RELIGION AND ITS ROLE IN HUMAN LIFE:

The concpet of religion is based on the belief that there exisits an all
embracing ,transcedental,moral law and that we human beings are bound to submit to its
commands.Religion can be defined as faith in one God and to develop a sense of responsibility
for the formation of thought and belief and for the promotion of morality as well as the
establishment of harmonious relations with the members of the society.So the concpet of
religion can be understood in the wide aspects.

For the proper development of human life man needs two kinds of things,first are the resources
to maintain life and fullfill the material aspects of the individual and society and knowledge of
the principles of individual and social behaviour to enable man to have self fullfillment and to
maintain justice and tranquility in human life.The Lord of the universe has provided for both of
these in full measure.To cater for the material needs of man He has provided nature with all
kinds of resources,which lie at the disposal of man.To provide for his spiritual ,social and
cultural needs He raised His prophets from among men and revealed to them the code of life
which can guide man's steps to the Right path.

MYSTERY OF LIFE:

Man has always been unable to provide an explaination of the mystery of life ,the mystery of
birth and death,the mystery of infinity and eternity.For the understanding and attainment of
knowledge man strives for reasoning to solve the mysteries that are present around him in the
various forms of their existence.For the proper understaniding and concievement of the
secrecies of life religion plays a significant role.It helps man to build up his individual
conciousness and through its revelations makes it easier for him to understand the conception
of his existence.

EXISTENCE OF VARIOUS RELIGIONS:

The concept of religion in human civilization has always been present since its advent.Howver it
is difficult to number all the religions as not much information is available regarding their basic
conceptions and their followers .However the major religions which still reatain their presence
in teh world include Hinduism,Judaism,Zorostinism,Christianity and Islam.These religions are
the major religions of the world carrying within themselves the most important aspect of the
code of life.On close observation we may realize that all these religions have one feature of
morality in common and they preach of the building up of the principles of life among each
other on pure harmonious grounds.

However,the religions like Budhasim and Christianity there are no practicle applications that
ahs been advised by its preachers.Hinduism too builds its notions on the divisions of
humanity.All these and other religions ,failed to flourish well beside their certain apprecaible
features as they were not the true picturization of all the
individual,collective,social,moral,political aspects of humanity.Unlike other religions islam can
be regarded as a perfect form of religion as it has provided its followers a complete
embodiment of teh conducts and principles of life.

The religion of islam carries within itself certain features which has been revealed to the
individuals on teh basis of complete guidence regarding all the phases of human existence.
As Imam Abu Hanifa ,presented the view of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ,
"O, people don't interpret religion by our own thinking and absolutely follow the Sunnah,for
whosesoever goes away from it goes astray"
Thus a stress has been laid for all the humanity to follow the complete way of life which islam
has provided them with in its teachings.

ISLAM AND COMPARISON WITH OTHER RELIGIONS:

Islam is the only religion of mankind.It is a dynamic belief and a revolutionary concept and
means that all men are the creatures of one God and all stand on equal footings.This coneption
of equality is not present among all the religions of the world.Hinduism is one of the most
significant examples of inquality as it divides the members of its society in various social
classes .Islam on teh other hand concieves humanity as a one single family and any
discrimmination on the basis of colour,class,race or terrirtory is remannet of the days of
ignorance which chained men down to servitude.There is no proletarian,nor bourgeious,no
black or white,westerenr or easterner.Islam intensly beleives in the unity of mankind.As Allah
says,

"HOld tight to the rope of God,altogethr and never let go again"

CONCEPTION OF SIMPLICITY:

Islam is a religion without mythology as comapred to the other religions.Infact the teachings
which islam presents are simple and not complicated.It is free from irrational beliefs and
superstitions.All its beliefs like unity of one God,the concept of Life and death and the belief in
the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) are simple and based on sound reasonings and
logic.Unlike other religions islam is free from far fetched abstractions and complicated rights as
well as rituals.Everybody has an easy approach towards the book Of Allah i.e., Quran and
everybody can dictate its teachings in practice.

RATIONALITY AND ISLAM:

Islam believs in teh awakening of man's faculty of reason and knowledge and desires from the
individual to observe things in the light of reality.The Quran advised man to pray,
"O, My Lord ! advance me in knowledge"
According to the views of islam knowledge regarding the concept of life gives man physical and
moral strength.Infact it is helpful in strengthning his bonds and relations with both Allah and
the rest of teh humanity,
"He who leaves his home in search of knowledge walks in teh path of God."
Islam's major role ,as compared to the other religions is that it brings man out of the world of
superstition and darkness and initiates within him the light of knowledge and strong belief.

