Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? - Page 2

*charisma* · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

I have been impressed by the interlocking, circular, stragely logical structure of the Koran as well, but I sense you mean something more than that?

(1) The lack of fallacies in the Quran and its consistency, (2) prophecies/signs which have become manifest, (3) the chronological sequence of certain creations, (4) the obligation to certain ways of mannerisms, characteristics, restraint of desire, patience, etc in order to succeed and feel satisfaction in our lives without falling victims to our whims(5) the attributions to Allah which prove His perfection, (6) the motivation to seek knowledge and the challenges to find any faults within the quran, (7) equity between men and women and equality of mankind (8) it's written in Arabic, in a formation of poems.

That is just in the Quran.

Then there is also sunnah (the reported practices of the prophet Muhammad pbuh), as well as shariah law. These are what complete Islam, it is not just Quran alone.

If you want specific examples, I'll post those up later, Inshallah.

Azy · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by YusufNoor

it's the final message by the final Prophet(pbuh) and it confirms the messages of those sent before him.

People keep telling me the previous works were corrupted...

Nerd · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric H

Greetings and peace be with you Nerd;

God chooses whom he wills, maybe the choice is not ours to make.

Having said that I am a Christian, and I look at the sincerity of faith in people of many diverse religions. I wonder as to why God would choose in this way? After all; we are all created by the same God.

Well Eric, it baffles me too:

006.125
YUSUFALI: Those whom Allah (in His plan) willeth to guide,- He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying,- He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.

YusufNoor · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerd

Well Eric, it baffles me too:

006.125
YUSUFALI: Those whom Allah (in His plan) willeth to guide,- He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying,- He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.

Peace be upon those who follow the guidance,

Authu Billahi mina Shaytan-ir Rajeem [i seek refuge from the accursed Satan]

Bismillah ar-Rahman ir-Raheem, [in the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the Most Merciful]

i obviously disagree with Brother Eric H, but i'm going to end up saying something VERY similar i'm afraid...

actually, use this searchable Qur'an and look up heart:

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/koran/simple.html

as opposed to:

Quote:

God chooses whom he wills, maybe the choice is not ours to make.

Islamically, Allah Ta' Aala guides whom he wills, BUT who and why does He choose?

i'm going to cut and paste a story of Umar ibn Al Kitaab Ar Farooq[RadiAllahuAnhu], the 2nd of the Rightly Guided Kaliphas. Umar was one of the biggest enemies of Islam, however the reason for his hatred was based upon the division it was creating in Makkah between families. Umar [RadiAllahuAnhu] used to beat one of his slaves and when he got tired, he would stop. upon stopping he would apologize and reassure her that the torture would continue.

now, 2 things happened to Umar [RadiAllahuAnhu], the 1st was seeing a cousin of his (iirc) making Hijra to Al Hibashi. Umar [RadiAllahuAnhu] was very saddened to see her go and wished her well. this caused a stir amongst some of the believers and they began to wonder if he, Umar [RadiAllahuAnhu], may soon join their ranks. of course this was dismissed rather quickly by most. the 2nd was a du'a made by the Rasulullah, [pbuh] for Allah[SWT] to strengthen Islam with one of the 2 Umars.

Quote:

Another significant addition to the strength of Islam was the conversion of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab in Dhul-Hijjah, the sixth year of Prophethood, three days following the conversion of Hamzah.[Tareekh 'Umar bin Al-Kattab, p.11] He was a man of dauntless courage and resolution, feared and respected in Makkah, and hitherto a bitter opponent of the new religion. The traditional account reveals that the Prophet [pbuh] once raised his hands in prayer and said:

"O Allâh! Give strength to Islam especially through either of two men you love more: ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham."

‘Umar, obviously, was the one who merited that privilege. [At-Tirmidhi 2/209]

When we scrutinize the several versions that speak of ‘Umar’s conversion, we can safely conclude that various contradictory emotions used to conflict with one another within his soul. On the one hand, he used to highly regard the traditions of his people, and was habituated to the practice of indulgence in wine orgies; on the other hand, he greatly admired the stamina of the Muslims and their relentless dedication to their faith. These two extreme views created a sort of skepticism in his mind and made him at times tend to believe that the doctrines of Islam could bear better and more sacred seeds of life, that is why he would always experience fits of outrage directly followed by unexpected enervation.[Fiqh As-Seerah, p92,93] On the whole, the account of his conversion is very interesting and requires us to go into some details.

