This document provides an introduction to a book titled "Interrogating Islam: Questions and Answers on Islam". It discusses the importance of guiding people to worship God alone according to Islamic teachings. It notes that religious scholars carry on the work of prophets by spreading Islamic teachings, with each using methods suited to their abilities and missions. Some newcomers to Saudi Arabia had questions about Islam after being influenced by their prior cultural and religious backgrounds. This book aims to provide satisfactory answers to doubts and clear up misconceptions through scholarly efforts and dialogue. It identifies two issues - cultural background and views of freedom - that often lead to problematic questions, and argues they must be examined based on truth and evidence rather than preconceived notions.
This document provides an introduction to a book titled "Interrogating Islam: Questions and Answers on Islam". It discusses some key issues that may cause confusion or objections for those unfamiliar with Islam. Specifically, it addresses how cultural background can influence perspectives and lead to faulty assumptions. It also discusses the concepts of freedom and equality, arguing that absolute freedom and equality do not truly exist and have been distorted and exploited in modern times. The introduction aims to clarify misunderstandings and rectify faulty thinking about Islam that may arise from these cultural and conceptual issues.
Interrogating islam questions and answers on islam obl97
Praise be to Allah, God of the people, Lord of them all. Creator of all creatures, the Luminous
Truth, who created man of mud, the angels from lustrous light, and the ginn from blazing fire, who
sent prophets, and made of paradise a home for the faithful, and fire the end for the
blasphemous. The prayers and the peace of God be on the last of His prophets, who was
dispatched as an envoy of mercy to all creation, heralding the rightful religion, and pointing out
the straight path. He called on people to follow God, dilegently toiled for this aim, established
minarets and centres for knowledge, salvation, profusion and justice. He solidified the verdicts of
Islam among the best nation ever created, and formed the most righteous society that ever
appeared on earth.
I proceed
To guide people to worship the One God in the manner He advocates and condones is one of the
most sublime pursuits, the loftiest objectives and the noblest activities. Such is the occupation of
peophets, and messengers, peace be upon them,1 for the sake of which they were dispatched,
and in the pursuit of which they faced injury, affliction, armed conflict, hostility, comabt and false
charges. Such were natural consequences of the clash between truth and falsehood, virtue and
vice, and righeteousness and waywardness. Promulgators and religious scholars are the
prophets’ heirs. Each enjoys a share of the burden of prophecy in proportion to his knowledge
and achievement. They suffer as much as did their predecessors—injury, accusation and
skepticism. At present we note that each one devotes himself to one or another of the aspects of
the da’wa (the call to Islam), and undertakes to propagate it among people. Each adopts the
method that suits his mission. Some are occupied in writing and authorship; others undertake
preaching and oratory; a third party follows up instruction and pedagogy; while some are
preoccupied in matters connected with charity and alms.
This document provides an introduction to and overview of religion in today's society and popular culture. It discusses how religious beliefs shape individuals and are an important belief system for many. As societies modernize and industrialize, religion has less influence on daily life. Popular culture, through various media, has become an important forum for reflecting on, questioning, and debating religious beliefs and issues. The review of literature will explore the history of religion, how it is defined, its role in communication, and how it is presented in popular culture.
St. Augustine searched for meaning and satisfaction in different philosophies and religions but found them lacking until he became Christian. The document discusses arguments for the existence of God, including the argument from divine longing - that humans have an innate desire to know God that must be fulfilled. It provides examples of astronauts and scientists who attributed their work and discoveries to God.
- The document provides a timeline and overview of major philosophical movements and ideas from ancient times through modern European philosophy.
- It traces the development and migration of ideas from ancient Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Chinese philosophies and how they influenced later Islamic and European philosophies.
- The timeline shows the rise and fall of different philosophical schools of thought and how new movements emerged in response to previous ones over thousands of years of human intellectual history.
This document discusses Freemasonry rituals and symbolism. It explains that rituals help increase communication and social bonds between group members. Masonic rituals involve symbolic journeys and working with tools to represent personal and spiritual development. While rituals vary between Masonic rites, the core degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow, and Master remain consistent globally. Rituals take place in symbolic representations of Solomon's Temple and aim to create an experience outside of normal time and space. The main differences between rites relate to levels of advancement beyond the Master degree.
The Classical Period saw the development and spread of many major belief systems across world civilizations. Polytheism and animism were among the earliest and continued in areas not influenced by later monotheistic faiths. Zoroastrianism originated in Persia and emphasized the struggle between good and evil. Judaism emerged as the first monotheistic religion, influencing both Christianity and Islam. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism and spread throughout the Roman Empire, establishing core beliefs and hierarchical structure. Islam developed in the 600s CE based on revelations to Muhammad and spread widely through trade routes. Confucianism focused on social harmony and ethics while Daoism emphasized living in harmony with nature. Hinduism originated in India
This document provides an overview of the evolution and spread of philosophy in the Islamic world from the 7th-14th centuries CE. It discusses the influence of Greek philosophy, the emergence of various philosophical schools and movements across the Islamic empire including the Mu'tazilites, Aristotelians, Stoics, and Sufis. It also examines the interactions between rationalism and religious orthodoxy and the decline of philosophy under conservative religious authorities.
This document provides an introduction to a book titled "Interrogating Islam: Questions and Answers on Islam". It discusses some key issues that may cause confusion or objections for those unfamiliar with Islam. Specifically, it addresses how cultural background can influence perspectives and lead to faulty assumptions. It also discusses the concepts of freedom and equality, arguing that absolute freedom and equality do not truly exist and have been distorted and exploited in modern times. The introduction aims to clarify misunderstandings and rectify faulty thinking about Islam that may arise from these cultural and conceptual issues.
Interrogating islam questions and answers on islam obl97
Praise be to Allah, God of the people, Lord of them all. Creator of all creatures, the Luminous
Truth, who created man of mud, the angels from lustrous light, and the ginn from blazing fire, who
sent prophets, and made of paradise a home for the faithful, and fire the end for the
blasphemous. The prayers and the peace of God be on the last of His prophets, who was
dispatched as an envoy of mercy to all creation, heralding the rightful religion, and pointing out
the straight path. He called on people to follow God, dilegently toiled for this aim, established
minarets and centres for knowledge, salvation, profusion and justice. He solidified the verdicts of
Islam among the best nation ever created, and formed the most righteous society that ever
appeared on earth.
I proceed
To guide people to worship the One God in the manner He advocates and condones is one of the
most sublime pursuits, the loftiest objectives and the noblest activities. Such is the occupation of
peophets, and messengers, peace be upon them,1 for the sake of which they were dispatched,
and in the pursuit of which they faced injury, affliction, armed conflict, hostility, comabt and false
charges. Such were natural consequences of the clash between truth and falsehood, virtue and
vice, and righeteousness and waywardness. Promulgators and religious scholars are the
prophets’ heirs. Each enjoys a share of the burden of prophecy in proportion to his knowledge
and achievement. They suffer as much as did their predecessors—injury, accusation and
skepticism. At present we note that each one devotes himself to one or another of the aspects of
the da’wa (the call to Islam), and undertakes to propagate it among people. Each adopts the
method that suits his mission. Some are occupied in writing and authorship; others undertake
preaching and oratory; a third party follows up instruction and pedagogy; while some are
preoccupied in matters connected with charity and alms.
This document provides an introduction to and overview of religion in today's society and popular culture. It discusses how religious beliefs shape individuals and are an important belief system for many. As societies modernize and industrialize, religion has less influence on daily life. Popular culture, through various media, has become an important forum for reflecting on, questioning, and debating religious beliefs and issues. The review of literature will explore the history of religion, how it is defined, its role in communication, and how it is presented in popular culture.
St. Augustine searched for meaning and satisfaction in different philosophies and religions but found them lacking until he became Christian. The document discusses arguments for the existence of God, including the argument from divine longing - that humans have an innate desire to know God that must be fulfilled. It provides examples of astronauts and scientists who attributed their work and discoveries to God.
- The document provides a timeline and overview of major philosophical movements and ideas from ancient times through modern European philosophy.
- It traces the development and migration of ideas from ancient Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Chinese philosophies and how they influenced later Islamic and European philosophies.
- The timeline shows the rise and fall of different philosophical schools of thought and how new movements emerged in response to previous ones over thousands of years of human intellectual history.
