Religion in Everyday Life

 

Religion plays a critical role in everyday life. Whether a question related to ethical aspects needs clearance, or certain values need a reference, religious thinking brings clear thresholds in front.

Spirituality has a sound effect on all aspects of one's life. Whether you are a Muslim who reads The Quran, or a Christian who reads The Bible, the help that one gets on how to live life is coming directly from the Creator. The divine help certainly makes things easier, and gives a meaning to the otherwise monotonous routine.

Religion serves its social role as well. This could include giving meaning and purpose to an individual, reinforcing stability, promoting well-being and motivating people towards positive change.

 

Cultural Identity

Religion helps to define a cultural aspect to life. Different festivals, certain special months and days not only bring joy but also promote harmony and diversity. For example, in Islam the month of Ramadan sends the message of helping the poor, giving zakat and donations, and helps on realize the plight of the poor by staying hungry from dawn till dusk. The festive two Eids not only bring joy but also give the lesson to include the less fortunate in ones happiness by sharing food and giving money.

 Each religion therefore has a unique culture and cultural identity.

 

The Idea of Welfare

In many significant ways, religious organizations (mosques or churches) have contributed to advancing the humane programs & policies. Examples include subjects concerning orphans, slaves, the poor, the sick and others in need.

Christ Child Society, founded in 1887, began as a small relief organization. Gradually, more agencies and more people got involved, and by 1993, the organization was officially recognized. Currently, it works to provide clothes for local underprivileged children.

Similarly, Muslims from around the world have dedicated their lives to come up with NGOs or Welfare Societies to help those in need. Examples include, Basma Foundation for Social Development, Kubaib Foundation Pakistan, and Islamic Relief Worldwide.

 

 

Hope and Faith

Faith is nearly self-evident; it is what gets us through the day; it is the light of hope at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Religious coping is a method of dealing with stress that involves leaning on religious resources. Positive religious coping has been linked to increased well-being and personal growth in the face of adversity.

 Religion and faith have the potential to legitimize societal values. World religions are symbols of global identities and common values that shape how people live and act. A more comprehensive understanding of the living connectivity between religious and cultural values can shed insight on how religion shapes and is affected by society.

Religious beliefs, such as praying, may help people feel more in control of stressful situations. Furthermore, they provide occurrences that appear to have no significance a sense of purpose and meaning, reinforcing a sense of belonging to the whole and to the universe.

In Islam there are numerous occasions in which our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) has said to never loose hope in Allah as he can grant his people relief from any worries they are facing in their daily lives. The Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] said: “Whoever persists in asking for pardon, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, and a way out from every hardship, and will grant him provision from (sources he could never imagine.” (Abu Dawud, Tradition No. 1518 and Ibn Majah, Tradition No. 3819).