Post by musa on Mar 28, 2009 15:40:08 GMT -5
Thank you for your questions brother. I will try to answer them to the best of my ability. I asked Iya to reply as well.
1) I love my family. I love my pets. I love the life I have been blessed with. Who provided me with all of these things? I believe it was Allah (swt). Allah (swt) is the provider and the substainer, and if it were not for him, I would have nothing. Furthermore, Allah (swt) has sent mankind many 'gifts' to lead us on the straight path. He is very altruistic, and has given us the opportunity to follow healthy ways of life. I feel that Islam is the healtheist way of life. Not necessarily each individual aspect of Islam, but I believe that if each human were capable of following Islam 100% (Which is impossible), we would have the ideal society. He has taught mankind justice, equality, and thankfulness. When I go to the Mosque, and I am greeted by many smiling brothers who hug me, and try their best to make me feel like their brother even though we have different cultures, ethnicities and races, I know that they are a result of the gifts that Allah (swt) has sent us. It is indeed he who has commanded good conduct to mankind. It is indeed he who has given us this life, and for that, we should thank him.
There is a story of a man who did not know how he would survive without food. (It may have been Moses [as] but I do not recall, sorry) He asked Allah (swt), in fear, 'how are we going to survive?' Allah (swt) told him to lift a rock, and under that rock was a bug eating from a leaf. Allah (swt) said, "the same one who provides for him, will provide for you."
2. Muhammed (saws) was a gift from Allah (swt). It is not that I love the man as a human. I love him as an example. Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an that he has sent messengers as an example and guide to mankind. It would be great if humans could all just be very kind, polite, and pious. But in reality, we know that if each person were given the option to obey his own evil inclination, many probably would. It is in that sense, of Muhammed (saws) being an example, that I love him. Furthermore, I love him in the same way I admire Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., etc.. He came to spread a message, and that is exactly what he did. He spread a message of montheism, equality, and peace. He lived his life, constantly under threat of attack, simply to speak out for justice and truth.
3. I do not love Muhammed (saws) more than Allah (swt). Anyone who did, would be practicing Shirk (polytheism). Muhammed (saws) is simply an ideal of example of what Allah (swt) wants from all of mankind. Muhammed (saws) was not perfect, and he did have faults. On the other hand, Allah (swt) is perfect and is our provider and substainer.
4. Yes, I do feel bound. I believe that Allah (swt) created the world, and he therefore knows what is best for us. Morals of human beings constantly change with culture. And one time, it was completely normal to bury women alive. We are naturally pre-conditioned to side with the morals of our culture. On the other hand, Allah (swt) has set the laws in stone, and we know what is right and what is wrong. If Allah (swt) truly did create the world, as I do believe, then wouldn't he know what is best for his creation (i.e. us)? Furthermore, scientists are constantly learning more of the wisdom of Allah (swt). For example, we are told not to sleep on our stamachs, and that it is best to sleep on our right side. For hundreds of years, this obviously made no sense. Why would Allah (swt) or Muhammed (saws) care about this? We now know that doing so can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrom in infants, and spinal injury in adults. This took thousands of years for humans to understand. Allah (swt) already knew it. I believe that he knows what is best for us. There are many examples of these things, in minor and major instances. Obviously that is a minor example, but it is just an example to explain logic behind Allah (swt).
All other religions dictate certain aspects of lives. But Islam offers a complete lifestyle. It teaches the healtheist way to live, the most devout way to worship, the best way to teach, to treat one another, to fight, to rule a nation, etc. It is a religion that is full of wisdom.
5. Well, Allah (swt) does not have human characterists. Muhammed (saws) cannot continue to love us, for he is dead. After Muhammed's (saws) death, his 'successor', Abu Bakr (ra), said "All those who worshipped/followed Muhammed (saws), know that he is now dead. All those that worship/follow Allah (swt), know that he lives forever." Allah (swt) does not love us in the same sense that a human loves her child. But Allah (swt) constantly provides ways for us to be lead back to the straight path, even if he abandon him. In the end though, people will be rewarded or punished for their deeds in this life. If they followed Shaytan (Satan) in this life, they will follow him into the next. For those who followed Allah (swt), they will be rewarded by him in the next.
6. I do not believe in other Gods. Certainly I love ALL the Prophets, and anybody who did not, could not call himself/herself a Muslim. We believe all Prophets were sent by God, and all brought the message of "La Ilaha Il Allah"- there is no god but Allah. Prophets were sent as a gift to mankind, to guide and advise.
7. First, I wish to make it clear that I was not born Muslim. However, if I believed Christianity, maybe some of my beliefs would be the same. I already had ideas of what I thought God was, and Islam happened to match many of those ideas. If Christianity offerred me the love and grace that Islam offers me, maybe some of my views would be the same. I think Christainity in its purest form is okay. We believe Jesus (as) was a prophet of God- NOT the son of God, and NOT equal to God. Just a Prophet, and we believe it was man who corrupted this message. As for those who still keep to that original montheism of Christians, they are closer to believers than those who believe in the Trinity and all. A Muslim is "One who submits to God," not necessarily the word to describe a religion. Islam is the most basic religion in the way that it teaches submission. Christianity would not exist without Jesus. Judaism would not exist without the tribe of Israel. So what was Adam? What were all those who did nothing but submit to Allah (swt)? They were Muslims. The Qur'an teaches nothing but pure monotheism and submission to the creator.