This document discusses Freemasonry rituals and symbolism. It explains that rituals help increase communication and social bonds between group members. Masonic rituals involve symbolic journeys and working with tools to represent personal and spiritual development. While rituals vary between Masonic rites, the core degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow, and Master remain consistent globally. Rituals take place in symbolic representations of Solomon's Temple and aim to create an experience outside of normal time and space. The main differences between rites relate to levels of advancement beyond the Master degree.
The Classical Period saw the development and spread of many major belief systems across world civilizations. Polytheism and animism were among the earliest and continued in areas not influenced by later monotheistic faiths. Zoroastrianism originated in Persia and emphasized the struggle between good and evil. Judaism emerged as the first monotheistic religion, influencing both Christianity and Islam. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism and spread throughout the Roman Empire, establishing core beliefs and hierarchical structure. Islam developed in the 600s CE based on revelations to Muhammad and spread widely through trade routes. Confucianism focused on social harmony and ethics while Daoism emphasized living in harmony with nature. Hinduism originated in India
This document provides an overview of the evolution and spread of philosophy in the Islamic world from the 7th-14th centuries CE. It discusses the influence of Greek philosophy, the emergence of various philosophical schools and movements across the Islamic empire including the Mu'tazilites, Aristotelians, Stoics, and Sufis. It also examines the interactions between rationalism and religious orthodoxy and the decline of philosophy under conservative religious authorities.
The notion that there is a small
group of individuals who either
=>Currently control the flow of world events
OR
=>Are in the process of gaining control of world events
The document discusses the origins and early forms of religion among pre-historic humans. It notes that as early as 100,000 years ago, Neanderthals engaged in deliberate burial rituals of the dead. During the Cro-Magnon period 25,000 years ago, interest in fertility was shown through female idols and the concept of the mother goddess emerged. Ritual burials from this period included ornamenting bodies with shells and red ochre. Religion continued to develop and transform through the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods as humans shifted to agriculture and settled communities. Characteristics of early religion included a sense of awe before the sacred, expressions of anxiety through ritual, the use of myth and magic to explain the world and exert control
Theological Foundation Of Catholic EducationEmile Jobity
This document outlines the theological foundation of Catholic education and its role in fostering harmony and respect. It discusses how a lack of respect for God, others, the environment, and oneself has led to societal disharmony in Trinidad and Tobago. Catholic schools are called to prepare students to be protagonists in bringing about fourfold reconciliation through the curriculum and school structures. The document argues that Catholic schools must embody the four attributes of being imaginative, available, inclusive, and willing to witness or be martyrs, in order to fulfill their mission.
1) The document discusses the works and influence of the Islamic scholar Al-Ghazali. It summarizes his classification of different groups seeking truth in his time, including theologians, philosophers, authoritarians, and mystics.
2) Al-Ghazali had a profound impact on both Islamic theology and Western philosophy by engaging critically with Greek philosophy and defending Islam from its influence. His works helped Christian theologians also defend their faith.
3) Al-Ghazali illustrated a balance between Islamic tradition and mysticism. He showed mysticism could be compatible with mainstream Islam if practiced within religious bounds. His personality and works continue to inspire Muslims wrestling with modern Western thought.
This presentation discusses how ancient Babylonian mystery religions have influenced modern institutions like Christianity and new religious movements. It examines the founders and teachings of groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and Mormonism, noting similarities between their doctrines and symbols and those of esoteric traditions like Freemasonry and Gnosticism. The presentation suggests the founders of these groups, like Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, and Joseph Smith, had connections to Freemasonry and incorporated elements of the mystery religions into their teachings, such as the worship of a divine trinity, attainment of godhood through gnosis or secret knowledge, and an allegorical interpretation of scripture.
This document outlines the Islamic philosophical and sociological foundations of education. It discusses the Islamic concepts of God, man, knowledge, values/disvalues, the universe, and society. The key points are:
- God in Islam is the one, omnipotent Allah, who is the creator, sustainer, and evolver of everything.
- Man is the best of Allah's creations, born with capabilities for knowledge but also responsibilities to serve Allah and establish truth/justice.
- Knowledge is supremely valued in Islam and is obtained through both revelation and acquisition of information. The pursuit of knowledge is an individual and social obligation.
- Values in Islam are aligned with human nature and morality, including obedience to
African world view and the challenge of witchcraftAlexander Decker
This document discusses the African worldview and the challenge of witchcraft. It makes three key points:
1) Belief in witchcraft is deeply rooted in African cosmology and traditional African worldviews see the world as interconnected between the physical and spiritual realms. Witchcraft poses a significant threat according to traditional African beliefs.
2) Witchcraft has had destructive social and economic impacts on African communities, weakening social bonds and forcing adoption of protective spiritual practices. It has led to relationship breakdowns, conflicts, and insecurity.
3) Scholars debate whether witchcraft is real or superstition, but the document argues that to Africans, the harms of witchcraft are very real
Culture refers to a people's way of life and includes their language, beliefs, customs, and material goods. There are five major world religions discussed in the document: Hinduism, which originated in India and believes in reincarnation and many gods; Buddhism, which began in India and teaches the path to nirvana and eliminating desire; Judaism, the first monotheistic religion and beliefs outlined in the Old Testament; Christianity, founded by Jesus Christ and the belief he was the son of God; and Islam, founded by Mohammed and the belief in one God, Allah, and the five pillars of faith.
The document discusses world religions, defining religion as dealing with peoples' relationship to the unseen world of spirits and gods. It outlines criteria for understanding religions, including myths, rituals, proposals for salvation, and beliefs about life after death. Several theories on the origins of religion are presented, including animism, nature worship, original monotheism, magic, and the projection of human needs. Finally, four types of religions are defined based on their geographic origins and core beliefs.
This document introduces a course on religion in America by discussing definitions of religion and approaches to studying it. It explores definitions from sociologists, anthropologists, philosophers, and theologians. It also outlines several theories of how religion originated, such as being based on animism, nature worship, or addressing human needs. The document concludes by proposing approaches to understanding religion in America through church history, lived religion, revitalization movements, and an ecological metaphor. It raises questions about pluralism, consensus, secularization, and the relationship between religion and American identity.
The document discusses a book that analyzes paradigm shifts in the theology of mission. It describes how the current crisis in Christian mission is the result of a fundamental paradigm shift due to changes in the modern world. The book examines mission foundations, motives and nature through different theological lenses across church history. It analyzes six historical paradigms and how each era understood faith differently than those before and after. The goal is to develop a new vision for missionary involvement in light of past lessons learned.
The New Age movement developed in the second half of the 20th century and holds a holistic worldview that the mind, body, and spirit are interrelated. It attempts to incorporate both science and spirituality into a unified worldview. The movement encompasses many distinct groups and beliefs but shares core ideas, such as a belief that humanity is on the brink of a major spiritual evolution. New Agers believe this evolution will bring global peace and enlightenment. While some New Agers passively await this change, most feel its arrival depends on widespread acceptance of New Age doctrines, which have influenced many aspects of modern culture. At its core, the New Age movement is based on ancient occult practices and shares much in common with
This document provides an overview of religion from a sociological perspective. It defines religion and discusses its universal nature and influence. Religion is interwoven with social, economic, and political life. The sociological study of religion focuses on its structure, organization, and role in society. Various religious structures like churches, sects, denominations and cults are described. The functions and dysfunctions of religion for individuals and society are outlined. The document also discusses folk Catholicism, faith healing, occult practices, and the separation of church and state in the Philippines.
A Christian (Adventist) Attempt to Integrate Faith and Historyniwres
The document discusses strategies for integrating faith and history in teaching and scholarship. It proposes developing a Christian worldview, confronting assumptions in the history discipline, studying revealed actions of God in history, allowing a Christian worldview to suggest topics and guide fact selection, applying Christian understandings of human nature and moral standards, and focusing on spiritual factors like the role of the Christian church. The goal is to examine history through insights from the Christian faith.
oneness of god (the ultimate solution to the trinitarian controversy)obl97
This book traces the historical backgroundof the Trinitarian doctrine. The
historical facts presented here show howcontroversial this fundamental doctrine of
Christianity has been. This booklikewise digs into the influences of Athanasius,
Constantine and Paul on today'sChristianity. Furthermore, it presents the concept of One
God in Islam as theultimate, perpetual solution to the Trinitarian controversy.
