The Concept of Religion and Modernity in the Present Age

By Dr Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 19 September 2025 Abstract: This article explains the relation between religion and modernity. It argues that there is no real conflict between the two, but misunderstanding and misinterpretation have created tension. Religion provides meaning, moral values, peace, and social order. Modernity promotes reason, science, freedom, equality, and progress. Both can work together, as religion welcomes reflection and social needs, while modernity encourages research and openness. Problems arise when religion is misused for personal interests or when modernity spreads immorality. The article concludes that harmony between religion and modernity is necessary for peace, development, tolerance, and intellectual growth in society. Main Points: 1. Religion teaches peace, justice, morality, harmony, and meaningful life. 2. Modernity values reason, science, freedom, equality, and social reforms. 3. Conflict comes from misinterpretation, not true religion or modernity. 4. Harmony between religion and modernity ensures progress and social peace. 5. Narrow thinking blocks benefits; openness helps society gain knowledge. ------ The question of whether religion and modernity are in conflict or in cooperation has created a strange situation in society. People connected to religion often become anxious when they hear the word “modernity”, while those familiar with modern ideas sometimes speak carelessly about religion. This shows that there is imbalance and extremity on both sides. The important question is: why does this conflict appear between the religious and secular groups in the name of religion and modernity? To answer this, we first need to clearly understand what religion means. Scholars explain religion in the following way: "Religion is an organised system of beliefs, worship, and moral rules that guides a person in understanding his relationship with the Creator, the universe, and himself. It gives meaning to life and teaches goodness, justice, love, and peace. Faith, worship, ethics, and social values are the main pillars of religion. It not only provides inner peace but also brings order and discipline to collective life. Religion leads people towards knowledge of God, moral excellence, and social harmony, and helps them live a meaningful life." From this definition, it is clear that religion basically works for peace, welfare, and well-being in society. At the same time, it is important to understand the meaning of modernity so that we may fully know both terms. Modernity can be explained as: "Modernity is an intellectual, cultural, and social approach which takes reason, science, and experience as the basis of knowledge and practice. Its aim is to break old traditions and rigid ideas, and to create a system based on personal freedom, democratic values, equality, scientific progress, and social reforms. Modernity includes constant change, innovation, and adjustment of society to new situations. It prefers questioning, research, and reasoning instead of blind imitation. In this way, modernity leads human thought, society, and civilization towards development and new awareness." From the meaning of both religion and modernity, we can understand that there is no real conflict between them. The conflict has been created on purpose. Where modernity criticises blind traditions and illogical ideas, religion also encourages thinking, reflection, and responding to social needs. Islam itself is a system based on reason, understanding, nature, and human conscience. Therefore, the truth is that the clash we see today between religion and modernity is only because of incomplete knowledge of religion and wrong interpretation of modernity. The real need today is to highlight the common values and similarities between them so that society may move towards progress, research, and constructive development. The more people create distance between religion and modernity, the more damage society will face. So it is necessary today to remove the feeling of separation between the two. It must also be said that connecting oneself to religion and understanding it properly leads humanity to growth and progress. Religion builds social life on positive and moral lines. Societies and nations that keep correct views about religion achieve harmony and success. But the tragedy is that today many people explain religion according to their sect, personal thinking, or interests. They make religion a servant of their own ideas instead of following it. If any religious teaching goes against their interests, they twist its meaning to suit their ideas. They call this change a “logical interpretation of religion”, but in reality it has nothing to do with true religion. Such false interpretation is what really clashes with modernity. This point needs to be understood properly. Scholars and researchers must think seriously about how to stop such misuse of religion and how to spread the real spirit of religion in society. Modernity is blamed for weakening religion in the name of “adjusting with new needs”, but the truth is that religion is universal and has the ability to include positive aspects of modernity within itself. The problem is not with religion, but with the wrong way people present it. Because of this, many young minds have developed negative thoughts about religion. Another problem is that people limit religion to only a few rituals and acts of worship. For example, an ordinary Muslim thinks religion only means offering the five daily prayers and completing the basic obligations. A Hindu thinks religion only means performing certain types of worship. In fact, people of every religion often think that doing a few rituals is enough. This is not only an incomplete understanding of religion but also harmful for society. Religion can only be fully understood when its message and teachings are applied in every part of life. Religious leaders of all faiths must present the complete and universal picture of religion to people. If religion and modernity are to work together for the benefit of society, then negative and narrow ideas must be removed. Yes, it is true that sometimes under the cover of modernity, immorality, disorder, and confusion spread in society, and sometimes modernity takes people away from religion. This kind of modernity is definitely harmful. But when modernity fulfils social needs, awakens thinking, and develops intellectual and moral awareness, then it should be accepted without hesitation. So, it is right to say that there is no basic conflict between religion and modernity. In fact, modernity is an approach that creates balance, openness, and progress. Nowhere does religion teach us to reject the needs of the time or to fight against them. When religion and modernity work together, they increase tolerance, coexistence, and kindness in society, which is surely beneficial. The most important point is that modernity opens new doors of research and discovery. As a result, society benefits from new knowledge and fresh ideas. In this way, modernity also becomes useful and helpful for society. But the benefit of modernity can only be taken when people are broad-minded and open in their thinking. Societies that are narrow-minded and rigid cannot benefit from modernity. Therefore, if understood in their true sense, religion and modernity can go hand in hand and guide society towards peace, welfare, progress, and knowledge. ----- Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an author and a New Age Islam Columnist URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/concept-religion-modernity-age/d/136897 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism