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Published: 2012-03-31 04:05:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 24636; Favourites: 176; Downloads: 527
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Assalaamu alaikum [peace be to you],The nature of religious faith is quite mysterious. As part of their religious faiths, people believe in a variety of deities. There are people who have religious faith in the unseen supreme transcendental power and then there are others who believe in some humans as Gods, animals, fire, idols made of stone, and the list goes on...
A lot is associated with having a religious “faith”. Part of it has to do with beliefs passed on through generations. People’s identities therefore get tied to it. Many times, these beliefs and associated feelings are not completely demonstrable by reason or any rational arguments. There is nothing right or wrong with this but that’s just how the nature of religious faith has come to be.
Everyone thinks they are right in their faith and beliefs. Being with people and groups with similar faiths further strengthens people’s faiths and they see it as “right” even though logical reasoning and argument sometimes can’t explain it all. That’s human psychology.
Muslims believe however, that the Islamic religion is different in this context. One may argue that similar to other faiths there are aspects of it which are not completely demonstrable by reason. but on the other hand, the Qur'anic text, which is Allah’s words addressing the humanity at large, uses intellectual reason, critical thinking, and the process of reflection as a means to not only reinforce the faith of the believers but also to call non-believers to ponder about the authenticity of Islam as the way of life for the humanity at large. Although no religious beliefs can be fully based on logic and reasoning, Islam and the Qur'an provide more than enough examples and an opportunity to examine the truth and the soundness of its message through the lens of empirical evidence and knowledge.
No one (Muslim or otherwise) would argue that critical thinking and reflection can be a major catalyst for changing of ones life. Critical thinking has been used by many to improve their lives simply because a critical thinker asks probing questions about a situation, collects as much information as possible, reflects on the ideas collected and generated in context of the information available, keeps an open and unbiased mind and carefully scrutinizes assumptions and seeks alternatives.
This is the reason therefore that new Muslim converts would attribute the use of intelligent reasoning, reflection and critical thinking when explaining their journey to Islam. Such people cut through the hysteria created by some in the media to view Islam from a critical lens and following the truth thus comes naturally to them as part of this process. How else can one explain the increase in conversions with the increase of anti-Islam rhetoric? How else can one explain that more non-Muslim preachers have been converting to Islam than ever before? Although as Muslims we believe that the guidance (هداية hidaya) comes only from Allah, the use of a person’s God-gifted intellectual reasoning has a very powerful role to play in Muslim converts making that destiny changing decision. And once converted, they rarely go back to their old faiths simply because a faith whose foundations are built on logic and reason is much less likely to be shaken down than one which builds simply upon faith alone, a set of rites and sacraments.
Next, I am going to provide some of the most common reasons of converting to Islam attributed by new Converts.
To be continued, in sha'Allah [God willing]
from [link]
In the drawing: the big green Arabic word "الإسلام" means "Islam", the white Arabic text " دين الحجة و البرهان" means "the way (or religion) of evidence and proof".
For more reading:
if you want to know more about Islam, please visit these websites:
I hope that was beneficial for you.
Wassalaamu alaikum.
If I am right, it's from The God, if wrong, it's from me...
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Comments: 116
OmegaWarmech In reply to ??? [2012-04-02 21:40:15 +0000 UTC]
It's good to see someone try to make sense of that passage as opposed to Nayzak who's currently trying to defend the idea of eternal Hell. Looking at it that way it does make a bit more sense, though it still leaves me with a question. What is the fate of non-believers? Are they to be judged simply on their acts, or is the fact that they do not believe enough to warrant punishment?
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Zalia-Ash In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-02 22:45:36 +0000 UTC]
Well, let's look a hypothetical case. Say there are two non-believers. One of them is a muderer, and the other is kind, honest, and charitable. I personally find it hard to believe that if God indeed merciful, that a person who is kind, honest, and charitable would be not be punished the same as a murderer. Most definately, the one who is kind, honest, and charitable will have a exceptionally lighter punishment.
That is, if they are punished at all. I dislike when people throw around the phrase "You're going to hell!", since it is so holier-than-thou, and boasts of a position of power that is higher than we actually have. We do not know what is in a person's heart; that knowledge rests with God alone. I don't believe people should have the right to judge whether a person deserves hell or not, because the power of condemning people to hell does not rest with us. We can say all we want, but ultimately, it is not our interpretations of God's words that decides the fate of a person. It is God himself that decides.