UNITY OF MATTER AND SPIRIT:

Another unique feature of islam that raises its calibre among other religions is that it is not a
believer of dividing life into water tight compartments.It stands for life fulfillment and not life
denial.It si aginst ascetisism and does not asks man to avoid the material aspects of life.Infact it
gives us the idea that spiritual elevation can be acheived by living piously even in the rough and
tumble of life and not by renouncing the world.Quran advises its followers to pray as,

"O,Lord give us the good in thsi world and the good in the hereafter"
Thus islam does not believes in seperation of the material and moral and enjoins man to build
his life on the healthy moral foundations.It stresses on maintaing the equilibrium between both
the material aspects and the religious notions.Islam stands for the middle path and emphasizes
on the esatblishment of balance .

UNIVERSAL RELIGION:

The message which islam has reveals is meant for all the humanity.God in Islam is the God of all
the world and the prophet is the messenger of the whole of human race.According to the verse
of Holy Quran,
"O,people i am the Messenger of God to you all"

Islam is a universal religion,a religion which is free from all teh social barriers .The religions
other than islam has built false barrires and have alternated their religious notions according to
their particular demands.But Islam removes all the impediments and proclaims the idea of the
whole humanity being one family of God,
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,
"All creatures of God form the family of God and he is the best loved of God who loveth best
His creatures."

Infact Islam is international in its outlook and approach and does not allow distinctions on the
clour,clan,blood or territory which were prevalent before the advent of islam.Islam believs in
humanity and universality.It is not a rigid or inflexible religion and belives in the promotion of
good among all the memebers of teh humanity.This practice,however has not been obserevd in
the other religions who ahve built their reiligious beliefs on the basis of wrong,rigid notions.

CONCLUSION:

Thus islamic ideology is not a mere philosophical or a coomon system but is a revolutionary
doctrinewhich believes in teh reformation of the humanity according to the way which it has
ordained for the whole humanity.It is a perfect religion and is the completion of the Creator's
favour upon man as far as the regulation of his life is concernerd,
"THis day i have perfected your religion for you,completed My favours upon you and have
chosen for you Al-islam as your religion"

To a non -Muslim,who builds his life on the traditional concept of religion,it is only a private
relationship between man and his Creator,but for a Muslim religion comprehends teh whole of
life with a perfect pattern of thought and behaviour.This notion of Islamic ideology raises it
above the other religions of teh world .

Religion and Its Role in Human Life

To understand what religion is and what is its role in the life of men, we should first of all know
its definition.
Religion may briefly be defined as under:
Religion (din) is an all-round movement in the light of faith in Allah and a sense of responsibility
for the formation of thought and belief, for the promotion of high principles of human morality
for the establishment of good relations among members of the society and the elimination of
every sort of undue discrimination.
Keeping in view this definition, our need for religion and religious teachings is absolutely clear.
To be a little more elaborate, it may be said that we require religion for the following reasons:

1. Sanction for the Principles of Morality

Religion provides a sanction for the principles of morality like justice, honesty, righteousness,
brotherhood, equality, virtuousness, tolerance, sacrifice, help to the needy and other kindred
virtues. These are the virtues without which, not only our life will lose its order and normalcy
but it is very likely to be turned into a chaos.
Of course, it is possible to acquire these moral and social qualities without the aid of religion.
But certainly in the absence of firm religious belief, these values appear to lose their meaning
and become a series of mere unbinding recommendations, because in such a case they do not
amount to more than a piece of advice from a close friend in respect of which we are at full
liberty to accept or reject.
These qualities are rather based on an internal feeling and faith and are naturally beyond the
scope of ordinary law.
It is only faith in the existence of an Eternal Being, who knows man equally from within and
without and who has full control over him, that cultivates these virtues within man and impels
him to automatic righteousness and adherence to duty, and if need be, to make sacrifices for
the sake of others.
The well-known philosopher-cum-historian, Will Durant says in his book, 'Pleasures of
Philosophy' that, without the backing of religion, morality is nothing more than arithmomancy,
as without it, the sense of obligation disappears.
2. Power to Endure Adversities of Life
Religion provides power for facing adversities and serves as a bulwark against undesirable
reactions of despair and hopelessness.
A religious man, with firm belief in Allah, and of His munificence, does not find himself in utter
desperation even in the worst moments of his life, because he knows well hat e is under the
protection of a Being who is Almighty. With faith in the fact that every problem can be solved
and every deadlock can be resolved with His help, he can overcome every disappointment and
hopelessness.
For this very reason, it very seldom happens that a truly religious man suffers from the acute
reactions of desperation like suicide, nervous breakdown or psychic ailments which are
products of frustration and defeatism.
The Holy Qur’an says:
"Surely those who are close to Allah, have no fear nor shall they grieve." (Surah
Younus, 10:62)
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (A) says: "A true believer can never commit suicide."
Thus, religious faith is, on the one hand, a motivating force, and on the other, it is a factor
which enables man to face hardships with courage and saves him from the ill effects of failure
and disappointment.
Following the downfall of the Nazis, says Bertrand Russell says there existed a danger of
intellectual and ideological revolt in Germany, but no doubt, religion has been one of the
biggest factors in that country's return to stability.
According to Dr. Durant, behavior of a man who is not blessed with reliance on religion suffers
from special epicurean confusion, and the life which has not the comforting support of religion,
is an unbearable burden.