One day, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab set out from his house, and headed for the Holy Sanctuary where he saw the Prophet [pbuh] offering prayer and overheard him reciting the Sûrah Al-Hâqqah (Chapter 69 — The Reality) of the Noble Qur’ân. The Words of Allâh appealed to him and touched the innermost cells of his heart. He felt that they derived from unusual composition, and he began to question his people’s allegations as regards the man-composed poetry or words of a soothsayer that they used to attach to the Noble Qur’ân. The Prophet [pbuh] went on to recite:

"That this is verily the word of an honoured Messenger (i.e. Gabriel or Muhammad [pbuh] which he has brought from Allâh). It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe! Nor is it the word of a soothsayer (or a foreteller), little is that you remember! This is the Revelation sent down from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [Al-Qur'an 69:40-43]

At that very moment, Islam permeated his heart.[Tareekh 'Umar bin Al-Khattab p.6] However, the dark layer of pre-Islamic tendencies, the deep-seated traditional bigotry as well as the blind pride in his forefathers overshadowed the essence of the great Truth that began to feel its way reluctantly into his heart. He, therefore, persisted in his atrocities against Islam and its adherents unmindful of the pure and true-to-man’s nature feeling that lay behind that fragile cover of pre-Islamic ignorance and mentality. His sharp temper and excessive enmity towards the Prophet [pbuh] led him one day to leave his house, sword in hand, with the intention of killing the Prophet [pbuh] . He was in a fit of anger and was fretting and fuming. Nu‘aim bin ‘Abdullah, a friend of ‘Umar’s, met him accidentally half way. What had caused so much excitement in him and on whom was the fury to burst, he inquired casually. ‘Umar said furiously: "To destroy the man Muhammad ([pbuh]) this apostate, who has shattered the unity of Quraish, picked holes in their religion, found folly with their wise men and blasphemed their gods." "‘Umar, I am sure, your soul has deceived you, do you think that Banu ‘Abd Munaf would let you walk on earth if you slain Muhammad [pbuh]? Why don’t you take care of your own family first and set them right?"

"Which of the folk of my house?" asked ‘Umar angrily. "Your brother-in-law and your sister have apostatized (meaning to say: They have become followers of Muhammad [pbuh]) and abandoned your religion."

‘Umar directed his footsteps to his sister’s house. As he drew near, he heard the voice of Khabbab bin Aratt, who was reading the Qur’ânic Chapter Tâ-Hâ (mystic letters, T. H.) to both of them. Khabbab, perceiving the noise of his footsteps retired to a closet. Fatimah, ‘Umar’s sister, took hold of the leaf and hid it. But ‘Umar had already heard the voice. "What sound was that I have heard just now?" shouted the son of Khattab, entering angrily. Both his sister and her husband replied, "You heard nothing." "Nay," said he swearing fiercely, "I have heard that you have apostatized." He plunged forward towards his brother-in-law and beat him severely, but Fatimah rushed to the rescue of her husband. Thereupon, ‘Umar fell upon his sister and struck upon her head. The husband and wife could not contain themselves and cried aloud: "Yes, we are Muslims, we believe in Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad [pbuh] so do what you will." When ‘Umar saw the face of his dear sister besmeared with blood, he was softened and said: "Let me see what you were reading, so that I may see what Muhammad [pbuh] has brought." Fatimah was satisfied with the assurance, but said: "O brother, you are unclean on account of your idolatry, none but the pure may touch it. So go and wash first." He did so, and took the page and read the opening verses of the Chapter Tâ-Hâ until he reached:

"Verily! I am Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me and offer prayers perfectly (Iqâmat-as-Salât), for My Remembrance." [Al-Qur'an 20:14].

