Amana Ar Rasool- more than a statement of creed
The Qur'an contains a summary of that which the Prophet teaches. It reads "The Messenger ( Muhammad) believes in what has been sent forth to him from his Lord, as does those who have faith. All of them believe in Allah, HIS angels, HIS Scriptures, HIS messengers.." ( Q 2:286)
اٰمَنَ الرَّسُوۡلُ بِمَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَیۡہِ مِنۡ رَّبِّہٖ وَ الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ؕ کُلٌّ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ مَلٰٓئِکَتِہٖ وَ کُتُبِہٖ وَ رُسُلِہٖ
While we do view this as a summary of belief, this verse also contains an acknowledgement that Allah is involved in the affairs of humanity. Beginning with belief in God, it then says "HIS angels".
"Angels" (Malaa-ikah) are given power by Allah to act in the affairs of man. Indeed, the meaning of "being given power" is present in both Arabic and Hebrew. They act according to the Divine Order ( Q 66:6).
Allah Almighty sent forth scriptures- HIS scriptures- texts that help man to function with Taqwaa and morals. Allah backs this up process further by sending forth of messengers- HIS messengers (Rusulihi).
These items ( angels, scriptures, messengers) point to the fact that Allah is present, involved. His hand reaches, pushes and points to that which He wills.
"His Throne ( i.e. dominion/knowledge) encompasses the Heavens and the Earth.." ( Q 2:256)
وَسِعَ کُرۡسِیُّہُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضَ ۚ
How does this relate to current events?
It is a reasonable question to ask the purpose behind this seemingly theoretical talk in light of the things which are haunting the Muslim Ummah and the wider world in general, such as concerns over President Trump, Iran, Syria, Egypt, China, Mali, and other such places.
In fact, we are not talking about these places and events, but we are also talking about YOUR OWN personal struggles, your own quest for happiness, success and security. We
are likewise talking about your own moments of joy and pain.
The global issues are very important examples of why Imaan (faith) is vital. We keep in mind that the Qur'an repeatedly instructs to exercise Taqwaa to the best of our capacity ( Q 64:16 among other places), which means that while we work according to wise planning, intelligence and ability to address those things, as we do address our own issues in our own lives, we keep in mind that Allah's hand is still present.
"Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the Heavens and the Earth, and that other than Him you have none to give you protection, nor any to give you victory." ( Q 2:107)
اَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمۡ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَہٗ مُلۡکُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ مَا لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ مِنۡ وَّلِیٍّ وَّ لَا نَصِیۡرٍ
"And Allah encompasses (even ) those who reject faith." ( Q 2:19)
وَ اللّٰہُ مُحِیۡطٌۢ بِالۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ
"They (the opposition) plot, and Allah (likewise) plots, and Allah is the best of those who plot." ( Q 8:30)
وَ یَمۡکُرُوۡنَ وَ یَمۡکُرُ اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ خَیۡرُ الۡمٰکِرِیۡنَ
Prophet Muhammad: The Exemplar of faith
The religion of Islam has not only a Scripture, it also has a Prophet who exemplifies that scripture. The Qur'an says "Indeed, in the Messenger of God you have a goodly model, for any who has hope in Allah, the final day, and who contemplate upon Allah in abundance" ( Q 33:21)
لَقَدۡ کَانَ لَکُمۡ فِیۡ رَسُوۡلِ اللّٰہِ اُسۡوَۃٌ حَسَنَۃٌ لِّمَنۡ کَانَ یَرۡجُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الۡیَوۡمَ الۡاٰخِرَ وَ ذَکَرَ اللّٰہَ کَثِیۡرًا
All the Prophets certainly have the above-mentioned characteristics, however Muhammad is emphasized because he not only faced opposition and persecution (which obviously Prophets in general would face, peace be upon them all) but he likewise faced the same normal struggles of life that are experienced by other human beings, such as domestic life, financial worries and such. This is why Allah commands his Prophet "Say: ( O Muhammad!) I am a human similar to yourselves." (Q 18:110). Thus he functions as a practical and relatable example.