3. Encounter with Ideological Vacuum

Man cannot live in an ideological vacuum for long and as such his tendency towards a wrong
ideology and false values becomes definite. His intellectual life is not filled with sound beliefs
and healthy teachings. A superstitious and even destructive ideas may find way into his spiritual
firmament and may for ever pollute his brain.
Instances of man's tendency towards idolatry, man worship, diverse superstitions and credulity
regarding the influence of irrational things over destiny, can be witnessed even in the lives of
world intellectuals. All this originates from spiritual vacuum. It is religion which can fill the
ideological and intellectual vacuum with sound teachings and can save one from a tendency
towards absurdities and irrationalities.
Hence, true understanding of religion can play an important role in combating superstitions,
though it is true that even religion itself, if not understood correctly, may promote
superstitions.
4. An Aid to the Progress of Science and Knowledge
Religion with its firm and sound teachings can be an effective factor in scientific progress,
because its foundation has been laid on the solid bed-rock of "freedom of will" and on the fact
that everybody is accountable for his own deeds.
The Holy Qur’an says :
"Everyone is entangled in the outcome of his deeds." (Surah al-Muddat-thir 74:38)
Faith in religion teaches that limitless knowledge is the source of this cosmos, which is like a
very grand book penned by an erudite scholar. Every page of it, nay every line and every word
of it, contains a glaring truth which stimulates us to further study and contemplation.
This attitude towards the cosmos undoubtedly stimulates persistent thinking over the
mechanism of creation and consequently, helps in the advancement of science and knowledge.
In contrast, if we hold that this universe is the product of sheer mechanical factors having no
intellect, there remains no plausible reason why we should make strenuous efforts to discover
its secrets. In principle, a universe which is the outcome of the working of an unconscious
machinery, can neither be well-designed nor mysterious.
Apart from giving a deadly blow to the advancement of science and knowledge, such
conception of cosmos negates the very fact that man's instinct is basically rooted in religion.
Albert Einstein was very true when he pointed out why great thinkers and discoverers are all
interested in religion.
He said that it was hard to find anyone among the great thinking brains of the world who might
not have a sort of religious feeling peculiar to him. That feeling was different from the religion
of the man in the street.
It has the form of a delightful wonder at the marvelously accurate system of the universe,
which from time to time, unveils secrets in comparison with which all organized human thinking
and research are rather weak and stale. This feeling illuminates the path of the life and efforts
of a scientist and as he gains success and honor, it keeps him free from the deadweight of
selfishness and pride.
What a belief in the system of the universe and what a fascinating desire it was, he adds, that
enabled Kepler and Newton to suffer for years in isolation and in complete silence in order to
simplify and explain the laws of gravitation and planetary motion! No doubt, it is this very
religious feeling that enabled the self-sacrificing and self-effacing men through long centuries,
in spite of their apparent defeats and failures, to rise on their feet again and make fresh efforts.
(The world as I see)
The contemporary scientist, Abernethy, says that science for its own perfection should regard
faith in God as one of its accepted principles. Thus a religious man, following the true teachings
of religion, can more than anybody else, carry out research and discover the secrets of nature.

