Islam is a comprehensive religion as it covers all aspects of human life. It is a

religion of balance and moderation; it avoids extremes. Other religions

overplay one aspect of human life and underplay the other, and are, therefore,

1. For example, in some religions the spiritual component of life is

overstressed and man is raised to the level of a mere abstraction; in other

religions, the physical and the palpable aspect is overemphasized and man is

reduced to the level of an animal or a machine. Their extremistic attitude not

only creates imbalance but also encourages a variety of splits and

contradictions, which not only disillusion their more sensitive followers but

also give rise to a sense of general apathy, even revulsion, towards their highsounding

1. Islam acknowledges the relevance of both aspects of human

life, the physical and the spiritual. But it does not dissociate them from each

other; rather it weaves them into a higher form of unity. Islam acknowledges

the pressure of physical compulsions but it does not give them a free ride. On

the other hand, it frames a set of definite rules to channelize them into more

positive outlets; similarly, it acknowledges man’s spiritual yearnings and tries

to cast them into a mould that is compatible with practical realities. Thus, by

blending man’s basic aspirations and needs into a practicable framework of

action and contemplation, it caters most comprehensively to the undeniable

reality of human existence.