Why Faith? – Religious Media Weblog

By Hasan Abdullah Ismaik, creator of The Energy of Optimistic Considering

After our many years of public service, the primary president of the US of America used his Farewell Deal with to summarize the significance of faith on private and nationwide morality. 

“Of all of the inclinations and habits which result in political prosperity,” George Washington informed the younger nation, “faith and morality are indispensable helps. In useless would that man declare the tribute of patriotism who ought to labor to subvert these nice pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of males and residents. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, must respect and to cherish them. A quantity couldn’t hint all their connections with personal and public felicity. Let it merely be requested: The place is the safety for property, for fame, for all times, if the sense of spiritual obligation desert the oaths, that are the devices of investigation in courts of justice? And allow us to with warning indulge the supposition that morality might be maintained with out faith. No matter could also be conceded to the affect of refined schooling on minds of weird construction, motive and expertise each forbid us to anticipate that nationwide morality can prevail in exclusion of spiritual precept.” 

Faith and the preservation of its freedom was so integral to nationwide morality that George Washington personally assured a bunch involved that freedom of faith was not included within the authentic structure (it will turn into the primary modification added to it) that he would by no means have signed the doc if he thought it will endanger the rights of any spiritual group. 

Since our first acutely aware existence on this earth till at this time, man- sort has lived religiously. With our consciousness within the expertise progressing from partial sensory simplification to finish non secular abstraction, spiritual affiliation has been a significant element of our particular person and collective id. Faith’s faith-based and behavioral nature not solely means we share our beliefs with others, however that we’re members of a complete tradition, particularly if we belong to one of many Abrahamic religions, that are members of 1 household with shared or very related rituals, writings, prophets, holy days, locations of gathering, and, most significantly, widespread origin, our grasp Abraham, peace be upon him. 

The holy books of the three Abrahamic religions are a blessing and a light-weight from God Almighty from his messengers. As is written within the Quran: “And thus have We, by Our Command, despatched inspiration to thee: thou knewest not (earlier than) what was Revelation, and what was Religion; however Now we have made the (Quran) a Mild, wherewith We information such of Our servants as We’ll; and verily thou dost information (males) to the Straight Method.” (Ash-Shura: 52). 

These holy books introduce us to God, present us His greatness and energy, and clarify what He wishes from His creation. Their name is common, not restricted to a individuals or a nation, and their miraculousness isn’t restricted by time or affected by place. Their unifying message assist the identical primary fact: the oneness of God Almighty. 

Science itself, invoked by many as a motive to reject faith, has proven by means of analysis the advantages of faith as an antidote to social illnesses reminiscent of racism, violence, crime, melancholy, ad- diction, suicide, and household disintegration. Spiritual religion performs an unlimited position in confronting all of them, both straight by for- bidding adverse habits or not directly by encouraging optimistic habits and pondering that engenders happiness, tranquility, give up, calm, and steadiness. 

Furthermore, scientific analysis has confirmed the position religion and religiosity play in resisting physiological illnesses, bettering the possibilities of restoration and therapeutic, and rising the general bodily well being of people. This helps clarify the experiences of those that have reached the brink of dying because of a terminal sickness solely to recuperate after docs unanimously agreed on the impossibility of survival. 

Faith additionally frees us from the existential vacancy that other- smart guidelines the fabric dimension and might kill the soul lengthy earlier than dying claims the physique. Though many declare atheism is a rational place primarily based on the argument of lifelike expertise and clear logic, it’s really derived from the denial of the non secular bonded throughout the very construction and essence of human nature. Atheism preys on existential nervousness that deprives us of reconciliation with our previous, acceptance of our current, and confidence in our future. 

Cause and spirituality are the entwined parts that distinguish human beings from different dwelling creatures, fueling our skill to discover the which means an function of life—not solely by way of its ephemeral existence however the soul’s continuity and infinity past corporal dying. 

As for the existential questions which have at all times haunted man- sort all through the ages, solely faith satisfies our starvation for information of the everlasting, eager for the sacred, and salvation from sin and impurity that neither human sciences nor arts have been in a position to obtain. 

Faith is the lens by means of which we interpret the phenomena of existence, its determinants, and aftermath. By its teachings, we perceive life experiences and the way to reply to them. We derive a way of which means and function, are full of energy to take care of adversity and hardship, and made able to the love to assist others in want of our assist. For our religion in God fills us with mild, tranquility, and peace. And the extra our religion will increase and our belief in God deepens in His knowledge and justice, the extra the bitterness of life turns into sweetness, its weariness into respite, and its hardships right into a driving power that urges us to proceed and thrive. 

Religions, particularly the Abrahamic ones, ascend the believer to- wards increased non secular areas to raise the worth of his existence by means of three factors. The primary is the acknowledgment and con- tentment that the heavenly legal guidelines encourage after they emphasize perception in God’s will, decree, and future. The second pertains to the character of the person’s reference to God, the connection of the relative with the Absolute, the restricted with the limitless, and the finite with the infinite. The third is that “actual” life is the life after dying and that what comes earlier than it’s however a short lived passage for testing and expertise. 

Exploiters use perception in God as a device to regulate individuals, and use their cash or an opium to numb them. Faith has nothing to do with these claimants and exploiters, simply because the wolf had nothing to do with the prophet Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him. Certainly, each spiritual reform motion has arisen in protest in opposition to those that abused religion to serve their very own functions, even when they had been from the clergy themselves. That is what occurred in Europe throughout three trendy reform centuries, and that is what is going on at this time in our Arab and Islamic worlds. We are able to solely hope that it continues and grows till the faith returns as pure and refined because it started. 

As for these troubled with confusion and doubt, allow them to discover solace in God’s phrases: 

j Hebrew Bible: “Many are the torments of the depraved, however he who trusts in God shall be surrounded with favor.” (Psalms 32:10). 

i Quran: “When My servants ask thee regarding Me, I’m certainly shut (to them): I hearken to the prayer of each suppliant when he calleth on Me: Allow them to additionally, with a will, hearken to My name, and imagine in Me: That they could stroll in the suitable means.” (Al-Baqara: 186). 

c New King James Model Bible: “Although now you don’t see Him, but believing, you rejoice with pleasure inexpressible and stuffed with glory, receiving the tip of your religion—the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9). 

This guide is an open invitation to the followers of the three religions of our grasp Abraham to resume our understanding of life; 

discover function in our presence in it; resign, forgive, and overlook its bitter grudges and deep divisions; and look to the long run with confidence and reassurance. The unity of their teachings is stronger than the disunity that separates us.

In spite of everything, if peace is the duty of mankind, then the followers of the Abrahamic religions are the primary to bear this obligation since their prophets are messengers of peace and love and their brotherhood is considered one of peace and love. The time has come for all Christians, Jews, and Muslims to place their religion into apply and be a part of collectively in constructing a future that fulfills the divine messages contained of their holy books. 

—Hasan Abdullah Ismaik 

Hasan Abdullah Ismaik is an Arab entrepreneur, author, and thinker devoted to spreading philosophical tradition and growing Arab rational discourse. A Jordanian of Palestinian heritage who resides in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ismaik chairs the funding corporations Marya Group and First Capital Group Holding. His humanitarian pursuits embody selling concord between the East and West; supporting spiritual discourse and tolerance; elevating the understanding of Islamic philosophy and heritage; working for worldwide cooperation, battle decision, and stability within the Center East; and, particularly, fostering the social and financial welfare of the younger. In doing so, Mr. Ismaik seeks to attain a non secular rapprochement that strengthens the bonds of affection and understanding between believers within the East and West.