Is humanity the greatest religion?
[Hassan Ilyas] The first question I want to ask you is:
In our culture, we have this debate going on for so long on the
unity of all religions.
That all religions are basically saying the same thing.
It is generally said that humanity is the greatest religion
but in today's era we see that those people who are highly educated,
those people who are quite progressive they say there is a lot of in fighting
going on between religious people.
Why don't we adopt a common belief based on the fundamental message
of all religions which is the belief in humanity; giving primacy to humanity.
So how do you look at the idea, the claim that humanity is the greatest religion?
[Javed Ahmad Ghamidi] This statement that humanity is the greatest religion,
is entirely meaningless.
If you scrutinise the meaning of the word humanity and its applications,
it doesn't mean anything other than the fact that morality is
the basis of religious teachings.
The things that you define as humanity are the same things
that are expressed in the word morality.
You tend to say that it is against humanity to oppress others,
you say it is against humanity to deprive one of one's right,
it is against humanity to deceive someone.
So, what do these statements entail?
These are the statements that the moral self experiences in its being.
So, morality plays a major role in the teachings of all the religions.
In terms of Islam, I have numerous times tried to draw your attention to the fact
that there are only four things that qualify to be the content of religion.
First, it is the acts of worship, the second concerns with the
purification of the body I.e. some important instructions
for the purification of the body,
thirdly, the purity of food and drink,
fourthly, the purification of moral conduct.
And the most important element has to do with the purification of morals only.
Its importance has also been elucidated.
For example the Prophet (pbuh) said that he has been divinely ordained
in order to take exemplary conduct to its completion.
The first point is that when we use the word humanity
it does not mean anything other than the fact that
the moral values that hold the value of universal truths should be
adopted by everyone.
So if you want to spread this message you can do it using these words too.
I invite people to this message all the time that there are
certain things in this world that have the status of universal truths.
In our religion, the Quran itself has used two beautiful terms
to throw light on this fact: maroof and munkar.
Maroof refers to those kinds of goodness that are recognized
at the universal level.
And what is munkar?
Those ethical things about which human beings are never in disagreement.
So, if you want to invite people to this message you can do that
based on these things.
This is one aspect.
The second aspect is that when you would claim that
humanity is such a religion through which people can find a common ground.
Just try to bring this about.
What will actually happen is there will be an addition to the list of religions.
So many isms have emerged.
Did their emergence lead to the end of other world views?
This idea is based on a naive understanding of human nature.
A human being is, essentially, freedom loving.
He is born with the right to choose.
He is free with respect to his thoughts as well as his actions.
Certain religious interpretations, some political circumstances,
some great thinkers who want to chain his independent nature.
Otherwise, freedom is part of the very existence of human being.
He will think and when he think, it will lead to disagreements.
And if some people come together and try to establish their religion...
What is a religion? What is life? What are the facts of life?
What is the answer to these questions?
All believes emerge as answers to these questions.
So, if all humans come together, we will see that at best
they will be in agreement with these things
which are discussed under the category of morality.
They will not be in this agreement with anything else.
Therefore, I consider such resolutions as meaningless.
It has no benefits, in my opinion.
Be the real thing created people is that they should hold on
to whatever beliefs they have but they should accept the principle that
Allah has in terms of ideas, as far as the religion is concerned which He sent down
through his Prophets, He did not force it on anyone.
In other words humans are free to choose.
We should respect the right to choose that human beings possess.
Every human being has the right to have an opinion.
We will hear his opinion if he has one.
If he is wrong in our opinion, then we will bring his mistake to light
through argumentation.
And in every situation, we will adopt the method of argumentation.
Adopting emotional methods, protesting about every issue,
using the barrel of the gun instead of making rational arguments;
these are the things that should be rejected.
Otherwise, disagreement on religious, or ideological issues motivates
individuals to seek the right path.
Why don't we decide, for once and all, that there
will be no further disagreements on scientific issues.
This is useless and meaningless chatter.
And a lot of people who say such things, make such statements thoughtlessly
There is no compromising formula when it comes to truth and reality.
Therefore, the world system should be based upon the various agreements that arise.
And if there are domains which have disagreements,
let people put forward their views,
let them preach whatever they want to. There is no need to restrict them.
Although, if it involves force or if someone becomes an object of scorn:
if you force someone to accept your point of view out of the barrel of gun,
in that case, the entire humanity should come forward to stop it.
[Ilyas] Thank you Ghamidi Sahab, you explained it in great detail.
Expand on a secondary aspect that: if we choose a different objective and prioritize it
by making it the first and most important objective of our life then, in that case,
would our religion object to that?
For instance, In our society we raised a slogan: SABSE PEHLE PAKISTAN
To that, people reacted by saying that being Muslims we should prioritize
Islam over Pakistan.
So, as a person, is a Muslim allowed to say that his aim in life or
his objective above all is – humanity, or his country, or the service of people.
Does it not pave a way for conflict?
[Ghamidi] Not at all. In fact, this concerns the discursive context of the issue.
The interpretations of words like – first of all, everything, fundamental thing for me,
are always used in relation to a particular context.
It is similar to the discussion when before Pakistan was formed,
Muslims stared calling their highly respected leader as Quaid-e-Azam
to express their feelings.
Some people started to refer to a lexicon and concluded that the biggest
leader (Quaid) could only be the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).
People who gave the title of Quaid to Muhammad Ali Jinnah did not even
have a slightest idea that they are conferring a title in comparison
to the Prophet (pbuh) of Islam.
They were actually trying to put forward the distinct qualities of
Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the political ground in front of other political leaders
Right now, I am not discussing whether it is right or wrong.
Rather, I am merely submitting that everything has its own time and context.
Similarly, if someone says that it is the aim of the religion –
What is the aim of the religion?
To purify my self.
That I have to worship Allah.
I have to live as a servant of Allah.
My Akhira is predicated on these very principles.
My life after death is based on this decision of mine.
If someone replaces it with something else then it is evident that
he has abandoned his religion.
Then, we will have a conversation about it.
But if he chooses his aim in this world while keeping this objective
in the background. Look, students are generally asked.
And they respond by saying that they put all their efforts to become good doctors.
At the time when this statement is made,
the denial or refusal of religion is just not intended.
Or in any other field the refusal of the purpose is not intended.
Many a times we say that, my mother is aged and she took care of us
with utmost love and affection.
My ultimate aim of life is to serve her day in and day out.
So, these are certain statements which are made in a specific context.
These statements should be understood in the manner they are spoken, rather than
always trying to find out faults in them by checking the literal meaning of words.
But, If someone really says that religion is hardly a matter of concern for him,
and the objectives of religion are not as important to be chosen as personal goals.
Then he is putting forward his own point of view, and we will disagree with him
on that and inform him that religion is a great blessing bestowed
upon humans in this world
In reality, our religion has made us conscious of the fact that
life does not end in death.
We have our God.
And after we die, we will rise in the court of Allah.
There can be no bigger service of humanity other than what religion has done.
As far as these foolish issues and demands made by ignorant people
are concerned, they should be kept aside.
They are found all over the world.