‘Umar read the verses with great interest and was much entranced with them. "How excellent it is, and how graceful! Please guide me to Muhammad [pbuh] ." said he. And when he heard that, Khabbab came out of concealment and said, "O ‘Umar, I hope that Allâh has answered the prayer of the Prophet [pbuh] , for I heard him say: ‘O Allâh! Strengthen Islam through either ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham.’" ‘Umar then left for a house in Safa where Muhammad [pbuh] had been holding secret meetings along with his Companions. ‘Umar reached that place with the sword swinging by his arm. He knocked at the door. The Companions of the Prophet [pbuh] turned to see who the intruder was. One of them peeped through a chink in the door and reeled back exclaiming: "It is ‘Umar with his sword." Hamzah, dispelling the fears of his friends, said: "Let him in. As a friend he is welcome. As a foe, he will have his head cut off with his own sword." The Prophet [pbuh] asked his Companions to open the door. In came the son of Khattab. The Prophet [pbuh] advanced to receive the dreadful visitor, caught him by his garment and scabbard, and asked him the reason of his visit. At that ‘Umar replied: "O Messenger of Allâh [pbuh] , I come to you in order to believe in Allâh and his Messenger and that which he has brought from his Lord." Filled with delight, Muhammad [pbuh] together with his Companions, cried aloud: ‘Allâhu Akbar’ (Allâh is Great). [Tareekh 'Umar bin Al-Khattab, p7-11; Ibn Hisham 1/343]

The conversion of ‘Umar was a real triumph for the cause of Islam. So great and instant was the effect of his conversion on the situation that the believers who had hitherto worshipped Allâh within their four walls in secret now assembled and performed their rites of worship openly in the Holy Sanctuary itself. This raised their spirits, and dread and uneasiness began to seize Quraish.

Ibn Ishaq narrated on the authority of ‘Umar [R], "When I embraced Islam, I remembered the archenemy of Muhammad [pbuh] , i.e. Abu Jahl. I set out, and knocked at his door. When he came out to see me, I told him directly that I had embraced Islam. He immediately slammed the door repulsively denouncing my move as infamous and my face as ugly." In fact, ‘Umar’s conversion created a great deal of stir in Makkah that some people denounced him as an apostate, yet he would never waver in Faith, on the contrary, he persisted in his stance even at the peril of his life. The polytheists of Quraish marched towards his house with the intention of killing him. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar [R] narrated: While ‘Umar was at home in a state of fear, there came Al-‘As bin Wa’il As-Sahmy Abu ‘Amr, wearing an embroidered cloak and a shirt having silk hems. He was from the tribe of Bani Sahm who were our allies during the pre-Islamic period of ignorance. Al-‘As said to ‘Umar: What’s wrong with you? He said: Your people claim that they will kill me if I become a Muslim. Al-‘As said: Nobody will harm you after I have given protection to you. So Al-‘As went out and met the people streaming in the whole valley. He said: Where are you going? They replied: We want son of Al-Khattab who has embraced Islam. Al-‘As said: There is no way for anybody to touch him. So the people retreated. [Bukhari 1/545; Ibn Hisham 1/349]

With respect to the Muslims in Makkah, ‘Umar’s conversion had a different tremendous impact. Mujahid, on the authority of Ibn Al-‘Abbas [R], related that he had asked ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab why he had been given the epithet of Al-Farouque (he who distinguishes truth from falsehood), he replied: After I had embraced Islam, I asked the Prophet [pbuh]: ‘Aren’t we on the right path here and Hereafter?’ The Prophet [pbuh] answered: ‘Of course you are! I swear by Allâh in Whose Hand my soul is, that you are right in this world and in the hereafter.’ I, therefore, asked the Prophet [pbuh] ‘Why we then had to conduct clandestine activism. I swear by Allâh Who has sent you with the Truth, that we will leave our concealment and proclaim our noble cause publicly.’ We then went out in two groups, Hamzah leading one and I the other. We headed for the Mosque in broad daylight when the polytheists of Quraish saw us, their faces went pale and got incredibly depressed and resentful. On that very occasion, the Prophet [pbuh] attached to me the epithet of Al-Farouque. Ibn Mas‘ud [R] related that they (the Muslims) had never been able to observe their religious rites inside the Holy Sanctuary except when ‘Umar embraced Islam. [Ibn Hisham; Tareekh 'Umar bin Al-Khattab, p.13; Mukhtasar As-Seerah p.103]

