Originally Posted by Fassi

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.

Originally Posted by Pearl013

ssara dear everyone is attempting in english here even fassi has done the same but i am confused how to attempt it in urdu here

Originally Posted by ssara

Q:3- What is the need of religion and its role in human life? (16 Marks)

Introduction:
Religion or Mazhab means the way or path which human being is required to spend its life according to certain laws, the laws which are made up by particular lords, Gods or Allah. However, without Religion this world can not be a peaceful place because it is the essence of religions which provides each an every thing about human life that how to spend life according to concerned laws which are for the betterment of human life.Therefore it can be said that religion is (an) essential need of human life. Because without it, the whole world is meaningless. However, there are diverse (mention only major regions would be better here) religions in the world, and they have many ways of life in order to make this world paradise. But among them, Deen e Islam has an outstanding importance. Because it is complete code of life, which not only teaches about this materialistic world but also teaches the main and prime purpose of this world and also teaches that how to spend our life according to the divine belief.

Religion is a natural need of Human life
As a matter of fact, human needs basic things for living its life (you can write it directly about the needs don't mingle your views, such as food, clothes and shelter (shelter is good word but the home would also be better because shelter gives the notion about the past stone ages) in order to fulfill his physical needs. Beside these needs, an other need is required which is an exclusive and the most important need of human life in this world what is called relaxation for human soul and wanting spiritual relax. No doubt in this contemporary world, science has provided nearly each an every thing regarding the comfort of human life. But these are the physical needs what science has been fulfilling since its advancement. However, after getting all the materialistic things i.e, comfortability in contemporary(use synonyms here >modern) world human is seemed unsatisfied owing to its need of spirituality. Therefore, in this regard, philosophy also what is said science and other sources have done their best in order to tackle this problem but they have not been successful. After the said(above sources) sources, religion is the rest and best source which makes this world peaceful. History its self is an concrete evidence that religion is natural need of human being.

Religion is a Haman Necessity
Religion provides complete certain laws that how to spend life according to these laws which are made by particular Lord, god, goddess or Allah. Therefore, it is seen in all religion one thing is common which is that the religion teaches that one must has to believe on his/her God/Lord. Besides this, Religion teaches the quality of life, brotherhood, love, disciple, equality, just (justice) and other concerned things which are necessary in the human life. Religion teaches that one must has to be confident and does not have to do bad deeds. Religion is the prime source which guides the human life exclusively (no need of exclusively here) and teaches that one must has to do good deeds (you had to mention the good deeds here) as much as he/she (use only he here, concerning human being, or men, you may use he instead of her/him..) can for the rewarding of his/her Lord/god/goddess/Allah.

Religion is a Universal Truth (its my favorite heading I can write 5000 words, now going to read what have you discussed, its the most interesting heading)
No doubt, Religion is a universal truth. Research has shown that when a baby is born, it is not born without religion, because it comes in a house what beliefs on a certain religion going on. Therefore, a baby has to learn its certain religion what is being in the contemporary world in its home particularly. Besides this, it is seen in the history that since the advancement of human life after the stone age human being has been searching its prosperity in many places. But, after doing research in all perspective, such as Sadhos used to go far away in order to provide himself/herself peace and prosperity but what is universal truth that religion is a universal truth, which provides the spirituality of human life like its physical needs.

Necessity and Importance of Religion and its Place in Human life
After discussing it has become crystal clear that religion has an outstanding importance in human life. On the other hand, it can be seen the modern contemporary civilizations which have been suffering from diverse problems. Even their family life (system) nearly have been disturbed. Besides, they have not been getting in touch with certain religion and have been effected adversely. No doubt, the people which are called atheist who have been nearly aware about religion now that without religion it is nearly impossible to live in peace and prosperity. Nonetheless, philosophy and science also have been failed in this regard. After these things, the communism and secular philosophies are also developing their secular ideologies but they have noticed exclusive gestures that the religion is very necessary for human life in order to spend the life and for getting peace mentality and physically to the some extent.

However, the necessity and importance of religion can be summed up exclusively in the following synopsis

1-Religion fulfills the spiritual need and solve the basic problem of human life.
As it is discussed above that beyond the physical needs of human life there are other spiritual need for peace of the human life because it is the peace which makes the human life towards the betterment exclusively.

2-Relgion gives divine power in the time of adversity
As a matter of fact, without religion one can not bear his/her life further owing to some disturbances such as depressed, in certain pain or in love. For instance, there are people in this world who are atheist and do not follow any religion. However, it is seen and are many cases in the history which are witnessed that when an atheist person sees his/her life in certain cases which are very awful and miserable, such as a person who falls in love for anything and when his/her love doesn't fulfill in certain way. He/She has to commit suicide. It is because of the lack of religion's teaching. On the other hand, if a person, particularly who has believe on his religion, no matter what he/she is following his/her concerned religion, can bear awful life such as in time of adversity by mother nature or by any other nature. As what Allah says in Quran: (10:62)

"Now surely as to those who are near Allah, there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve."

