A Rant about Life & Religion
When Religious Practices become mere Rituals
In a world where we have complete information about everything, reason can give us certain answers; in the real world, however, where we are not even close to having all the answers — a world where words are fallible, where perception is fallible, where imagination is fallible, reason is more of a guide than it is a hallmark of truth.
- David Hume
This quote does not limit to life alone. It can be used as an analogy to our relationship with God.
As a Muslim, I have always believed that the key to becoming a 'good' theist is in the foundation of my religion. There are five foundations of Islam:
1. Believing in one God and the six tenants of faith
2. Praying five times a day
3. Giving Zakat
4. Fasting during Ramadan — at least
5. Going to Allah’s house in Mecca for Hajj
Yet, these tenants are perceived differently. Rather than a connection with God, most people I have come across follow these as rituals, particularly true when praying five times a day.
But today, I will focus on point 1.
What is point number 1? Is it to utter the words that there is only one God? to utter that we believe in the Angels, all the Prophets, the Day of Judgement, the Divine Scriptures and Destiny? Is simply stating enough?
Of course not.
This point number 1 is the most important part of our belief. Not only it is the basis of whether you’re a Muslim or not, but it is something much more.
This belief brings a sense of security, calmness, contentment, understanding, and achieving patience in the face of hardships.
Because the faith in the fact that you believe in Allah, that He is watching over you, the faith in the fact that there will be a day of reckoning makes your problems appear small and brings with it peace.
Because the faith in the fact that this universe is massive — unimaginably massive, and if you can then imagine yourself sitting on one of the stars that you see in the night sky and that you’re looking at the Earth from that star, you won’t be able to see the Earth from there, let alone yourself!
Imagine that the Creator of this amazingly massive universe is close to me more than anyone else in the World. He is looking after me every second. This thought makes our problems appear minute, makes our mind's stresses to simmer down, and makes you start looking at life from a bird's eye view; it is humbling.
To believe in the fact that destiny is already written, just wow. It takes away every bit of worry from tomorrow. All it leaves you with is to try your best.
The same can be said for the prayers, we pray five times a day, swiftly uttering verses of the Quran, imagine for a second that Allah is right in front of your eyes. Are you still flying through what you’re saying? I imagine not.
Our priorities, our perspective in life needs to be a bit more religion-oriented, a bit personal, a bit romantic.
