Personal10 - Number 10.* From Atheism to Belief: A Journey to Islam in North America by Dr. Jeffrey Lang *
Assalumualaikum
We all may have come across many beautiful stories of people reverting back to Islam. Most of the stories have a spiritual realm and an intellectual realm,sometimes one being predominant over the other.
One of my favourites or may i say my favourite is the story of Dr.Jeffrey Lang. Dr. Lang is currently a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas in the US. Being a Doctor of Mathematics and an ardent atheist you can picture the intellectual appeal something would have had to have to draw this man to submission.He was guided to the Quran by the Mercry of Allah S.W.T. He inspected and studied the Quran word for word questioning it several times until ultimately he had to submit! SubhanAllah!
The story of our father and mother Adam(A.S) and Hawa (A.S) is something we all know about but have we really studied it enough ?
O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression.” Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: “Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels or such beings as live for ever.” And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: “Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?” They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” ((Allah)) said: “Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time.” He said: “Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last).” (7:19 to 25)
Here are a few other points that the talk addresses in question form
- Why was man created when he would spread corruption and spill blood ?
- Why do we think man was put on earth as a punishment when the Quran mentions that its our dwelling-place?
- When Adam (A.S) and Hawa (A.S) were forgiven why were they not taken back to heaven?
- Why must man undergo suffering?
- Why did God give man intellect that sometimes causes man to come up with questions and arguments questioning the very existence of God?
- Why does God give us choice instead of programming us to do only good?
- What does growing mean and the significance of amal in the Quran.
Although i dont agree with everything Dr.Jeffrey has to say (in the QnA session), I think he addresses quite a lot of intricate but important issues that infact some muslims(like myself sometimes) might have had but are quite afraid to question.
Why this made my top ten list is because not only does this have immense intellectual appeal but also a significant spiritual appeal. The lecture is quite long but he has quite a good sense of humuor which should keep you engaged.It kickstarts from the 4th/17 segment. InshAllah this will benefit us all.Make Dua
Why this made my top ten list is because not only does this have immense intellectual appeal but also a significant spiritual appeal. The lecture is quite long but he has quite a good sense of humuor which should keep you engaged.It kickstarts from the 4th/17 segment. InshAllah this will benefit us all.Make Dua
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