This is the crystal clear and concrete evidence that a person who believe on his/her God, never commit suicide in his/her time of adversity.

Religion Justifies the relationship between human and the Universe
As it has been said in the Quran and also in Hadith that Allah has created this world for the comfort of human life and the main aim of human life is to prayer for his/her ALLAH in order to reach the main place what Allah has said in the Quran and by divine revaluation through the Adam to the last Prophet (SAW). Therefore, it is would certainly be wrong to preach any thing/entity such as moon, sun, or any other thing which is man made. Therefore, it is pretty need to believe and pray only for Almighty ALLAH.

Religion teaches the Human that how to spend his/her life exclusively in this world
It is the religion, if we take Deen e Islam, what is the true deen in this world, teaches us the complete code of life, it teaches that one must not has to do bad deeds, because his/her (use only his) bad deeds shall be counted and will have been punished in the day of judgment. Besides, Islam teaches us that how to love with children and how to respect elders. And it teaches about equality, brotherhood, sincerity, it not only provides the guide about this world but also get aware us for the day of judgment which shall be come life after death what is called the day of judgment (Qayamat). Islam is the best religion which teaches that there is no difference among the people all are the equal, but among good are those who believe on Almighty ALLAH. Almighty Allah says in the Quran:

"O mankind Lo! We have created you from male and female, and have amde you nation, and tribes that you may know one antoher. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah is the best conduct. Lo Allah is knower, Aware'". (Surah al Hujraat:13)

Conclusion
To the sum up, it can be said that without religion, human life can not become peaceful and comfort in this world. Religion is the prime need of human life. Religion teaches the human life in all perspective towards the betterment of human life not for this world but for gets prepared for the day of judgment. However, Philosophy, Science have been failed but religion has proven and solved (don't use verb twice here) the basic problems of human life through certain divine sources by the Last Prophet (SAW). Nevertheless, beyond the food, clothes and shelter human life has got the spiritual need what is exclusive important in this world and it teaches the human about each an every thing regarding the way of life. In this connection, Islam is the best source and the best deen which provides the complete code of life that how to spend the life according to the Quran and Hadith in order to be winner for this world and in the day of judgement.

Sorry to late attempt, and all active members are highly requested to point out my mistakes, and can critisize as much as you can will be highly appreciated. All members especially, Shakeel, Pearl13, PearlyS, Fassi, Shahreena and tobabar are requested to take part exclusively.

And new members are welcome can attempt now... Because we have targets and we can not wait for any one so keep in touch with us on the daily basis and get prepared we shall help you out as much as we can and also you are welcome in this vital thread.......
And Shakeel where are you dear we are waiting for your attempt?

Thanks........

Regards......

Sara........

Originally Posted by fadk

I would suggest members to attempt Wahi question and the previous one. It is very confusing as to what areas to touch in answer. I have half attempted the Wahi question and am stuck.

Please don't move quickly to other questions, its my suggestion only. Let other members participate and correct each other. There is no need to rush.

Originally Posted by amber farman ellahi

my humble request to all of u is to stop using hard words.please use easy words so that each one of us understand it finely.and a suggestion for sara make ur sentences small.it "ll help u n even us for understanding ur point of view.

Originally Posted by Ammasiub

Need Of Religion
Does we need of any religion in present world? This is the question which is raised by the sociologists and scientists of the modern world ..While raising this question they also have given answer to it, which is in negative sense-This is the arena of modern world which include scientific solution of all problems leaving no room for any religion-

Fitting well to their understanding is a result of their observation and perception which is totally based on experiments of what their senses feel about that particular thing which they are observing. These senses cannot be a reliable source of any observation and passing any valid statement because there is always an error of judgment due to the work of senses.
Religion provides us the basic fundamental principles of living a life. Though science and modern technology helped us in many ways of life but they are unable to solve our basic fundamental problems of life. It is religion which provides us the basic beliefs, sprituallity and ways of living. Moreover inventions of science have created lots of problems for human life in the shape of atom bombs, missiles, rockets and so on…

Religion is all about having faith on God. God Has created this universe for His mankind to live in it peacefully and to believe in, i-e everything is in His control and He is The Master of all of us. Science has taken man into space and on the moon but still they have not find God here and there. It is religion which helps the man to find his God and to believe in..

Actually the laws of “matter “are being used to find out the God. The diameter of the science is limited to only what man perceive. The word of religion has its own laws, principles, rules and regulations. These are immaterial and like metaphysics. How the laws of physics can be applied to metaphysics? Science is not able to find out the mechanism of our human body system. it has not provided us the spiritual relaxation.

So, the question is, have science and philosophy solved all the problems of human life? Is the world is prosperous and peaceful today? Is the man living peaceful life? If not, as it is not at all, what is the significance of science and philosophy? It is religion which provides us the solution to these questions and off course human life is incomplete without religion.Relegion is needed in all spheres of life and it will always be a beginning source for all mankind due to its vastness.
I have posted the first portion of the question.kindly check out my approach and comment Requested to all senior members