Suhaib bin Sinan [R], in the same context, said that it was only after ‘Umar’s conversion, that we started to proclaim our Call, assemble around and circumambulate the Sacred House freely. We even dared retaliate against some of the injustices done to harm us. In the same context, Ibn Mas‘ud said: We have been strengthened a lot since ‘Umar embraced Islam.

source:http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/B..._tsn/index.htm

the 1st incident is from the Reasons of Revelations lecture by Mufti Ismail Menk which also has the conversion story. what we catch a glimpse of, is the "softening" of Umar's [RadiAllahuAnhu] heart. it wasn't the message of Islam that Umar [RadiAllahuAnhu] hated, unlike some, he simply saw it, whatever it was, as something that was destroying his beloved Makkah. once his heart was "softened", he embraced Islam within a day of the Rasulullah's, [pbuh] du'a!

this "softening of the heart" as opposed to the hardening of the heart, or a diseased heart, is a vital component of the Qur'an.

Allah[SWT] guides who He wills, BUT He[SWT] also guides him who will to be guided!

it's early, i hope that makes some sense, In Sha'a Allah!

Quote:

Azy
Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion?
Quote:
Originally Posted by YusufNoor View Post
it's the final message by the final Prophet(pbuh) and it confirms the messages of those sent before him.
People keep telling me the previous works were corrupted..

perhaps you misunderstood, we believe that those Messages BECAME corrupted. see Richard Elliott Friedman's Who Wrote the Bible for a discussion of the Torah, and my own opinion is that one need look no further than the Roman Catholic Church to see that it, as well as ALL of it's offshoots are CLEARLY corrupt!

Abu Sayyad · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wth1257

I'm about 1/4 through my copy, the only thing I find objectable is this(which perhapse you can explain as you seem to have done much reflection on it)

It is in the Chapter(sorry forget the proper name) "Women", part 38(?)(Sorry for not knowing the proper names and refrences.

It starts with "Men are the managers in the affair of women" but goes on, "And those you feel may be rebellious admonish them; banish them to their couches, and beat them."

that seems wrong(beat them), other than that I have been very impressed with the text itself, I can't speak arabic and so am confined to an English ranslation(by A.J. Arberry) and like I said find the logical structure of the text somehow logically beautifull, kind of like an elegent proof.

Hello wth1257,

The chapter entitled 'Women' starts in part 4 and ends in part 6. The verse you're asking about is verse #34

For the explanation, you can read some previous discussions on this forum:

http://www.islamicboard.com/refutati...erse-34-a.html (Tafsir of Sura An-Nisa, verse 34)
http://www.islamicboard.com/305540-post4.html (Wife beating?)
http://www.islamicboard.com/367365-post3.html (Men and Women - Equal?)

I'm glad to hear that you are reading the Qur'an. If you have any questions, feel free to ask on this forum

wth1257 · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abu Sayyad

Hello wth1257,

The chapter entitled 'Women' starts in part 4 and ends in part 6. The verse you're asking about is verse #34

For the explanation, you can read some previous discussions on this forum:

http://www.islamicboard.com/refutati...erse-34-a.html (Tafsir of Sura An-Nisa, verse 34)
http://www.islamicboard.com/305540-post4.html (Wife beating?)
http://www.islamicboard.com/367365-post3.html (Men and Women - Equal?)

I'm glad to hear that you are reading the Qur'an. If you have any questions, feel free to ask on this forum

thank you

I'm still not(obviously) fluent in how the verses are coded, so sorry for being vague

"you know, the verse, half was through that chapter around the middle"

barney · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzy

^^Lol.

Honestly, no other religion is more logical than Islam. Just cause "humans" think it isnt, .

Wouldnt God make a religion logical for his people?

barney · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric H

Greetings and peace be with you Nerd;

God chooses whom he wills, maybe the choice is not ours to make.

Having said that I am a Christian, and I look at the sincerity of faith in people of many diverse religions. I wonder as to why God would choose in this way? After all; we are all created by the same God.

In the spirit of praying for greater interfaith friendships and relations.

