Introduction
“Very religious but bad person” may be seem like an oxymoron but unfortunately, it is a reality. In this world, we see lot of people who are very religious but at the same time, are very bad people. Have they misunderstood God and His justice? Let’s find out.
What is our attitude towards religion?
When religion is discussed, many people first consider different forms of worship. Most people go into detail on spiritual aspects and other matters related to their personal life like rites after birth, marriage, divorce, family affairs, living a healthy and successful life, funeral after death etc. But, they do not pay a lot of attention to how they behave and interact with their fellow human beings.
Some people worship God with devotion but cheat people. Will they get away?
There are many people who worship God devotedly but their behavior and interactions with fellow human beings is filled with sins and crimes. They think they will be forgiven by God as they are extremely devoted and committed in their worship.
For example: Some donate crores of money, gold and silver to places of worship, thinking the sins they committed against fellow human beings will be forgiven because of their donation. Some take a dip in the holy river to wash away their sins against humanity. Some confess their sins to a priest to seek forgiveness thinking this will get them a pardon from God.
Will they get away? The answer is No!
What does Islam say about those who commit sins against humanity but worship God devotedly?
Let’s go through some basics. This will help in understanding the answer to the question above.
In Islam, we believe that God has divided the duties of human beings into two. They are:
- Duties towards God
- Duties towards fellow human beings
What are ‘Duties towards God’?
Acts of worship like praying, fasting, going for pilgrimage etc. come under duties towards God. A person is expected to do these with sincerity and devotion.
What are ‘Duties towards fellow human beings’?
God expects us to behave in the best manner possible with our fellow human beings. This includes being good to others, showing mercy and concern for others and also not causing harm to others in any manner.
Quran on ‘Duties towards fellow human beings’
God has mentioned the importance of our duties towards our fellow human beings in many verses of the Quran. We will mention a couple of them here.
Worship God alone and do not worship anyone or anything other than Him. Be good to your parents, to relatives, to orphans, to the needy, to near and distant neighbours, to travelers in need, and to those in your possession.
Quran Chapter 4: Verse 36
Goodness does not consist in just turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they love it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travelers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up the prayer and pay the tax of the poor; who honor agreements whenever they make them; who are patient in misfortune, adversity, and times of danger. These are the ones who are true (in faith of God), and it is they who are aware of God.
Quran Chapter 2: Verse 177
Sayings of Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad has also stressed the importance of the duties towards fellow human beings.
Prophet Muhammad said:
He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful actions.
Sahih Muslim
Prophet Muhammad said:
None can believe until he wishes good to others what he wishes for himself
Sahih Bukhari
Prophet Muhammad said:
The believer (of God) is the person from whom the people’s lives and wealth are safe.
Sunan Nasa’i
When we read the verses from the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, there can be no doubt that we have a great responsibility towards our fellow human beings and discharging this responsibility correctly is very important for our success in the life after death.
Who is truly bankrupt?
On the day of Judgement, God will question man on both the duties, namely the duties towards God and the duties towards fellow human beings. God may forgive the person for the shortcomings in duties towards God, but for the shortcomings in duties towards fellow human beings, God will ensure that the scores are completely settled between the oppressor and the oppressed.
Prophet Muhammad said:
Do you know who is bankrupt? The people said: A bankrupt person is one who has neither money nor wealth. The Prophet replied: The (truly) bankrupt person is the one who would come on the Day of Judgment with lots of prayers, fasts and charity but since the person abused others, defamed others and unlawfully consumed the wealth of others, committed murders and beat others, all his good actions would be credited to the accounts of the people (who were affected by his bad actions). And if his good actions are not enough to settle the accounts, then the sins would be entered in (his account) and he would be thrown in the Hell-Fire.
Sahih Muslim
What do we learn from this?
We must give a lot of importance to our duties towards human beings the same we give importance to our duties to God. Remember, a person will not enter heaven just because he or she prayed and fasted. It is equally important that the person is also good with their fellow human beings as well.
When people realize this aspect of Divine Justice and put it into action, it will pave the way for a moral, ethical, loving and a caring society.
Summary
- On the Day of Judgment we will be questioned and judged on both the duties, namely our duties towards God and our duties towards our fellow human beings.
- Fulfilling the God given duty to treat our fellow human beings justly and correctly will influence where we end up on the Day of Judgment (heaven or hell).
- When people start to realize and act diligently on their duties towards fellow human beings, the society will become a more moral, ethical, loving and caring place to live in.
