With what did the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (may Allaah exalt his mention), direct his Ummah to in order to achieve happiness in this life and the next?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Allaah The Almighty made Islam the last of all religions and the Sharee‘ah the last of all Divine Laws. He has chosen this for the believers. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion.} [Quran 5:2] Allaah The Almighty also made His Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the last of the prophets and made his Book the last of all Divinely-revealed books. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allaah and last of the prophets.} [Quran 33:40]. That is why Islam came to reform both this worldly life and the Hereafter, addressing every aspect without exaggeration, negligence, or giving priority to one aspect over another. This amazing balance is indicated by the Quran and the Sunnah.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

· {But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world.} [Quran 28:77]. In order to have the best of this life, Allaah The Almighty made all good things lawful and made all evil things unlawful. He The Almighty ordered us to have good morals, prescribed corporal punishment to deter people from major, destructive sins, enjoined justice and forbade injustice. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

· {And [He] makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil.} [Quran 7:157] {And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.} [Quran 17:53]

· {As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allaah. And Allaah is Exalted in Might and Wise.} [Quran 5:38]

· {The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allaah.} [Quran 24:2]

· {Indeed, Allaah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.} [Quran 4:58]

· {Indeed, Allaah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. And fulfill the covenant of Allaah when you have covenanted, and do not break the oaths after they have been affirmed. And you have already made Allaah sponsor over you; surely Allaah knows whatever (things) you perform.} [Quran 16:90-91]

· {And whoever commits injustice among you - We will make him taste a great punishment.} [Quran 25:19]

Allaah The Almighty also permitted trade and prohibited Ribaa (usury or interest). Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

· {But Allaah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest.} [Quran 2:275]

He The Almighty also banned the unjust consumption of others' wealth. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].} [Quran 2:188]. Allaah The Exalted mentioned numerous directives in some comprehensive Quranic verses in which He orders His slaves to work for both the worldly life and the Hereafter. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allaah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason." And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allaah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.} [Quran 6:151-152]

Ibn Katheer narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ood that he stated that whoever wanted to look at the Prophet's, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, directives carrying his seal, he should read the previous verses.

Of these verses, is the Saying of Allaah The Almighty (what means: {And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment…. All that - its evil is ever, in the sight of your Lord, detested.} [Quran 17:23 -38]. Scholars call these verses," the verses of the ten commandments". In order for people to achieve what is beneficial for them in the Hereafter, Allaah The Almighty ordained the obligatory acts of worship and forbade prohibited actions and immorality. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

· {And establish prayer and give Zakah.} [Quran 2:43]

· {And [due] to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.} [Quran 3:97]

· {Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allaah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allaah that which you do not know."} [Quran 7:33]

In general, the most accurate description of the Quran is that given by the One who revealed it when He The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable.} [Quran 17:9]

One of the most comprehensive directives is what has been given by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the Farewell Pilgrimage when he informed Muslims that their blood (lives), their property and honor are as sacred and inviolable unto one another as that day, that month and that city. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, repeated this several times and ordered that whoever is present should convey this message to whoever is absent. He also warned them against becoming disbelievers after his death by killing each other.

Ibn ‘Abbaas swore by Allaah The Almighty that these are the commandments of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to his Ummah. [Al-Bukhari And Muslim]

In brief, Islam has commanded the reform of both the worldly life and religion in such a way that neither of them overwhelms the other; it also commanded attaining benefits and thwarting harms and encouraged everyone to do his best to achieve every good and be rid of every evil.

Allaah Knows best.