الدين الكامل Deen al-Kamil

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The religion of Islam is a way-of-life that is full, final, and complete. At its core, Islam means the total submission to the Will of God that when followed, inevitably leads to upright moral character and all things good including peace and contentment both in this worldly life and the hereafter. Islam was perfected (as revealed through the life of the Noble Messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) and was granted to humanity by Allah ﷻ as mentioned in the Quran:

 ۚ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا ۚ  ٣

"...This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion..." 

- Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:3 

This verse is profound as it expresses a guarantee of the excellence of Islam by our Creator. This tells us that the faults observed in the global Muslim community do not originate from the teachings of Islam rather, they're a reflection of character flaws of Muslims individually and sometimes collectively. Specifically, those who at best struggle to do good and at worst struggle to discern good from bad. As one separates themself from the Will of Allah ﷻ (His worship, obedience and remembrance), their character steadily reflects wrongdoings with adverse outcomes.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ٥٦

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

-Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56

And, the purpose of worship is remembrance of Allah ﷻ:

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ

Indeed, I am Allāh. There is no god (worthy of worship) except Me, so worship Me (alone) and establish prayer for My remembrance.

-Surah Taha 20:14

Consistently and persistently submitting to the Will of Allah ﷻ undeniably strengthens a believer's character, which Allah ﷻ holds in high regard as said to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Quran: 

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ٤

And indeed, you are of a exalted moral character.

-Surah The Pen (68:4)

And as reported by Abu Hurayra RA: 

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I was sent to perfect righteous character."

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي أُوَيْسٍ قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنِ الْقَعْقَاعِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ السَّمَّانِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ‏:‏ إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ صَالِحَ الأَخْلاقِ‏.‏
Book 14, Hadith 273

In a world that is increasingly materialistic and filled with distractions that blur the lines of right and wrong, a believer's ability to submit to the Will of Allah ﷻ becomes more and more of a distant possibility. The key to total submission is to seek spiritual purification and connection: 

اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلاَهَا

Allahumma aati nafsi taqwaha wa zakkaha anta khayru man zakkaha, anta waliyyuha waliyyuha wa mawlaha 

"...O Allah, give my soul (nafs) its piety and purify it, for you are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and Master..."

- Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2722)