The Principal Goals of Islam

The Prophet ( s) said in Mina in his Farewell Pilgrimage: “Do you know which day this is?”
They (i.e. his companions) replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”
He said, “Indeed this is a sacred Day (the Day of ‘Arafah in Hajj). Do you know which place this is?”
They (his companions) replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”
He said, “A sacred place (Mecca and its surroundings). Do you know which month this is?”
They (his companions) replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”
He said, “A sacred month (the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar). Indeed, Allah has made your lives, your wealth, and your honor inviolable and sacred, like the sanctity of this [sacred] day, in this [sacred] month, in this [sacred] place.” (al-Bukhari)

The most important goals which Islam calls to and utterly preserves are the preservation of religion, life, honor, wealth, mind, offspring, as well as the preservation of the rights of the weak and disabled.

• In regards to the inviolability of life, Allah ( y) says: "And do not kill anyone who Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause." [17:33]

• In regards to the inviolability of wealth, Allah( y) says: "Eat not up your property among yourselves unjustly." [2:188]

In reference to the sanctity of honor, Allah ( y) says: "And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a lewd evil sin, and an evil way." [17:32]
He also says: "Who so commits a delinquency or sin, then throws (the blame) thereof upon someone innocent, has burdened himself with falsehood and a flagrant sin." [4:112]




• In regards to the prohibition of transgression against lineage and ancestry, Allah ( y) says: "And when he turns away (from you) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the cultivation and lineage; and Allah loves not mischief and corruption." [2:205]
  Islam takes great care to protect the rights of the weak, for they are more likely to be oppressed than others. For this reason, Allah mentions in the Qur’an several categories of the weak and some ways in which they may be wronged.

• With regards to parents, Allah ( y) says: "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them ‘uff’ (a word of disrespect), nor shout at them but address them with terms of honor." [17:23]

• In regards to orphans, Allah ( y) says: "Therefore, the orphan oppress not." [93:9]

  Islam enjoins that their wealth be protected and preserved. Allah ( y) says: "Come not near the wealth of the orphan except with that which is better (to improve and protect it)." [17:34]

• In regards to children, Allah ( y) says: "And that you slay not your children because of poverty, We provide for you and for them." [6:151]

  In regards to the sick, the Messenger of Allah ( s) said: "Free the prisoner, feed the hungry, and visit the sick." (al-Bukhari)

In regards to the elderly, the Prophet ( s) said: "He is not from my followers: he who does not respect his elders, nor shows mercy to the young, nor respects the scholars." (at-Tirmidhi)

In regards to the needy, Allah ( y) says: "And repulse not those who ask" [93:10]
The Prophet ( s) said: "Whoever helps his brother in his time of need, Allah will be there in his time of need." (Muslim)

There are many other excellent manners which the religion of Islam commands Muslims to adopt, all which refines the individual’s character and helps to reform society as a whole.