In response to a letter about Islam and terrorism
There are two things that I'd like to draw attention to:
First, this forwarded letter only sketches the picture of what some so called muslims are doing in the name of Islam. While correct, it is also true that there are many other non-muslim terrorists also who are all together trying to foment hatred, terror and destruction in the name of ideologies and religions.
Secondly, rising above and beyond the general state of this world, please remember that we are all individuals. We have all come to this world, and each one of us has an expiry date... one day we must leave this temporary abode we call home. The important question is, is there a reason why we're here, is there a life after death, if so, do we need to prepare for it, and is/are there any guidance in that matter? If the after-life is eternal/immortal, then does the quality of that life depend on this life? If our eternity depends on this temporal life, should we not try to 'rise above the noise and confusion to get a glimpse beyond this illusion'; earnestly worry and seek guidance. If we are just 'dust and to dust we shall returneth' and that is the end of us, then it doesn't really matter, but if there is a purpose to this life, if there is a life beyond, should we not focus our attention to seeking the truth, sifting it out from the myriad of falsehood, subjecting it to moral and scientific scrutiny, trying our level best to be our best possible selves?!
Showing posts with label eternal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eternal. Show all posts
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Infinite punishment for a finite act??
Question: ....And yet, I think there is also a thing called wrong, that all of us can and have committed, myself included. There is no way that a finite creature can perform a finite act that merits infinite punishment, .... But punishment of some kind, yeah I can see it.....I just can't see it as eternal, or as hinging on whether or not one believes in Jesus as God and the only way to know God. Even Catholics, rigid as they are, don't believe that. It strikes me as pure crap.
Answer: It is the seriousness of the crime, not the length of it. For example, a person commits murder at but a point in time, but it is the seriousness which earns him the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Now, if the after-life is to be infinite, I figure the sentences there will also be infinite in nature as but a consequence of the very nature of infinite life. After all, if every moment of this life is a trial for the after-life, then every action is such that it matters an eternity. I guess its difficult for us to comprehend/ come to terms with this concept, bound as we are in this capsule of earth/space/time. To re-state my favourite analogy, a lot of what lies in the future career of a person depends on how well he/she takes his/her high school/college/university exam…. the exam is but for a few hours, but a lifetime depends upon it!
Answer: It is the seriousness of the crime, not the length of it. For example, a person commits murder at but a point in time, but it is the seriousness which earns him the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Now, if the after-life is to be infinite, I figure the sentences there will also be infinite in nature as but a consequence of the very nature of infinite life. After all, if every moment of this life is a trial for the after-life, then every action is such that it matters an eternity. I guess its difficult for us to comprehend/ come to terms with this concept, bound as we are in this capsule of earth/space/time. To re-state my favourite analogy, a lot of what lies in the future career of a person depends on how well he/she takes his/her high school/college/university exam…. the exam is but for a few hours, but a lifetime depends upon it!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ?
Question: WHO OR WHAT IS GOD ?
Answer: Firstly, we start everything with the invocation: Bismi-llah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem(In the name of Allah, the Most-Gracious, Ever-Merciful). Three things to be noted here: (A)llah meaning the only one worthy of worship, His attribute Rahman exceedingly kind and gracious, while Raheem meaning whose kindness, mercy and graciousness is forever.Further on in the Quran, we are introduced to Allah’s other attributes: the Alive, the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement, Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing, the Most-High, the Irresistible, the Wise, the Supreme, the Protector, free of all wants, He is the One who hears and sees and knows all things, and so on. And, in Chapter 112 Verse 4, we are told that there is none like Him or comparable to Him.So, we know of God not through His image, but through His attributes. He Himself chooses to remain hidden, and expects us to find/discover/acknowledge Him through His signs and attributes. By looking around at His creations, we wonder at how so much order and beauty there is, and attempt to seek the originator and creator of it all. This search leads us through the various world religions and philosophies, we read and evaluate the sacred books of different faiths, and then use God’s gift of knowledge and intellect to satisfy our heart’s desire for the truth. We muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from God, guidance for mankind, confirming the message and the prophets of old, sifting out the additions/subtractions that had been made to His message (in the earlier books) over the ages, and protecting this final revelation from any changes. Thus, people are able to memorize this complete book, did so when it was revealed, and this oral tradition of memorizing the Quran has continued since the days of Prophet Mohammed to this day. All manuscripts of the Arabic Quran all across the world contain the exact same words in the exact same order. As a student of science, you may wish to check out this website: http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm Over the past few years, I have tried to answer some questions according to my understanding, and have attempted to compile them … you may wish to check out my blog: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/ There is also a list of links and books there which might be useful to you.
Answer: Firstly, we start everything with the invocation: Bismi-llah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem(In the name of Allah, the Most-Gracious, Ever-Merciful). Three things to be noted here: (A)llah meaning the only one worthy of worship, His attribute Rahman exceedingly kind and gracious, while Raheem meaning whose kindness, mercy and graciousness is forever.Further on in the Quran, we are introduced to Allah’s other attributes: the Alive, the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement, Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing, the Most-High, the Irresistible, the Wise, the Supreme, the Protector, free of all wants, He is the One who hears and sees and knows all things, and so on. And, in Chapter 112 Verse 4, we are told that there is none like Him or comparable to Him.So, we know of God not through His image, but through His attributes. He Himself chooses to remain hidden, and expects us to find/discover/acknowledge Him through His signs and attributes. By looking around at His creations, we wonder at how so much order and beauty there is, and attempt to seek the originator and creator of it all. This search leads us through the various world religions and philosophies, we read and evaluate the sacred books of different faiths, and then use God’s gift of knowledge and intellect to satisfy our heart’s desire for the truth. We muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from God, guidance for mankind, confirming the message and the prophets of old, sifting out the additions/subtractions that had been made to His message (in the earlier books) over the ages, and protecting this final revelation from any changes. Thus, people are able to memorize this complete book, did so when it was revealed, and this oral tradition of memorizing the Quran has continued since the days of Prophet Mohammed to this day. All manuscripts of the Arabic Quran all across the world contain the exact same words in the exact same order. As a student of science, you may wish to check out this website: http://www.quran.org/science/origin.htm Over the past few years, I have tried to answer some questions according to my understanding, and have attempted to compile them … you may wish to check out my blog: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/ There is also a list of links and books there which might be useful to you.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Quran repeatedly threatens the unbelievers
Q: threats (the unbelievers are fuel for hell Quran, 2.24)
A: I repeat, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, is reaching out to us again and over again, inviting us to a wonderful reward, a life of peace on Earth, and an eternal life of happiness and well-being. At the same time, He is also warning us again and again of the consequences of flunking this temporal, open-book exam, as, even though His love for His creatures is great, He is also the Most Just, and Always FULFILLS HIS PROMISE, thus the continuous reminder of Hell.
A: I repeat, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, is reaching out to us again and over again, inviting us to a wonderful reward, a life of peace on Earth, and an eternal life of happiness and well-being. At the same time, He is also warning us again and again of the consequences of flunking this temporal, open-book exam, as, even though His love for His creatures is great, He is also the Most Just, and Always FULFILLS HIS PROMISE, thus the continuous reminder of Hell.
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