:sl:
format_quote Originally Posted by
sister herb
We don´t KNOW it is a truth. We BELIEVE it is.
We do know it is a truth. And we are, in fact, commanded to know it is the truth. Knowledge negates ignorance. And indeed, the scholars have said that knowledge is the first condition of the shahaadah, knowledge of what it is you are testifying to. And another condition is to know with certainty that what you are testifying to, is the truth.
Allah tells us in the Qur'an that we should know it is the truth:
Sahih International
And so those who were given knowledge may
know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path. (22:54)
Yusuf Ali
Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe: for Allah knows how ye move about and how ye dwell in your homes. (47:19)
...And those who have believed
know that it is the truth.. (2:26, part)
It is narrated on the authority of 'Uthman that the Messenger of Allah :saws: said: He who died
knowing that there is no god but Allah entered Paradise.
Reference: Sahih Muslim Kitaab al imaan (the book of faith) 26 a
In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 43
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 1, Hadith 39
Therefore we must
know Islam to be the truth, and to that end we should seek knowledge to satisfy our hearts, and given that Islam is in harmony with nature, and is the original and only message of God that all the Prophets (peace be on them) preached throughout time, then that knowledge can form the basis for our belief. A belief without firm knowledge of whether it is the truth or not, is very shaky. See the first passage of the Qur'an that was revealed. If you look at the first words of the Qur'an revealed (96:1-5), they talk directly about reading, teaching, knowing, and writing.
Read in the name of your Lord who created -
Created man from a clinging substance.
Read, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Who taught by the pen -
Taught man that which he did not
know. (96:1-5)
To reiterate, we must know Islam to be the truth, and if we don't, then we should seek knowledge to that end. Our belief must have a firm foundation based on knowledge with certainty of Islam being the truth.
And Allah knows best.