Is Allah a personal God?

[Muhammad]

Greetings czgibson,

Why should it be necessary to learn Arabic in order to understand god's ultimate message to humanity?

That's not what I said. I was referring to the necessity of the Arabic language to "look deeper into the meanings of words". It's necessary as a tool for Qur'anic exegesis. And the point is explained much more fully in another post here.

In other words, the more you think, the less likely you are to believe.

Not at all. My words were regarding specific branches of knowledge regarding the unseen. The act of thinking is actually something the Qur'an encourages mankind to do.

Peace.

 

[czgibson]

Greetings,

Greetings czgibson,

That's not what I said.

It's exactly what you said. :hmm:

Not at all. My words were regarding specific branches of knowledge regarding the unseen. The act of thinking is actually something the Qur'an encourages mankind to do.

You say that, but then why would you write a paragraph so hostile to free inquiry, as you did in the post I quoted?

It's more of the same "don't ask questions; just believe" attitude that religions have been plaguing humanity with for far too long now.

Peace

 

[Muhammad]

Greetings,

It's exactly what you said. :hmm:

No, it clearly isn't. There's a difference between receiving guidance from the Qur'an at a basic level, and having in-depth knowledge of it so as to derive rulings and benefit further. If you read the post I linked to, it explains it in more detail.

You say that, but then why would you write a paragraph so hostile to free inquiry, as you did in the post I quoted?

As I said, I was referring to a specific case. You are making the mistake of applying it in a general way. Regarding the issue I was referring to, mankind is limited in his ability to understand God with complete knowledge. Therefore, "free inquiry" is of little relevance here.

And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little. [17:85]

It's more of the same "don't ask questions; just believe" attitude that religions have been plaguing humanity with for far too long now.

Islam is the middle way - it neither calls for excessive questioning whereby we can negate our very existence, nor closes the door to thinking and intellect as other religions may do or have done.

Peace.

 

[czgibson]

Greetings,

I'm afraid I don't find your replies convincing in the least. I don't know how any intelligent person could agree with the views you've expressed.

I've known you through your posts for several years now, Muhammad, and I know you're not without intelligence. I can't understand why you would willingly seal off part of your inquiring mind and decide to ask questions about some things but not others.

This has all gone off the topic, so I apologise for that.

Peace

 

[جوري]

Am I missing something.. what part of his or anyone's inquiring mind would have to be sealed to accept something?

further, are there any Occidentals on board to explain to us the missing parts, now that we have minds sealed?

all the best

 

[Muhammad]

Greetings czgibson,

I'm afraid I don't find your replies convincing in the least. I don't know how any intelligent person could agree with the views you've expressed.

I'm surprised you should say that - I thought it was blatantly clear, to be honest. Are you suggesting that a person with no knowledge of Arabic can benefit from the Qur'an to the same degree as someone who does?

I've known you through your posts for several years now, Muhammad, and I know you're not without intelligence. I can't understand why you would willingly seal off part of your inquiring mind and decide to ask questions about some things but not others.

So intelligent people are those who think they can understand God, an infinite being, through their own logic and reasoning?

This has all gone off the topic, so I apologise for that.

That's alright - it was well off-topic before you arrived. :hiding:

Peace.

 

[AntiKarateKid]

Greetings,

I'm afraid I don't find your replies convincing in the least. I don't know how any intelligent person could agree with the views you've expressed.

I've known you through your posts for several years now, Muhammad, and I know you're not without intelligence. I can't understand why you would willingly seal off part of your inquiring mind and decide to ask questions about some things but not others.

This has all gone off the topic, so I apologise for that.

Peace

We know basic things about Allah that his Prophets revealed such as monotheism, mercy, etc. We even have 99 names for him which describe every RELEVANT attribute for us.

We use our mind for understanding the logic behind these things.

Other aspect such as what exactly Allah is, out Prophets have not told us that simply because it is behind human comprehension. WHen you try and think about it, all you will find is ideas from your won imagination which is why we must be careful not to go there lest we destroy ourselves.

 

[جوري]

Fact is 'thinking intelligent atheists' haven't offered us any workable answer when it comes to the origins of the world, let alone responses to initial drive to set it all in motion, to expect us to get that sort of a reply from theists..
what can we possibly label this under? a double blind hypocrisy doesn't nullify itself!


all the best