IS RELIGION ESSENTIAL? 

IS RELIGION ESSENTIAL?

Written by Ibrahim Poncardas Romas

Leaflet # 23

For Islam, the answer to this question is “ YES ” . To discuss  deeply and concisely  why religion is essential or important for humankind, first, we should have to know the meaning of religion: “ The word religion is derived from the Latin noun: ‘ religio ’ , which denotes both earnest observance of ritual obligations and an inward spirit of reverence. It is a sacred engagement with that which is believed to be a spiritual reality. ” 1  

According to Oxford Dictionary, “ religion is a belief in a personal God, or gods entitled to obedience and worship, a particular system of faith and worship, a thing that one is devoted to."

LET US EXAMINE BEFORE WE REJECT

There are individuals in this present time who reject the word “ religion ” but if you ask them its meaning, they do not know, but use only personal induction of reasoning to discard  the whole meaning of the word “ religion ” .  It is un-Islamic and unfounded  to reject something if we do not know, likewise, it is un-Islamic to accept a thing (tangible or intangible) when we do not know! In Islamic point of   view, before we accept or reject anything,  we should use our knowledge and intellect.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND THE WORD DEENUL-ISLAM

The  meaning of the Arabic word “ DEENUL-ISLAM ” , is the complete way of life. “ Religion, ”   is a translation from the word “ DEEN ” . Some writers  interchange DEEN AND ISLAM to one meaning: “ religion ” which is  incorrect.  Islam means submission or surrender to the Will of God. Islam, literally means peace. Deenul-Islam does not only deal with rituals,  but to all dealings in life. It deals in all personal affairs, human beings, animals, nature and environment. “ DEEN ” is translated into English as “ religion ” , “ faith ” , and “ belief ” . However, “ Deen ” has broader meaning than the word “ religion ” , but at least “ religion ” is the nearest of the word “ Deen ” in Arabic.

[1] "Religion," Microsoft ® Encarta ® 97 Encyclopedia. © 1993-1996 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?

Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia refers to  the word “ Relationship ” as “ belonging to these categories; “ marriage, family, and sexual relationships as classified by sociologists. ”   In Oxford Dictionary: Relationship is “ a state or instance of being related, connection or association (good working relationship). ” How can a sound person accept the word “ RELATIONSHIP ” and apply it to the Most High - The Creator of the Universe?

A “ Born Again, ” in particular, asserts that “ relationship ” between God and men is the correct term, and not “ religion ” . Changing the word “ religion ”   into “ relationship ” between God and men,  is like placing  an equal footing and degree between God and men.   Relationship, instead of religion, is making God a family member and  a relative.

THE DANGER OF RELATIONSHIP

The danger of professing relationship is that people may respect only  the law of God  if it suits  their taste.   Whoever declares to have relationship with God is placing his mind and logic above the law of God. To this effect,  he has changed the law of God to be optional and conditional in order to be obeyed. People invented songs and praises which were not practiced by the prophets of God.  The funniest thing is that these people sometimes claim to be possessed or moved by  the Spirit (Power) of God, and become highly conceited. Thus, they think to be in authority to say and practice anything. They cannot even await the Judgment Day, hence hallucinating  and proclaiming themselves to be people in Paradise (they are already  “ saved ” )!

CHILDREN (FAMILY) OF GOD

God, the Creator of all things visible and invisible, is incomparable to any of His creation.  If we consider God as a  family member,  or  relative, this belief will lead to the denial of the Hell-fire,  which He prepared for those who will disobey His Guidance.  A family member, relative does not have the right in any way to throw a person in the Hell-fire or even to reward paradise.  To break   a relationship at anytime is a prerogative of any party when he loses his trust: but not in God! A family member,  or a relative (with whom we have a relationship), once we cut our ties  cannot impose his will.   In the case of God, when we cut our ties, and obligations (to follow His Will) we will be punished in the Hereafter.   When we obey God, He will reward us with paradise, but a   family or a relative  cannot.  To believe that a relative, a family member, or a friend can grant Paradise or Hell-fire is absurdity.  Can  a father or a mother   afford to burn a son? However, God can do so!

TO CLAIM  SANCTITY FOR OURSELVES IS AN ACT OF ARROGANCE

“ Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who claim sanctity for themselves?  Nay but Allaah doth sanctify whom He pleaseth but never will they fail to receive justice in the least little thing. Behold! how they invent a lie against Allaah! But that by itself is a manifest sin! ” Qur ’ aan (An-Nisaa) 4:49,50.

“ So enter the gates of hell, to dwell therein forever. Woeful indeed will be the lodging of the arrogant. ” Qur ’ aan (An-Nahl) 16:29

Those people who claim to have good relationship with God proclaim that they are already saved. Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “ He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise ”… Sahih Muslim Hadith, Hadith 164,

WE WON’ T  BE SAVED BY OUR GOOD DEEDS, BUT BY THE MERCY OF GOD

Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah: “ I heard Allaah's Apostle (peace be upon him) as saying: None of you would get into Paradise because of his good deeds alone and he would not be rescued from Fire, not even I, but because of the Mercy of Allaah. ”   Sahih Muslim Hadith, Hadith 6769  

ONLY BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS, CHURCH OF CHRIST (IGLESIA NI CRISTO), ETC.?

If only the “ Born Again Christians ” and others will enter paradise, would you believe that the prophets of God like Abraham, Noah, Elijah, Moses, Jesus Christ , etc (peace upon them all) will be in Hell-Fire because they were not under any of the above denominations?  Mary, the mother of J esus Christ (pbuh) was not a member of the above denominations: could a sensible Christian accept that Mary (peace be upon her) dwells in  Hell?

RELIGION IS IMPORTANT

In the West, religion is separated from all affairs of the state.  Publicly, the Bible is used only for consecration as a symbol, not even reading what is written inside. In non-Islamic state or non-Islamic gathering, religion is treated as contagious disease. When a person speaks about religion in any public meeting,  he will be shunned or insulted.  In Islam, Deen (religion) is the essence of all human  affairs, because without it, we will be worse than   beasts. Verily, beasts have no Jahannam (Hell-fire). Whoever will believe in or deny religion should know its meaning first!

All religions on earth are claimed to be true.  If we believe in One God (Creator), surely there must be only one true religion. I dedicate this leaflet to an individual  and to those groups of people  who deny the use of the word “religion.” Please read “WHAT IS ISLAM?” in my Leaflet, English Series # 01.

If our beloved reader does not need anymore of this leaflet, we highly appreciate if he will share this other. Allaah will reward him greater than what he expects.