Reality and Comparison of Islam and Secularism
✍ Written by: Asif Mahmood
In the context of Pakistani society, religion holds a unique place in the collective psyche. Despite practical shortcomings in religious observance, people are naturally drawn toward religion whenever it is discussed.
In such a society, marginalizing religion is not an easy task. Therefore, proponents of secularism have adopted a new strategy:
They now present secularism as love, morality, and humanity, attempting to show that it is not in conflict with religion.
Encyclopedia Americana:
"Secularism is a moral system which does not rely on divine religion. It allows discussion on fundamental questions such as the existence of God and the immortality of the soul."
Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language:
"Secularism is a system that rejects all forms of religious belief."
Definition of Secularize:
"To remove the religious character from anything."
From the definitions above, it becomes evident that secularism denies all religious belief and authority.
If this is not irreligion, then what is?
Encyclopedia of Religion:
"Secularism is a way of life that advocates irreligious and anti-religious principles, wherein religious sensitivity and established religious laws lose their social importance."
Encyclopedia of Theology:
"Secularism refers to freeing every aspect of human life — thoughts, customs, and social behavior — from religious influence."
Lerner Type Concise English Dictionary:
"Secularism is the ideology that denies every form of religious belief and worship."
Islam is a complete code of life, encompassing worship, economics, legal systems, and family structure.
The Qur'an says:
"ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِى ٱلسِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً"
“Enter into Islam completely.” (Al-Baqarah: 208)
This command leaves no room for partial or selective Islam.
On the other hand:
✔ Secularism denies Allah’s ultimate sovereignty.
✔ It attempts to confine religion to personal life only.
✔ This concept is fundamentally rejected in Islam.
If someone claims to be both a Muslim and a secularist, then:
➤ Either he is deluded himself,
➤ Or he is misleading others.
Because secularism openly contradicts the foundational principles of Islam.
The West embraced secularism in reaction to the oppression of the Church and its corrupt interpretations.
They did not have access to the original teachings of religion, and thus rejected the entire religious framework.
In contrast:
✔ We have the Qur’an and Sunnah preserved in their pure form.
✔ Instead of reacting to mistakes by religious individuals, we must return to the sources — not embrace extremes like secularism.
Islam provides a balanced path between religious extremism and secular irreligion.
Rather than falling into clerical authoritarianism or godless liberalism, we are instructed to take guidance directly from Qur’an and Sunnah.
Islam offers a model of moderation, balance, and divine guidance in all aspects of life.
✍ Written by: Asif Mahmood
❖ Common Misconceptions About Secularism
In the context of Pakistani society, religion holds a unique place in the collective psyche. Despite practical shortcomings in religious observance, people are naturally drawn toward religion whenever it is discussed.
In such a society, marginalizing religion is not an easy task. Therefore, proponents of secularism have adopted a new strategy:
They now present secularism as love, morality, and humanity, attempting to show that it is not in conflict with religion.
❖ The Western Definition of Secularism
Encyclopedia Americana:"Secularism is a moral system which does not rely on divine religion. It allows discussion on fundamental questions such as the existence of God and the immortality of the soul."
Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language:"Secularism is a system that rejects all forms of religious belief."
Definition of Secularize:"To remove the religious character from anything."
❖ Secularism: A Clear Form of Irreligion
From the definitions above, it becomes evident that secularism denies all religious belief and authority.
If this is not irreligion, then what is?
Encyclopedia of Religion:"Secularism is a way of life that advocates irreligious and anti-religious principles, wherein religious sensitivity and established religious laws lose their social importance."
Encyclopedia of Theology:"Secularism refers to freeing every aspect of human life — thoughts, customs, and social behavior — from religious influence."
Lerner Type Concise English Dictionary:"Secularism is the ideology that denies every form of religious belief and worship."
❖ Islam vs. Secularism: A Clash of Fundamentals
Islam is a complete code of life, encompassing worship, economics, legal systems, and family structure.
The Qur'an says:
"ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِى ٱلسِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً"
“Enter into Islam completely.” (Al-Baqarah: 208)
This command leaves no room for partial or selective Islam.
On the other hand:
✔ Secularism denies Allah’s ultimate sovereignty.
✔ It attempts to confine religion to personal life only.
✔ This concept is fundamentally rejected in Islam.
❖ Secularism: The Ultimate Rejection of Religion
If someone claims to be both a Muslim and a secularist, then:
➤ Either he is deluded himself,
➤ Or he is misleading others.
Because secularism openly contradicts the foundational principles of Islam.
❖ Western Origins and Contemporary Reality
The West embraced secularism in reaction to the oppression of the Church and its corrupt interpretations.
They did not have access to the original teachings of religion, and thus rejected the entire religious framework.
In contrast:
✔ We have the Qur’an and Sunnah preserved in their pure form.
✔ Instead of reacting to mistakes by religious individuals, we must return to the sources — not embrace extremes like secularism.
❖ The Middle Path: Teachings of Islam
Islam provides a balanced path between religious extremism and secular irreligion.
Rather than falling into clerical authoritarianism or godless liberalism, we are instructed to take guidance directly from Qur’an and Sunnah.
Islam offers a model of moderation, balance, and divine guidance in all aspects of life.
