format_quote Originally Posted by
Max894
Hi,
I'm taking a class on Christian apologetics - and as part, I need to find a non-christian to interview to discuss their “worldview.” As I’m interested in the differences between Christianity and Islam, I figured I’d try to interview a Muslim. But sadly, I have no Muslim friends to discuss this with...
Is there anyone here willing to share with me their viewpoint on the big questions - where we came from, morality, destiny, and the general meaning of life? This isn’t meant to be a debate, just a chance to explore another religion and to try to understand what they believe.
If you're interested, the general questions I’m interested in asking are below. No need to answer them all, just conversation starters.
If using private messages is better, please let me know.
Origin
- How do you think we got here - how did humans originate?
- Where did the universe/world come from? Big Bang, created by God, other?
Meaning
- What do you think the purpose of life is?
- Does human life have meaning? If so, what gives that meaning?
- Are humans more significant than other creatures? Are we special? Why?
Morality
- Why do we have moral ethics? Why do some things ‘seem’ bad (like murder)
- Do good and bad exist? How do you determine what is good or bad?
- Are good and evil subjective or universal/absolute?
- What is a just punishment for sin?
Destiny
- What happens to us after death?
- Do you believe in a heaven or hell?
- If so, how do you get there? Is there anything specific you have to do or believe
Hello
Homo sapiens were created by Allah (the word for God in Arabic) and did not evolve from apes. There is no problem Islamically with saying other creatures came about by evolution though (as far as I know), so long as you still affirm Allah caused it to occur.
The universe was created by Allah, and he may have done it using the big bang if that is what science says.
The purpose of life is to worship Allah. This is includes actual prayers (we call it salah) as well as good deeds in general, e.g giving charity.
We have meaning because Allah has already told us what our purpose is, as explained in the previous point.
We are special as Allah has blessed us with great intelligence, which gives us the ability to ponder our existence and do more than just follow our instincts. We can compose beautiful poetry, draw magnificent paintings, perform terrific plays, etc. We are truly the most blessed of creation on the planet.
A lot of ethics are merely adopted from the surrounding society in my opinion. Most things only seem bad because that is what society has told you is bad, however, I do believe some ethics are universal and come naturally.
Certain things are absolute, but many things are also subjective.
If one does not sincerely repent for their sins, the punishment is whatever Allah deems fit. Certain sins do have punishments under sharia (Islamic law), but they are a select few and the punishment is only carried out if there are several witnesses or someone confesses.
After we die, we enter a temporary state of rest before we face Allah on the day of judgement, and are either put into heaven or hell.
As explained in my last point, Muslims do believe in heaven and hell.
Bad people go to hell, good Muslims to to heaven. Bad Muslims also go to heaven eventually, after being punished in hell for their sins (this punishment only occurs if they did not sincerely repent before their death). Non Muslims however are damned to hell for eternity, unless they were unaware of Islam or were not presented a proper version of Islam, in which case, they are given a mini test which if they pass, they go to heaven. If not, they stay in hell forever. The good deeds of a person (Muslim or not) can make hell less painful (but it will still sting).