This work should serve as an eye-opener for Christians who seek guidance andTruth,
hoping that it will help them revert to the original teachings of Jesus(peace be upon him)
- particularly the belief in One God, which is fundamentallyIslamic. The mysterious
nature of the Trinitarian doctrine has led manyChristians into confusion. Many of them
who really seek Truth discovered thatthis doctrine was an explicit innovation contrary to
the teachings of Jesus(peace be upon him). Those of them who have had the opportunity
to study theconcept of God in Islam have already become Muslims. As many more non-
Muslims(especially Christians) are reverting to the path of Allah (the One and OnlyTrue
God), Islam will certainly sustain its current position as the world'sfastest growing and
Number One religion - although it is 600 years younger thanChristianity. This will be so,
because the Unity of God in Islam is absolutelyunquestionable - a divine concept that was
professed by all the prophets,including Adam, Noah. Abraham, Moses, David. Jesus, and
Muhammad (peace be uponthem all).
As for the rest of Christians who still blindlyadhere to the Trinitarian doctrine, the time is
ripe for them to open theirminds to the fundamental Truth that verily there is no god
worthy to beworshipped, except the One and Only True God, Allah.
Freemasonry aims to dispel common myths and misconceptions about the organization. It addresses several myths, providing facts to counter each one. Some of the myths addressed include that Freemasonry is a secret society, a religion, incompatible with Christianity, anti-Catholic, and involves activities like worshipping Lucifer or riding goats. The document explains that Freemasonry is a non-religious fraternal organization that is open to people of all faiths and that meetings involve ritual, education, and social activities.
This document discusses the positive and negative effects of religion. Positively, religion can promote social harmony by bringing people together, provide moral values and social change, explain phenomena, and give people purpose and belonging. However, it can also affirm social hierarchies, cause discrimination through intolerant beliefs, trigger conflicts and violence, be used to control people economically, and impede scientific advancement by rejecting theories that contradict religious doctrines.
Wayne C. Sedlak provides a resume summarizing his education and professional experiences. He has degrees in business administration, divinity, and ancient languages. Professionally, he has extensive experience as a founding pastor of several churches, radio host, author of over 100 books, and online publisher and marketer. He also has experience in real estate investing and internet marketing businesses.
This document provides answers to 11 questions about Islamic doctrine. The questions cover topics like the essence of God, the purpose of creating mankind, differences between religions, evidence that Muhammad's teachings came from God, and whether Jesus and other prophets can be considered Muslims. The answers provide detailed explanations grounded in Islamic scripture to support the view that all prophets preached the worship of one God alone, and that distortions occurred after prophets completed their missions, not through any failure on their part.
The notion that there is a small
group of individuals who either
=>Currently control the flow of world events
OR
=>Are in the process of gaining control of world events
The document discusses the origins and early forms of religion among pre-historic humans. It notes that as early as 100,000 years ago, Neanderthals engaged in deliberate burial rituals of the dead. During the Cro-Magnon period 25,000 years ago, interest in fertility was shown through female idols and the concept of the mother goddess emerged. Ritual burials from this period included ornamenting bodies with shells and red ochre. Religion continued to develop and transform through the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods as humans shifted to agriculture and settled communities. Characteristics of early religion included a sense of awe before the sacred, expressions of anxiety through ritual, the use of myth and magic to explain the world and exert control
Theological Foundation Of Catholic EducationEmile Jobity
This document outlines the theological foundation of Catholic education and its role in fostering harmony and respect. It discusses how a lack of respect for God, others, the environment, and oneself has led to societal disharmony in Trinidad and Tobago. Catholic schools are called to prepare students to be protagonists in bringing about fourfold reconciliation through the curriculum and school structures. The document argues that Catholic schools must embody the four attributes of being imaginative, available, inclusive, and willing to witness or be martyrs, in order to fulfill their mission.
1) The document discusses the works and influence of the Islamic scholar Al-Ghazali. It summarizes his classification of different groups seeking truth in his time, including theologians, philosophers, authoritarians, and mystics.
2) Al-Ghazali had a profound impact on both Islamic theology and Western philosophy by engaging critically with Greek philosophy and defending Islam from its influence. His works helped Christian theologians also defend their faith.
3) Al-Ghazali illustrated a balance between Islamic tradition and mysticism. He showed mysticism could be compatible with mainstream Islam if practiced within religious bounds. His personality and works continue to inspire Muslims wrestling with modern Western thought.
This presentation discusses how ancient Babylonian mystery religions have influenced modern institutions like Christianity and new religious movements. It examines the founders and teachings of groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and Mormonism, noting similarities between their doctrines and symbols and those of esoteric traditions like Freemasonry and Gnosticism. The presentation suggests the founders of these groups, like Charles Taze Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, and Joseph Smith, had connections to Freemasonry and incorporated elements of the mystery religions into their teachings, such as the worship of a divine trinity, attainment of godhood through gnosis or secret knowledge, and an allegorical interpretation of scripture.
This document outlines the Islamic philosophical and sociological foundations of education. It discusses the Islamic concepts of God, man, knowledge, values/disvalues, the universe, and society. The key points are:
- God in Islam is the one, omnipotent Allah, who is the creator, sustainer, and evolver of everything.
- Man is the best of Allah's creations, born with capabilities for knowledge but also responsibilities to serve Allah and establish truth/justice.
- Knowledge is supremely valued in Islam and is obtained through both revelation and acquisition of information. The pursuit of knowledge is an individual and social obligation.
- Values in Islam are aligned with human nature and morality, including obedience to
African world view and the challenge of witchcraftAlexander Decker
This document discusses the African worldview and the challenge of witchcraft. It makes three key points:
1) Belief in witchcraft is deeply rooted in African cosmology and traditional African worldviews see the world as interconnected between the physical and spiritual realms. Witchcraft poses a significant threat according to traditional African beliefs.
2) Witchcraft has had destructive social and economic impacts on African communities, weakening social bonds and forcing adoption of protective spiritual practices. It has led to relationship breakdowns, conflicts, and insecurity.
3) Scholars debate whether witchcraft is real or superstition, but the document argues that to Africans, the harms of witchcraft are very real
Culture refers to a people's way of life and includes their language, beliefs, customs, and material goods. There are five major world religions discussed in the document: Hinduism, which originated in India and believes in reincarnation and many gods; Buddhism, which began in India and teaches the path to nirvana and eliminating desire; Judaism, the first monotheistic religion and beliefs outlined in the Old Testament; Christianity, founded by Jesus Christ and the belief he was the son of God; and Islam, founded by Mohammed and the belief in one God, Allah, and the five pillars of faith.
The document discusses world religions, defining religion as dealing with peoples' relationship to the unseen world of spirits and gods. It outlines criteria for understanding religions, including myths, rituals, proposals for salvation, and beliefs about life after death. Several theories on the origins of religion are presented, including animism, nature worship, original monotheism, magic, and the projection of human needs. Finally, four types of religions are defined based on their geographic origins and core beliefs.
This document introduces a course on religion in America by discussing definitions of religion and approaches to studying it. It explores definitions from sociologists, anthropologists, philosophers, and theologians. It also outlines several theories of how religion originated, such as being based on animism, nature worship, or addressing human needs. The document concludes by proposing approaches to understanding religion in America through church history, lived religion, revitalization movements, and an ecological metaphor. It raises questions about pluralism, consensus, secularization, and the relationship between religion and American identity.
The document discusses a book that analyzes paradigm shifts in the theology of mission. It describes how the current crisis in Christian mission is the result of a fundamental paradigm shift due to changes in the modern world. The book examines mission foundations, motives and nature through different theological lenses across church history. It analyzes six historical paradigms and how each era understood faith differently than those before and after. The goal is to develop a new vision for missionary involvement in light of past lessons learned.
The New Age movement developed in the second half of the 20th century and holds a holistic worldview that the mind, body, and spirit are interrelated. It attempts to incorporate both science and spirituality into a unified worldview. The movement encompasses many distinct groups and beliefs but shares core ideas, such as a belief that humanity is on the brink of a major spiritual evolution. New Agers believe this evolution will bring global peace and enlightenment. While some New Agers passively await this change, most feel its arrival depends on widespread acceptance of New Age doctrines, which have influenced many aspects of modern culture. At its core, the New Age movement is based on ancient occult practices and shares much in common with
This document provides an overview of religion from a sociological perspective. It defines religion and discusses its universal nature and influence. Religion is interwoven with social, economic, and political life. The sociological study of religion focuses on its structure, organization, and role in society. Various religious structures like churches, sects, denominations and cults are described. The functions and dysfunctions of religion for individuals and society are outlined. The document also discusses folk Catholicism, faith healing, occult practices, and the separation of church and state in the Philippines.
