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ISSN (Online): 2664-4398

ISSN (Print): 2664-438X

Al-Qamar,Volume9,Issue1(January-March2026)

The Antiquity and Reality of Religion: A Critical and

Research-Based Study in the Light of Islamic Teachings

Prof. (r) Dr. Muhammad Idrees Lodhi

Former Chairman, Department of Islamic Studies & Director, Seerat

Chair, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

Shahida Kanwal

M.Phil Scholar, Department of Islamic Studies, Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan, Pakistan

This research paper presents a comprehensive study of the antiquity

and reality of religion, examining its definition, historical continuity,

and intrinsic human necessity through the lens of Islamic teachings.

The concept of religion is as ancient as the universe itself, as the

entire cosmos operates in submission to divine injunctions. The

study begins by analyzing various definitions of religion provided by

both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, including Edward Burnett

Tylor, Immanuel Kant, Arthur Schopenhauer, and Muslim thinkers

such as Imam Ghazali, Muhammad Abduh, Allama Iqbal, and

Maulana Maududi. It then distinguishes between the Arabic term

"Dīn" and the commonly understood notion of "madhhab"

(religion), highlighting that Islam is not merely a religion but a

complete and comprehensive way of life (Dīn) that governs every

aspect of human existence—spiritual, moral, social, economic,

political, and legal. The paper explores the meaning and concept of

"Dīn" in the Qur'an, including its various connotations: obedience,

judgment, sovereignty, state law, and justice. The study further

demonstrates the necessity of religion from multiple perspectives:

rational, historical, intellectual, natural (fiṭrah), civilizational, moral,

spiritual, social, psychological, and scientific. It argues that religion,

particularly Islam, fulfills fundamental human needs for meaning,

purpose, emotional stability, moral guidance, and spiritual

contentment. The research concludes that while Muslims may have

shortcomings in practice, the reality of Islam as a divine and

complete system remains unchanged, and its relevance for humanity

is timeless and universal. The paper emphasizes that the decline of

Muslims is not due to any deficiency in Islam but rather due to the

departure of Muslims from authentic Islamic teachings.

Key Words: Religion, antiquity, reality, Dīn, Islam, human necessity,

Islamic teachings

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