First published on: Religion is Not Important… Really!

By: Esraa Mohammad


 If someone tells you that he is going to take an exam without knowing anything about the exam subject, he will definitely fail the exam. In the same way, this life is like an exam, and we can’t do without a curriculum to learn the ways to pass the exam. Can you enter the exam without a curriculum?


Why Do We Need A Religion?


To begin with, the Creator must give us the guide, a curriculum for this life. This guide is religion. religion tells us everything we need to pass the examination of this life. Is it fair to think that God creates us and leaves us without informing us, and then judges us and causes some people to fail or pass? Religion teaches us good, so God sent us the message in the form of religion to meet the needs of people’s lives.


And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend.” [Qur’an 4:125] (1)


We know right and wrong by ourselves; we don’t need a religion; we follow values! 


Which values? Your values? Or my values? Or God’s values? Everybody has his own mind, terms, and concepts. Indeed, God does not accept different values. He accepts his religion only. These are the only values accepted by God after death. Hitler burning the Jews and Stalin killing thousands of people. They thought they were right and establishing values.


We Don’t Need God, We’re Happy the Way We Are!


Maybe you are happy right now, BUT this earth is not a land of happiness; no one actually owns happiness. One day we will face sickness …grieve… aging… we might lose someone we love…And also this happiness is not eternal; definitely, all of us will face death! Nothing can stop death.


Many people are thought to be happy like actors, singers and even scientists. They were successful in their jobs, they have money, cars, luxury lifestyle, authority and fans. In spite of all of this, they finally fall into deep depression and commit suicide. One day we will die and everyone dies. Then every man and woman will stand alone in front of God to be asked about his beliefs and deeds. This is the exam; we have to be prepared for it.


There Is No Life After Death! 


If there is no life after death so God is unjust? Is God playing with us? God didn’t create us and this entire universe in vain. We will be held accountable for our faith and deeds.


Belief doesn’t matter. What matters is to be a good person. This is the purpose of life!


It is a good way of life to be a good person. But, what is after being a good person? Nothing? Just die and become a worm buffet? The righteous and bad people in the same place? With no reward for the good people and no punishment for the bad? Is that fair? If you knew Islam, you’d know that you are almost following its teachings. Why almost but not exactly? Because there is an important chapter that was skipped, which is believing in God and worshipping Him. It is the base on which you’ll build your actions.


My friend, when God has created human beings he didn’t leave them just wondering. Yes, everyone searching for a purpose for this life. Indeed, God has told us “WHY ARE WE HERE on this planet ?” He created us here in this life to worship Him alone without any association, and to be good people. God is the Owner of this universe and the Creator of everything. He decided a purpose and we need to seek it and achieve it before we return to Him. God says: 


Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” [Qur’an 23:115] (2)


Did God create us and this entire universe playing? We will be held accountable for our faith and deeds. Our faith will determine our destination.


Religions Are the Causes of War


1- Man-Made


Moreover, were the most deadly war, World War I and World War II, for a religious purpose? Actually, We cannot blame God for a crime man committed. War is man-made. It is MOSTLY politics not religion. The most deadly wars known in history World War I and World War II, were caused by Capitalism, Nationalism, and Secular Reasons. None of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Mao, etc. were religious. They killed millions of people. For World war ll: “Many studies said that more than 60 million people died in the war, mostly civilians.” The Soviet Union lost around 27 million people.


Whereas, God 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 Aware.” [Qur’an 49:13] (3)


So God created us different to know each other and exchange knowledge. However, man chooses war.


2- Are All Wars Evil?


In addition to that, are all wars bad? Is it a bad thing to fight tyrants and oppressors? For example, What do you think about the French revolution; “Hang the last priest by the intestines of the last king?” The death toll was estimated by tens of thousands, with 16,594 executed by guillotine (2,639 in Paris), and another 25,000 in summary executions across France. Thus, the death of tyrants for the freedom of France cannot be considered evil. Religion allows wars to fight against tyrants and unjust regimes. God didn’t command us to kill innocent, never.


Conclusion


Finally, Imagine that you own a factory and you put instructions to be followed to guarantee the best results. If the workers decided to ignore these instructions and work the way they find suitable, and of course you can imagine how flexible this word “suitable” could be. Could you accept that? Do you think that this project will succeed?


Similarly, this applies to life; the Creator has given us values, and we have to follow them. Religion is a divine law that teaches us the teachings of life that leads us to eternal happiness. In addition, religion not only came to adjust the hereafter life, but also came to adjust our worldly life. Now, what is the most attractive point in Islam you are interested to know more about? Ask our team now.


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References:


(1) Verse (4:125) of Qur’an (English Interpretation of Meaning).


(2) Verse (23:115) of Qur’an (English Interpretation of Meaning).


(3) Verse (49:13) of Qur’an (English Interpretation of Meaning).