Fight against Discrimination

Religion strongly opposes every discrimination based on color, race or class, because it regards
all human beings as God's creatures and every country as God's country. According to it, all
enjoy God's love and kindness equally and as such, all are equal.
According to the teachings of Islam, no man can be superior to another man on the basis of his
color, race, descent, language or class.
Islam recognizes only piety and knowledge as the touch-stones of superiority .Allah says:
"Man, we have created you from a male and a female, and we have divided you into nations
and tribes, so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most honorable of you in the
sight of Allah is he who is most pious."(Surah al- Hujurat, 49 :13)
Thus the role of religion in a world that has not yet been able even to solve the color problem,
the question of class apart, is quite clear.
Anyhow, it cannot be denied that every kind of religious thought or belief cannot produce the
de-sired results.
Like every other intellectual movement, religion also requires correct guidance. Otherwise it
assumes the form of superstition, monasticism, escape from positive life and pseudo-agnostic
negative tendencies, the examples of which can even now be seen in the West, where people
have become fed up with a mechanical life. It is only in such an atmosphere that for want of
correct knowledge, religion is regarded as an obstructive factor.

Roots of Religious Sense

Man has been familiar with religion for such a long time that it covers the entire recorded
history of human life and goes back into the depths of pre-historic times.
The Holy Qur’an has described religion as man's innate nature and Allah's established order. It
says:
Islam is in harmony with nature which Allah has designed for man. ( Surah al -Rum,30 : 30)
Research carried out by sociologists and historians shows that places of worship, either in their
simple or elaborate and complex form, have always had an influence on human life, and
religion in its various shapes has been interwoven with its history.
Dr. Durant, after a comparatively detailed discussion of atheism of certain people writes that
despite all that he has mentioned, these are exceptional cases, and the old notion that
"religion" is a phenomenon that generally extends to all human beings, is true. The question of
religion in the view of a philosopher is one of the basic questions of history and psychology.
He adds that, from time immemorial, religion has always gone hand in hand with human
history. The idea of piety can never be removed from human heart. (History of Civilization
vol .1, pp. 88- 89)
From a psychological point of view, this time honored relationship between man and religion
proves that religious feeling is one of the basic human instincts natural elements of the human
soul.
It is obvious, that at a time, when the level of human thinking was low and the sciences had not
made any remarkable progress, this internal feeling was in an incredible way mixed with
superstition, but gradually with the progress of sciences on the one hand ,and persistent efforts
and teachings of the prophets on the other, it was purified of adulterations and it regained its
purity and originality.

Anti-Religious Waves During the Past Centuries

In these circumstances it looks a little surprising that during the past centuries, especially from
16th Century onward, a violent anti-religious wave has hit the Western countries and many of
the liberal minded Europeans have dissociated themselves from the Church. Those who wanted
to remain loyal to religion turned to some Eastern religions or to a sort of Gnosticism minus
religion, while a large number of people were attracted by materialism and the like.
But an inquiry into the roots of this subject indicates that in the special circumstances prevailing
Europe, this phenomenon was not unexpected.
Factors leading to anti-religious movements and tendency to materialism in Europe should be
looked for in the perspective of the policy which the Church pursued with regard to the
Renaissance and progress of natural sciences in various fields.
When the Church in the middle ages, especially during the 13th to 15th centuries started a
campaign against science which continued even to the 16th and l7th centuries and attempted
to crush scientific movements through Inquisition, issued a papal decree to condemn science
dragged people like Galileo to persecution and forced them to deny the motion of the earth. It
is obvious what the reaction of the scientists to such teachings could be.
They, being at the cross roads of sciences and religion (of course religion as it was understood
at that time and in that environment), naturally went for science, the firm basis of which they
had personally observed and tested.
Mistake in analogy and incorrect comparison of other religions to the special position of the
Churches in the middle ages induced certain scientists to start a campaign against all religions
and to reject them formally. They went to the extent of innovating a doctrine known as discord
between religion and science'.
But the study of scientific movement in Islam, which started from the very first century and
bore fruit in the second and third centuries of the Hegira era, shows that in Muslim society the
case was quite different. This movement soon gave birth to the scientists like Hasan lbn
Haitham, the well-known Muslim Physicist, Jabir lbn Hayyan. whom the Europeans call Father
of Chemistry, and tens of others like them.
Their books exercised considerable influence over the Scientists like Roger Bacon, Johann
Kepler and Leonardo da Vinci. It is interesting that all this scientific progress took place in the
middle ages and coincided with the Church's violent opposition to the Renaissance and the
standard-bearers of the new scientific movement.
All historians in the East and the West, who have dealt with Islamic culture, are unanimously of
the view that it gave rise to a wide-spread scientific movement whose influence over the
Renaissance and the scientific movement of Europe was remarkable.
Thus the factors which induced the liberal-minded in the West to dissociate themselves from
religion, did not exist in the case of Islam. On the contrary, there were factors which worked in
the opposite direction.
In short Islamic movement had a special connection with World scientific movements, and for
this very reason was the fountain-head of the vast development of sciences and knowledge.
However it cannot be denied that disputes and dissensions among a section of Muslim people
which in intensity from the fifth century (Hijra) onward, short-sightedness, non-realization of
true teachings of Islam, apathy to progress and indifference to the spirit of the time, resulted in
the backwardness of many Muslim countries.
Another factor which complicated the problem was that Islam in the real sense was not
introduced to the younger generation. Thus the constructive role of Islam in various fields
gradually diminished. Now the position is that many young men think that Islam has always
been in this present dismal state.
Anyhow, it is certain that with the revival of Islamic teachings and their correct introduction,
especially to the younger generation, it is still possible to revive the spirit of early Islamic
movement.

