Life | Islamic Reference Series

This volume of the Islamic Reference Series, titled "Life," edited by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, explores the concept of life in Islamic thought, emphasizing its significance in all forms, from plants to the divine. The book highlights a hierarchy of life, where higher forms are more sophisticated and valuable. It notes that God is described as "the Living" (al-Hayy) in the Qur'an and that Islam calls for a new, "Goodly Life" (al-Hayat al-Tayyibah) filled with joy and hope for both men and women[cite.

The volume presents a worldview where everything, including animals, plants, and even non-living beings, possesses intrinsic value and manifests God, serving as His signs. This understanding emphasizes a Muslim's role as a guardian of the environment and condemns actions that destroy nature or disrespect any form of life, including human life, equating the killing of one soul to the killing of all mankind.This volume of the Islamic Reference Series, titled "Life," edited by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, explores the concept of life in Islamic thought, emphasizing its significance in all forms, from plants to the divine. The book highlights a hierarchy of life, where higher forms are more sophisticated and valuable. It notes that God is described as "the Living" (al-Hayy) in the Qur'an and that Islam calls for a new, "Goodly Life" (al-Hayat al-Tayyibah) filled with joy and hope for both men and women.

The volume presents a worldview where everything, including animals, plants, and even non-living beings, possesses intrinsic value and manifests God, serving as His signs[cite. This understanding emphasizes a Muslim's role as a guardian of the environment and condemns actions that destroy nature or disrespect any form of life, including human life, equating the killing of one soul to the killing of all mankind..

The book includes eight papers that delve into different aspects of the Islamic understanding of life, covering both divine and created life in physical and spiritual forms. Most of these papers have been translated from Farsi or Arabic specifically for this volume, offering readers insights into contemporary Muslim thinkers.

Key papers in this volume include:
* "Islamic Bioethics: A General Scheme" by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, which explores the value and sacredness of life in Islam, Islamic regulations for safeguarding human life, and issues related to the beginning and end of life, such as abortion, euthanasia, and suicide.
* "God, the Living" by Ayatollah Ja'far Subhani, examining God's quality of life as the most perfect form, without beginning or end.
* "Human Life" by Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi, distinguishing human life from vegetative and animal life and discussing how humans can achieve spiritual light in this world and the hereafter[cite: 273, 274].
* "The Fundamentality of the Soul" by the late Ayatollah Mutahhari, analyzing the relationship between the soul and the body from a philosophical perspective, arguing that life is a reality independent of matter.
* "The Qur'an and Life" by the late Ayatollah Mutahhari, presenting a Qur'anic account of life, focusing on the relationship between human life, the supernatural world, and divine life[cite: 280, 281].
* "The Goodly Life from a Qur'anic Perspective" by Hujjat al-Islam Hamid Mazaheri Seif, explaining the meaning, requirements, and outcomes of the Goodly Life.
* "Respect for Animal Life in Islam" by Hujjat al-Islam Ali Ahmadi Khah, examining the status of animals in Islam and emphasizing the regard for the preservation and improvement of animal life[cite:.
* "Aspects of Environmental Ethics: An Islamic Perspective" by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, discussing the emphasis on nature in the Qur'an and Sunnah, and the intrinsic value of the environment, including water, earth, plants, and animals.

Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali extends his gratitude to all contributors, editors, and proofreaders for their work on this volume.

The book includes eight papers that delve into different aspects of the Islamic understanding of life, covering both divine and created life in physical and spiritual forms. Most of these papers have been translated from Farsi or Arabic specifically for this volume, offering readers insights into contemporary Muslim thinkers..

Key papers in this volume include:
* "Islamic Bioethics: A General Scheme" by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, which explores the value and sacredness of life in Islam, Islamic regulations for safeguarding human life, and issues related to the beginning and end of life, such as abortion, euthanasia, and suicide.
* "God, the Living" by Ayatollah Ja'far Subhani, examining God's quality of life as the most perfect form, without beginning or end[.
* "Human Life" by Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi, distinguishing human life from vegetative and animal life and discussing how humans can achieve spiritual light in this world and the hereafter.
* "The Fundamentality of the Soul" by the late Ayatollah Mutahhari, analyzing the relationship between the soul and the body from a philosophical perspective, arguing that life is a reality independent of matter.
* "The Qur'an and Life" by the late Ayatollah Mutahhari, presenting a Qur'anic account of life, focusing on the relationship between human life, the supernatural world, and divine life.
* "The Goodly Life from a Qur'anic Perspective" by Hujjat al-Islam Hamid Mazaheri Seif, explaining the meaning, requirements, and outcomes of the Goodly Life.
* "Respect for Animal Life in Islam" by Hujjat al-Islam Ali Ahmadi Khah, examining the status of animals in Islam and emphasizing the regard for the preservation and improvement of animal life..
* "Aspects of Environmental Ethics: An Islamic Perspective" by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, discussing the emphasis on nature in the Qur'an and Sunnah, and the intrinsic value of the environment, including water, earth, plants, and animals.