I hope I answered okay. Insha'Allah (if God wills it), let me know of any points of clarification. Hope this helps brother.
1) I love my family. I love my pets. I love the life I have been blessed with. Who provided me with all of these things? I believe it was Allah (swt). Allah (swt) is the provider and the substainer, and if it were not for him, I would have nothing. Furthermore, Allah (swt) has sent mankind many 'gifts' to lead us on the straight path. He is very altruistic, and has given us the opportunity to follow healthy ways of life. I feel that Islam is the healtheist way of life. Not necessarily each individual aspect of Islam, but I believe that if each human were capable of following Islam 100% (Which is impossible), we would have the ideal society. He has taught mankind justice, equality, and thankfulness. When I go to the Mosque, and I am greeted by many smiling brothers who hug me, and try their best to make me feel like their brother even though we have different cultures, ethnicities and races, I know that they are a result of the gifts that Allah (swt) has sent us. It is indeed he who has commanded good conduct to mankind. It is indeed he who has given us this life, and for that, we should thank him.
There is a story of a man who did not know how he would survive without food. (It may have been Moses [as] but I do not recall, sorry) He asked Allah (swt), in fear, 'how are we going to survive?' Allah (swt) told him to lift a rock, and under that rock was a bug eating from a leaf. Allah (swt) said, "the same one who provides for him, will provide for you."
2. Muhammed (saws) was a gift from Allah (swt). It is not that I love the man as a human. I love him as an example. Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an that he has sent messengers as an example and guide to mankind. It would be great if humans could all just be very kind, polite, and pious. But in reality, we know that if each person were given the option to obey his own evil inclination, many probably would. It is in that sense, of Muhammed (saws) being an example, that I love him. Furthermore, I love him in the same way I admire Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., etc.. He came to spread a message, and that is exactly what he did. He spread a message of montheism, equality, and peace. He lived his life, constantly under threat of attack, simply to speak out for justice and truth.
3. I do not love Muhammed (saws) more than Allah (swt). Anyone who did, would be practicing Shirk (polytheism). Muhammed (saws) is simply an ideal of example of what Allah (swt) wants from all of mankind. Muhammed (saws) was not perfect, and he did have faults. On the other hand, Allah (swt) is perfect and is our provider and substainer.
4. Yes, I do feel bound. I believe that Allah (swt) created the world, and he therefore knows what is best for us. Morals of human beings constantly change with culture. And one time, it was completely normal to bury women alive. We are naturally pre-conditioned to side with the morals of our culture. On the other hand, Allah (swt) has set the laws in stone, and we know what is right and what is wrong. If Allah (swt) truly did create the world, as I do believe, then wouldn't he know what is best for his creation (i.e. us)? Furthermore, scientists are constantly learning more of the wisdom of Allah (swt). For example, we are told not to sleep on our stamachs, and that it is best to sleep on our right side. For hundreds of years, this obviously made no sense. Why would Allah (swt) or Muhammed (saws) care about this? We now know that doing so can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrom in infants, and spinal injury in adults. This took thousands of years for humans to understand. Allah (swt) already knew it. I believe that he knows what is best for us. There are many examples of these things, in minor and major instances. Obviously that is a minor example, but it is just an example to explain logic behind Allah (swt).
All other religions dictate certain aspects of lives. But Islam offers a complete lifestyle. It teaches the healtheist way to live, the most devout way to worship, the best way to teach, to treat one another, to fight, to rule a nation, etc. It is a religion that is full of wisdom.
5. Well, Allah (swt) does not have human characterists. Muhammed (saws) cannot continue to love us, for he is dead. After Muhammed's (saws) death, his 'successor', Abu Bakr (ra), said "All those who worshipped/followed Muhammed (saws), know that he is now dead. All those that worship/follow Allah (swt), know that he lives forever." Allah (swt) does not love us in the same sense that a human loves her child. But Allah (swt) constantly provides ways for us to be lead back to the straight path, even if he abandon him. In the end though, people will be rewarded or punished for their deeds in this life. If they followed Shaytan (Satan) in this life, they will follow him into the next. For those who followed Allah (swt), they will be rewarded by him in the next.
6. I do not believe in other Gods. Certainly I love ALL the Prophets, and anybody who did not, could not call himself/herself a Muslim. We believe all Prophets were sent by God, and all brought the message of "La Ilaha Il Allah"- there is no god but Allah. Prophets were sent as a gift to mankind, to guide and advise.
7. First, I wish to make it clear that I was not born Muslim. However, if I believed Christianity, maybe some of my beliefs would be the same. I already had ideas of what I thought God was, and Islam happened to match many of those ideas. If Christianity offerred me the love and grace that Islam offers me, maybe some of my views would be the same. I think Christainity in its purest form is okay. We believe Jesus (as) was a prophet of God- NOT the son of God, and NOT equal to God. Just a Prophet, and we believe it was man who corrupted this message. As for those who still keep to that original montheism of Christians, they are closer to believers than those who believe in the Trinity and all. A Muslim is "One who submits to God," not necessarily the word to describe a religion. Islam is the most basic religion in the way that it teaches submission. Christianity would not exist without Jesus. Judaism would not exist without the tribe of Israel. So what was Adam? What were all those who did nothing but submit to Allah (swt)? They were Muslims. The Qur'an teaches nothing but pure monotheism and submission to the creator.
I hope I answered okay. Insha'Allah (if God wills it), let me know of any points of clarification. Hope this helps brother.