It is a lamentable fact that as Muslims, we have forgotten the true spirit of Islam
SIALKOT: Religion is deemed to be a complete code of conduct which disciplines our lives and make us better human beings. For this purpose, every religion focuses on some religious practices which are unique to it, but all are aimed at reforming and regulating our lives by instilling empathy and love for other human beings.
It is a lamentable fact that as Muslims, we have forgotten the true spirit of Islam. We have reduced it to just religious practices like prayers and fasting while ignoring the real purpose of these religious practices: to feel the pain of other human beings and to do something to mitigate their miseries.
There is a desperate need to redefine the meaning and purpose of our religion to end prevalent hypocrisy in our society vis-à-vis the flagrant indifference to humanity at the price of religious rituals. There is also a need to understand the raison d’être of any religion, which is understandably humanity. Anyone who is acquainted with the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) fully recognises that our Prophet was extremely concerned about human life and its dignity. His teachings and practical life were aimed at creating the best human beings who could become a role model for the rest of the world.
We need to prove that Islam is not limited to rituals, rather it is all about humanity and its followers have compassion and love for other people. We should end religious hypocrisy and revere those who believe in humanity rather those who have confined our religion to rituals.
Tayyab Butt
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2017.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
