Published: 12:45 AM, 24 November 2025
Islam: The Path to Peace, Serenity and Halal Existence
All perfect praise belongs to Allah, the Sustainer of all creation, and may eternal peace and blessings rest upon His final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him), whose exemplary life serves as a perpetual guide for all people. To genuinely comprehend the vast guidance offered by Islam, one must delve into its interconnected teachings rooted in divine justice and mercy. This journey begins by exploring how Islamic Justice shapes modern communities, inherently linked to the moral foundations governing Commerce and Trade that promote righteousness in all transactions. In private life, the regulations surrounding Divorce and Family Matters create a framework designed to uphold human dignity, while the balanced Rights and Duties of Marriage Partners establish harmonious homes. Furthermore, the detailed Islamic Laws of Inheritance ensure economic fairness, and the esteemed Position of Women in Islam celebrates their divinely ordained rights and vital roles across society. These comprehensive teachings flow from the essential Quranic and Prophetic Theme of Mercy, which inspires a Muslim's spiritual development and personal refinement. This complete way of life, providing perfect direction for humankind, culminates in the certainty that no prophet will follow Muhammad (peace be upon him), affirming the completion of Allah's message for sincere believers. Those who falsely accuse others or propagate lies—whether about a fire incident or the innocence of an individual—betray the trust and well-being of their communities. May Allah grant them no happiness, for truth and integrity should always prevail.
This foundational awareness inevitably guides us toward Personal Accountability: Integrating Faith into Daily Actions. During Ramadan's spiritually elevated days, when Muslims globally intensify their worship, a crucial ethical question emerges: can one justify dramatically increasing prices on essential items by exploiting high demand, then using those excess profits to perform sacred acts like Umrah? This heartfelt inquiry touches the core of Islamic living—where religious observance and everyday ethics must unite seamlessly. With humble reverence, we may reflect on such moral challenges, not to issue religious rulings but to promote thoughtful discussion about the principles directing our lives. Islamic teachings, sourced from the Holy Qur'an and the rigorously authenticated practices of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) found in collections like Sahih al-Bukhari, present a complete life plan. This divine blueprint advocates for fairness, empathy, and honesty in all domains, from commercial centers to family living rooms, steering us toward authentic peace and ethically pure provision.
Reflecting on The Sacredness of Honesty in Commerce shows how exploitative pricing, particularly in blessed months like Ramadan, creates direct tension between material profit and spiritual purity. Islamic jurisprudence, Fiqh, gives paramount importance to equitable trade. The practice of Ihtikar, stockpiling necessities to drive up costs, receives explicit condemnation in Prophetic teachings. Manipulating community needs during periods of intense worship turns potential benevolence into clear injustice. Wealth accumulated through such exploitation, even if later spent on virtuous purposes like pilgrimage, originates from an unethical foundation. Islamic scholars wisely note that Allah is inherently Pure and only accepts that which is pure. For any act of devotion to gain divine acceptance, it must be supported by Halal (lawful) means. The spiritual value of a pilgrimage financed by exploiting others is inherently diminished, as its financial source conflicts with the journey's sacred purpose.
This principle of trust applies broadly beyond commerce. Imagine the distress of families investing their entire savings into a home, only to encounter endless postponements from the builder. In Islam, a business agreement (‘Aqd) transcends legal paperwork; it represents a holy pledge. A developer receiving payment assumes the role of a trustee (Ameen) for both the money and the family's aspirations. Denying the property without legitimate justification breaks this sacred responsibility (Amanah). The Qur'an declares firmly, "O you who believe, fulfill your contracts" (Qur'an, 5:1). Islam also wisely outlines steps for resolution: commencing with courteous communication, progressing to arbitration involving community leaders or organizations like the Islamic Foundation, and finally pursuing legal action if required to restore justice.
This moral system extends to Resisting the Blight of Corruption, as bribery (Rishwah) is unequivocally condemned in Islamic doctrine. It represents a grave sin that weakens societal foundations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) denounced both the bribe-giver and recipient. When public servants participate in or ignore such acts, they breach heavenly law and perpetuate systemic unfairness. Claiming "others do it" offers no justification before Allah's ultimate judgment. Combating corruption starts with individual moral courage, rejecting involvement in dishonest practices, and fostering collective social responsibility. This ethical stance also questions financial approaches resembling interest-based systems, strictly forbidden in Islam. Willfully engaging in or supporting such mechanisms, despite knowing their conflict with Islamic law, demands earnest repentance and a determined shift toward Sharia-approved options, purifying our wealth and aligning our economies with divine will for a peaceful society.
