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From: aisma@arcadien.rice.edu (Islam is a way of life)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: Is there something more to Islam than mere rules?
Message-ID: <1990Dec9.012036.21985@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Date: 9 Dec 90 01:20:36 GMT
Sender: bes@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Behnam Sadeghi)
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Lines: 13
Approved: bes@tybalt.caltech.edu

First of all, Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life. In other words, Islam is not merely a religion in the sense that its followers must not perform certain rituals and at certain times only. In Al-Quran, Allah says(translation) : "And I do not create jins and men except to worship me". So the whole life of muslim, 24 hours a day, should an act of worship to Allah.

When a companion of the prophet(peace be upon him) asked the prophet's wife, Aisyah, "What is the characteristic of the prophet?", Aisyah replied: "The Quran". 

So the Quran is the book of guidance to mankind. The more you read the Quran, the more your heart soften.

Islam has its spiritual aspect. Islam has its economical aspect. Islam has its political aspect. Islam has its social aspect. And so on.

But the first step to understand this is to read the Quran. When you read the Quran, be ready to practice it; otherwise, you won't gain nothing much. 

And the message of Islam is as a blessing(rahmah) to all the universe(not only to the mankind). Even the plants, animals,etc get the blessing from Islam.

Abu Anas