Table of Contents
Continuing from the previous discussion…
The Search for a Balanced Religion and the Essence of Humanity
Now we must determine which religion embodies the principles of that balanced, middle path. The ideal religion offers a middle ground, avoiding both total license and rigid control. It is the religion of humanity. In fact, one may say that this religion itself is “humanity,” for it is only through following it that a human being can rise to the level of true humaneness.
Without divinely ordained religious guidance, it is not possible for us to become complete humanists through our own efforts. I hope that from the discussion so far, you have come to understand this. Therefore, when we searched for which religion, from the very beginning of creation, has brought a balanced system to control human nature, we found that the Great Creator declares:
“O Prophet, devote yourself wholeheartedly to this religion. This is the Fitrah of Allah—the natural disposition upon which He has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the true religion, but most people do not know.”
Islam as the Manifestation of Fitrah
Look, brother—we have already established that the Creator of the universe exists, and that He is One. At the same time, we have also seen that for human beings to be properly guided, there is a need for a religion sent from Him. This system identifies good and evil, right and wrong, benefit and harm, and educates humanity to be truly humane.
Now consider: among all the religions, which one contains these proven elements? You will not find them anywhere except in Islam. Islam teaches belief in One Allah. At the same time, it declares that this is the Fitrah—the natural religion given by the Creator. It is upon this very nature that He has created mankind.
This religion alone is capable of balancing human nature and elevating it to true humanism. It has been clearly declared to be the Fitrah of the Creator. And there is no doubt that the nature given by the Creator can bring balance to His creation.
The life within human beings has been breathed into them from that Eternal Being. In other words, there exists a profound, unseen connection between the Creator and His creation. Consequently, embracing the religion derived from this divine essence is the sole path to achieving equilibrium and genuine stability. And the name of that religion is Islam.
Thus, Islam is the true religion—the religion of humanity.
Universality of Religion and the Limitations of Other Religions
Those who speak of “humanity” outside of this framework—I ask them, what kind of humanity is that? From which realm does it come?
Brother, let me elaborate on why Islam is humanity’s religion and the true faith. However, before we proceed, I must ask: if religion’s purpose is to instill balance and humanity, shouldn’t it be universally applied? Because both men and women must attain humanity.
“Yes, such a religion must be universal.” —Awham’s simple reply.
But do you know, brother, that Hinduism is not universal? In Hinduism, the study of the Vedas and religious scriptures is forbidden for women. It is stated: “According to Hindu scriptures, a man’s lord is God, while a woman’s lord is her husband. Her worship is to serve her husband.”
In modern times, many women are seen participating in rituals—but not because it is a religious command. Rather, due to changing times, they are allowed. The Vedas themselves did not grant such permission.
Tell me, are women not human? Do they not deserve religion? Are they outside humanity? Were they created only to serve their husbands? A religion that imposes such degrading rules on women—how can it establish balance and humanity in the world? A religion that devalues women cannot be universal.
Furthermore, for a long time, practices like Sati and the prohibition of widow remarriage existed within this system. In 1829, through the efforts of Raja Rammohan Roy, Governor-General Lord William Bentinck abolished Sati. Similarly, in 1856, through the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Lord Dalhousie legalized widow remarriage.
If this religion were truly divine, unaltered, and universal, such inhumane practices would not have existed. A religion that changes under human pressure cannot remain universally applicable for all times.
Inconsistencies of Other Religions and the Final Reflection
Now tell me, brother—if a religion does not prevent sin, injustice, and wrongdoing, but rather encourages them, can it ever establish humanity?
“Certainly not.”
Then what would you say about Judaism and Christianity? Their belief is that to atone for human sin, God Himself became human in the form of Jesus Christ and died at the hands of mankind.
What does that imply? That no matter how much you sin, it does not matter—the atonement has already been made. That is why figures like Bush, Obama, and Trump roam the world with pride, engaging in wars and destruction. Tell me, can such a religion ever be considered a balanced or humane one?
What I have mentioned here are merely hints. To fully expose the inconsistencies of these religions would require an entire book.
Let me give you another piece of information. Both Jews and Christians follow the Bible. Yet nowhere in the Bible will you find that the followers of Moses were called “Jews,” or the followers of Jesus were called “Christians” by the Creator. These names have no divine origin.
So, do you understand now? Judaism and Christianity are not based on the Fitrah of the Creator. How, then, can they bring balance and peace to human nature? True peace in society can only be established when balance is achieved. It is said: “Islam stands between excess and deficiency”—a perfectly balanced path. And humanity itself is inseparable from balance. Therefore, Islam is humanity. Humanity resides only within Islam.
Islam is not a newly invented religion that appeared in the 7th century. Rather, it teaches that the first human and prophet, Adam (peace be upon him), came with Islam—the religion of Fitrah. All prophets preached this same religion, and it reached its final form through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
As for Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism—by their own accounts, none of them came from the Creator. Buddhism originated from the thoughts of a man known as Gautama Buddha. Jainism was established by 24 Tirthankaras—also human beings. Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster.
This means that, apart from Islam, all faiths stem from human intellect. Some arose from conflict, others from individual thought. Human beings have shaped them according to their own interests. And as I said earlier, human intellect cannot be the ultimate standard of truth.
So how can such human-made systems produce a perfectly balanced way of life or elevate humanity to its highest level?
In short, among the countless religions, Islam alone is true. Because it is the religion of humanity—balanced, divinely ordained, and rooted in the natural disposition of human beings.
At this stage of the discussion, you have already received the answer to another objection raised by Arj Ali—the very objection he presented right after the one we are currently discussing. Do you remember it?
: Which one are you referring to, brother?
: The one where Arj Ali said, “What we generally call religion is, in fact, a man-made construct. Throughout the ages, great thinkers have attempted to determine what duties humans owe to the Creator of this universe. Do humans have no responsibilities toward the Creator? Certainly they do. Reflecting on this, they tried to define those responsibilities, and in doing so, the concept of man-made religion emerged.”
Now, the objection he has raised—its answer has already been addressed within our discussion. If you look carefully, have I not already demonstrated that Islam did not originate in the manner he described? Rather, Islam came from the Creator as a mercy upon human nature—to regulate the imbalance of the human body and intellect, and to shape human beings into true embodiments of humanity.
One who criticizes religion and persuades people to leave Islam, the religion of humanity, what sort of individual is that? Arj Ali presented himself as a reformer of superstition. But now reflect carefully: was he truly a reformer, or was he, in fact, attempting to divert society away from the path of genuine reform?
One who labels Islam—the very foundation of refined culture and true human values—as a religion of superstition, without deeply studying it, and instead bases his judgment on the words and practices of uneducated or semi-educated villagers—such a person, whatever else he may be, cannot be a seeker of knowledge.
A person with a real passion for learning and a truly philosophical outlook immerses themselves in deep study and direct understanding before forming conclusions. He does not pass judgment on an ideology, a worldview, or a religion based merely on the behavior or customs of a few individuals. That is not even a sign of basic intellectual integrity—let alone philosophical depth.
As the saying goes: “As the vision, so the perception.”
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