Keep faith in the overall plan of God. for it is HE who created you and created all. Be grateful for what Allah has given you, observe HIS blessings in your own life and in the lives of those around you.
Make plans, both political and personal, have good intentions, be intelligent and act according to the overall Maslaha (public health), but still keep faith in the One who is above all.
7 comments:
Hi Waheed.
Although no one will dispute your final paragraph, I do have trouble understanding how you understand the value of "faith". You cite Q 2:19, but in the next verse we find "And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent."
Doesn't this also mean that if Allah had willed, He could have given them hearing and sight? Doesn't this mean that those who are acting against what you believe are positive human values are also acting with faith and according to what Allah has willed for them?
Similarly you cite Q 2:107 (a verse, when read in context, is directly attacking the Jews), but does it also imply "... that other than Him you have none to give you catastrophe and defeat"?
And Q 8:30 can also be read as: "You (the Muslims) plot, and Allah (likewise) plots, and Allah is the best of those who plot."
So can it not be said that your belief in Allah's support is based on a view that Allah's plan favours Muslims over the rest of His Creation?
Isn't it time for you to give more serious consideration to my view that God is the Creator of all things and that we are all included in His plan and to reject, as I do, that God favours some parts of His Creation over other parts.
Hello Non-Believer,
I Have been having formatting problems, so I will-in the interest of being succinct, share my thoughts through summarizing your questions and its subsequent reply.
[1] Regarding the idea that the opposition only act according to Divine will, the way the Qur'an answers this is that there is a limited free will, however that does not negate personal responsibility. Moreover, the Qur'an also says that some have sealed hearts and diseased hearts, meaning that because of some of their own internal messes, self-created, they are made to essentially stay in that mess. Previously I wrote a longer reply to this, but since formatting problems kept emerging, I have been forced to reduce and reply in this fashion.
[2] Regarding this supposed idea that Muslims are to theologically see themselves as superior beings, that notion is based on a false or incorrect premise which you seem to hold, atleast when it comes to me.
Yes, Muslims are confident in the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad, the Universal messenger of God.However that does not mean that the religion teaches that there is a superiority per se.
As for your last comments, God is indeed the Creator of all things, and the manifestation of His will and plan for our world can mean that, as the Qur'an says, God replaces one group holding power with another group to hold power. The Qur'an actually has very profound things to say on this, perhaps I will write on this in an article. My previous attempt to answer this was met with frustration due to formatting issues.
In a nutshell, the Qur'an says that God replaces, it even says elsewhere that God defends or supports one party when the other infringes on things such as worship and places of worship.
Also, God- according to the Qur'an- does not compel acceptance of religion. Islam is a faith of deep faith and intellectual arguments, but if any does not accept it, that's fine. That is that person's personal choice. There will always be people who don't accept the Qur'an and Muhammad (PBUH), and that's fine. God could have made us all the same, but He didn't.
Hello Waheed,
"Regarding the idea that the opposition only act according to Divine will, the way the Qur'an answers this is that there is a limited free will, however that does not negate personal responsibility. "
But you do agree that no one is able to comprehend what the Divine will is and therefore one cannot distinguish what is Divine will and what is free will, right?
"the Qur'an also says that some have sealed hearts and diseased hearts, meaning that because of some of their own internal messes, self-created, they are made to essentially stay in that mess."
Isn't this a superficial view? How can you be so judgemental without understanding the circumstances that lead to "sealed hearts and diseased hearts", what led them into the mess they are in, and what they need to pull themselves out of their mess. You cannot conclude that someone's mess is "self-created" without understanding the Divine laws that created the mess. Such messes are possible only if these laws permit them.
"this supposed idea that Muslims are to theologically see themselves as superior beings, that notion is based on a false or incorrect premise which you seem to hold"
You should read and respond to Shenango's posts. I am merely restating what he has said. Why is it that when he says something you have no comment, but when I say the same thing, you accuse me of incorrect thinking.
And then, you confirm exactly what I just said by saying "God replaces one group holding power with another group to hold power." How is this different from what I said: "God favours some parts of His Creation over other parts"? This is precisely the thinking that I say must be rejected.
I would say instead that the rise and fall of individuals and of nations are consequences of Divine laws that we should endeavour to understand. Do you see the difference?
