Islam a religion or an ideology?

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

The difference between ideologies and religions is that religions do not provide systems with which humans can regulate their affairs. All Muslims say Islam is not a religion it is a way of life but we never understand what that is supposed to mean. We never really understood that way of life means that Islam regulates all of our affairs something that a religion doesn’t.

So what’s your take?

2

Re: Islam a religion or an ideology?

That’s one way of looking at it. Another would be to realize that only a true ‘religion’ tells you how to lead your life. Think about it. What good are a set of morals if you don’t know how to implement them.
What’s even more impressive is how Islam delivers itself to us to make it easier for us to learn the Islamic way of life. For example:

  1. Most of the (shorter) ‘Makki’ surahs tell you the basics of Islam
  2. Most of the (longer) ‘Madani’ surahs go into detail about your affairs (finances, marriage, law etc.)
  3. The ‘Ahadeeth’ that encompass pretty much everything that has been left to our discretion by the Qur’an.

:subhan:

3

Re: Islam a religion or an ideology?

But a religion doesn't have a method of implementation. They only deal with spiritual matters whereas Islam deals with all of your affairs. Islam has a unique system.

The Prophet(saw)'s struggle in Makka involved highlighting the injustices in society. It was entirely focused on establishing a state. It didn't involve Salah, Jihad, Hajj . Some time after when the state was established in Medina the ayah was revealed that 'This day I have perfected your deen'