A MAJORITY of people reading this phrase would interpret it as meaning riches, wealth, health, eating well, travelling and generally having a good time. One has a good life if one parties, has hosts of friends and a house or houses full of splendorous valuables collected from over the world. Full of enjoyment, one’s hours are spent in activities that relax the mind and excite the imagination. Success is often associated with such a life and is defined by money, family and friends, and if possible fame and connections with people in power. Yet, such a life may not be good at all, from the perspective of Islam. If one is to lead a good life, one must possess faith and belief in all the tenets of Islam and live righteously. The Quran asks Muslims to be righteous and “...- to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. ... (2:177)”. The verse emphasises giving, to whoever needs it; helping others gain freedom; fulfilling promises, remaining optimistic throughout adversity and bearing pain and suffering with fortitude. Believers or momineen are defined at several places as those who live with humility, modesty and chastity; avoid frivolous or vain behavior. In a good life, a Muslim will possess a deep sense of the afterlife and their actions in this world will be defined by what pleases God and the Prophet (PBUH) and that will earn them paradise. From intent to action; thought to deed, virtues to practice, a good life will be a chain of links between each, without contradiction. For example, to live a good life, a Muslim will be hopeful and optimistic, giving up despair and always looking at a glass half-full; she will be generous and outpouring, not only with her wealth but also with herself, her time and effort to help others in need; honest and truthful, meeting commitments and keeping her word, fair and just in dealing with others even if it means she must give evidence against her kith and kin; in commercial dealings and sales, the material sold would be properly weig­h­­ed and equal in measure to the price charged. Believers or ‘momineen’ are those who live with humility, modesty and chastity. She would be patient, soft-spoken and respectful of others, including respecting differences of opinions and beliefs. She would not consume beyond her needs, whether it be food, water or other resources. Surah Taha, verse 81 says: “Eat and drink, but not in excess”. Indeed, it is recommended by the Prophet that the stomach be filled one third with food, on third with water and one third left empty (Sunan Ibn Majah). Most importantly, the source of her consumption would be halal means, ie her income would be generated through ways that are halal and the manner in which this income is used would also be halal. As an example, the income would not be taken as a bribe or unfair means, and would not be used for lavish and luxurious activities. The “good life” of the Muslim is the Siratal Mustaqeem, the straight path that leads to paradise. Should one deviate from it, but realises their error and revert to God, one is forgiven by His eternal mercy. Compare the above with the kind of lives Muslims lead today and you will find that an almost opposite path is being taken. Viciousness, greed and corruption are normal, as are lies, false evidence and every possible kind of repression inclu­ding religious, po-litical, economic or social injusti­­ce. The poor rem­ain poor while the rich few get wealthier by dub­ious means. The wealthy are also powerful and are able to take control of resources. There is general anarchy and chaos with occasional protests that are quickly suppressed. Corruption abounds in every form and crime rates are high with low convictions. The poor get caught, the rich get away. Society shows severe signs of depravity and lowering of morals and while some Muslim countries and populations are bo­­mbed, ravaged and destroyed, powerful Muslims refrain from action against the oppressors. There are major contradictio­ns: accumulation of resources on the one hand and starvation on the other; a breakdown of the legal system with criminals getting away with major crimes but overflowing jails with people against whom fake cases have been filed; men of Lilliputian intelligence and integrity are in positions of power, having perfect impunity to abuse it. Today, the ‘good’ life of the Muslim is, in reality, a tortuous path that belies all that Islam stands for: social justice, morality and ethics and kindness and compassion.