Religions in the Service of Humanity

Dr. Mohamad Ali El-Husseini

At their core, the Abrahamic religions are not projects of isolation or conflict; rather, they constitute a divine mission aimed at cultivating the earth, elevating humanity, and establishing a system of values that safeguards human dignity and protects fundamental rights. Throughout history, divine revelations were never intended to divide people or fuel discord. Instead, they were sent to guide humanity toward goodness, establish justice, spread compassion, and strengthen both individual and collective responsibility, thereby fostering security, stability, and human flourishing.

Historical and sociological scholarship consistently recognizes religion as one of the most influential forces in shaping civilizations and developing the moral and legal foundations of societies. Every divine message addressed the human being as the central bearer of responsibility and stewardship on earth, making the preservation of human dignity one of its foremost objectives. The Holy Qur'an affirms this principle: “Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam” (Qur'an 17:70). It further elevates the sanctity of human life by declaring: “Whoever kills a soul—unless for a soul or for corruption in the land—it is as if he had slain all mankind. And whoever saves one, it is as if he had saved all mankind” (Qur'an 5:32). Moreover, it establishes justice as a universal principle: “Indeed, Allah commands justice and excellence” (Qur'an 16:90).

The Prophetic tradition reinforces these same objectives in practical terms. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “The Most Merciful shows mercy to those who are merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you.” Thus, mercy and service to humanity become practical standards for evaluating human conduct rather than abstract ideals or rituals detached from everyday life.

These values are not unique to one faith tradition; they represent a shared moral foundation across the revealed religions. The Torah declares: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), a timeless ethical principle affirming respect for human dignity and the protection of individual rights. Likewise, in the Gospel, Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) teaches: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). This universal moral principle embodies justice, benevolence, and reciprocity, reflecting the common ethical purpose of the divine revelations.

The contribution of religion has therefore extended far beyond the spiritual realm. Throughout history, religious traditions have played a decisive role in building the institutions of civilization by establishing schools, universities, hospitals, and charitable organizations. They have promoted education, cared for the poor and orphans, assisted those in distress, encouraged reconciliation, and strengthened the values of social solidarity and voluntary service. In doing so, religion has become an indispensable partner in human development and a vital source of social stability and moral capital.

In today's world, where armed conflicts, poverty, extremism, and hate speech continue to escalate, there is an urgent need to recover the higher objectives of religion and reaffirm its civilizational mission as a force for unity rather than division. Dialogue among followers of different faiths, mutual respect, and cooperation in addressing common humanitarian challenges are no longer merely cultural aspirations; they have become strategic necessities for promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion, and protecting future generations from fanaticism and extremism.

Ultimately, service to humanity is the common standard upon which all divine revelations converge. It is the very purpose that gives religious discourse its moral legitimacy and enduring civilizational relevance. The closer societies come to embodying the values of justice, compassion, honesty, integrity, tolerance, and cooperation, the closer they come to fulfilling the true objectives of religion, thereby achieving greater stability and prosperity. The shared ethical values of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism therefore provide a solid foundation for human cooperation and a firm basis for building a more peaceful and just world—one in which every human being, regardless of faith or ethnicity, remains the focus of care, the purpose of development, and the bearer of the God-given dignity affirmed by all divine revelations.

Dr. Mohamad Ali El-Husseini

Secretary-General of the Arabi Islamic Council