Being Religious?
Jummah Mubarak sis! Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be religious? The reality is that religiosity is a complex concept. It encompasses beliefs, emotions, actions, and our connections with others. Just as life is not a straight path, our practice of Islam should not be seen in a rigid way. Being religious involves more than simply praying five times a day; it affects our mental well-being, our interactions with neighbors, and our presence in our communities. Let’s rethink how we approach practicing Islam and explore its broader impact on our lives.
Surah Ali-’Imran 3:19
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ ۗ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allāh is Islām. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allāh, then indeed, Allāh is swift in [taking] account.”
In Allah swt’s view, there is only one way of life and conduct that aligns with both reality and moral truth. This way involves acknowledging Allah swt as the sole Lord and object of worship, and surrendering completely to Him in obedience and service. To follow this path, one must adhere fully to the guidance provided by Allah swt through His Messengers, rather than attempting to create personal interpretations of how to serve Allah swt. This approach is known as Islam, and it is reasonable for the Creator of the universe to expect nothing less from His creation.
Despite this, people often mistakenly believe they have the freedom to follow any doctrine they choose, whether it be atheism or idolatry. From the perspective of the Sovereign of the universe, such attitudes are seen as rebellion against Allah swt.
This understanding reveals that the true religion of every Messenger of God throughout history has always been Islam (submission to Allah swt). Similarly, every Divine book, regardless of its language or audience, has conveyed the teachings of Islam. Many of the religions that have emerged among humanity are distortions of this original faith, resulting from alterations made to serve personal interests.
A Holistic View of Muslim Religiosity
This report surveyed 3,888 Muslims to examine how religiosity impacts different aspects of their lives. The findings are quite revealing, highlighting the unique ways Muslims perceive religion compared to others and demonstrating the deep connection we have with our beliefs.
