Darulifta Ahlesunnat
(Dawateislami)
What do the noble scholars and jurists of Islamic law say about the following: Why do I need to follow a religion?
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
The fundamental answer to this question is that human beings were not created by their own will, for which they would determine the purpose of their lives themselves. Rather, the One who created them, their appearance and inner self, their bodies and souls, their hearts and forms, their intellects and brains, knows best and is rightful in deciding and telling them the purpose of their creation. That purpose is worshipping and attaining the recognition of the Deity. The way of understanding this purpose and knowing the proper methods of fulfilling it is through ‘religion,’ which is present in the shape of ‘Islam.’
If we reflect further, it will become apparent through strong proofs that religion is a fundamental need for human life, and its necessity, significance, and benefits cannot be denied.
Religion is the natural requirement of mankind:
Religion is part of the human’s natural disposition. Evidence for this is the vast continuity of human history. From the compilation of history till today, and even before history was written, it has become clear that humans have always believed in higher authority and power. This never-ending mentality shows that humans have always naturally accepted the existence of someone worthy of worship, and accepting this (the existence of one worthy of worship) is indeed accepting a religion. Thus, it is proven that accepting a religion is a natural requirement for mankind.
Different observations made by humans are proofs of the existence of God and the basis for religion being a natural disposition:
The different observations a human makes from birth gives him the realization that he has a Creator. The blazing sun, illuminated moon, twinkling stars, tall mountains, powerful sea, flowing rivers, swaying fields, and uncountable miraculous functions and qualities within the skies, the earth, and even the human body are all clear proofs of the existence of a Creator. The very thought of a Creator sparks the interest of attaining the recognition of the Creator. Accepting Allah as the Creator of all the miracles in this world has been explained in the Qur’an in the following matter:
﴿وَلَئِنۡ سَاَلْتَہُمۡ مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضَ لَیَقُوۡلُنَّ اللہُ﴾
Translation (Kanz-Ul-‘Irfan): And were you to ask them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” They will most definitely say, “Allah.”(Para 24, Surah Al-Zumr, Verse 38)
Believing in a deity is the first step to believing in a religion. Rather, this is what believing in a religion means.
A systematic religion is the need of society:
The differentiating factors that set humans and animals apart are the characteristics of a human, care for others’ rights, and abiding by laws based on true justice. Only religion can tell these things in the best manner. Human characteristics in irreligion are only based on the body and categories (gender, race, etc.). They consider the people of their own area as humans and consider others as inferior and thus grant them fewer rights regardless of how virtuous, knowledgeable, or dedicated to humanity those individuals might be.
The justice of the irreligious is destroying entire nations just upon the death of a few of their own. Ruining other countries to keep up the economy of their own country is justice in the eyes of the irreligious, whereas it is oppression in the eyes of Islam. History and even observations of the modern age prove that exemplary human conduct, mutual human rights, and true justice are best provided by religion as it is given by the Creator, the All-Knowing, and not the creation.
Religion grants true peace to the soul and heart:
In the irreligious system, which is focused solely on the body, the peace of the heart and soul are attained only through materialism, whereas the heart and soul require other than that. This is why stress medication is most commonly taken in Western and irreligious countries, even after they fulfill all their desires. In contrast, a Muslim satisfies his soul through his religion, and a true Muslim stays calm and peaceful in even the most stressful situations. The Holy Qur’an mentions the peace of a Muslim in this way:
﴿اَلَا بِذِکْرِ اللہِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوۡبُ﴾
Translation (Kanz-Ul-‘Irfan): Pay heed! Only through the remembrance of Allah do hearts attain contentment.(Para 13, Surah Al-Ra’d, Verse 28)
The most difficult of questions in the human mind about existence are answered by religion:
God has granted humans intellect. The intellect is restless in figuring out the reality of life and death. It contains a flood of questions about the origin and end of galaxies, solar systems, the earth, and the billions of creations. Giving the answer that all of this was caused by an explosion and that this universe is a series of coincidences isn’t satisfactory because the mind doesn’t accept that such a great series of coincidences can occur with such perfection. Logic requires a logical, clear, and absolute answer, which can only be provided by religion: these are the doings of an All-Knowing, All-Powerful being named Allah.
Other benefits of religion:
(1) Religion gives humans hope and strength. It saves them from hopelessness at times of difficulty and narrow-heartedness in bad times. It gives them the strength and ability to face tragedies because they place their trust in the All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and Most-Merciful. The Creator Almighty states:
﴿ وَلَا تَایۡـَٔسُوۡا مِنۡ رَّوْحِ اللہِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ لَا یَایۡـَٔسُ مِنۡ رَّوْحِ اللہِ اِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْکٰفِرُوۡنَ﴾
Translation (Kanz-Ul-‘Irfan): and do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah—only the disbelievers lose hope in Allah’s mercy.(Para 13, Surah Yusuf, Verse 87)
(2) The one who doesn’t believe in a god or a religion only fears laws and the police, whereas the one who believes in a religion fears Allah in seclusion and public. He avoids crimes and sins because he believes in the punishment of the hereafter and remains careful about his actions. On the other hand, there is no such thing that will stop an irreligious person.
(3) Religion establishes a relation of brotherhood between all humans. Allah Almighty states:
﴿اِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ اِخْوَةٌ﴾
Translation (Kanz-Ul-‘Irfan): Only Muslims are brothers to each other.(Para 26, Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse 10)
Because of this brotherhood relation, a person is ready to help his brother despite living long distances apart. As opposed to those who chant slogans of humanity but only give importance to the people of their nationality, race, and area and give all other humans a secondary value.
It should be kept in mind that all the above-mentioned qualities are only found in the religion of Islam, and all the benefits and blessings are related to this religion. It is the chosen religion of Allah. The Holy Qur’an states:
﴿اِنَّ الدِّیْنَ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ الْاِسْلَامُ﴾
Translation (Kanz-Ul-‘Irfan): Indeed, the only ‘acceptable’ religion before Allah is Islam.(Para 3, Surah Aal ‘Imran, Verse 19)
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم
(Allah Almighty knows best and His Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم knows best.)
Answered By: Mufti Muhammad Qasim Attari
Ref No: FSD-8907
Date: 14th Zul-Qa’da al-Haram 1445AH/ 23th May 2024