Is it possible for a human to be good without religion?

The question of whether a human can be good without religion is one of the most profound and fundamental inquiries regarding ethics, spirituality, and the purpose of life, a question that has occupied human minds throughout history. From the perspective of the Holy Quran, answering this question requires a careful and comprehensive examination of the various dimensions of "goodness" and "righteousness." The Quran offers a holistic and multifaceted view that acknowledges universal and innate moral virtues while also emphasizing the paramount importance of faith and connection with the Creator for the complete realization of righteousness and the attainment of eternal salvation. Let us delve into this topic with greater precision. The Quran clearly emphasizes the existence of universal moral principles deeply embedded in human nature (fitra). There are verses that call upon all human beings to uphold justice, practice kindness, help the needy, be truthful, fulfill promises, and refrain from oppression and corruption, regardless of whether they adhere to a specific religion or not. For example, Surah An-Nahl, verse 90, states: "Indeed, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and giving to kith and kin, and forbids indecency, and evil, and rebellion. He admonishes you that you may take heed." This verse presents a comprehensive moral guideline that is understandable and applicable to all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. Kindness to parents, helping orphans and the destitute, and speaking kindly to people are also among the matters frequently emphasized in the Quran, and these can be performed by any human being with a pure disposition. Therefore, from this perspective, yes, an individual can perform many good and commendable deeds without explicit adherence to a religion and contribute positively to society and those around them. These actions are undoubtedly beneficial and valuable at the worldly level and contribute to improving human relations and creating a better society. However, the Quran goes beyond this level of outward goodness, delving into a deeper concept of righteousness and goodness that is intricately linked with faith and connection to God. In the Quranic view, "true goodness" or "complete righteousness" is an action that, in addition to having ethical and social dimensions, originates from a sincere intention for God's pleasure and falls within the framework of Tawhid (monotheism) and adherence to divine guidance. This concept is referred to as "Amal Salih" (righteous deeds) in the Quran, which is always mentioned alongside "Iman" (faith). In almost no part of the Quran is the promise of salvation and eternal rewards given solely for "actions" without "faith." For instance, in Surah Al-Asr, verse 3, we read: "Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience." This verse indicates that faith is an essential condition for the ultimate value of deeds and for salvation in the afterlife. According to Quranic teachings, the purpose of human creation is servitude and knowledge of God. This servitude is not merely about ritualistic worship but encompasses all aspects of life where an individual's intention and action are directed towards the Creator's satisfaction. When good deeds are separated from this divine foundation, they may be valuable from a worldly perspective, but in terms of ultimate human perfection and salvation, they will hold a different weight and meaning. The Quran addresses those who perform good deeds but whose sole intention in this world is worldly gain or showing off, and who do not believe in God. In Surah Al-Kahf, verses 103-105, it states: "Say, [O Muhammad], 'Shall we inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing good in work.' Those are the ones who disbelieved in the verses of their Lord and [in] His meeting, so their deeds have become worthless; and We will not assign to them on the Day of Resurrection any weight." These verses clearly show that merely performing seemingly good deeds, without faith in God and the Last Day, cannot guarantee eternal salvation, and their deeds may even be considered weightless in the divine scales. This does not mean that God completely ignores the good deeds of non-believers. In fact, some commentators believe that by His justice, God may grant them worldly rewards for their good deeds, but the ultimate reward in the afterlife, reserved for believers and the righteous, is exclusive to those who have sincerely believed in Him and devoted themselves to His service. Indeed, religion provides a comprehensive framework for life that not only addresses individual and social ethics but also defines humanity's ultimate goal in achieving proximity to God and eternal felicity. Without this framework, "goodness" might be limited solely to worldly benefits, personal satisfaction, or social acclaim, lacking the profound and transcendent meaning associated with a connection to the Creator of existence and the rewards of the afterlife. Therefore, it can be concluded that from the Quranic perspective, a human can perform many benevolent and moral actions without adopting a specific religion, and these actions will contribute to improving their worldly life and society. These acts of "goodness" stem from humanity's divine innate disposition. However, "goodness" in its full and comprehensive sense, which includes achieving true perfection and eternal salvation in the afterlife, necessitates faith in the One God, adherence to His guidance, and the performance of righteous deeds with sincere intention for His pleasure. This distinction in the Quranic view of righteousness is highly significant, as religion is a path to connect our actions to the ultimate source of good and eternal reward, and it is this connection that imbues our actions with their ultimate value and meaning.