Q. Argument:"Are not all religions the same ?"

i quote from an internet website "A religion is a system of human thought which usually includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity or deities, or ultimate truth"

In this context, yes all religions are the same. If the proper answer is to be said by anyone, it's probably un-readable in nasibriyanilounge.com because it's lengthy and how many would strain their eyes to read so much?

But since this is a site about the Muslim Community then let me remind that Islam is special. It starts with the word "Islam" meaning "to submit" or "submission". the rest of the religions, christianity, judaism, buddhism, taoism, hinduism, notice that they're all nouns. The word Islam is like a verb, an action. We find it all over the Quran. Sometimes it's defined as the religion Islam, but most of it (if i recall correctly) refers to the act of submission to the will of Allah SWT.

And to our knowledge, the teachings of the prohets and messengers of Allah were all about taqwa and submission to the will of Allah SWT.

Hence, whoever believes in the creator and submits to the will of Allah SWT is a Muslim – one who submits. Furthermore, our whole entire way of life is defined by Islam. From the slaughter of animals, our personal hygiene (such as istinjak and keeping our clothes free from najis), eating etiquette, distribution of funds, social activities and even sleeping posture plus many more. There is a way to do it. The way Islam commands us to do it (those mentioned in the Quran), or at least recommends us to do it (mentioned in the sunnah and/or hadith).
So, to the first 2 questions: yes, all religions are SIMILAR (we shouldn’t really say same)in a sense that they’re all about beliefs and values. And yes, all religions teach about goodness and lead to God (or Gods, depending on the religion). But Islam, however is more than a religion. Much more than that. It is an entire way of life.

“Why must there be so many religions…” – well it has been so since thousand of ages ago. There’s the first few prophets and messengers of Allah SWT who call upon everyone to submit. And there are the other ancient religions such as the now defunct Mayan religion etc. It’s a sensitive issue to speak of in front of non-muslims. But the answers are in the Quran. As a start, it’s repeatedly mentioned that the shaitaan, refused to prostrate to prophet Adam A.S. and therefore promised to Allah SWT that he will lead as many of the Bani Adam (us, mankind) astray as possible. This is our answer, that there should be only 1 religion, but the existence of many is the work of shaitaan, as a means of delivering his promise. May Allah SWT gives nur (light) and huda (guidance) to those who seek the truth Insyaallah.

“Why must all religions fight/bicker one another?” – it has to do with who started this and why? Reality is, if anyone asks such a question, I’m sure there’s higher chance it’s asked to a muslim speaker. Because in the view of the secular world unfortunately, the bulk of terrorists groups are “Islamic terrorists” or whichever they are known as. Suicide bombings, mass killings everywhere – “in the name of Islam” or so it seems. Such big fitnah everywhere. And it’s easily seem so now thanks to media & technology. Such terrorist groups conveniently use media & technology to have their motives be well known. To our understanding, Islam has always been a peaceful religion. Even Rasulullah SAW respects his enemies and honours the fallen enemies. So in general, if we really have to answer, then tell them "it’s just a matter of differences", which we humankind could not tolerate thus leading to all the fighting. But Islam teaches us respect and humility regardless of religion and background. Only when the dignity of our religion is at stake, then we are allowed to defend and fight back. Through proper means. If there’s no violence and bloodshed against us, then the enemies won’t receive such either.

hopefully i'm correct InsyaAllah.

yup i do agree to hidayat. We cant view islam like a form of religion , it is a form of guidence to all.

that is why in the quran, in verse 1 from surah an-nisa " o mankind . be at dutiflul to your Lord, who created you from a single person (Adam ) and from hi (Adam ) he created his wife ( Hawa) , and from both He created many men and women. and fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights ) , and do not cut the relations of the wombs (kingship). surely, Allah is ever and all watcher over you.

so in this verse, it refers to all human and not only to muslim people.

Islam is more than a religion. it is a way of life. this concept we must sit down and must pondere upon it. We got wrong concept that islam is a form of a religion which we had followed along the westeners. Many people thought that islam is just about praying and worshipping, that is why FIQH is very important. It covers from what type of water is clean, to what type of water is use for ablution, how do we go to the toilet , and how do we do business and atc . it is the only thing that covers every single thing that is on the earth. which other form of religion does not cover.
and non-muslims uses some part of islam in their daily activities? you can see that in the finiancial sector, there is islamic banking. why they even want to adopt it if it does not even give benefit to them?

As a human being, our knowledge is very limited to the knowledge of allah,
and some laws of allah that we must follow and practise, we do not know best but only Him.
in conclusion, you cannot say that islam and the other religions are the same. the believes (akidah ) is totally different. the uniqueness of islam is that we believes in the unseen Allah.