Religion and Philosophical Schools of Thought

All forms of religion censure every kind of materialism, whether it be in its simple shape or in
the garb of dialectic materialism, which forms the basis of Marxism and Communism, because
materialism maintains that this, universe is merely a set of undesigned and aimless happenings.
Religion in censuring materialism, relies on a number of principles which are absolutely logical,
because :
The interpretation of the order of the universe advanced by materialistic schools is unscientific,
for science in the course of its research, talks of well calculated and precise systems, which
cannot be interpreted by accidental and chance happenings.
Science acknowledges that the maker of this machine of the universe is the greatest physicist
and chemist, most expert physician and the best anthropologist and cosmologist, because while
performing his job, he visualized all scientific laws. Naturally he could not do so without having
complete knowledge of them. It goes without saying that natural factors and natural
developments can have no such knowledge at all.
Materialism has accepted the doctrine of compulsion as one of its basic principles. It holds that
every human action and every movement is the result of a sequence of compulsory causes. On,
this basis, according to the materialistic point of view, all the efforts of man are like the
movements of the wheels of a machine. It is obvious that the acceptance of this view goes
against the idea of every social, moral or human responsibility.
In contrast, religion accepts the principle of obligation and responsibility and thus lays the
foundation of its teachings on the freedom of human will.
It cannot be contradicted that the acceptance of the principle of compulsion gives a hard blow
to dynamism and the sense of duty and responsibility. It also directly contributes to the
expansion of crimes and aggressions, because the offenders can plead that they are not
responsible for the crimes committed by them, for they were forced by the compulsion of
environment, time and the way they were brought up. But there is no possibility of such evil
effects if the principle of free will is accepted.
With the acceptance of the domination of matter over all affairs of human life and the
restriction of value only to the material values, the materialists have practically ousted moral
values. They hold, that only material interests prevail over all social and international interests.
The effect of this way of thinking is obvious for without adherence to such principles as
philanthropy, tolerance, sacrifice, sincerity and love; no problems at world level can be solved.
Belief in exclusive domination of matter obviously not compatible with these principles.

Religion and Individual Freedom

Some people think that religion restricts individual freedom and disallows the fulfillment of
some desires, whereas, in fact, the aim of religious teaching is not at all to put an end to logical
freedom. Its aim is only to stop wastage of human energies and assets and to prevent their flow
into improper and worthless channels.
For example, if religion forbids the use of intoxicants, gambling and improper indulgence in sex,
does so for the safety of the body and soul of the individual and for the maintenance of social
order.
This moral control is in keeping with the real spirit of freedom, for freedom means only that
man should be able to take full advantage of the assets of existence to help in the evolution of
the individual and the society. It does not at all mean squandering God-given energies and
indulging in immoderation and libertinism.
Religion supports every kind of freedom that carries man forward towards evolution in various
fields. Only this is what freedom, in the real sense, means. Anything else is libertinism.
That is why religion allows man to use all good things in life, to wear any reasonable dress, to
relish any good food and to take part in any healthy pastime. In short, it has allowed the use of
all comforts and conveniences of life, and does not ask anyone to give up any such things. The
Holy Qur’an says: "Say: Who has forbidden the beautiful things of Allah which He has produced
for His servants and the pure food?"
Moreover, our religion calls upon us never to forget the exigencies and requirements of time
and to keep ourselves well-informed about the latest developments in medicine, technology
and industry.
The leader of Islam, Imam Sadiq (A) has said: "He who knows his time and its requirements,
shall not be taken unaware by the dark events of life."
Our religion tells us that out of the new ideas, customs and usages we should choose what is
useful and worthy and should discard what is improper and wrong. We must not follow others
blindly and must not adopt anything that is not compatible with human dignity and the spirit of
independent thinking.
The Holy Qur’an says, "Give glad tidings to my servants who listen to what is said and follow the
best thereof. They are those whom Allah has guided and those who have good sense."
CONCLUSION:

