Since Islam is not a religion in the common, distorted meaning of the word, confining its scope to the private life of man, it gives elaborate guidelines in every possible walk of life. Some more important issues like food, war & death are discussed in the following paragraphs to give the reader an idea of Islam’s point of view on such issues of immense importance.

What does Islam say about food?

Although much simpler than the dietary law followed by Jews and the early Christians, the code which Muslims observe forbids the consumption of pig meat or any kind of intoxicating drink. The Prophet taught that ‘your body has rights over you’, and the consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a healthy lifestyle are seen as religious obligations.

The Prophet said:

‘Ask God for certainty (of faith) and well-being; for after certainty, no one is given any gift better than health!’

What does Islam say about war?

Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defence of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat that include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the world if good men were not prepared to risk their lives in a righteous cause.

The Qur’an says:

Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors. (2:190)

If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for he is the one that heareth and knoweth all things. (8:61)

War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. You have probably heard the word "Jihad" and in the Western press, it's often misused in the context of "terrorism", "fundamentalism" etc. But In Islam, Jihad means “struggle” or “striving” to make the life of the Muslim better in the Way of Allah.

The rulings of Jihad depends upon the National Situation of Muslims, the rulings of Jihad will be different in both cases; under peaceful condition and under attacking condition.

If the National conditions of Muslims are peaceful then Jihad is the effort against our own desires and selfishness, when they get in the way of serving Allah. If we want to stay talking with our friends, when it's prayer time, we need to fight that idle feelings and go to Salat (Muslims prayer). That’s the concept of Jihad during peaceful conditions in the light of Quran and Hadith.

If Muslims are under attack then the Jihad is to defend one’s freedom or one’s homeland. So, in such situations, Jihad is the struggle to defend Islam or the Muslims, when attacked.

How do Muslims view death?

Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that the present life is only a trial preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of Judgment, resurrection, Heaven and Hell. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple prayer, as earlier as possible.

Muslims consider this one of the final services they can do for their relatives, and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence hereon earth. The Prophet taught that three things can continue to help a person even after death; charity which he had given, knowledge which he had taught and prayers on their behalf by a righteous child.