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OmegaWarmech In reply to Zalia-Ash [2012-04-02 23:03:11 +0000 UTC]
Well then that makes me ask, if God only cares that you do good, then what is the point of religion? It's fairly obvious that people who either have a different interpretation of good or just don't believe in God can be good, so it might not be a source of morals. Then what is it?
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Zalia-Ash In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-14 00:56:38 +0000 UTC]
I apologize for the late reply; I haven't visited DeviantArt regularly or checked my messages, hence I haven't gotten to responding until now.
First of all, I don't believe that God only cares if we do good. I believe that God wants us to believe in him, otherwise he would not have sent religions in the first place. In fact, in Islam it is believed that one of the reasons God created the universe was because he wanted to be known.
That being said, I do believe that religions are a source of our morals. They may not be the only source of morals, but they are nevertheless. In Islamic countries, most laws and morals of society are based around the Sharia. In the Western world in particular (or at least North America), society is based on Judeo-Christian values. As people adhere to thier religions less and less over time, those values seem to be changing. From a certain point of view, it could be said that our society is becoming inreasingly immoral.
I know that this issue is very significant in the Theist-Atheist debate. I am aware of the argument that our morals may derive from altruistic genes and natural empathy. I do not deny that. However, I do strongly believe that religious rules are greatly benefical, as they act as a standard, and provide an outline for preserving morality in society.
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OmegaWarmech In reply to Zalia-Ash [2012-04-14 01:52:11 +0000 UTC]
"In the Western world in particular (or at least North America), society is based on Judeo-Christian values"
I'd just like to say that most of the founding fathers were deist, not Christian.
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Zalia-Ash In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-14 02:16:09 +0000 UTC]
I am aware.
But the majority of society was, and still is, Christian.
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Nimrax In reply to ??? [2012-04-01 14:59:48 +0000 UTC]
Well that's a dead end... Hmm...
Okay, I want to be religious, but I was born with a small brain capacity.
I'm still immature and I can't memorize everything.
I'm not suited to be participating in any debate or forum.
But I was given a gift which is the ability to 'Understand' from Allah.
I can understand a problem better than most of my friends.
And if you can understand someone, you can help him.
I think I know the answer, but I'm not confident because I'm so tiny in this world.
But I see that you despise the term 'Eternal Hell'.
Why? Is it because that term is forcing you?
Is it because you feel annoyed being forced into a situation?
Do you wish to believe that god exists, without being forced?
I'm not sure. I'm still tiny and naive.
But if you do feel like so, Please respond...
I'm sorry if I said something sentimental~
But Seriously,
Can you tell me what you feel or think about this world?
Can you please allow me to understand you?
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OmegaWarmech In reply to Nimrax [2012-04-01 18:46:29 +0000 UTC]
I see eternal Hell as completely unjust as it is eternal punishment for a finite crime.
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Nimrax In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-02 10:14:43 +0000 UTC]
Sigh... Okay here's what 'I' think...
Base on my own knowledge Islam,
Eternal Hell does Exists...
There's a lot of Surah that state the Existence of Eternal Hell.
That can't be help...
But,
This Eternal Hell are only meant to the Kafir (Disbeliever).
The Hadith that was previously introduced were meant (I think) to the Fasiq (Lascivious).
They are Muslims, but they still perform bad deeds.
And example of these Muslims are like the women who doesn't wear Hijab.
They believe that there is No God to be Prayed except for Allah.
And they believe that Muhammad is his Messenger.
But they perform too much bad deed and were thrown into the depth of Hell.
"He/She who has a mote of faith in his heart..."
I believe that is meant for the Fasiq.
I'm not sure though... This is just my point of understanding.
I hope you are a little satisfied with this. :3
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OmegaWarmech In reply to Nimrax [2012-04-02 11:07:36 +0000 UTC]
"This Eternal Hell are only meant to the Kafir (Disbeliever)."
So I'm going to eternal torment simply because I don't believe in your God.
"They are Muslims, but they still perform bad deeds.
And example of these Muslims are like the women who doesn't wear Hijab."
You're saying your God will send a woman to Hell simply for not putting a cloth around her head?