Religion leads man towards a conciousness of moral responsibility in everything he

does,whether great or small.There is a constant stress on the establishment of right and the
abolition of wrong in every religion.A sanction for this attitude can be well understood by the
following verse of the Quran:
"You are the vest community that has been sent forth to mankind:You enjoin the Right and
forbid the Wrong;and you have faith in God."
Thus religion is required for the construction of a worldly frame for the best possible spiritual
development of man.The moral knowledge of man forces moral responsibility on man.The
morality should live and die with the human existence in this world .
What is the importance of religion in our lives?
Religion today has taken a much-institutionalized form. Its origin has always been debated and
discussed today by various scholars. In sociological terms, ‘Religion is a system of sacred belief
and practices both in the tangible and intangible form’. Religion can serve the dual role of
ideology as well as institution. Today, religion has assumed a more narrow-minded approach.
However, understanding religion in the broad sense highlights the following important points
about it in society:
Cultural Identity
Religion plays a crucial role for a person in giving a cultural identity. Each religion has festivals,
traditions, mythologies which form a part of the tangible and intangible heritage of the country.
Thus, religion contributes in order to protect this heritage and also adds to the diversity in the
country.
Values and Ethics
Religion helps in creating an ethical framework and also a regulator for values in day to day life.
This particular approach helps in character building of a person. In other words, Religion acts as
an agency of socialization. Thus, religion helps in building values like love, empathy, respect,
and harmony.
Spiritual Connect
People are always on the quest of fulfilling the economic and material pursuits in today’s world.
It is the religion which plays a crucial role in establishing our connection to the divine and
developing the belief that there is a supreme energy that acts as a regulator in our day to day
lives. Thus, the components of prayer, chants, hymns, etc. creates the spiritual bond.
The Idea of Welfare
Each and every religion promotes its philosophy and the crux of it has always been the welfare
and wellness of the people. For example, in the Sanatana Dharma, there are ideas like
Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is a family), Sarve Sukhina Bhavantu (let everyone be
happy) which nurture and cultivate love and compassion in the society.
ISLAM AND OTHER RELIGIONS
(COMPARTIVE STUDY OF WORLD FAMOUS RELIGIONS)

The significant objective that lies behind all the religions of the world is the formation of the
unity,a unity which provides the right perspective on ultimate truth.However all the religions
are not the pieces of the same puzzle or we can say that they are not the alternative paths to
the same destination.

For the proper development of human life man needs two kinds of things , resources to
maintain life and knowledge of the principles of individual and social behaviour to enable man
to have self fullfillment and to maintain justice and tranquility in human life.To provide for the
spiritual ,social and cultural needs the Lord of the universe raised His prophets among men and
revealed to them the code of life which can guide man's steps to the right path.There is a
presence of many religions in the world whith their own beliefs and dogmas.Each religion is the
continuation of same truth delivered to the mankind by the prophets especially assigned for
this task of teaching the Truth regarding the existence of the universe and the mankind.
The various forms of religions and there central objectives have been discussed in the following
lines.

BUDDHAISM:
Buddhism revolves around the central figure of the Buddha.The nature of Buddha himself is
regarded in different ways by different people, and there are a great number of legends that
surround his existence. To some he was simply a very wise man with great things to teach.
Buddhism is essentially focussed upon the recognition that the ego is illusory, thus allowing
freedom of the self in the emptiness that is Nirvana. Essentially, it is about trancending material
needs and wants to enlarge upon spiritual growth, which is seen as an essential movement
towards the ending of personal and human suffering.

