Introduction of Religion

1. Introduction of Religion • What is Religion ? • Definition of Religion • The Basic Elements of Religion • Need for a Religion • Impacts of a Religion • Kinds of Religion

2. What is Religion? • Religion is derived from the Arabic roots (Zal,Ha, Ba ) Means “to go” • So Madhab means ”A Passage” • The Religion is a Passage going to destination

3. Difference Deen / Religion • Deen is complete code of life witch covers all aspect of life according to revelation of Allah • Religion mean is the only way of worship

4. Definition of Religion • There are many definition of Religion • Religion means the belief in spiritual beings. (Prof.Taylor) • Religion is the name of belief in that power which gives internal cleanliness to human being. (Prof. White Head) • Religion is the recognition of all duties as divine commands. (Prof. Kant) • In above definition there is one thing which is common “presence of a supernatural power”

5. The Basic Elements of Religion • There are some common elements in all Religions. Beliefs, Practices & Ethics • Belief and faith is a fundamental element. • Practices relates directly to divine revelation in the Revealed Religions. • Ethics, All the Religions teach good morality to their followers

6. Need for a Religion • To know the purpose of Creation. • After knowing the purpose, man struggles to achieve that purpose. Thus, it teaches him the way of life. • To achieve peace& accomplish natural needs like eating & drinking. • Religion controls its followers in the circle of good morality. • Prophet says: A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe.(Bukhari)

7. Impacts of Religion • Creation of good morality • Duties and rights are balanced • The fear of death is finished or minimized

8. Kinds of Religions • There are two kinds of Religions: Revealed and Non-Revealed • The Revealed Religion which have been Revealed to the Prophets • Revealed Religion give the concept of Tawheed, Risalat, Aakhirat etc. • Islam, Christianity & Judaism • The non-Revealed Religions are those which have not been revealed • It based on mankind experiences, superstitions and meditation like Buddhism, Hinduism etc.

9. Islam • The Meaning of Islam • Difference between Islam and Iman • Islam and other Religions • Basic characteristics of Islamic Ideology

10. The Meaning Of Islam • The Arabic word Islam comes from the words Silm and Salam, which mean Peace. • Islam means submission or surrender& obedience to God. • In literal sense, it means complete surrender to the will of God. In simple terms, Islam means to be obedient and faithful to the commands of God • Quran says : يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً • O you who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly. (2:208) 2. أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ اللّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ Do they seek other than the religion of Allah, while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to him shall they all be returned. (3:83) 3. إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللّهِ الإِسْلاَمُ The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will):(3:19)

11. Difference between Islam & Iman • Iman mean acceptance and confirmation of something with one’s heart. • Islam mean obedience and submission • Iman is not valid without Islam, not Islam without Iman • When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Messenger of Allah." Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars. • اِذَا جَآءَكَ الۡمُنٰفِقُوۡنَ قَالُوۡا نَشۡهَدُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُوۡلُ اللّٰهِ  ‌ۘ وَاللّٰهُ يَعۡلَمُاِنَّكَ لَرَسُوۡلُهوَاللّٰهُ يَشۡهَدُ اِنَّ • الۡمُنَافِقِيۡنَ لَكٰذِبُوۡنَ‌ۚ‏﴿۱﴾     When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Messenger of Allah." Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.

12. Differences between Islam & other Religion • Islam is the Last set of instructions revealed by Allah. • According to Quran it is the continuation of all revealed religions as Quran declares:وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَاء عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا “We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations and the Messenger a witness over yourselves.” (2:143) • It is much more different from all the other religions. Some of the prominent differences are: *Other Religions were for a specific place but Islam is for the entire world. *Other Religions were for a specific time but Islam is forever *Other Religions have been changed but Islam is preserved for all times to come. *The books of other Religions have been changed but Quran has been preserved for all times as Quran says: إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُون “Indeed we have revealed Quran and verily we will preserve it.” (15:9)

13. Basic Characteristics of Islamic Ideology • 1. Revealed Religion. • Islam is a revealed religion by the creator himself . • Islam is the only “Deen” revealed by Allah through the messengers. Quran says: إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللّهِ الإِسْلاَمُ • Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam (submission to His Will). (3:19) • 2. A Complete Way of Life • Islam is not confine private life but is rather a complete way of life • It covers all the fields of human existence. • Islam provides guidance in every aspect of life: social, moral, religious economic, political, legal, national and international; not only it guides the believer in his public life but also in his private life. Quran says: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّة • “O you who believe! Enter perfectly into Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulation of the religion of Islam.” (2:208)

14. Basic characteristics of Islamic Ideology (contd) • 3. Universality and Humanism • The message of Islam is for the entire mankind. • Allah is the creator and sustainer of the whole world and Muhammad (Saw) is His Messenger . Quran says: • وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ • “And we have sent you (not) but as a mercy for the all mankind.” (21:107) • Islam enjoins equality whatever may be the color, nationality, language or race. • On the occasion of his last pilgrimage, the Prophet (S. A. W.) declared: • O people! Beware! You all have one God. No Arab has preference over a non- Arab or a non –Arab over an Arab or a white over a black or a black over a white, except from taqwa (piety). (Ahmed)

15. 4. Simplicity and Practicalism Islam is a religion without any theories and mythology. It is clear and simple. It is free of all superstitions and irrational beliefs. Islam is a practical religion and we would be judged upon by Allah on the basis of our actions. 5. Balance between Individual & Society Its unique feature a balance between individualism and collectivism. it cares for individual personality of man and holds everyone personally accountable to God. According to the Holy Quran: وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى Man shall have nothing but he strives for. (53:39) And again: وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِّلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ The alms seeker and the destitute have their due rights in their wealth. (51:19) Basic characteristics of Islamic Ideology (contd)