Religion has been the cornerstone of the human society since the very inception of the universe. From the Prophet Adam (PBUH) to the successive prophets and eventually to the last Prophet the message of God evolved according to the situations of time but there is a major difference between the previous prophets and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the difference is that the previous prophets have been bestowed for certain tribes, nations or time periods whereas Muhammad (PBUH) was given prophethood not just to enlighten the Arabs but to enlighten the whole world and all times. Other religions dealt only with the spiritual needs and rituals ceremonies whereas Islam deals with all the aspects of human life whether spiritual, economic, political, social or intellectual etc. Now we will discuss some of the major impacts of religion (Islam) on the life of a human being. To start with one can discuss human life from two main aspects: Individual and collective.

Individual Aspect

The centerpiece of the religious teachings is the life of the man both on the individual and collective plane. Islam takes the life of a person in its totality and deals with each and every aspect of it. Islam tells a man that he has not been created without a purpose. He has to act as a vicegerent of the God on the planet earth and has to explore the hidden secrets that God wish him to explore. In Quran, God says, “I have not created men and Jin expect to worship me” (Surah e Adh-dhariyat). First of all, we have to understand the term worship or “Ibadah” and only then we can move forward. Does worship only mean to pray and prostrate before Allah or does it covers a wide range of other aspects of human life? The term "worship" does not limit a person to the only prostration rather it covers a whole range of new context that takes a man to a new level of understanding.

Worship along with prostration and praying also includes how to attain spiritual exaltation, how to deal with other people, how to run a family and how to explore the secrets hidden in the universe of God. At numerous places in Quran, God has invited the man to think about the universe and his surroundings and to explore venues that he had not in past. This teaching of Islam opens a new window for its followers to remove the curtain from those secrets that still are hiding from the eyes and imaginations of the human. In Quran asks the man that has he been created without purpose and then answers that man has not been created without purpose.  This not only provides the basis for the spiritual uplift of the man but also for his quest to explore and to learn new things. It also guarantees man that his life is not to be wasted and he will be awarded for his hardships. Due to the lack of spiritual tendencies, the economically powerful Japan and many other atheist countries experience huge suicide ratios compared to poor Muslim countries.

The religion also provides the basis for morality in the society that none of the alternatives can provide. Non-religious and agnostics claim that morality of a society is above the religious nature of that society and religion has nothing to do with moral teachings. We do agree with them partially on this point that morality is part of the societal culture but they must concede that religion takes it a step further by incorporating that into the soul of the human that he has to be right in his conduct else punishment will be waiting for him or her. This compels him to be good with his fellowmen even though his temptation may say otherwise.

Allah (SWT) in the Quran says, “Those who spend in the way of God, who repress anger and who pardon other people; verily, God love the doers of good. (Quran 3:133). God forbids Muslim from bragging and boasting about their material wealth, knowledge and other things. Similarly, God advises Muslims to treat other people with gratitude without distinction between them and never look down upon others. Quranic teaching clearly mentions that a Muslim should be compassionate and loving while dealing with his parents, should be honest in his financial dealings and should extend a hand of help to poor and needy.

Collective Aspect

Islamic teachings never confine to the private life of a person rather they transcend these boundaries to evolve into a much broader sense. Though Islam never violates the freedom and private sanctity of a man but never hesitates to hinder him from doing things that can cause distress and chaos on the earth. Islam deals with almost all aspects of the collective life of a society and a nation. The very first and the most important thing to come to the mind is that of the business of a state. How would the people of the state nominate their ruler? Could the people be liable to criticise him? Could he be prosecuted in the case of wrongdoings or could he be even impeached?

Quran clarifies this by saying, “Their affairs are conducted by consultation among them” (Surah e Shurah). This provides a base for the formation of an Islamic state and that base is the consultation with people of the state i-e democracy. Some people argue that concept of western democracy is a concept alien to Islam and was imported to the East from the west but they should keep in mind that democratic values that West is trying to champion are the values that Islam taught and enshrined 1400 years ago. When a woman stood up and criticised Caliph Umar (r.a) about the matter of alimony, he accepted her view by saying that Umar (r.a) cannot enforce his views on others. This was the level of freedom that people professed during the times of the Prophet and the rightly guided Caliphs. On one occasion a Jewish man stole the armor of Hazrat Ali (r.a). Hazrat Ali went into litigation against that man but after listening to the views of both sides, the court issued a verdict against the Amir Ul Momineen. This is an unprecedented decision in the history of Justice. Other similar events can be recalled from the Islamic history and teachings.

On the economic plane, Islam prohibits the accumulation of wealth through unfair means. The term “Unfair means” covers a whole range of ways through which one can earn but were deemed prohibited by Islam. This prohibition ranges from the individual level to the level of collective state function. In Quran, Allah has numerous times instructed Muslims not to be involved in Riba (interest). “And whatever interest you give so that may increase the wealth of the people, it doesn’t increase with Allah.”(Surah e Rum). Similarly, Allah has ordained Muslims to be fair in their financial dealing both on personal and collective planes. Quran says, “Don’t make your hand fastened to your neck nor extend it too much, for you will be left sitting rebuked, destitute” (Surah Isra). The state is deemed responsible for providing an interest-free financial system to its citizens.

On the level of society, Islam helps the mankind to live with each other in peace and prosperity by respecting each other’s racial, cultural, and religious distinctions. In his last address to the Muslims and to the humanity, the prophet of Islam, said to the people, “All mankind is the offspring of Adam and an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab and a non-Arab has no superiority over an Arab and white has no superiority over a black and a black has no superiority over a white except by piety”.

 This shows the level of tolerance and affection of Islam towards other religions and ideologies.  This address also provides the very base of 1948 human rights declaration of United Nations organization and teaches us how to cope with modern challenges of racial and religious hatred. Quran goes a step further by saying “Whoever kills an innocent person is as he has killed the whole humanity and whoever saves a human life is as he has saved the whole humanity”.  These teachings of Islam if truly incorporated can make the life of both individual and the society a force to be reckoned with.