WHY RELIGION? WHY ISLAM? WHY NOT JUST HUMANITY?

By: Sabiha Saifi





Once while driving, a cop appeared in front of my car and stopped me and charged Rs 2,000 as fine! I was incomplete shock as to why he is charging this fine from me? I was driving so perfect, neither did I cross my speed limit (which could harm anyone) nor was I too slow. I was in my lane, my car was in perfect condition; I was wearing my seat belt too. I was having all the required documents with me. Then, what went wrong? I questioned the cop.


So, he replied that I was talking on the phone while driving! I felt like it was an injustice to me as I was unaware about this rule, I mean "Nobody told me about this rule!" I tried my best to convince the cop but all went in vain!

I did NOTHING wrong (still I paid fine!) I was driving safe. I didn’t hurt anyone. I was confident enough that I would have not hurt anyone. I was driving with care but just because I broke a rule unintentionally I had to pay the fine!

Now, if I ask you, tell me honestly that was it my mistake? As I was not aware about this rule, what will you say? Being honest, you will tell me, "Yes, of course, it was my mistake, because when I am driving then it becomes my responsibility to know about the traffic rules!"

Similarly, this life is like a road, where we have to go in sync with the rules which are mentioned by Our CREATOR (in HIS revelation, i.e The Qur’an) and in the end we would end up with just two destinations (either Hell or Heaven). Followers will go to heaven, and disbelievers will be charged with punishments, and they will end up being thrown in hell!

It becomes our duty and our responsibility to know about the rules of life, for living an ideal life so that we are saved from punishments in the Hereafter... (just like it was my responsibility to know about the traffic rules for driving).

Now the question arises, "Why Religion? And Why only Islam? Why not Just Humanity?"

I always wanted to be a good human being before I had the knowledge of any religion and their teachings! But after knowing what Islam is, I always preferred to be a Muslim first, because it didn’t made me just a good human being (what I wanted to be) but I am turning out to be the best of myself. I am good to Him who created me. It is far beyond Humanity because it caters human values as well as Creator’s value (Huqooqullah and Huqooqulibaad, i.e. Duties towards Allah (the Creator) and Duties towards Creations).

Humanity didn’t shower like rain; it came with the teachings of Islam. Approximately 1430 years ago, in the days of ignorance, where there was no love, no respect, no peace, no kindness, slavery system was on peak, females were tortured like anything, and baby girls were buried alive.That was the time where there was no religion, no faith. The teachings of the Prophets were manipulated and destroyed; only human-made rules prevailed! Then came the Messenger of Almighty GOD, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and introduced the teachings of Islam which gave full human-rights, equal (not identical) rights to both men and women and it also included animal rights, plant rights, environment rights and what not! The time when people didn’t cared to kill their own fellow brothers for no reason. The time when children used to chase their mothers for marriage (after the death of father) and use as sex object. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) showered the guidelines to protect human values. And the people asked in amazement what kind of religion is it? It does not only give rights to humans but also to animals! And hence many people reverted to Islam without any force! 

Islam taught, not just to love each other but also to take care of everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, colour, sex etc..! Allah says “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Al – Quran 49:13)

Islam does not encourage us to divide ourselves in political boundaries but it emphasised us to be one, united, whole-humanity as one. Islam taught to uphold the truth and attainment of peace through justice. And there is not a single teaching in Islam which goes against humanity! Humanity did not teach "How" to attain paradise and spread peace whereas Islam taught how to deal with mankind (humanity) and gave the solution for mankind as well as it showed the way to attain Paradise!

Today’s biggest problem is that, the term Religion has been misinterpreted to the great extent. Generally, most people think that religion is something saintly or something orthodox which cannot be followed or understood by everyone. People think that it is something one does in private, or in the holidays, nothing to discuss or learn… 

And also because religion has been hijacked by few individuals who use and mould religion for their selfish and political gains. Followers of a religion became mute spectator as some fanatic run and represent their religion. 

They don’t oppose it due to lack of knowledge. Followers don’t get time to read and understand Scriptures. They don’t stand up and guide the people towards the way of true religion.

The Religion of Islam consists of the COMPELETE acceptance of the Teachings and Guidance of God as revealed to HIS PROPHET MOHAMMAD (Peace and Blessings of Almighty God be Upon Him). Islam is not a new Religion, but a representation of the same message and guidance that ALLAH revealed to all of His Prophets (Like Adam, Abraham, David, Moses, Jesus, etc. (Peace be upon them all)).

Who will decide what humanity is? One may say that drinking alcohol is not a big deal, while for the other person it may be very wrong! Who will decide? We need Guidance and Islam is a guide by the Creator for humans to teach them humanity.

Everywhere people are talking about logic and proofs but when it comes to religion, people become the blindest followers of their ancestors, however it sounds illogical to themselves they still carry on with their wrong-doings. 

We are turning towards modernization and if we don’t like a particular dress or food, we immediately complain about it and we change it, but why doesn’t it happen when it comes to religion? Why do we hesitate in getting and following the true teachings of the religion? The Glorious Quran affirms saying “And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” (Al –Quran 2:170)

Being Muslim means being responsible and accountable. Accountable on the Day of Judgment, for each and every deed we did in this life, which automatically saves us from doing sins and bad activities, therefore, being Muslim makes up for an ideal and a perfect life. It gives a purpose to live, to worship the Creator and to love and respect the Creations, to work to please the Creator and to be grateful for all the blessings, to work for the welfare of humanity and take actions against any evil, to never lose hope and so on… Remember, “Things are made to be used and people are made to be loved. But, ironically, things are being loved and people are being used.” Similarly, “Creator is only worth worshipping and creations are to help each other. But Ironically, Creator is being totally ignored and Creations are being worshipped!!!

We talk about humanity and we are hardly thankful to our Creator! We say loudly and proudly “being human”… Alas! We even don’t have courtesy to thank the One who created the human!