A Christian (Adventist) Attempt to Integrate Faith and Historyniwres
The document discusses strategies for integrating faith and history in teaching and scholarship. It proposes developing a Christian worldview, confronting assumptions in the history discipline, studying revealed actions of God in history, allowing a Christian worldview to suggest topics and guide fact selection, applying Christian understandings of human nature and moral standards, and focusing on spiritual factors like the role of the Christian church. The goal is to examine history through insights from the Christian faith.
oneness of god (the ultimate solution to the trinitarian controversy)obl97
This book traces the historical backgroundof the Trinitarian doctrine. The
historical facts presented here show howcontroversial this fundamental doctrine of
Christianity has been. This booklikewise digs into the influences of Athanasius,
Constantine and Paul on today'sChristianity. Furthermore, it presents the concept of One
God in Islam as theultimate, perpetual solution to the Trinitarian controversy.
This work should serve as an eye-opener for Christians who seek guidance andTruth,
hoping that it will help them revert to the original teachings of Jesus(peace be upon him)
- particularly the belief in One God, which is fundamentallyIslamic. The mysterious
nature of the Trinitarian doctrine has led manyChristians into confusion. Many of them
who really seek Truth discovered thatthis doctrine was an explicit innovation contrary to
the teachings of Jesus(peace be upon him). Those of them who have had the opportunity
to study theconcept of God in Islam have already become Muslims. As many more non-
Muslims(especially Christians) are reverting to the path of Allah (the One and OnlyTrue
God), Islam will certainly sustain its current position as the world'sfastest growing and
Number One religion - although it is 600 years younger thanChristianity. This will be so,
because the Unity of God in Islam is absolutelyunquestionable - a divine concept that was
professed by all the prophets,including Adam, Noah. Abraham, Moses, David. Jesus, and
Muhammad (peace be uponthem all).
As for the rest of Christians who still blindlyadhere to the Trinitarian doctrine, the time is
ripe for them to open theirminds to the fundamental Truth that verily there is no god
worthy to beworshipped, except the One and Only True God, Allah.
Freemasonry aims to dispel common myths and misconceptions about the organization. It addresses several myths, providing facts to counter each one. Some of the myths addressed include that Freemasonry is a secret society, a religion, incompatible with Christianity, anti-Catholic, and involves activities like worshipping Lucifer or riding goats. The document explains that Freemasonry is a non-religious fraternal organization that is open to people of all faiths and that meetings involve ritual, education, and social activities.
This document discusses the positive and negative effects of religion. Positively, religion can promote social harmony by bringing people together, provide moral values and social change, explain phenomena, and give people purpose and belonging. However, it can also affirm social hierarchies, cause discrimination through intolerant beliefs, trigger conflicts and violence, be used to control people economically, and impede scientific advancement by rejecting theories that contradict religious doctrines.
Wayne C. Sedlak provides a resume summarizing his education and professional experiences. He has degrees in business administration, divinity, and ancient languages. Professionally, he has extensive experience as a founding pastor of several churches, radio host, author of over 100 books, and online publisher and marketer. He also has experience in real estate investing and internet marketing businesses.
This document provides answers to 11 questions about Islamic doctrine. The questions cover topics like the essence of God, the purpose of creating mankind, differences between religions, evidence that Muhammad's teachings came from God, and whether Jesus and other prophets can be considered Muslims. The answers provide detailed explanations grounded in Islamic scripture to support the view that all prophets preached the worship of one God alone, and that distortions occurred after prophets completed their missions, not through any failure on their part.
Socrates and Aristotle were two influential Greek philosophers. They were known as "lovers of wisdom" for their contributions to philosophy through questioning beliefs and establishing early foundations for logic and scientific method. The document provides a brief introduction to these two significant figures in ancient Greek philosophy.
Jennifer enjoys several genres of movies including romantic comedies, movies that make her cry, and teen favorites. She also likes movies featuring dancing and those that provide thrills and chills.
Through my paintings, I hope to reinforce our connection to other living beings and remind us of the fragility of life.
It is my hope that we recognize ourselves as the betta, and our world as a plastic cup.
This document outlines an interdisciplinary unit plan for a simulated journey to Africa. The unit will cover geography, language, science, social studies, music and arts of different African regions. Students will keep a travel blog and complete projects on destinations like Madagascar. They will learn about daily life through interviews and presentations. Students will be taught African dance and use instruments. The unit aims to engage students and help them learn about Africa through an immersive "educational journey".
This passage is from the Song of Solomon and describes a romantic encounter between lovers. The female speaker expresses her love and desire for her male beloved, praising his physical beauty. She searches for him in the city but is unable to find him. When they are reunited, he invites her to his garden to enjoy its fruits together.
The document discusses similarities between references to Jesus and Adam in the Quran. It notes that both names are mentioned exactly 25 times each in the Quran. Additionally, the only verse to mention both Jesus and Adam by name is the 7th verse when counting references to each name, showing impressive numerical consistency. This consistency negates the possibility of coincidence and suggests this was by divine design rather than human doing.
The document introduces the sender and their religion of Islam. It discusses Muslim beliefs about Jesus, including that he was born miraculously without a father, and that Mary is respected and referred to as the pure mother of Jesus. The document provides verses from the Quran about Mary and Jesus to demonstrate these beliefs and encourage learning about other religions and forming one's own judgments. It invites the reader to ask questions and provides links to learn more about Islam.
This document is an introduction to the book "Islam is Your Birthright" which discusses Islamic teachings and attempts to encourage interfaith dialogue. It provides an overview of the contents which include proofs of God's existence, monotheism in Islam and other religions, basic principles of Islam, and arguments refuting original sin and the divinity of Jesus. It also discusses prophecies about Muhammad from the Bible and how Islam revived some of Jesus' original teachings. The introduction emphasizes that humans were created for a purpose and final destination, and that understanding one's purpose and how to reach their destination is important for living wisely.
Socrates and Aristotle were two influential Greek philosophers. They were known as "lovers of wisdom" for their dedication to philosophical inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge and truth. The document provides a brief introduction to these two important thinkers from ancient Greece.
Business Intelligence Solution Using Search Engineankur881120
The document describes a business intelligence solution that uses a search engine to index and search web pages. It discusses using crawlers to index web pages and store them in a repository. An indexer then generates an inverted index from the repository to support keyword searches. The system architecture includes the repository, indexer, and search functionality. It also describes the database structure used to store crawled URLs, the index, and search results. The project aims to build a basic search engine to demonstrate the proposed business intelligence solution.
This document is an introduction and preface to Abraham Maslow's book "Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences" which examines core religious or transcendent experiences. The introduction provides background on increasing communication between religions and sciences. Maslow believes these experiences are valid psychological events rather than direct revelations from God. The preface warns that organized religions can become enemies of religious experience by becoming overly behavioral or legalistic. It also warns that mystics can become selfish in only seeking peak experiences or escalating behaviors to trigger them. Overall, the document introduces Maslow's perspective on integrating religious experience and science.
What everyone should know about Islam and Muslims Suzanne Haneef PDFFatima Karim
The document provides an overview of Islamic beliefs and concepts, beginning with the basic Islamic creed of "La ilaha illa Llah, Muhammadun rasool Allah" which affirms the oneness of God and Muhammad's prophethood. It explains that from this creed stems all of Islam's worldview, including beliefs about God, humanity's purpose and relationship to God, and moral and social teachings. It questions how humans can know the answers to life's ultimate questions without divine revelation, and asserts that the only means for certain knowledge is through prophets who receive revelation from God.
Islam began in Arabia in the 7th century CE and has since spread worldwide. There are approximately 1-1.5 billion Muslims globally, making Islam one of the largest religions. The majority of Muslims live in Asia and Africa, concentrated in a geographic rectangle from West Africa to Southeast Asia. All Muslims learn some Arabic and share certain cultural traditions like Arabic calligraphy and architecture featuring minarets from which the call to prayer is chanted five times daily.