HINDUISM:

Hinduism is the European name for the Sanatama Dharma, ‘the Eternal Law’. The name hindu
comes from the Sanskrit word sindhu, meaning ‘river’. In time the land beyond the river
became known as the Hind, and the people who lived there known as Hindus.Hinduism is best
regarded not a single dogmatised set of principles, as much as a cacophony of diverse
interpretations of reality, heavily based on a unique pantheism-polytheism. Divine identities
remain very much a local phenomena, and even the main Hindu deities sourced from the Rig
Veda can have differing attributes according to different areas. On top of that every tribal
geography included its own local divinities into the Hindu pantheon, resulting in an
extraordinary range of divine figures and images, many of which may share similar
features.However, despite the remarkable range of differences, and the superficial lack of
homogeniety in Hindu worship, there remains an established and highly regarded core of
beliefs and principles enshrined in the main Hindu texts.

Hinduism is an exploration of reality itself, and seeks to recognise a relationship between the
nature of Divnity and the nature of the soul. Ultimately that which is Divine is gender-neutral,
Hinduism acknowledging at its heart that its plethora of anthropomorphised figures are nothing
more than metaphors for an altogether more mysterious reality. It is the nature of the Hindu
not simply to recognise this, but to ascertain what the Ultimate Truth of this mystery is, through
meditation and contemplation.

JUDAISM:

Belief founded by Abraham, a Hebrew chieftain originally from the Babylonian city of Ur.
Tradition. He taught his people to worship one God, YHWH (Yahweh, or Jehovah). It's chief
writings are contained in the Torah, which reveals the will of god as stated in the Pentateuch
(the first five books of the Old Testament), as well as the Talmud, which contains the Rabbinical
religious and civil laws.

CHRISTIANITY:

The central figure of Christianity is Jesus Christ,a jew who came into this world by the
immaculate conception to the virgin Mary.His birth is celebrated at christmas with hymns and
gife givings.Christians believe that jesus Christ is the son of God and lived his life without
sin.During his lifetime, Jesus performed many miracles and spoke to many people about his
father in heaven. He was arrested for claiming to be God's son and was hung on the cross by
the Romans at age 33. Christians believe that the suffering and death upon the cross which this
sinless man endured paid for the sins of all mankind, and because of Jesus' actions, salvation
can be achieved by anyone who believes in him.

Following his death, Christians believe that he rose from the grave (celebrated at Easter) and
returned to the earth, appearing to his followers and telling them of the kingdom of God to
which he was going. He also promised his disciples that he would return one day to bring all
believers with him to that kingdom, to enjoy eternal life in the presence of God.

ISLAM:

Islam is an arabic word which denotes submission,surrender and obedience.As a religion islam
stands for complete submission and obedience to one God,Allah .He is
Omnipotent,Omnipresent and the Sustainer of the world and mankind.

The basic Islamic concept is that the entire universe is created by God whom Islam calls Allah
and who is the Lord and Soveriegn of the world.It is the firm belief that He created man and
appointed each human being a fixed period of life which he is to spend upon the earth.Allah has
prescirbed a certain code of life for him but at the same time conferred on man freedom of
choice whether or not he adopts code as the actual basis of his life.One who chooses to follow
the code revealed by God becomes a Muslim (believer) and one who refuses to follow it
becomes a kafir non believer).
A man joins the fold of Islam by honestly beleiving in and professing faith in the unity of God
and Prophet of Muhammad (PBUH).
thus teh basic articles of Islamic faith are the belief in the Unity of God,belief in the
Prophethood of Muhammad(PBUH) and the belief in the life after death as well as man's
accountability before God on the day of judgement.

ISLAM AND OTHER RELIGIONS:

Islam does not deny Truth to other religions but says that later followers adultered that Truth
by their own inventions and that was why God sent Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) to purify God's
religion.Each religion manifests the some aspect of the same truth but the emphasis may difffer
according to the need of man of that period or age or race.Islam is the religion for all and that is
the most comprehensive manifestation of that Truth and it provides a complete way and a
perfect equilibrium.

The second fact about Islam's relationship with other religions is the chronology stated in teh
Quran.Islam is the line of all religions whose prophets belonged to the family of Abraham.The
Juduac tradition that started with Abraham's son Issac came to an end with Jesus who was the
last prophet in family tree.Muhammad (PBUH) was the descendent of the other son of
Abraham ,Ismail.Prophets in other lines among the descendents of adam have been hinted at
but not reffered to except Noah as examples in Quran.But as the quran clearly states that tehre
is not a single human habitation on the face of this earth where a Prophet has not emerged and
where God has not sent His messenger to guide people,a Muslim cannot deny truth to religions
belonging to this tradition.all that he can point out is the adulteration of that Truth,the mixing
up of the word of God and the word of man,its non preservation in its original form.
The world has also suffered at the hands of the one sidedness of many religion and
ideology.Some has laid stress on the material side of life and has ignored the material and
mundane aspects.They have looked upon the world as an illusion ,a deception and a trap.

