Religion as a Source of Peace and Humanity
By Dr Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam
3 November 2025
Abstract:
The article emphasizes that preserving religious traditions is essential for peace and social harmony. Disrespecting or distorting any religion leads to conflict and hatred in society. Every religion teaches love, respect, and humanity, so it should not be judged by the mistakes of its followers. True understanding of faith comes only through sincere study of its original teachings. In the modern world, many individuals and governments attack Islam, but such actions only strengthen its message and influence. The real challenge also lies within Muslims themselves, who often follow sectarian divisions instead of true Islamic principles. To remove misunderstandings, Muslims must return to the teachings and life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and revive the spirit of knowledge, reflection, and reason. Scholars and thinkers should unite to protect the dignity of all religions and promote peace and harmony across the world.
Main Points:
1. Preserving religious traditions brings peace, harmony, and respect among all communities in society.
2. Religion should be understood through its true teachings, not by the actions of followers.
3. Criticising religions causes hatred, instability, and destroys the moral balance of society.
4. Anti-Islam propaganda cannot weaken Islam; it strengthens its message of peace and truth.
5. True understanding of Islam needs knowledge, sincerity, unity, and following the Prophet’s teachings.
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The true meaning of social harmony and mutual respect in society can only be understood and explained when we sincerely and honestly follow those traditions, customs, and values that form the identity of any religion, faith, or nation. Whenever an attempt is made to distort or damage the religious and cultural heritage of a society, the results are always negative and harmful.
There are many causes of disorder and conflict in society, but one major reason is that religious traditions are being violated. People often mock or criticise each other’s beliefs and customs. However, criticising religious teachings or the customs of any community is not only a sign of social imbalance but is also strictly prohibited by the law and constitution.
Religion—whatever it may be—is sacred in itself. There is no defect in religion as such. Religion always teaches humanity to live with peace, love, and harmony. It seeks to build a society enriched with intellectual growth, respect for human rights, honouring relationships, mutual respect, freedom of conscience, compassion, and sound moral principles. Therefore, a religion should not be judged by its followers.
Yet, in the present age, we make the mistake of judging a religion by the actions of its followers. This leads to propaganda against that religion or faith. Such an approach never helps us understand the true spirit of religion. Indeed, a true follower is the one who aligns his life completely with religious teachings. So, if we truly wish to understand any religion and remove misunderstandings in society, we must return to its authentic sources and original teachings. Only then can we form a positive opinion and benefit from its wisdom and virtues.
Today, those who speak against religions are often people who have little or no knowledge of their sacred teachings, or they act out of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Social harmony and diversity can only flourish when people have full knowledge of different religions, their histories, and cultures. Drawing conclusions without study or relying on hearsay is not the practice of wise and civilised nations. Such attitudes reveal the intellectual and ideological decline of societies.
Sometimes, criticism of a minority’s religion is carried out deliberately as part of a political agenda. But such actions harm both the society and the community being targeted. A healthy, civilised, and refined society is one that progresses through intellectual strength and sincerely tries to understand religion. Respecting religions and civilisations adds peace and satisfaction to social life.
History shows that societies which have spoken against religions at the behest of governments have never experienced good outcomes. A society naturally desires peace and harmony. The study of history reveals that successful civilisations flourished because they maintained peace, stability, and unity. In contrast, those societies that suffered from hatred and intolerance eventually perished.
Social harmony ensures that a nation’s culture, civilisation, and history remain preserved. Maintaining one’s identity and heritage is also a great achievement. Therefore, we must conduct ourselves in a way that does not distort the spirit of any religion. Remember: provoking the religious sentiments of any community is a destructive act that disrupts social peace and order. The brightness of civilization can only be preserved when all beliefs, ideas, and faiths are respected.
On a global level, if we examine which religious community’s feelings have been hurt the most, we find that Muslims are at the top of the list. The enemies and extremists who have spread poison against Islam have written a dark chapter in history. The question arises: what do such reckless people hope to gain from these hateful acts?
If any government participates in such shameful acts against a religion, it clearly shows that it wants to provoke the emotions of the Muslim community. However, the truth is that such negative schemes can neither harm the greatness nor the dignity of Islam, nor can they turn people away from it. In fact, whenever Islam has been targeted, its message and influence have grown stronger — this is something the world has witnessed.
Such hateful campaigns may cause temporary unrest in society, but they cannot destroy the essence of Islam. Therefore, what we must do today is to counter anti-Islamic propaganda effectively, through knowledge, research, and scholarship. The world knows that Islam is a religion of peace and humanity. It teaches unity and harmony among people. It is our duty to convey Islam’s message of brotherhood and compassion honestly and clearly.
The interpretation of Islam must be based on sincerity and truthfulness. It should not be distorted by personal motives or sectarian interests. Sadly, Islam’s reputation has been harmed not only by its enemies but also by our own sectarian biases and intellectual deviations. We often try to understand Islam through the narrow lens of our sects, when in fact, we should view our sects and beliefs through the wider teachings of Islam.
If someone explains Islam only from the limited perspective of his sect, he cannot be called a true representative of Islam. Such people actually damage the sacred traditions of the faith. The divisions, sectarian prejudice, and intellectual decline seen in Muslim society today make it difficult for outsiders to understand the real Islam. Islam is not what these so-called sectarian preachers portray for their own interests.
If we truly want to learn and understand Islam, we must study the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the lives of his Companions, and the original texts of Islam. In today’s world, while many nations are progressing through research, critical thinking, and scholarship, there are still people in our society who refuse to think for themselves. For them, whatever their leaders say is final — they never reflect on its truth or its social consequences.
Islam had once built a society based on intellect, reflection, and reasoning. Unfortunately, today we hardly see a trace of that spirit among us. These are the very causes that give ignorant people the courage to speak against Islam. Therefore, it is now the responsibility of scholars, thinkers, and intellectuals across the world to reflect deeply and find ways to ensure that no one can dare to insult Islam or create social unrest.
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Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an author and a New Age Islam Regular Columnist.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/religion-peace-humanity/d/137499
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