"They believe that there is No God to be Prayed except for Allah.
And they believe that Muhammad is his Messenger.
But they perform too much bad deed and were thrown into the depth of Hell."
And not wearing the Hijab is a bad deed?
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Nimrax In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-02 14:16:54 +0000 UTC]
.......
In Islam,
There are physical limits between men and women which we call as Aurat. (I believe you are aware of this)
The men's Aurat are from his knee until his navel.
Women's Aurat are everything (including the hair) except for the face and their palm.
These Aurat are Physical Limits which a Muhrim (Opposite Gender who you can Marry) cannot touch, feel, or even see. If they do (intentionally) then both sides had performed a sin. That's why wearing a Hijab or a Proper Clothing Cover for women is important.
Allah will place those women, who does not cover their Aurat from the men, in hell. And the same goes for the men...
Not wearing Hijab is not a bad deed, but exposing your Aurat is.
......
Fasiq are Muslim that still perform crime and sins even though they believe.
Women who doesn't cover their hair is a common Fasiq.
There are also Fasiq who perform crimes like stealing, adultery... and killing.
Most Fasiq never learn from their mistakes even though they had already show their repentance to Allah.
Uhud is the term we use to represent a punishment for FAsiq in this world.
And if you study Uhud, these punishment are not to be taken lightly...
Kafir = Eternal Hell, Fasiq = Temporary Torment
But there's an old saying (in Islam) that One Day in this World is equivalent to One Thousand Years in the Afterlife.
Most Muslim who are Fasiq (that I knew) have this excuse that their punishment is momentarily.
One Day in Hell (which is 1000 years) is the Shortest possible time taken for a Fasiq to be in Hell until their punishment ended.
If you ask me, 1000 years is a long time... (This answers are only based on my knowledge and memory)
But, I'm kindda agree with you.
Even though Fasiq were given 1000 years punishment in hell... it's still temporary.
Kafir had to endure it forever and ever... It does sound unjust...
I don't really know why Eternal Hell Existed.
And to tell you the truth, when I was little-er,
I thought that term had never existed.
...
Okay, That's a mouth full.
I hope that answer most of your question.
If there's anything that could convince you in this world,
I would say that it is the 'Light of Hidayah'~ :3
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OmegaWarmech In reply to Nimrax [2012-04-02 18:49:16 +0000 UTC]
"There are physical limits between men and women which we call as Aurat. (I believe you are aware of this)
The men's Aurat are from his knee until his navel.
Women's Aurat are everything (including the hair) except for the face and their palm."
And you see no problem in this?
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Zalia-Ash In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-02 21:21:53 +0000 UTC]
I believe Nayzak has addressed that issue here. [link]
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OmegaWarmech In reply to Zalia-Ash [2012-04-02 21:30:33 +0000 UTC]
A man's hijab is less obstructive than a female's. A man could wear pants and a shirt and he'd be fine, women need specific headgear for this. Also a point he mentioned that you neglected is this:
"The religion itself allows both Muslim men and women to wear clothes of their choice provided they comply with the tenets of modesty."
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Zalia-Ash In reply to OmegaWarmech [2012-04-02 23:03:18 +0000 UTC]
Just thought I'd mention that I'm not ~Nimrax , in case you were confusing him for me.
First of all, I don't believe that "God will send a woman to Hell simply for not putting a cloth around her head". A Muslimah who doesn't wear hijab but is kind, charitable and honest is definately higher in the eyes of God than a Muslimah who wears hijab but is a lying, envious backbiter. I think it's important to note that there is nothing in the Quran that says specifically that women must cover their hair. The verses in the Quran that relate to modestly for women are as follows:
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their coverings over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments."
and
"Those who harass believing men and believing women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a grievous sin. O Prophet! Enjoin your wives, your daughters, and the wives of true believers that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): That is most convenient, that they may be distinguished and not be harassed."
From this, we can come to the conclusion that women in Islam are required to wear clothing which covers their bosoms, does not draw attention, and do not wear excessive ornaments. Anything that requires covering more than this is likely derived from the Hadith, and is therefore not neccesarily mandatory.
So yes, "The religion itself allows both Muslim men and women to wear clothes of their choice provided they comply with the tenets of modesty" is a perfectly accurate statement.
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