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It is claimed that Islam is a "complete" religion, I'm wondering what exactly this means. Is it due to the Islamic law making it a complete way of life? Also with regards to the Islamic law, what is judged and punished here on earth compared to after life here? What are opinions on heaven and hell?

Well, you would expect me to reply - wouldn't you?

You've asked 3 questions:
1. What is a complete religion?
2. Islamic Law - what is punished on earth vs hereafter?
3. Heaven and Hell.

I'll try and be as brief as possible;

1. Islam claims to be the final religion - one that is universal (applies to all humans) and timeless (applies to all future times).

It also claims to provide the seeker of truth and peace, the ideal path to achieve 'peace' - a level of spiritual fulfilment that is the pinacle of a seeker's ambition. This condition in the Quran is called 'Nafs Mutmainah' = the soul at rest - where man is at one with creation, God is pleased with him and he is pleased with God. There are parallels with the concept of 'Nirvana' and the Christian concept of salvation - Islam provides a path that fulfills this fundamental requirement of a seeker of spiritual progress.

Then there is the other side of religion - the social side. Islam provides a framework for the smooth running of societies, within which people can attain physical peace. This is where the Sharia law comes in - and it must be understood that this is a framework only and does not regulate all aspects of one's life - no law can do this. It lays down the framework of social interactions - how people should treat others, how the state should treat its citizens, how states should treat other states.

Islam is also complete because its precepts allow for all eventualities - what to do when there are wars, when there is peace, when in the middle of the desert or middle of a metropolis etc.

The over-riding reason for 'completeness' is that anyone seeking a religion will be sated with Islam - it promises and delivers peace of mind.

2. What is punished on earth?
Temporal laws are punishable on earth - this is just criminal law. If you are caught breaking the law, you are punished. Islam does not have any laws restricting thought or religion (see my earlier thread on apostacy for a discussion on the view that Islam forbids conversions to other religions - a belief held these days more to do with political power than religion).

Generally, anything that is physically bad for society is forbidden and made punishable. Islam does not give an exhaustive list of crimes, but a minimum framework to build on depending on the actual needs of the locality.

Islam also teaches that we will all be judged on the Day of Judgement and the rewards and punishments are all in the hands of God.


3. Heaven and Hell.
The Islamic concept of Heaven is one where there is continued development and not just one state of bliss. The Quran tells us though that we cannot comprehend the afterlife - it is because we don't have the senses to relate with the reality of the afterlife. It's like trying to explain colour to a blind person - you can't really do it, except by relating to other senses (eg saying it is +like+ hot and cold).

The development of the soul after death will take the same relative development of a fertilised egg developing into a human in the womb of its mother. At death the soul is the fertilized egg - over 'time' (time is also a concept of this universe - but that is another discussion) - the soul will develop and gain new senses and will 'experience' heaven.

Now, this is where it gets a bit philosophical/metaphysical...

The Islamic concept of Hell is of a reformatory (akin to purgatory of Catholicism) - BUT it is not a separate 'place' - it is the same as heaven. What is different is how one experiences the afterlife - an example is that a cool glass of water or bunch of grapes on a warm afternoon is blissful to a healthy person, but may induce vomitting or to someone with an illness (eg. rabies). The water is the same, but one experiences bliss, the other hell.

Hell is also temporary - everyone will eventually be 'cured' and will be at peace in 'heaven' - but the 'punishment' will vary.

Oh - one other point... Islam teaches that the ultimate salvation is solely in the hands of God - no one can guarantee salvation, each will be judged. (There are exceptions in Islamic theology - children, martyrs etc are promised heaven - but even in those cases it is by the Grace of God that heaven/hell is obtained)


Cheers,
Shafique