Justice islamic and western perspectives by zafar iqbaldocsforu
This document provides an introduction and summary of the book "Justice: Islamic and Western Perspectives" by Zafar Iqbal. The book examines concepts of justice in Islamic philosophy and various Western philosophical traditions. It compares and contrasts Islamic principles for political, economic, and social organization to those found in select ancient and modern Western views. The author aims to clarify Islam's vision of an egalitarian social order in a way that facilitates rational dialogue with modern Western thought and addresses misunderstandings between civilizations. The concept of justice serves as a common thread around which the study integrates Islamic teachings and engages with different philosophical perspectives on organizing society.
Papua theology a new paradigm in theologyAt Ipenburg
This document outlines a proposal for a new approach to systematic theology called "theology from below." It evaluates existing contextual theologies like liberation theology and suggests focusing on how ordinary Christians practice their faith and struggle for freedom. It discusses how modern society challenges traditional top-down models of theology and argues theology should study how people are inspired by gospel values today rather than legitimizing institutional church positions. The document uses the example of West Papua, where theologians study hymns and movements to understand local Christian faith under oppression.
The document discusses Bahá'í apologetics, which is defined as defending the beliefs and teachings of the Bahá'í Faith through rational discussion. The author outlines their approach to Bahá'í apologetics, noting it aims to have respectful dialogue, defend the Faith using reason, and transmit Bahá'í beliefs faithfully while respecting other perspectives. The author hopes their explanations of their Bahá'í beliefs will help others understand and potentially find truth, and they look forward to engaging in further discussion with readers.
This document provides an introduction to a book about defining and explaining the Islamic concept or paradigm of thought. It discusses the need for Muslims and others to understand this comprehensive Islamic worldview. It describes how the first Muslims understood the Quran because they lived during the time it was revealed and experienced the struggles it addressed. However, later generations drifted from understanding the Quran in its original context. The introduction aims to help readers understand the Islamic concept by explaining it directly from the Quran, while acknowledging its complexity. It critiques how some introduced foreign philosophical influences that deviated from Islam's original pure concept and style revealed in the Quran.
This document summarizes a forum on the changing face of religion in America and interreligious challenges and opportunities. It discusses a Jewish statement acknowledging Christian efforts to honor Judaism and reflects on what Judaism may say about Christianity. It also provides background on the speaker, a Catholic biblical scholar who studies Jews and Judaism, and discusses the historical relationship and separation between Jews and Christians, acknowledging past sins and failures while seeking reconciliation and understanding between groups.
A Comparison of previous Major religions start - persecution - acceptance;
and the Unification Movement.
Korea as the chosen Holy Messianic country of the future.
This document provides an overview of African spirituality from a lecture presentation. It discusses why African spirituality should be studied, outlines three approaches to tradition, and addresses common misconceptions. Key aspects of African spirituality covered include its basis in African culture and religion, monotheism centered around a High God, the role of ancestors and community, and ethical values like ubuntu. The document uses examples and concepts from various African cultures and concludes by emphasizing the importance of a holistic worldview for addressing health issues.
CHRIST AND CULTURE To Reinie CHRIST AND CULTURE VinaOconner450
CHRIST AND CULTURE
To Reinie
CHRIST AND CULTURE
Copyright, 1 95 1 , by Harper & Row, Publishers, Incorporate.ct,
Printed in the United States of America
All rights in this book are reserved.
No part of the book may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without written per
mission except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles and reviews. For
information address:
Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. ,
10 East 53rd Street, New York, N. Y. 10022.
First HARPER TORCHBOOK edition published 1956
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
]. The Enduring Problem
I. THE PROBLEM
II. TOW ARD A DEFINITION OF CHRIST
III. TOWARD THE DEFINITION OF CULTURE
IV. THE TYPICAL ANSWERS
2. Cbrist Against Culture
I. THE NE'V PEOPLE AND
"
THE WORLD
"
II. TOLSTOY
'
S REJECTION OF CULTURE
III. A NECESSARY AND INADEQUATE POSITION
IV. THEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
3. Tbe Cbrist of Culture
ix
xi
1
11
29
39
I. ACCOMMODATION TO CULTURE IN GNOSTICISM AND ABELARD 83
II.
"
CULTURE-PROTESTANTISM
"
AND A. RITSCHL 91
III. IN DEFENSE OF CULTURAL FAITH I 0 I
IV. THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIONS 108
4. Christ Above Culture
I. THE CHURCH OF THE CENTER
II. THE SYNTHESIS OF CHRIST AND CULTURE
III. SYNTHESIS IN QUESTION
5. Christ and Culture in Paradox
I. THE THEOLOGY OF THE DUALISTS
II. THE DUALISTIC MOTIF IN PAUL AND MARCION
n1. DUALISM IN LUTHER AND MODERN TIMES
lV. THE VIRTUES AND VICES OF DUAI.ISM
vii
116
120
141
viii CONTENTS
6. Christ the Transformer of Culture
I. THEOLOGICAL CONVICTIONS
II. THE CONVERSION MOTIF IN THE FOURTH GOSPEL
III. AUGUSTINE AND THE CONVERSION OF CULTURE
IV. THE VIEWS OF F. D. MAURICE
7. A "Concluding Unscientific Postscript"
I. CONCLUSION IN DECISION
II. THE RELATIVISM OF FAITH
III. SOCIAL EXISTENTIALISM
IV. FREEDOM IN DEPENDENCE
Index
230
234
24 1
249
257
FOREWORD
The present volume makes available in print and in expanded
form the series of lectures which Professor H. Richard Niebuhr
gave at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in January, 1 949,
on the Alumni Foundation. This lectureship was inaugurated in
1 945. Since that time the Seminary has had the privilege of present
ing to its students and alumni at the time of the midwinter convoca
tions the reflections of leading Christian thinkers on important
issues and, in part, of stimulating the publication of these refl.ec�
tions for the benefit of a wider audience.
The men and their subjects have been:
1945-Ernest Trice Thompson, Christian Bases of World Order
1946-Josef Lukl Hromadka, The Church at the Crossroads
1947-Paul Scherer, The Plight of Freedom
1948-D. Elton Trueblood, Alternative to Futility
194g-H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture
1950--Paul Minear, The Kingdom and the Power
1951 -G. Ernest Wright, God Who Acts
Dr. Niebuhr makes a distinguished contribution in this dear and
incisive study in Christian Ethics.
Austin Presbyterian Theological ...
A RATIONAL FAITH: HUMANISM, ENLIGHTENMENT IDEALS, AND UNITARIANISM Dr Ian Ellis-Jones
This document discusses the influence of Humanism and Enlightenment ideals on Unitarianism. It describes how Unitarianism evolved from a Christian denomination rejecting some key doctrines, to a "post-Christian metareligion" or non-religion infused with Humanist principles like reason and tolerance. Unitarianism is presented as a spiritual philosophy and way of life that brings together people of all backgrounds without dogma. The roots and spread of Unitarianism in Australia, Britain, and the United States are briefly outlined.
The document discusses the role of spirituality in revolution. It begins by summarizing the Black Panther Party's rejection of cultural nationalism and embrace of socialist political philosophies. It then discusses how the CIA exploited ideological differences to disrupt Black liberation movements. The author argues that spirituality can unite people in revolution and provide discipline while pursuing liberation. The document explores the spiritual traditions of Africa, noting their emphasis on community, family structures, and respect for nature. It argues these traditions can guide the revolutionary path while avoiding the pitfalls of nationalism.
Islam 101 Ultimate Guide to Understanding Islam.pdfccccccccdddddd
This document provides an introduction to the book "Islam 101". It begins by noting that over 1 billion people worldwide identify as Muslim, yet Islam remains misunderstood by many. The author aims to demystify Islam and address common myths. They argue that after the 9/11 attacks, there is a need for reflection and healing through finding common ground between faiths and understanding one another. The introduction outlines some key beliefs in Islam and notes that like any religion, Muslims adhere to their faith in varying degrees. It acknowledges the diversity among Muslims and aims to provide an objective look at the multi-dimensional faith.
Religion has evolved over time as a way for humans to explain the world and find purpose, tapping into primal instincts. It began as a way to understand illnesses, natural disasters, and the laws of the universe. While modern science has given new explanations, religion persists by continuing to fulfill psychological and social needs through community and traditions.
The document discusses different ways that religion is communicated, including evangelism, music, literature, and websites. It also covers the portrayal of religion in media, noting that coverage depends on a country's press freedom policies and can show religious practices or cultural traditions, though bias may occur in how events are portrayed between religious groups.
