2. Some Necessary Qualities Of Religion
The religionwhichcan fulfillthe needsof mankindmust havethefol-
lowing qualities:
(a) It must satisfy the intelligence and intellect of human beings.Islamgivesforemostimportancetohumanintelligence.Islamemphas-
izesthatyoumustunderstandthefaithandthenbelieveinit.Belieffol-
lows understanding, and not vice versa.
(b) It must teach and demonstrate dignity of human beings.IslamplaceshumanbeingsoverandaboveallothercreationsofGod;
itpromotesequalityamonghumanbeings.Islamdoesnotallowhuman
beingstolosetheirdignitybybowingdowninworshiptoafellowman,
animal or an inanimate object.
(c)It mustbe acompleteguide todevelopthebody,mindandspirit ofhu-
mans as a whole.
Islamdoesnotonlydevelopthe soulatthe expenseof thebody;nor
doesitpromotethecare ofthe bodyatthe expenseofthe soul.Itpro-
motesdevelopmentofallaspectsofhumanlifeinabalancedway.Islam
notonlytalksingeneraltermsaboutthecodeoflife;itgivesspecificde-
tails and also provides examples in the lives of the prophets and imams.
(d) It must conform with human nature.The teachingsofIslam takesthe humannature into consideration.It
doesnotpromote,forexample,celibacywhichiscompletelyagainsthu-
man nature.
(e) It should not be a tool in the hands of oppressors to suppress the masses.Islampromotessocialjustice andrejectsthetheory ofpredestination.
Theoppression ofatyrantruler isnot predestinedbyGod.Thisleaves
noroomforthetyrantrulersandoppressorstosaythatthemasseshave
been predestined for serving the ruling class.