Some Other Important Matters of Faith in Islam (1/2)
Prof. C.A. Babu
1. Belief in the Purpose of Creation
Allah’s creation is meaningful and life has a sublime purpose. The world is Allah’s gift to mankind and there is proof of His existence in every natural ******. The finest grain of sand, with its patterned arrangements of atoms, displays the minute detail of His reckoning. From the smallest of viruses to the largest of plants and animals, every living creature presents signs of the splendor Allah’s creation. The universe serves as a reminder that the extent of His creation is still unknown to man. The Qur’an describes the special status of man in creation and that the purpose of man’s life is to worship Allah. This does not mean that man has to renounce the world and spend his entire life in constant prayer and meditation. To worship Allah is to know Him, to love Him, to obey His commandments, to enforce His law in every aspect of life, to serve His cause by doing the right and shunning the evil, and to be just to Him, to ourselves, and to our fellow human beings.
“Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay); Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed; Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be God, the best to create! After that, at length ye will die. Again, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.” [The Qur’an Ch: 23 Al-Mu’minoon, Verses: 12-16]
2. Belief in the Purpose of Life
The purpose man’s life is to know and worship the One True God Who created and sustains him. Man’s life in this world is very short and it should be lived in such a manner that he will be able to enjoy the eternal bliss of Paradise in the life Hereafter. There is better than evil in human nature and the probability of successful reform is greater than the probability of hopeless failure. If it were impossible to reform man, Allah, with His absolute wisdom, would not have assigned messengers with revelations for guiding him to the path of salvation. In order to attain salvation, man must combine Faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without action is as insufficient as action without Faith. No one can attain salvation until his Faith in Allah becomes dynamic in his life and his beliefs are translated into actions. Allah does not accept lip service, and no true believer can be indifferent to the practical requirements of Faith. Everything that a believer does, says, or thinks should be beneficial to his life in the Hereafter.
Consequently, the life of a believer, who combines good deeds with Faith, becomes ultimately successful and at the same time beneficial to fellow human beings.
“What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily the Home in the Hereafter, that is life indeed, if they but knew.” [The Qur’an Ch: 29 Al-Ankaboot, Verse: 64]
3. Belief that the Qur’an Is the Word of God
The Qur’an is the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) through Angel Gabriel. The Qur’an was revealed in a span of twenty-three years, on various occasions to answer certain questions, solve certain problems, settle certain disputes, and to provide guidance to man to attain eternal bliss. The Qur’an is the first and the most authentic source of Islam, the second being the Traditions of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him). The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic; it is still and will always remain in its original and complete form. It is the only scripture on earth in which we can find claims that it the Word of God. It is a miracle of miracles and no sane person can deny its authenticity. It also remains as the greatest testimony to the prophethood of Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him).
“Book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou might lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the Way of (Him) the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!” [The Qur’an Ch: 14 Ibrahim, Verse: 1]
4. Belief that Man Is Born Innocent
Islam does not presuppose any type of inherent wickedness of human nature. At birth, the human baby is totally innocent and is not responsible for the sin of its parents or any of its ancestors. When the person reaches the age of maturity, he becomes accountable for his deeds and intentions. Man is free from sin until he commits sin. God does not hold any person responsible until He has shown him the Right Way. There are many people in the world who have not heard of Islam and have no way of knowing about it. Muslims, who can present Islam to such people, will be held responsible if they fail to convey the Truth to them.
“Every soul draws the need of its acts on none but itself: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another. Your goal in the end is towards God: He will tell you the truth of the things wherein ye disputed.” [The Qur’an Ch: 6 Al-Anam, Verse: 164]
5. Belief that Every Child Is Born a Muslim
Allah created man in the best of molds and gifted him with rational faculties and spiritual aspirations. He occupies the position of Allah’s viceroy on earth. He is endowed with honor and dignity, spiritual potentialities, and intellectual inclinations. A human child is not born out of any sin, original, inherited, or derived. It is born in a state of fitrah, a state of purity. Its birth takes place in accordance with the Will of Allah. Just as the child submits to the physical laws, which Allah has put in nature, its soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is its Lord and Creator. But, the child is influenced by the way of life of its parents and is not strong enough in the early stages of life to resist the will of its parents. The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing. This is the reason why many people born to non-Muslim parents readily accept Islam when it is properly presented to them.
“Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later). Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.” [The Qur’an Ch: 10 Yunus, Verse: 19]
(Continued)