The document discusses how the conception of Eve in the Bible negatively impacted views of women in Judaism and Christianity. It provides examples from religious texts portraying women as inherently sinful, untrustworthy, and responsible for humanity's fall from God's grace. Key figures like St. Paul and St. Augustine are quoted expressing the subordination of women due to Eve's perceived role in original sin according to Christian doctrine. The Quran is noted as not blaming Eve alone or portraying her as a temptress.
The document discusses how Darwinists believe that complex biological structures arose through blind coincidence, despite this contradicting the true meaning of coincidence as being random and purposeless. It notes how Darwinists inappropriately attribute properties like consciousness and design to coincidence in order to avoid accepting creation. The author argues that natural laws and perfect systems cannot be the product of aimless coincidences, criticizing Darwinism for illogically appealing to magic or chance to explain life's origins.
Religion can be defined in various ways and means different things to different people. Some key aspects that are often present in religions include shared beliefs, traditions passed down through generations, and mysteries that cannot be fully explained. Religions from ancient times like primal religions, as well as philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism, demonstrate aspects of authority, tradition, and mystery in their beliefs and practices. While what constitutes a religion can be debated, most involve some combination of these common features.
Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean: Course DescriptionKate Findley
This is a course description I wrote for Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean World, a course offered by The Great Courses. This course uses ancient texts and archaeological evidence to explore the religious cultures of the ancient Mediterranean world, from the earliest indications of human religious practices during prehistoric times to the conversion of the Roman Empire.
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering.pptxDenish Jangid
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
Levelling: Instrument used Object of levelling, Methods of levelling in brief, and Contour maps.
Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
Beyond Degrees - Empowering the Workforce in the Context of Skills-First.pptxEduSkills OECD
Iván Bornacelly, Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Skills, OECD, presents at the webinar 'Tackling job market gaps with a skills-first approach' on 12 June 2024
Walmart Business+ and Spark Good for Nonprofits.pdfTechSoup
"Learn about all the ways Walmart supports nonprofit organizations.
You will hear from Liz Willett, the Head of Nonprofits, and hear about what Walmart is doing to help nonprofits, including Walmart Business and Spark Good. Walmart Business+ is a new offer for nonprofits that offers discounts and also streamlines nonprofits order and expense tracking, saving time and money.
The webinar may also give some examples on how nonprofits can best leverage Walmart Business+.
The event will cover the following::
Walmart Business + (https://business.walmart.com/plus) is a new shopping experience for nonprofits, schools, and local business customers that connects an exclusive online shopping experience to stores. Benefits include free delivery and shipping, a 'Spend Analytics” feature, special discounts, deals and tax-exempt shopping.
Special TechSoup offer for a free 180 days membership, and up to $150 in discounts on eligible orders.
Spark Good (walmart.com/sparkgood) is a charitable platform that enables nonprofits to receive donations directly from customers and associates.
Answers about how you can do more with Walmart!"
हिंदी वर्णमाला पीपीटी, hindi alphabet PPT presentation, hindi varnamala PPT, Hindi Varnamala pdf, हिंदी स्वर, हिंदी व्यंजन, sikhiye hindi varnmala, dr. mulla adam ali, hindi language and literature, hindi alphabet with drawing, hindi alphabet pdf, hindi varnamala for childrens, hindi language, hindi varnamala practice for kids, https://www.drmullaadamali.com
2. Praise be to Allah, God of the people, Lord of them all. Creator of all creatures, the
Luminous Truth, who created man of mud, the angels from lustrous light, and the ginn
from blazing fire, who sent prophets, and made of paradise a home for the faithful, and
fire the end for the blasphemous. The prayers and the peace of God be on the last of
His prophets, who was dispatched as an envoy of mercy to all creation, heralding the
rightful religion, and pointing out the straight path. He called on people to follow God,
dilegently toiled for this aim, established minarets and centres for knowledge, salvation,
profusion and justice. He solidified the verdicts of Islam among the best nation ever
created, and formed the most righteous society that ever appeared on earth.
I proceed
To guide people to worship the One God in the manner He advocates and condones is
one of the most sublime pursuits, the loftiest objectives and the noblest activities. Such
is the occupation of peophets, and messengers, peace be upon them, 1 for the sake of
which they were dispatched, and in the pursuit of which they faced injury, affliction,
armed conflict, hostility, comabt and false charges. Such were natural consequences of
the clash between truth and falsehood, virtue and vice, and righeteousness and
waywardness. Promulgators and religious scholars are the prophets’ heirs. Each
enjoys a share of the burden of prophecy in proportion to his knowledge and
achievement. They suffer as much as did their predecessors—injury, accusation and
skepticism. At present we note that each one devotes himself to one or another of the
aspects of the da’wa (the call to Islam), and undertakes to propagate it among people.
Each adopts the method that suits his mission. Some are occupied in writing and
authorship; others undertake preaching and oratory; a third party follows up instruction
and pedagogy; while some are preoccupied in matters connected with charity and alms.
A number of promulgators channel the da’wa to non-Muslims with a view to guiding
them to salvation and deliverance, both here and hereafter. For this purpose they adopt
whichever ways and means conducive to the realization of these and similar objectives,
and consequently make use of appropriate procedures and measures. This category of
promulgators stood up to such an ardous task, faced what others had to face, and what
once had been the lot of the prophets, that is falsification of the creed, acustion,
1
It is a long established and cherished tradition among Muslims to follow the mention of a prophet’a name by the
benediction “peace be upon him.’ This practice will be folowed here as an abbreviation (pbuh).
3. neglect, repulse and indifference to the faith they preach. Examples of such devoid
ways are posing questions implying skepticism, protest suggesting disrespect, and
queries promoting unequivocal answers, requests masking objections aimed at
rejecting, defying and denying truth. Such are qualities in our times where diseases of
skepticism, hedonism and sensual urges have become deeprooted, and are being
taught and propounded, sanctified by centres of learning and mass media, and backed
by forces buttressing and protecting them. In this tumultuous vortex, and unfavourable
atmosphere, a group of highly revered Muslims took up the task of inviting some
newcomers to the Arab peninsula, who belonged to other faiths and ideologies. With
the grace and guidance of God, some converted; others, however, on the brink of
conversion and about to witness the light, drew back on account of doubt and
hesitation, residua of their sombre past, and remains of doubts and misgivings.
Instead, they resisted those who sought to clear up such clouds with satisfactory
replies and sufficient data.
Like other proponents of virtue, these promulgators, too, need backing of knowledge
and sagacity to repel doubt, unmask falsehood, reveal truth and illustrate proof. With all
these and other objectives in mind, this book has been formulated, through the efforts
of a number of revered religious leaders and distinguished men of learning and virtue,
having applied themselves to strenuous studies, research and dialogue.
Before delving into the depths of this book and tackling queries and responses, it is
pertinent to introduce a number of issues which might raise certain ambiguities
responsible for protests among whoever has not been vouchsafed the comfort of faith
in his heart. Some of these issues are as follows:
1. CULTURAL BACKGROUND:
Man is likely to be influenced by such a background which takes years to consolidate
and crystallize prejudicing his judgements and decisions which are likely to run counter
to the judicious criteria conducive to sound vision. Consequently, such a man may
have his path refracted and aim wide of the mark or at best be undecided as to which is
true and which is false. Take for instance someone who is living in a jungle or on a
distant mountain among people who believe in pagan fables and lead a retarded life as
to patterns of behaviours, ethical premises and the rest of the living activities.
4. Suppose, further, that suhc a man moved into an intellectually developed community
offering sophisticated ideas, systems and ways of living. As soon as such set of ideas
and modes of behaviours clash with the symbols of underdevlopment prevalent in the
jungle, we expect such a man to undergo a serious reassessment of the earlier hocus-
pocus culture which once governed his earlier primitive life, and a close scrutiny of the
unprecedented patterns he never knew under the law of animalism, anarchy and
licentiousness.
Would this reassessment, this scrutiny, be valid? Would such a person reach any set of
truths or gain any benefits? Many are those who protest to Islam on vindicative
grounds, or through devious and indirect ways. They resemble the underdeveloped
man of the jungle when assessing the values of a highly advanced academic centre
against his native cultural background. Such people project their prefigured vision of
Islam without committing themselves to an academic methodology or a true dialectic
which should distinguish right from wrong, true from false.
