Lecture delivered at UWA, Western Australia on 14 September 2002

Introduction
The question posed in today's lecture is "Why do we need a religion?" I am not going to answer this particular question directly. In fact, I view the "religion" itself as being offensive. It is a misrepresentation of the word "deen", which means a complete, structured, divinely ordained way of life. Therefore the topic today is "Why are we in need of a correct way of life?"
We have been placed on this earth for a special purpose, and one day we will be questioned regarding the fulfillment of that purpose, and whether we have fulfilled our obligations to God, society and to ourselves.
Religion must address essential humanistic needs - physical needs, societal needs, emotional needs and psychological needs. My mission today is to show you what Islam puts forward in relation to these needs.