Eric

Eric.
If God chooses who he wills and its not our choice then God is creating billions of peoples for the sole purpose of burning for eternity in agony we cannot comprehend.
I know he's loving and merciful to a infinate degree, and infinatly perfect himself, so no doubt we deserve it.

Personally,(from my veiwpoint as a sinning and evil human), thats the most fascist, dictatorial, abhohrant and indeed Inhuman thing possible.
God choosing torture and slaughter of 80% of humanity throughout time with no chance of salvation!

Hmm

wth1257 · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by barney

Wouldnt God make a religion logical for his people?

What do you mean by logical.

When I say it I mean the text, specifically like a complex proof, weaving in and out, up and down, untill spelling out it's conclusions, while the Bible is more linear.

But aside from that, I don't see how any religion can be "strictly" logical. For one, as beautifull and seductive logic and certian aspects of mathgematics can be they are, when formalized, much to thin and rigid to have a religion modeled after them.

I mean God isin't likely to say,

"All right, here are your undefined primitive terms and symbols, some deductive instances, there are your axioms, here is a syntatic criteria for wff's, all right, yep, looks like we've got us a logistics system, here are your more general axioms and undefined terms. alright, now start deducing metaphysical theorems!"

firstly, anyone who delas with logistics systems knows how petty and superficial they can be

Secondly, logicians tend to be crazy, not the sorts you want for religious leaders:P

But most importantly a puerly logical system can never define God, who is clearly much to vast to be properly, rigidly defined.

So no religions can be puerly logical, nor should it.

wth1257 · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by barney

Eric.
If God chooses who he wills and its not our choice then God is creating billions of peoples for the sole purpose of burning for eternity in agony we cannot comprehend.
I know he's loving and merciful to a infinate degree, and infinatly perfect himself, so no doubt we deserve it.

Personally,(from my veiwpoint as a sinning and evil human), thats the most fascist, dictatorial, abhohrant and indeed Inhuman thing possible.
God choosing torture and slaughter of 80% of humanity throughout time with no chance of salvation!

Hmm

I also have to say I cannot understand how an all compassionate God could throw a persone to the never ending torment of hell.

perhapse some of the good Muslims here could give their imput

barney · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wth1257

What do you mean by logical.

When I say it I mean the text, specifically like a complex proof, weaving in and out, up and down, untill spelling out it's conclusions, while the Bible is more linear.

But aside from that, I don't see how any religion can be "strictly" logical. For one, as beautifull and seductive logic and certian aspects of mathgematics can be they are, when formalized, much to thin and rigid to have a religion modeled after them.

I mean God isin't likely to say,

"All right, here are your undefined primitive terms and symbols, some deductive instances, there are your axioms, here is a syntatic criteria for wff's, all right, yep, looks like we've got us a logistics system, here are your more general axioms and undefined terms. alright, now start deducing metaphysical theorems!"

firstly, anyone who delas with logistics systems knows how petty and superficial they can be

Secondly, logicians tend to be crazy, not the sorts you want for religious leaders:P

But most importantly a puerly logical system can never define God, who is clearly much to vast to be properly, rigidly defined.

So no religions can be puerly logical, nor should it.

Yep, God communicating with mankind has to be logical. If he can only communicate in metaphors, parables and contradictions in a mishmash of gibbering inconsistancy without human rhyme nor reason through the whole of time, then theres no point in talking at all. Really? Is there?

Eric H · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-17-2008

Greetings and peace be with you barney;

Quote:

God choosing torture and slaughter of 80% of humanity throughout time with no chance of salvation!

What if God loved each and everyone of us as he loves himself?

Would 80% still fry?

In the spirit of searching for a loving and merciful God.

Eric

- Serene - · **Re: Why do you say Islam is the only true religion? -** 05-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerd

Here is an interesting quote by Homer "Suppose we've chosen the wrong god. Every time we go to church we're just making him madder and madder"

Keeping that in mind; why do you say Islam is the only true religion?

what is the criteria, we have to consider to weigh a religion in order for us to come to the conclusion that it is indeed the only true religion?

Logic and common sense - which some people on this forum lack - and guidance from Allaah.