A Christain for example brings in defective a priori arguments concerning God Almighty
and His prophets, then begins to pose questions which accord with these fallacious
presuppositions. He says, for instance, that Muslims assume that they worship One
God while they actually commit themselves, in the manner the Christians do invoke the
Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) in as much as they say “In the Name of
God, the Merciful, the Compassionate”.
Similar assumptions are also propounded, which are built on erroneous assumptions
and faulty cultural backgrounds. It is incumbent on man to look for truth through
authenticated evidences and proofs, and not be dominated by prior cultural precepts.
He has to examine such a culture under the microscope of truth, and reality, on grounds
of proof and evidence.
Because of the domination of prior cultural backgrounds—whether old or contemporary
—we meet with wrong questions based upon equally defective data. All talk about
freedom and equality is but one more clear example of such a category of vitiated
questions. It is possible even to argue that most questions promoted by ostensible
openmindedness or masked skepticism belong to this category. Therefore, we have
5. found it imperative that we should illustrate this issue and rectify the thought of those
who tackle Islam as if it was a refractory religion or a number of erroneous theories, the
product of human minds and unpropped by a true scientific methodology.
2. FREEDOM:
Here we are up against one of the most recurrent quibblings motivated by skepticism or
the wish to destabilize Islamic faith. It is only one among many samples induced by
wrong cultural backgrounds resulting in equally erroneous judgements.
The modern world is infatuated by the so called “freedom” which is considered the
cornerstone of civilization, justice, distinction, progress and promotion. This is so
because Europe had long emerged from despostism and injustice which prevailed
before the French Revolution. It came in the wake of an extended period of confiscation
of the rights and the freedom of the small man and the individuals who were unable to
werest their rights. The church and its advocates were the mightiest and most
tyrannical agents who solidified the foundations of domination among the classes of the
society and its individuals. They were foremost in justifying the corrective measures
adopted by the ruling classes.
People in Europe staged more than one revolt, basically the French Revolution which
propounded the slogans of Liberty, Fraternity and Equality. Organizations and
directives, motivated by egocentric ambitions, exploited the slogan of liberty, expanded
its implications, magnified its range, making use of people’s ignorance and regression,
and rendering them victims to the heonistic sensualism, voluptuousness and mental
degenerecy.
The conspiracy of unconditioned, unbridled, and uncontrolled liberation proved a
volcano ejecting its lava and submerging logic, ethics, as well as people’s interests on
both the individual and the collective planes. The giants of corruption among the Jews
and their stooges exploited exploited this uncontrollable morbidity among peole. They
enkindled the fire, extended its periphery further and further. Soonl it comprehended all
creeds, ethical values and behavioural control, through descrating all sanctities,
disfiguring all religions and moral precepts. It stamped out all religious and deterrents
in individuals and societies alike under the banner of the novel religion and the
6. worshipped god in flagrant challenge of the One Supreme God. They called this new
deity “Liberty and Liberalism”.
The aim behind these seditious manoeuvrings was the obliteration of the dignity and the
humanity of man and the transformation of such a being into a terrible monster, a
ranging beast. Man would corrupt, destroy and trample down all principles, values,
morals and virtues, and all under the maligned liberty.
Men ranged as far afield as their instincts took them, infatuated by these placards, each
wading in corruption and self-demoralization with utmost energy and drive. The
wayward in thought and creed used the slogan of liberty to crush the sound beliefs,
raise doublts in their validity, and circulate atheism, nihilism, and deviant capricious
creeds.
So did the rebels against settled systems—social, administrative, political, etc. They
used the slogan of liberty to destabilize societies, sidetrack institutions through
fraudulent schemes, monopolies, ususry, speculations, intriguing parties and by rigging
elections.
As the slogan of liberty widened in scope and surreptitiously dominated the minds and
hearts of the majority of people, every control examplified in profound creed, sound
religion, and every judicious restriction of behaviour, values, conventions, or
authorities, were deemed, among the worshippers of such unbridled liberty, enemies to
man, detrimental to self-esteem, despots that impede his rights.
Thus stiffened the coils of this sinister conspiracy to such an extent that a disinterested
favour or good turn was anathema, anathema a good turn. Analogously, the corrupter
was pictured as a reformer, the reformer a corrupter. A highly perceptive man,
rationally minded, and sagacious, one possessing moral integrity, would be thought of
as a cocooned, underdeveloped, and a reactionary, while the sensualist imbecile is
deemed shrewd, civilized and progressive. An investigation of the sort of liberty which
fascinates humanity in our times reveals that it has become a slogan raised to justify
licentiousness, corruption and anarchy.
7. A close scrutiny of the true identity of “liberty” would convince us that there can be no
absolute freedom, limitless or unbound, because man has got an innate disposition to
commitment to, and control by, specific laws which he is constrained to implement.
Should man find no outer commitment to curb his actions he would still impose upon
himself specific issues wherewith he would bind himself in response to his inherent
desire for self-commitment. His individual life can never do away with a commitment to
a definite discipline. There are times for waking up, going to bed, partaking of food,
working and rest. These activities govern his individual life. As to social patterns, man
is not without taut relations binding him to his family and society. It is common
knowledge that the life of society is not devoid of specific systems governing social,
political and economic relations as well as behavioural and moral patterns.
In short, it is onconceivable to visualize either an individual or a social life devoid of
regulations, control or commitment. All these are restrictions to uncontrolled liberty.
They should go to prove that there can be no absolute liberty in the sense of being free
from all restrictions. This being so, the call for unshackled liberty becomes none other
than a call for something non-exixtent, even in the actual life of its exponents. It is a
deceptive slogan implying fraud and confusion, for an unconditional liberty does not
and cannot exist, because it does not inhere in the nature of man whom God created
with an innate disposition to restraint. What lies behind this continuous yelling, this
clamorous call for freedom? In a word, it is a response to a call for egotism,
propounded by “…and who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, devoid
of guidance from Allah?” (Holy Qur’an: 28: 50). Among the so called “progressive
peopl,” freedom of thought is concomitant with atheism, denial of religion, God’s
inspiration, and the Call. Among the “liberals” it denotes skepticism as to the religion
of God and His prophets, as well as practising moral degeneracy, sensous anarchy,
injustice to the folks, plundering the wealth of countries, self-deception, manipulating
the minds of poepl, practising monopoly, economic, legal and political maneouvering,
and all the atrocities that come under the mask of “liberty.” Such misdemeaners are rife
under the slogan of freedom of thought, while the real objective is self-interest, caprice,
sensuality, ad base desires. The ultimate target is to realize private claims. The
intellectual aspect is none other than a screen to conceal their bondage to wantonness
and sensualism, under the ostensible claim of being intelletually emancipated.
8. 3. EQUALITY:
This is one more contemeraneous slogan through which infiltrated the stench of
agnosticism in the minds of a substantial number of people as well as the problems in
their lives, owing to the clashes among the individuals and the classes of society,
motivated by their void claim to eqaulity.
This motto brought in various misconceptions and forms of deception among people.
With the expansion of its boundaries and the enlargement of its content, this motto has
grown into a colossal attraction for mankind, specially as it has now culminated, among
thinkers and authors, into a mainspring of human principles, a basis of advancement,
modernism and supremacy.
Under the canopy of this deceptive banner the storms of injustice, coercion and
aggresison were launched, and the unemployed and the indolent ranged ahead,
claiming equality with the diligent, assiduoud, and persistent workers. The ignorant
claimed to be treated on a par with the connoisseurs and the learned. And the trash and
subversive stretched out and claimed equality with the prestigious in all walks of life.
Analogously, the dependent failures claimed equality with the successful and the
hardworking. Thus criteria dimmed and tottered, and the controls of life got mixed up.
A number of countries witnessed revolts which disrupted all stability. Others saw the
rise of organizations and associations that claimed unjustly grounded equality
regarding the laws of God. These laws which regulate the life of man and are the
permanent cosmic premises whereupon are based the principles of distinction and
meritorious priority.
A profound and a practical scrutiny of the issue of equality would reveal that it runs
counter to identicality. And existence presents us with no two absolutely identical
entities in all facets. It is, therefore, unjust to equalize intrinsically competitive entities
or reasons. Distinction—a cosmic law—exists in all things, animate as well as
inanimate, in the floral as much as in the faunal, worlds, including man.
Iron is distinct from gold, so is myrrh in relation to the palm tree. So is a hog dissimilar
to a stag. Consequently, an ignorant person is not to be equated with the connoisseur,
nor is the quick-witted with the daft, nor, again, the useful with the harmful.