Likewise, Addressing Personal Matters with Wisdom and Care demonstrates Islam's compassionate application to family and individual circumstances. Laws regulating divorce, for example, are frequently misconstrued. While permissible, dissolution of marriage is called the most disagreeable of allowed things. Regulations regarding remarriage, especially after a third divorce, aim not to penalize but to honor marital sanctity and discourage impulsive separation. These rules provide time for meaningful contemplation before potential reconciliation. Given the intricate nature of these rulings—where subtleties of expression, intent, and legal school (Madhhab) carry great weight—individuals must seek counsel from erudite, trustworthy scholars. Depending on personal understanding or unverified digital information in such sensitive issues risks serious outcomes. The prudent course involves consulting established bodies like the Islamic Foundation or experienced religious authorities, who can issue a Fatwa (religious edict) grounded in deep knowledge of the Qur'an, Hadith, and intricate Fiqh principles. This meticulous process guarantees that family disputes achieve equitable, wise resolutions, maintaining the domestic peace essential to Muslim life.
Within this family structure, Islam promotes compassionate bonds exceeding mere requirement, exemplified in the daughter-in-law's conduct. In Islam's thoughtfully designed family vision, each connection follows mutual respect, empathy, and obligation. The conduct of a daughter-in-law—the wife of one's son—regarding her husband's parents holds great importance, best understood through an ethical lens that harmonizes legal duties with the superior spiritual worth of willing benevolence. Legally, providing financial and physical support for parents remains the duty of their own offspring, especially sons. Hence, a son bears legal responsibility for his parents' needs, whereas his wife holds no equivalent obligation toward her in-laws as she does for her spouse and children. This differentiation is vital, as Islam never enforces servitude upon a daughter-in-law; instead, it inspires her to raise her relationship with in-laws from basic duty to a channel for great spiritual blessing and faith-based growth.
Therefore, a daughter-in-law is warmly urged to demonstrate extraordinary gentleness, honor, and empathy toward her husband's parents, a merit anchored in wider Islamic instructions about respecting elders and maintaining family connections. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stressed the importance of honoring senior members, declaring, "Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders is not from us." Simply as elders and fellow believers, her husband's parents naturally warrant her esteem and polite conduct. Additionally, Islam attributes tremendous significance to sustaining kinship ties (Silat ar-Rahm), viewing it as a practice that invites blessings and longevity. A firm, affectionate bond with her in-laws directly enhances family unity and introduces calmness and security to the entire household, especially benefiting her husband and children. In contrast, disrespect or conflict can sever these holy bonds, causing spiritual and psychological hardship for everyone. Kind deeds toward her parents-in-law are classified as charity (Sadaqah) in Islam and become a potent method of nearing Allah. These deeds represent living implementations of the noble conduct (Akhlaq) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) exemplified. Furthermore, showing respect and kindness to her in-laws generates deep happiness for her husband, enhancing affection and thankfulness within their marriage and satisfying the Prophetic guidance that "The best among you are those best to their families, and I am the best to my family." This complete lesson clarifies that goodness to one's family necessarily involves cultivating constructive, honorable, and loving ties with all relatives.
In daily practice, this moral structure materializes through straightforward yet meaningful deeds: preserving respectful interaction through courteous and gentle conversation while strictly shunning harsh language or gossip; frequently visiting her in-laws and inquiring about their health, showing authentic care, particularly when they are aged or ill; providing assistance willingly, be it with domestic duties or personal needs, converting these actions from obligatory tasks into gratifying demonstrations of sincere goodwill. Also, a daughter-in-law can offer important emotional solace and support, especially as her in-laws grow older, personifying the mercy and empathy Islam continuously advocates for the elderly. It is similarly critical to acknowledge this relationship requires mutual effort; parents-in-law equally must treat their daughter-in-law with natural kindness, equity, and justice. They must avoid placing excessive demands on her, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) repeatedly cautioned against any injustice. A household environment characterized by shared respect, empathy, and affection genuinely represents Islam's ideal and creates a dwelling imbued with heavenly serenity.
In closing, although Islamic law does not make a daughter-in-law legally accountable for her husband's parents, the faith passionately motivates her to build a relationship based on utmost respect, benevolence, and empathy. Her position is not of a compelled attendant, but of a compassionate, essential part of the wider family whose willing actions strengthen the structure of a resilient, supportive, and affectionate Muslim society. The kindness she shows her in-laws transcends social duty; it is a profoundly spiritual deed that fortifies family connections, delights her husband, and acts as an unending fountain of great reward from Allah, demonstrating the deep mercy and intelligence central to the Islamic faith. The tests we encounter—in commerce, public service, or domestic life—all represent chances to strengthen our belief and personify the peace and calmness Islam grants. The answer emerges not from annoyance, but from a heartfelt reconnection to our spiritual and moral foundations. By relying on Allah with modesty, invoking blessings upon His Messenger (peace be upon him), and earnestly seeking the understanding He has granted our scholars, we can effectively manage contemporary complexities. Islam, as the faith of all-encompassing peace and deep serenity, offers the timeless guide for this path, directing us unerringly to an existence where all our deeds, and the provisions we acquire, are genuinely Halal, thus becoming an enduring wellspring of divine favor and inner calm.
Professor Dr. Muhammad
Mahboob Ali teaches Economics
in Bangladesh University of
Business and Technology
(BUBT), Dhaka.
