Religion Blog

The author in Dalai Lama Temple, Dharamsala, India

Are You Religious?

I have heard this question so many times in Morocco as well as during my travels from, often non-Muslims with whom I have lived or traveled, or had coffee, or just have spoken few words. Every time I have been asked this, I have had to stop and think about this quite tricky question and wonder about its meaning.

Once, I was flying back from a small break in Morocco to the UK as I was in the middle of writing my thesis. When at the airport, I was walking through the path already designed for my passport cursed by its colours. I was not as lucky as others who just scan their passport to go through.

I was aware that there were some people waiting for me for a warm welcome. I was ready for the quick Q&A with a big smile, as usual. I was questioned by a middle-aged woman. Where are you coming from? What is the purpose of your visit? Etc. I got a full mark answering all these questions, and then she asked me if I was Muslim. After hearing my confirmation, she said, “Are you a religious person?"

When I asked her about what she meant by this, she proceeded, "Do you go to the mosque? How often do you go?" I was utterly astonished by the way she defined religion, and Islam, more specifically. How limited I thought her conception of religion is and how bizarre is the cause/effect equation she has put between being religious and how frequently one goes to the mosque. I smiled. And that became my answer, quite straightforwardly.

Sarcasm would have been my ideal response but would not have done any good in this situation. She noticed my surprise about this not-so-comforting interview. Then, she apologized about asking too many sensitive questions, as she defined them, then the conversation took a rather informal turn.

We talked about the wedding she was invited to in Shishawa near Marrakesh and she expressed her excitement about it. We waved goodbye with smiles and that little good feeling about a pleasant conversation with a stranger hit me, yet not totally free from disappointment about how Islam is viewed and how religion is interpreted.

When I was in India, I lived with people who believe there is no God. Their belief was full of doubts and unanswered questions. They noticed that I was Muslim, so they did not wait more than two days after their arrival to show their curiosity and share their doubts. I was showing them around the neighbourhood, as I had spent quite a longer time in India.

I was showing them where to shop, where to take the bus, the price of this and that etc. Then, one asked me again the same question:" Are you religious?". The other one asked me, "Are you religious or open-minded"? Pretty intriguing questions. It is quite challenging to explain or debate religion with an atheist person. Here is how I broke down my answer to them, and now to you.

Religion has two main pillars, both equally important: The spiritual dimension and the behavioural dimension. The former is where religions differ, yet all of them have more or less a great similarity when it comes to the behavioural dimension, which provide an ethical framework that can govern peoples’ behaviours and way of life. The perfect balance in life, in my opinion, is to find balance between both spiritual and behavioural dimensions.

In The Art of Happiness, the Dalai Lama says, "In order for the religion to have an impact in making the world a better place, I think it's important for the individual practitioner to sincerely practice the teachings of that religion. One must integrate the religious teachings into one's life, wherever one is, so one can use them as a source of inner strength."

The spiritual aspect should inspire goodness, to oneself and towards others. It is only when religious teachings guide the lifestyle of the person and govern one's relationships with other people, that religion takes its full meaning.

It is important as well to respect other traditions and religions and understand that they have brought positive things to the humanity. In such a manner, one can increase compassion and tolerance towards others from different religious backgrounds. 

"I have only been sent to complete (perfect) good morals (manners)" The Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him)

Having said that, being religious therefore means being good and inspiring goodness. It is about constructing an ethical framework that is inspired from religious teachings which organizes relationships with other human-beings (our parents, children, cousins, neighbours, colleagues... strangers).

One practices religions when you smile to strangers, treat them with kindness not to get something from them but for genuine goodness, when you deprive yourself and give to the poor, when you respect, when you forgive, when you visit your family, respect your parents, listen to your brothers and sisters, when you visit an ill friend, when you make a child happy, when you help the one in need, when you respect women, and elder people, when you wish for others what you wish for yourself, when you are tolerant and compassionate, when you make a positive impact on someone's life... So, are you religious?

-By Louay Benaabdelaali