Islam ,however has different view reagrding this ideology..It does not any seperation between
"material" and "moral","mundane" and "spiritual life" and enjoins man to devote all his
energies to the reconstruction of life on the healthy and moral foundations.It teaches that
moral and material powers must be welded together and spiritual salvation can be acheievd by
using material resources for the good of man in the service of just ends and not by living a life
of ascetisim or by running away from the challenges of life.

Thus the unique features of Islam establishes itself as a religion of man,a religion of today and a
religion of tommorow.These aspects have appelead to the hundreds of thousands of people in
the past and the present and have made them affirm that Islam is the religion of Truth and the
right path for mankind and will continue to appeal them in near future.
Difference between Islam and Other Religions

Difference between Islam and Other Religions, Religions all around the world comprise different
rites and rituals to guide their followers. However, one of the leading religion- Islam follows a
unique methodology to teach followers to opt for a righteous path in their life. Islam the
monotheistic religion is a building block of human personality. It stands on the notion that God
(Almighty Allah) is the only creator and Prophet Mohammad PBUH is the last Messenger sent
by Allah.
ISLAM A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE

The religion Islam is based on the simplest yet substantial codes which lead a Muslim to choose
the path where everything is by the will of Allah. A Muslim understands the religion which is
without any mythology. Islam is a pure and complete code of life which eliminates
complications. It is free of confusing rites and rituals, there is no improbable theory or hierarchy
of priests followed.
“Are those who know equal with those who know not?  But only men of understanding will pay
heed.” (Quran 39: 9)

ISLAM –THE RELIGION OF AWARENESS

The first Ayat (revelation) by Allah to Mohammad PBUH was to ‘proclaim or read’. It is the most
apparent sign that Islam is rather a religion of knowledge and light. It is said by our Lord that
seeking knowledge would help men come out of the world of superstition and darkness. Our
beloved Prophet Mohammad PBUH even said,
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah and al-Bayhaqi)

“He who leaves his home in search of knowledge (walks) in the path of God.” (At-Tirmidhi)

UNITY IN ISLAM

Our religion Islam is not only a practical religion but it tells the importance of humanity, unity,
and togetherness. It shines on the concept that each Muslim is equivalent to another and the
judgment is based on the merit of practiced Islam only. It signifies that an individual must
follow the moral and conscientious journey to help himself in this life as well as in the
hereafter. From the Difference between Islam and Other Religions.
“O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single soul, created, of
like nature, the mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;
reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs
(That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.” (Quran 4:1)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OTHER RELIGIONS AND ISLAM

There are many religions in the world which follow ideologies based on modernization and
culturalism. There is no concept of fraternity, justice when it comes to the law system of other
religions except for Islam. Some laid an idea of materialistic doctrine and completely
emphasized upon spiritual aspect of life ignoring the mundane features.

This resulted in an imbalance between the worldly and spiritual life which mislead the
followers. These attitudes concluded the tranquility and discontentment with respect to their
faith.

However, some individuals opted to choose their own path believing that this world is based on
human laws only. It created the sense of illusion and deception, accepting that this life is the
only life. A great French scientist Dr. De Brogbi stated an imbalance manifested upon some like:

“The danger fundamental in too intense a material civilization is to that civilization itself; it is
the disequilibria which would result if a parallel development of the spiritual life were to fail to
provide the needed balance.”

According to Lord Snell:“We have built a nobly-proportioned outer structure, but we have
neglected the essential requirement of an inner order; we have carefully designed, decorated
and made clean the outside of the cup; but the inside was full of extortion and excess; we used
our increased knowledge and power to administer to the comforts of the body, but we left the
spirit impoverished.” Its all about from the Difference between Islam and Other Religions.

Conclusion

Islam discovered the idea of individuality which follows both the aspect of life; material as well
as spiritual. Allah’s religion commands the followers to lead the path which is beneficial not in
this life but also in the hereafter. Islam signifies the equilibrium in a Muslim’s life indicating that
the major purpose of him is to be submissive to Almighty Allah only and establish moral high
ground to fulfill God’s will and acceptance.