Not Religious But He's Good

Peace be upon you, dear audience.

Correcting the Concept of Religiosity

One of the concepts that desperately needs correction is the saying: "So-and-so or so-and-so is not religious, but they are good, respectable, upright, gentle, and skilled in their work." As if these qualities are not part of religiosity. This is a result of the perception that religiosity is confined to certain rituals such as hijab, beard, avoiding unregulated intergender relationships, and the like.

Expanding the Circle of Religiosity

The truth is that we need to expand our understanding and perception of religiosity to include every good character and every noble meaning such as charity, kindness, good conduct, helping people, and mastering one's work. Have you not heard Allah's saying: {Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded}?

And our Prophet, peace be upon him, expanded the circle in the hadith authenticated by Al-Albani: "If one goes out seeking to earn a living for his family, he is in the path of Allah. If he goes out for show and boasting, he is in the path of Satan."

The Fundamental Condition: Islam

There is no doubt that the most important thing in all of this is that the person being talked about is a Muslim or a Muslimah, so that they do not do something that nullifies their deeds or takes them out of the circle of Islam. The Muslim who magnifies Allah, loves Allah and His Messenger, acknowledges that the reference is to the Sharia of Allah, and confesses to Allah his mistakes and sins without justifying them.

The Muslim who performs the pillars of Islam does not destroy them. He or she prays, fasts, pays zakat, and if able, performs Hajj, and does not belittle the importance of these matters by claiming that what is important is good conduct with people. Rather, he or she acknowledges the right of the Lord of the people, Glorified and Exalted be He.

Negative Examples and Misconceptions

A person who borrows money from others and does not care about repaying the debt, or is envious, and other such traits. Or a woman who is religious but envies her colleagues, backbites them, and treats them badly. As if these sins do not affect the description of religiosity.

Just as major sins of the limbs affect religiosity, so do major sins of the heart affect religiosity, and often they are worse than major sins of the limbs, as Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, stated. How many people are described as religious but have envy, suspicion of Muslims, arrogance, or pride. And how many people are not classified within the narrow definition of religiosity but have such goodness of heart, purity of chest, and good character that they surpass the religious in the eyes of people.

In the authentic hadith, our Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Limiting religiosity to certain rituals is a major intellectual flaw that consolidates secularism."

Warning Against Trivialization and Narrowing

It is true that we must beware of trivializing any sin and making meaningless comparisons such as saying: "So-and-so is immodest but better than many hijabis." This comparison is mentioned in the context of trivializing the gravity of these sins.

However, at the same time, we must beware, dear audience, of narrowing the circle of religiosity, for every good deed should be included in it, and every bad trait diminishes it, even if the Muslim or Muslimah adheres to some rituals of the religion. Allah, the Exalted, says:

Warning Against Trivialization and Narrowing (Continued)

Allah, the Exalted, says: {Then do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense of those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do}.

The Comprehensive Nature of Religiosity

Religiosity is not merely an external appearance or the performance of some rituals. Rather, it is a comprehensive system that includes creed, worship, morals, and transactions. The true Muslim is one who combines the rectitude of the inner self and the outer self and strives to apply the Sharia of Allah in all aspects of his life.

It is a grave mistake to fragment religion, taking from it what suits our desires and leaving what contradicts them, or focusing on one aspect while neglecting other aspects that are no less important. True religiosity is the complete submission to Allah, the Exalted, in every command and prohibition, and the striving to acquire every good character and avoid every bad character.

The Importance of Morals in Religiosity

Good morals are an integral part of religiosity, and indeed, they are among the most important objectives of the Prophetic message. He, peace be upon him, said: "I was only sent to perfect good morals." How can a person be religious if they are bad-tempered, miserly, envious, or a liar? These traits contradict the essence of religiosity, which calls for purity, cleanliness, and goodness.

Therefore, we must be careful in our judgments about people and not label them hastily. If someone is kind, respectable, and skilled in their work, these are good qualities that Allah and His Messenger love, but they do not suffice in place of performing the obligatory duties and avoiding the prohibited. And if someone performs the obligatory duties but is bad-tempered, their religiosity is diminished to the extent of their bad character.

May Allah guide us to the best of morals and deeds and grant us the correct understanding of His religion.