" But you do agree that no one is able to comprehend what the Divine will is and therefore one cannot distinguish what is Divine will and what is free will, right?"
Perhaps a more thorough explanation is needed. The Divine will allows for a limited free will on the part of the creatures inhabiting creation, but the "free will" cannot overcome the limitations set by God. Moreover, there is a sense of human responsibility before God. In my latest post, this is spoken of in more detail.
" Isn't this a superficial view? How can you be so judgemental without understanding the circumstances that lead to "sealed hearts and diseased hearts", what led them into the mess they are in, and what they need to pull themselves out of their mess. You cannot conclude that someone's mess is "self-created" without understanding the Divine laws that created the mess. Such messes are possible only if these laws permit them"
So are you saying that God- for example- is to be blamed when a parent intentionally murders their own child?
There is truth in the sense that we are all products of whatever society/circumstances that gave birth to us, nonetheless the Islamic religion teaches us that there is personal responsibility, for example, for the parent who kills their child.
" You should read and respond to Shenango's posts. I am merely restating what he has said. Why is it that when he says something you have no comment, but when I say the same thing, you accuse me of incorrect thinking."
I think you are misunderstanding his posts, and in any case he is in a better position to explain his posts. As I understand his posts to which you make reference, he is confident in the religion of Islam, in its core beliefs and values. Those things give us meaning as well as an ethical foundation which eventually earns respect even from those who disbelieve in Islam.
That is not the same thing as being naturally superior or something along those lines.
" And then, you confirm exactly what I just said by saying "God replaces one group holding power with another group to hold power." How is this different from what I said: "God favours some parts of His Creation over other parts"? This is precisely the thinking that I say must be rejected. "
Maybe we are misunderstanding each other, but we can say that there are responsibilities which some hold, and others who don't hold the same responsibilities. Our cities have mayors, and a host of government entities, whose job is to provide certain functionary roles. I don't read such things as natural superiority.
Hello Waheed.
I don't think you answered my question about whether you can distinguish when something happens as a result of free will or was caused by Divine will. The idea that "God is to be blamed" is so foreign to me I have difficulty understanding your question. Without a belief in "Divine will" that is similar to yours, I don't see how it is possible to blame God for anything.
On the other hand, when Muslims claim that Muhammad was Divinely Guided. you are shifting the blame for Muhammad's acts of brutality onto God Himself. Of course I see this as outrageous.
It is interesting that you choose as an example a parent who kills their own child. Your religion, and Judaism too, demands that you obey God's commandments, even if He commands you to murder your own child. The story of Abraham is another awful story that shouldn't be retold. (I posted some thoughts on this on whyislam but no one replied http://forum.whyislam.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=32359 )
Who do you blame if a person sincerely believes that God has commanded him to commit a terrible crime, and then he carries out the commandment? Do you see why it is intolerable to accept such an excuse?
Anyway, to move ahead, I can understand why you are confused. What I call "Divine Laws" is different from what you mean by these words. For me, something can be a Divine Law only if it's universal and immutable. Many of the laws in the Qur'an are neither of these things. Maybe you eat pork, maybe you don't. One day you're facing one direction when you pray, then one day you decide to face a different direction. Some people pray 5 times per day, others some other number of times. It's hard for me to understand why cultural practices like these are considered to be "laws". Variations are entirely inconsequential therefore these cannot be Divine Laws.
Some examples of Divine Laws that I don't think religions give much thought to are as follows: If every animal lived to adulthood and reproduced to its fullest capability, the Earth would be entirely covered with animals in a very short time. Life would be unsustainable and all animals would suffer greatly. However, there are Divine Laws which limit reproduction.
Now the reason I mention these particular laws is that Mankind has been ignoring them with tragic implications. Man hasn't changed these laws; they remain in force, regardless. However, by not understanding these laws, Man is over reproducing and putting ever increasing pressure on the planet's resources. The consequences are too many to list, but include such things as the extinction of species and a dependency on polluting industries.
Religions don't exactly ignore this problem; quite the opposite. Religions promote population growth which only adds fuel to this raging fire.
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