Why should I follow Islam?

[AkramUKConv]

I have a qustion from a person very close to me and I think that maybe you may be in a better position to answer than me at the moment. I know what is right for me but I'd like others to contribute.

Upon finding me looking into Islam, she understands I I do but says (although I have never asked her too), why should I follow Islam, or any religion for that matter? I have lived this long without it and am doing fine and am an honourable, decent, honest person. Knowing this about me, and forgetting the stuff about damnation if you don't follow, why should I follow Islam?

[Umm Ahmed]

Islaam tells us that we are like travelers in this life , and the only thing we will take with us from this journey is our relgion and our deeds , within this journey are tests which enrich us spiritually. I know this to be true myself.
We know there is a God by our surroundings and by looking at the complexity of our own being. Then when Phrophets have been sent to us , they reaffirmed our beliefs with their message , till the final messenger Phrophet Muhammed came with the final Message thus it makes sense to follow and obey what Allaah legislated for us through the Quran.

Islaam is the best way to live and the best way to die. We may think we are honorable and good judging by our own self or society , but the best laws are Allaahs laws , and those who follow those laws have a good life in this world, and know they will be rewarded for it in the next world InshaAllaah.
As humans we do sin and disobey Allaah, but when we reflect back we know we sinned because we disobeyed Allaah.
Hope this makes sense.

[aburasheed]

I agree with Umm Ahmed, we may think that we are honorable and good, but you can never tell what the reality is in our heart. You can sometimes see this manifest when calamity happens like hurricane, earth quake, flood, etc for instance, you will see "good" people looting, stealing, robbing just because there's no law and order. There are too many instance of this to quote, you can just google the news and you'll know what I mean.

Islam comes with a clear law and the total package to show you the correct way to live this temporary life in this world (aka way of life, or deen), from even before you're born (eg: to-be parents making dua for a righteous child), to after you're dead (eg: kids making dua for their deceased parents). No other religion have this to offer.

Then comes the life of the in the grave (barzakh), and the life hereafter that is our final destination. Whether we like it or not we all are going to die. No one can deny death. When our time comes (death), you cannot even delay or hasten it (an-Nahl 61).

So it is ingrained in our heart/brain to seek for the meaning of this short period of time we spend in this world. The meaning and the purpose of creation. They call it "god module" or "god spot" in the brain, try google for those keywords. It is mention in the Quran as "fitrah" [ar-Rum 30], human will try to find the religion to "set their face" or submit themselves to.

The purpose and the goals of life is well defined in Islam (ad-Dhariat 56).

These are just a few examples, I'll write more if it's needed. You can find the video by Khalid Yassin "The Purpose of Life" on youtube.com. The first one I think is more effective than the rest.

Allah Knows best.

[AkramUKConv]

Quran 2:1-7
Quran 18:103-106

What is the Purpose of Our Existence? (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3420648862609991336) by Abdul Raheem Green
The Purpose of Life (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8596474030970033467) by Abdul Raheem Green
Why Abdul Raheem Green Came to Islam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF8joJaOVJw) by Abdul Raheem Green
The Purpose of Life By Sheikh Khalid Yasin (Complete Lecture) (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3354492130609016475)