Q:3- What is the need of religion and its role in human life?[/COLOR][/B]
(16 Marks)(Most expected Q. for CSS-2012)

Introduction

Many say the etymology of religion lies with the Latin word “religare”, which means “to tie, to bind.” This seems to be favoured on the assumption that it helps explain the power religion has. The Oxford English Dictionary points out, though, that the etymology of the word is doubtful. Earlier writers like Cicero connected the term with “relegere”, which means “to read over again” perhaps to emphasize the ritualistic nature of religions?
A set of beliefs concerning the spirit, cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Role and Importance of Religion In Human Life

Both from individual and social point of view role and importance of religion cannot be ignored so some of its functions are given below:

1. Religion Determines The Purpose of Life: Man was not born through his own volition or at his own behest. Hence, he does not have the right to determine the purpose of his life. That right belongs to his Creator. One of the Creator’s countless gifts to him is that every particle of the universe has been pressed into his service. This shows that man’s Creator (Allah) is indeed a great benefactor. It is only natural that one’s heart should be inclined towards one’s benefactor. To respect and love the Benefactor is the natural religion.

2. Religion Provides Mental Peace: Human life is uncertain. He struggles for his survival amidst the uncertainties, insecurities and dangers, Some-times he feels helplessness. It is the religion which consoles and encourages him in all such time of crisis. Religion gives right shelter to him. He gets mental peace and emotional support. It encourages him to face his life and problems.

3. Religion Provides Guide in Spiritual and Godly Matters: Man is endowed with a great capacity to attain knowledge and wisdom. For his physical development and upbringing, he is dependent on his parents and other factors. To gain worldly knowledge – be it medicine or philosophy, botany or history – he needs guidance and teaching. He could conceivably educate himself without the aid of tutors, but that is very difficult. And even then, he would still need someone to teach him a language. So at the very least he needs someone who can teach him the rudiments of a language. Is it possible then that he could do without a spiritual guide when it comes to spiritual and godly matters?

4. Religion Devises Perfect Laws for Human Being: The laws devised by the human mind are far less than perfect. The nations of this world then have to live with the consequences of these deficient laws. These laws regularly need modification. What man requires is a comprehensive legal code which meets the needs of all human beings and is free of narrow-mindedness and short-sightedness. Human laws have failed to prevent man from falling into evil and immorality. But spiritual laws have proven successful in keeping man away from wrongdoing. This proves the need for a religion.

5. Religion Inculcates Social Virtues: Religion promotes the major social virtues like truth, honesty, non-violence, service, love, discipline, humanity, organization etc. A follower of the religions internalizes these virtues and becomes disciplined citizen of the society.

6. Religion Promotes Social Solidarity: Religion gives rise to the spirit of brotherhood, “All Muslims are like brothers”. Durkheim viewed that religion strengthens social solidarity. A.W. Geen also pointed out that religion has the supremely integration and verifying force in human society. It is true that common belief, common sentiment, common worship, participation in common rituals etc. are the significant cementing factors which strengthen unity and solidarity.

7. Religion Converts The Animal Qualities To Human Qualities: Religion inculcates the spirit of self-service. It demands that people should be charitable and benevolent. Similarly, he abstains from major sins i.e. in Islam major sins are Zina, murder, Qazaf etc. and refrains from minor sins. Though, through various religious experiences he forgets the worldly life and problems. This experience suppresses the animal desires and converts the animal qualities of man to human qualities.

8. Religion Is An Agent Of Socialization And Social Control: Parsons viewed that religion is one of the most important agents of socialization and social control. It has significant role in organizing and directing social life. It helps in preserving social norms and strengthening social control. It socializes him individual and exercises control over both individual and group in various ways. As an informal means, religion regulates the activities of people in its own way. Organisation like Masjids, church, temples, Gurudwaras etc. also control the behaviour of the individuals at different level.

9. Religion Promotes Welfare: Religion teaches to the people to serve the masses and promote their welfare. It gives message that "the service to humanity is service to Allah". For this reason, people spend money to feed poor and needy in the form of Zakat, Sadqa and Fitrana. Great religions like Islam, and Christianity etc. put emphasis on alms-giving to the poor and beggars. It developers the philanthropic attitude of the people and thereby injects the idea of mutual help and co-operation. With the influence of religious belief different religious organisations engage themselves in various welfare activities.

10. Religion Gives Recreation: Religion plays a charming role in providing recreation to the people. Religious rites and festivals are more or less performed in every religion which gives relief to the people from mental exertion i.e. religious lectures, Hamds, Naats and recitation of Quran etc. gives much more pleasure to the people and provides eternal recreation.

11. Religion Influences Economy: Sociologists like Sombart and Max Weber rightly established the relationship of religion with economic system. Weber observed the influence of Protestant ethics in the development of capitalism. Sombart found this spirit of capitalism in Jewish norms. If we follow the distinct religious principles present in Islam i.e trade, zakat, ushr etc and interest free trade then its crystal clear that the revenue will grow in Islamic countries in no time.

12. Religious Influences Political System: Religion has played a significant role in political system in the ancient and medical society. Even in modern times in many countries of the world the religion directly and indirectly also influences political activities. During ancient and medieval period, the monarchs were treating themselves as the representatives of the God or ruling the society in the name of God. Even today, Political leaders take oath in the name of God. The political system of the countries of the world like Bhutan, Pakistan, Italy, Germany, England etc. are influenced by religion.

13. Religion Strengthens Self-confidence: Religion is an effective means to strengthen self-confidence. There are certain beliefs like 'work is worship', 'duty is divine', 'result in predestined' etc. which is found in various religions gives strength to the individual and promotes self-confidence.

Analysis (Need For Religion In The Modern Age):

Although people of every day and age needed religion but its need is far greater today than it has ever been before. The true and essential aim of religion is to guide man into becoming a servant and a mani¬festation of God. God’s attributes should become the touchstone for our moral values and should be imbibed in every aspect of our lives. The situation of the world today is not hidden to the wise and learned people. Not only are God’s attributes and virtues ignored, His very existence is denied. The need for, and the glorious teachings of religion are swept aside by those who would have mankind follow only the deceptions of the human mind.

What human nature has been seeking since time immemorial is nowhere to be found in the world today. People of the present age regard their intellectual contrivances as the touchstone for virtue. The end result is patently obvious. Promiscuous behaviour is in their estimation, noble and cultured. The existence of nudist colonies and the support given to people who produce children outside the confines of wedlock are regarded by some as the hallmarks of civilisation and morality. And then there are governments who consider it lawful to forcefully misappropriate the fruits of others, thereby keeping their countrymen in virtual slavery. When great and small have sunk to such low standards of morality, when immorality is regarded as virtue and when transgression is equated to justice – that is when the need for religion is most acute.

__________________
Apni Matti Pay Hi Chalnay Ka Saleeqa Seekho
Sang-e-Marmar Py Chalo Gy To Phisal Jao Gy