Relationships and Lifestyle

The family is central to Islamic life. The Qur’an states that parents have a duty to give their children a good upbringing and children have a duty to respect their parents.

Islam teaches that sexual relations between men and women should be within marriage, although the age at which marriage is permitted varies in different countries. There is a huge variation around the world in the way that Muslims celebrate marriage. However, Islam teaches that Muslims should marry not only within religious law but also in accordance with the laws of the country they live in.

Islam forbids sex outside marriage and homosexuality. It also forbids the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Some Muslim scholars argue that tobacco is also forbidden, but there is no widely held consensus on this. Smoking is forbidden during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. Gambling is not allowed. Islam also forbids usury, the lending of money at interest.

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Life and Death

Islam teaches that life is sacred. The Qur’an states that only Allah can decide when someone is to die.

Most Muslims believe abortion is only acceptable if the pregnancy threatens the mother’s health. In the light of the Qur’an’s teachings on the sanctity of life, suicide and euthanasia are both unacceptable to most Muslims.

Most Muslims accept the use of contraception, but only within marriage. Some conservative Muslims reject contraception altogether.

Islam teaches that one day Allah will end all life on earth. This is called the Day of Judgement or the Day of Resurrection. On that day, everyone who has ever lived will be brought back to life and Allah will pass judgement on them. Good deeds and faith in Allah will be rewarded by a place in Paradise. Bad deeds and faithlessness will be repaid by condemnation to Hell.

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