Electric shocks go right through my bone when someone shows ignorance towards Islam and Qur'an. I feel its my duty to educate the world about these.
God, The cause of all cause, is the only thing that unites mankind, mankind with every other living thing, every living thing on earth with every living thing that exists anywhere and every living thing with whatever that He has created. We might have disputes over the existence of God and that is fine, understanding this entity is a lifelong journey.
The Quran was revealed by Allah to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and from the very first verse of its very first chapter the Quran has given a message of peace. The first verse of the Quran reads:
“All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.”
This verse means that the God who Muslims worship, is the One God, who sustains and nourishes everything and everyone without any distinction. He fulfils all of the needs of His Creation. In other words, He is the God of the Christians, the God of the Jews, the God of the Hindus and indeed He even gives nourishment and provides to those who do not believe in His existence.
Whenever I reflect upon this particular point, I realise that I believe in that One God who is the Lord of all nations, all races and all religions, and so it becomes impossible that I could ever develop any hatred in my heart for any nation, any race or any religion - By Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V May 11, 2013 at Montage Beverly Hills, CA, United States
As I was reading tweets on my Timeline I came across some Richard Dawkins tweets mocking Islam and its philosophies. One thing I’ve noticed is that his opponents are incognizant of what he is saying. Ignorant men do not listen to understand but they prepare their next line of argument whenever spoken to. Dawkins, despite being such a knowledgeable person, does the same thing. From this I learned no matter what field of knowledge you have, listening to understand and being open about someone’s belief is a skill most do not have. If both parties do not have an open mind about the other, both are talking to satisfy their ego.
First Argument
I replied to a tweet posted by someone who was agreeing with Dawkins and this started a good discussion. It’s natural to be unaware, to not know of something, I know because I’ve found myself at places where I discovered my knowledge was limited. Hence I expected the same from this person. @Fr3dom_Inc believes that Islam is the problem or religion is the problem for all the mischief that happens in the world.
@ZainTheAmazing Taliban do not represent muslims they do however represent islam; working towards a global caliphate & shariah @Fr3dom_Inc
— Phil Freedom (@Fr3dom_Inc) June 30, 2013
@ZainTheAmazing It is based on a book of fables so there is no true teaching & because it is allegorical it is open to conflicting readings.
— Phil Freedom (@Fr3dom_Inc) June 30, 2013
What appears is that religion seems to be the underlying problem like its the bite of a zombie. The idea that once you're infected, you cannot be taken seriously.
@ZainTheAmazing I cannot take you seriously & believe you to be dangerously unstable if you believe the Quran is infallible. @Theamologist
— Phil Freedom (@Fr3dom_Inc) July 1, 2013
The two underlying arguments that seems to surface in our initial tweets are that Extremist Muslims represent Islam and Qur’an is open to conflicting readings.
These two arguments are mutually exclusive. If one is true, the other isn’t. If extremists represent Islam and derive their teachings from Qur’an, we can see from their actions that Qur’an is not conflicting, because their actions do not conflict. On the other hand, If Qur’an is open to conflicting readings, extremists are not reflecting this conflictions in their actions. Hence they do not represent Islam. The fact of the matter is that both aren't true.
In any case, suppose there is a philosophy A and a person A and B. Both say and testify that they adhere to the philosophy A however actions of person A cause damage to the society while actions of person B incubates the good morals within the society. We cannot blame the philosophy here, we can only blame person A. Reflecting this idea back to the issue at hand, we cannot blame the Holy Qur’an, we can only blame the extremists.
Second Argument
Another statement I came across was that If there exists a notion of an infallible book, thinking cannot happen, open mindness cannot be attributed to the person who believes in an infallible book.
@ZainTheAmazing @Fr3dom_Inc There can be value in a book, belief that book is infallible blocks brain function, any interpretation obeyed
— Carter Mobley (@Theamologist) July 1, 2013
There is a verse in the Qur'an that translates to:
He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book; in it there are verses that are decisive in meaning — they are the basis of the Book — and there are others that are susceptible of different interpretations...[3:8]
Qur'an itself says that there are two types of verses. One which are straightforward in meaning and ones which are open to interpretations. Qur'an goes further:
...But those in whose hearts is perversity pursue such thereof as are susceptible of different interpretations, seeking discord and seeking wrong interpretation of it. And none knows its right interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge; they say, ‘We believe in it; the whole is from our Lord.’ — And none heed except those gifted with understanding.[3:8]
Coming back to the point: Either one self-convinces into believing that no further thinking is required and chooses ignorance or Qur'an must be stating that: think no further or do not think more, just believe.
We see that Qur'an does not tell a person to simply believe.
This is a Book which We have revealed to thee, full of blessings, that they may reflect over its verses, and that those gifted with understanding may take heed. [38:30]
Will they not, then, ponder over the Qur’an, or is it that on the hearts are their locks? [47:25]
...We render it a field that is mown down, as if nothing had existed there the day before. Thus do We expound the Signs for a people who reflect. [10:25]
Is he, then, who knows that what has been revealed to thee from thy Lord is the truth, like one who is blind? But only those gifted with understanding will reflect [13:20]
It brings forth its fruit at all times by the command of its Lord. And Allah sets forth similitudes for men that they may reflect [14:26]
We sent Our Messengers with clear Signs and Scriptures. And We have sent down to thee the Reminder that thou mayest explain to mankind that which has been sent down to them, and that they may reflect [16:45]
Allah it is Who created the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, in six periods; then He settled on the Throne. You have no helper or intercessor beside Him. Will you not then reflect? [32:5]
If We had sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, thou wouldst certainly have seen it humbled and rent asunder for fear of Allah. And these are similitudes that We set forth for mankind that they may reflect. [59:22]
And no soul can believe except by the permission of Allah. And He makes His wrath descend on those who will not use their reason.[10:101]
It is clear from these verses that Qur'an does not tell muslims to simply believe. It asks them to think, ponder and reflect. If the Holy Qur'an is telling muslims to think, ponder and reflect and their brains are not functioning, blocked, Qur'an is not at fault nor is the concept of an infallible book destructive to mankind. Mankind is self-inflicting.
Related Articles:
- The Holy Qur'an
- The Last Divine Message For Mankind
- Why did God create anything? Why & What is worship?
The post The Infallible Book appeared first on Daniyal's Thought Radiator.
