherents with purpose and
meaning.

In conclusion, as expressed by Dr Bilal Philips on the significance of a pious life, the principal beliefs
of both Tawhid as the oneness of God and Akhira as the belief in the afterlife effectively inform the
Islamic ethical system and Sharia Law. As well as the pillars of Shahada as the profession of faith and
Sawm as a fasting act of worship to provide purpose and meaning for a Muslim Adherent.

Word count: 800

Bibliography

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