9. Whether we apply intellectual or practical standards of judgment and discrimination we
cannot equalize all races, species or individuals. In actual fact, each is distinct from the
other. Therefore, contemporary theories, systems and philosophical principles have
failed to establish equality among people. Two obvious examples are socialism and
communism. This is not to exclude democracy. It, too, abounds in all sorts of the
current injustice represented in the name of equality, but it is sugar-coated by a
colossal propaganda and the media as well as by an embellished web of democratic
intrigues.
A call for absolute equality runs counter to the principles of justice. It is a contradiction
to the reality of things, an invalidation of the issue of distinctiveness which God has
ingrained in His creation. To adopt such a call for assumed eqaulity results in verdicts
being based on prejudice and life being steered away.
No doubt humanity lived and is living through various manifestations of despotism,
injustice and tyranny, represented by individual and social classes. Therefore, people
sought that principle of equality which has lately been propounded. They assumed that
it would be a saviour from such injustice and oppression, but such an action resembles
escape from Scylla to Charybdis.
It would have been more pertinent to adopt the principle of justice based on the dictates
of the truth, including observation of the practically existent and deeply rooted facets of
distinctness and priorities, qualities referred to by God in His dictum:
“It is He who has made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised
you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He has given
you: for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful” (Holy Qur’an: 6: 165).
This is the type of distinction wherewith God Almighty examines man to grant him that
grace and that charity destined to him. He said:
“Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all these as well as those: the
bounties of your Lord are not closed (to anyone). See how We have bestowed
10. more on some than on others; but verily the Hereafter is more in rank and
gradation and more in excellence” (Holy Qur’an: 17: 20-21).
Owing to such difference in God’s bounty to people the Almighty enjoined the faithful
not to covet others’ grace:
“And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more
freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to
women what they earn: but ask Allah of His bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge
of all things...” (Holy Qur’an: 4: 32).
In view of this difference God granted man the right to preside over woman. It is a
distinction based on qualities of physique, creation, ability, disposition, as well as
bodily, intellectual, and emotional qualification. He granted each sex an appropriate
function that qulifies him/her for the social role in a proper manner:
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the
one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their
means...” (Holy Qur’an: 4: 34).
Therefore, equality between rivalries for precedence is both unjust and impracticable. It
is a transgression, a contradiction to the intellectually evidenced, a violation of actual
considerations. In the revered Book there are proofs regarding equality of different
things. Indeed, the Holy Qur’an illustrates that such equality is neither proper nor will it
last, nor, again, can it be acceptable. We read:
“…Say: ‘Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those
who are endued with understanding that receive admonition’.” (Holy Qur’an: 39:
9).
“Say: ‘Not equal are things that are bad and things that are good, even though the
abundance of the bad may dazzle you…’.” (Holy Qur’an: 5: 100).
“The blind and the seeing are not alike. Nor are the depths of darkness and the
light. Nor are the (chilly) shade and the (genial) heat of the sun. Nor are alike
those that are living and those that are dead...” (Holy Qur’an: 35: 19-22).
“Verily, for the righteous, are gardens of delight, in the presence of their Lord.
Shall We then treat the people of faith like the people of sin? What is the matter
with you? How judge you?...” (Holy Qur’an: 68: 34-36).
11. Seeing that distinction and priorities exist, then justice does require inequality.
However, as regards things which are equal in reality they have rightfully to be equal in
assessment. For example people are equal in creation. They all descend from Adam, a
creature from dust. They are also equal in being servants to God, as well being under
constraint to worship the One God.
Equality also extends to immunity of individual rights from being unrighteously
infringed. Such rights pertain to body, finance, chastity, mind and soul, etc. Men are
equal in recognition of their rights and preservation of their belongings, as well as in the
right to litigation and legal proceedings in case of prosecution or defence.
Analogously, men are equal in the right to ownership, buying and selling, dealing in
their possessions, the right to work, acquisition and learning whatever they need to
learn with a view to promoting their living conditions here and hereafter. Such are
occasions for equality, and justice expresses itself in the pursuit of the above fields.
Similarly, where people are different, justice requires inequality; for justice is placing a
thing in its proper perspective, affords each man his rights while inequality would be to
give the undeserving what another has a right to, or making both share the same right,
in which case it is an unjust action and a violation of rights.
4. SUBSERVIENCE TO GOD ALMIGHTY:
Man cannot afford to disengage himself from two issues: first, submission to some
power that is superior and more potent than his own beings. Secondly, following in the
footsteps of another. These are amongst basic foundations in man; they constitute the
major stimuli to man’s actions, sensations and relations. Their presence in man is a
must, like love, hate and volition.
Therefore, God directed man’s actions in such a way as to secure his guidance,
righteousness and hsppiness, pursuant to these issues. God argued that in no way can
man rescue himself except by his sound orientation in the pursuit of these targets. He
indicated such an orientation and provided such evidences, proofs and bases as to
boast and enhance this orientation. As for the first issue, God delivered man from
subservience to whatever causes misery and chargin. He oriented man to serve His
12. Almighty Self alone, thus securing honour, self-esteem, prestige and happiness.
Should man refuse, he will never get rid of slavery. Rather, he will get lost in a labyrinth
of vain, evanescent and mock idols, thereby lose prestige and fall into ignominious
humility.
This is an inevitable issue from which there can be no deliverance in any way. It exists
in reality. Its imperative nature stems from the fact that in man inheres a need and an
impoverishment for some sort of service. He is torn between two issues, either to serve
God, in which case he is monotheistic, obedient, happy here and hereafter, or worship
something other than God, some mock idol among diverse deities, viz. caprice,
voluptuousness, money, hedonism, laws, conventions, parties, indeed any of the
excesses that are today cherished, adopted and obeyed.
Such being the reward—and it is so in reality—in no way can man reach a state of well
being except in subservience to his Creator, the All Potent, the dominant Power over
him and all things. Should he abide by this true worship, man is promoted up the scale
of human perfection. His life acquires an exalted value other than that whereto falls the
one who worships other than God Almighty. The more righteous man’s subservience to
God, the greater are his rewards. Thus the true Muslim is keen on cherishing the quality
of serving God, an act which means complete acquiescence and resignation to God’s
commands and admonitions, without protest or doubt because he has become
confident that no deliverance or success can be gained except by practising such a
service, following up its pathway which eventually leads him to satisfying God Almighty,
the penultimate objective of each man who has faith in God.
One of the fundamental cornerstones of this subservience is that the believer in the sole
Diety of God proceeds under the canopy of obedience, implementing all that God
requires, whether or not he realizes the aim or the moral behind this, because when he
has testified that there is no deity other than God he has thereby committed himself to
absolute acquiescence that harbours no perplexity, hesitation or swerving. Such a
composite and complementary action illustrates the meaning, the importance, and the
urgency of an undivided allegiance to God.
13. No wonder that whoever fails to understand such glorious meanings as they are would
protest thereto and experience doubts for his mind cannot emerge from the deep depth
of ignorance and wayward servilities. As regards the second issue, God has set an
example in the person of the revered prophets who are the best and most perfect of
men. To follow in their footsteps is the way to the good, to virtues and delight. They are
the lifeboats among the waves, the terrors and the darkness of the human example
since olden times. This being inevitable, God made faith in His prophets concomitant
with faith in His Almighty Self.
An obvious proof is that the first pillar of Islam is the testimony that there is no deity
execpt God, and that Muhammad is His messenger. One of the results incumbent upon
God’s commandments is that the prophet (pbuh) is the practical example of applying
absolute service to God Almighty. Consequently, he should be the model and the
example that imperatively must be followed by every Muslim. Thus become complete all
the symbols of service and imitation without one straightforward track that guides man
to the grace of God and paradise.
Whoever fails to understand such exhortations resembles an idiot, born blind, unable to
comprehend whatever beauty coulours possess. Analogously, the one who fails to
realize the composite meaning and the plenteous consequences of service is bound to
pose questions like: why kiss the black stone in the Ka’ba? Why immolate on the
immolation day (during the pilgrimage)? Why pray four cycles at midday and three
times in the evening? Such and similar questions stem from the heart of whomsoever
fails to grasp the truth about worship, neither does he taste its sweetness, fruits or
man’s dire need for them.
We request God’s guidance and succour in what pleases and satisfies Him. May the
prayers of God and His peace be upon our prophet and his family and companions.