Why do we need a Religion? - Dr Zakir Naik

Dr Zakir Naik

1 Jun 202305:18

Summary

TLDRIn this dialogue, a question is posed about the need for religion, particularly Islam. The speaker explains that religion, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, involves belief in a higher power. Islam, referred to as 'Deen,' is described as a way of life. The speaker draws an analogy between human beings and complex machines, emphasizing the need for an instruction manual, which in Islam is the Quran. He asserts that Islam is the final and complete message from God, intended for all humanity, and is preserved from corruption by divine will.

Takeaways

🤔 Religion is described as a belief in a superhuman controlling power, often a personal God or gods that deserve worship.
🛤️ In Islam, the term 'Deen' refers to a way of life, not just a religion.
📜 The speaker compares human beings to complicated machines, requiring an instruction manual for proper functioning.
📖 The Quran is considered the final instruction manual for humanity, provided by the Creator, Allah.
📜 Previous scriptures were meant for specific people and times, and their messages were subject to change over time.
📚 The Quran, as the final Revelation, is believed to be preserved by Allah from any corruption.
🌍 Islam, according to the speaker, is the only religion acceptable to God and is meant for all of humanity.
📜 Earlier revelations were not preserved because they were time-bound and meant for specific groups.
🤝 Islam is presented as a universal religion meant for all people, regardless of their geographical location.
🕊️ The final message of Islam is meant to guide humanity in all aspects of life, based on the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad.

Q & A

What is the definition of religion according to the dictionary?
-Religion, according to the dictionary, means a belief in a superhuman controlling power, a personal God or gods that deserve worship.
What is the Arabic word for religion in Islam, and what does it mean?
-The Arabic word for religion in Islam is 'Deen,' which means a way of life.
Why do we need an instruction manual for complex machines?
-We need an instruction manual for complex machines to understand how to operate them correctly and maintain them properly.
Why does the speaker compare human beings to complex machines?
-The speaker compares human beings to complex machines to emphasize that just as complex machines require instruction manuals, human beings require guidance from their Creator.
What does the speaker identify as the 'instruction manual' for human beings?
-The speaker identifies the Glorious Quran as the 'instruction manual' for human beings.
According to the speaker, who is the producer, manufacturer, or creator of human beings?
-According to the speaker, Almighty God is the producer, manufacturer, or creator of human beings.
What does the Quran provide for human beings, according to the speaker?
-The Quran provides the do's and don'ts, or the rules and regulations, for human beings.
Why does the speaker believe that the Quran is the last and final instruction manual?
-The speaker believes the Quran is the last and final instruction manual because it is meant for all of humanity and will be preserved from corruption by Almighty God.
Why were previous revelations not preserved according to the speaker?
-Previous revelations were not preserved because they were time-bound and meant only for particular groups of people until the next revelation came.
What does the speaker say about the universality of the Quran's message?
-The speaker says that the Quran's message is meant for the whole of humanity, irrespective of geographic location or background.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Why Do We Need Religion?

The speaker begins by addressing a question about the necessity of religion, specifically Islam. Religion is defined as a belief in a superhuman power deserving worship. In Islam, the Arabic term 'Deen' means a way of life. The speaker compares human beings to complicated machines that require an instruction manual. For humans, this manual is the Quran, given by God to guide humanity. The Quran, being the last and final revelation, contains the do's and don'ts for humans, similar to how a manual instructs on the use of a device.

05:01

📜 The Quran: The Last and Final Revelation

The speaker elaborates on the Quran being the last and final instruction manual from God, meant to guide humanity. He explains that previous scriptures were time-bound and meant for specific groups, and they underwent changes over time. The Quran, however, is preserved by God from any corruption, as stated in Surah Al-Hijr 15:9. This preservation is necessary because no other revelations will follow. The message of Islam, therefore, is universal and meant for all humanity, regardless of geographical location.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Religion

Religion, as defined in the script, refers to a belief in a superhuman controlling power, a personal God, or gods deserving of worship. It is discussed in the context of being a 'way of life' for followers, especially in Islam. The speaker emphasizes that religion provides guidelines and principles for living a life aligned with the teachings of a higher power, using Islam as the example.

💡Islam

Islam is presented as a comprehensive way of life, referred to as 'Deen' in Arabic, which means religion or a complete code of life. It is portrayed as the final and complete version of God's message to humanity. The script highlights that Islam is not just a religion but a system guiding every aspect of life, as outlined in the Quran, which is considered the ultimate manual for living.

💡Quran

The Quran is described as the last and final instruction manual for humanity, provided by God. It contains the 'do's and don'ts' for human beings, similar to how a manual guides the use of a machine. The speaker emphasizes that the Quran is the preserved word of God, meant to remain uncorrupted as it serves as a universal guide for all people, beyond time and place.

💡Instruction Manual

The instruction manual is a metaphor used to explain the need for guidance in life, likening human beings to complex machines that require manuals. Just as machines come with guides on their operation, humans have the Quran as their guide, detailing how to live according to divine will. This concept underscores the necessity of divine guidance in navigating life's complexities.

💡Way of Life

Way of life is used to describe how religion, particularly Islam, provides a comprehensive set of principles and guidelines for living. It is not limited to spiritual practices but encompasses every aspect of a person's life, from personal conduct to societal roles. The speaker stresses that following Islam means adhering to a lifestyle that aligns with God's instructions.

💡Creator

The Creator refers to Almighty God, who is seen as the producer or manufacturer of human beings, much like a manufacturer of a complex machine. In this context, God provides the Quran as the manual for humanity, knowing what is best for the beings He created. This emphasizes the belief that divine guidance is crucial for human success and fulfillment.

💡Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad is mentioned as the last and final messenger of God, who delivered the Quran to humanity. His role is to convey the complete and final message of Islam, which is intended for all of humanity. The script asserts that following Prophet Muhammad's teachings is essential for adhering to the Quran and living a life in accordance with God's will.

💡Final Revelation

Final Revelation refers to the Quran as the last divine message sent by God, superseding all previous scriptures. The speaker highlights that previous revelations were time-bound and meant for specific communities, while the Quran is eternal and universal. This concept underscores the belief in Islam's finality and completeness as a guide for all humanity.

💡Corruption

Corruption is used in the context of alterations or changes that have occurred in previous scriptures over time. The speaker contrasts this with the Quran, which is believed to be preserved from corruption by God Himself. This preservation is seen as essential because the Quran is the final guidance meant to remain unchanged for all time.

💡Universal Message

The universal message emphasizes that the teachings of the Quran and the mission of Prophet Muhammad are intended for all of humanity, regardless of geographic or cultural differences. The speaker argues that Islam's principles are applicable to people everywhere, highlighting its inclusivity and relevance across different societies and eras.

Highlights

Brother asked a very good question that, why do you need a religion, like Islam or any other religion.

Religion according to Oxford dictionary means a belief in a superhuman controlling power, a personal God or gods that deserve worship.

In Islam, the Arabic word used is Deen. Deen in Islam means a way of life.

Why do you require a way of life, and why do you require to understand God?

Normally when you get a machine, maybe a complicated machine, it comes with an instruction manual.

Human beings are the most complicated machines on the face of the Earth, so they require an instruction manual.

The last and final instruction manual for human beings is the Glorious Quran.

Our manufacturer, our producer, our creator is almighty God, so he knows what is best for the human being.

Almighty God has given the rules and regulations in the Glorious Quran.

For example, when you buy a DVD player, the instruction manual tells you how to use it and what to avoid.

Similarly, Allah in the Glorious Quran has written the do's and don'ts for the human being.

Almighty God has only sent one religion, and the only religion acceptable to Him is Islam.

By the passage of time, whenever almighty God sent the instruction manual, the manual changed.

Allah knows that 1400 years ago, human beings could grasp the last and final message in its complete form.

Islam came in its complete form 1400 years ago, and the last and final Revelation is the Quran.

All previous Revelations had the same basic message: believing in one God and worshiping the true God.

Since previous scriptures changed, almighty God revealed the last and final Revelation, the Quran.

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Hijr chapter 15 verse number 9, 'I have revealed the Quran and I will guard it from corruption.'

All human beings in the world should follow the last and final messenger, Prophet Muhammad, and the Glorious Quran.

Previous scriptures were time-bound and meant only for a particular group of people.

The last and final Revelation is meant for the whole of humanity, regardless of location.