The Quran is a callenging book. It poses the question to its reader frequently through out
Do they not contemplate within themselves? Allah has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for a specified term. And indeed, many of the people, in [the matter of] the meeting with their Lord, are disbelievers. [30:8]
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.[38:29]
Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity. [4:82]
The reader is continually presented with an intellectual challenge to ponder the message of the Quran. For a muslim it is relatively easier to accept wholeheartedly the Quran because we are already within the framework of submission and acknowledgement that it(The Quran) is the Divine Revelation from Allah (SWT) . However there are verses we come across in the Quran like The stars and the trees prostrate.[55:6]
Because of our human experiences we cannot comprehend the prostration of stars and trees so these verses can present a dichotomy for a muslim.
Do we take to our beleif or do we take to science,intellect ?
Is there a conflict ?
When does a muslim need to ponder and when do we need to submit ?
What is the role of intellect ?
These are some of the vital issues this lecture helped me put in perspective,AlHamdullilah.
Sheikh Yasir Qadhi has combined an Islamic seminary training (from Islamic University of Madinah) with a Western education (from University of Houston and Yale University). He is by far one of my favourite scholars to listen to. Iman and Intellect boost guaranteed InshAllah
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by ----Striving Introspective-----
in
Reflections
Assalamualaikum
I dont know how many of 'ya'll' out there keepup with the glamorous world of Hip Hop and all its glamorous nonsense but I stumbled upon this youtube video a few days ago of a brother(in the islamic context of the word) who used to belong to such a world.
It's a truly remarkable story of Br.Amir Junaid Muhadith(formerly known as Loon). He is a rapper formerly part of P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records,has released self title album and was definitely a somebody in the world of showbiz. The brother is now touring the world not to entertain the masses but for a much more nobler cause,Dawah! SubhanAllah!
The story is remarkable on its own but it is something else that I would like to reflect upon here.It's something that is innate within most of us and not something most of us are conscious about. It's the act of judging others ! Most of the time it might just be a subconscious impulse, as a result of our social conditioning, but it is certainly not something that we cant rectifiy within ourselves.
First impressions come too fast but it is in within our capacity to hone down these pre conceived notions we have about others who might be slightly different from ourselves . If you were to see some of the music videos which featured this brother, you would have not thought he will be on stage doing dawah a few years down the line but SubhanAllah Allah is the Best of Planners and only HE knows what is within every heart.
I have heard some amazing stories of people reverting to Islam and amongst the many lessons to take from , one of the most important is to not judge others . After all wasn't Umar (R.A) one of those who tried to kill the prophet (pbuh) and then went on to become one of the most beloved companions of whom the prophet (pbuh) said :
"If an Apostle were to succeed me, it would have been 'Umar bin Khattab." (Tirmidhi,Kitab-ul- Manaqib)
Do we not know about the story of the man who killed a 100 people and seeked repentance only for his soul to be taken by the angels of mercy ?
Do we not know the story about the prostitute who entered paradise because she fed a dog ?
I am by no means belittling the sins here but highlighting the point that we do not know where a person stands in the sight of God . Maybe those out there who go clubbing,gossip,drink and indulge in every other haram do it because they still do not know whats right and whats wrong. Maybe their time of guidance lies further down the road.
How do we know that the brother with the tattoos is not crying to God for guidance in private ?
How do we know that the sister whose hijab is a bit loose is not weeping in amazement of the Quran in private ? Allahualam . They might be on a higher rank than us on the day of judgment. (May Allah make us all of high rank on that day InshAllah.)
You can only be a fair judge of one person and that is the man in the mirror (woman-for the sisters reading this :P ) Only you and your Lord know what is within . I pray that Allah grants us a strong iman,gives us patience and protects us from our shortcomings.
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by ----Striving Introspective-----
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Personal10
Assalamualaikum
Athiests do not actually beleive in 'absolute nothing',they just do not beleive in God.They like to perceive themselves as people of practicality who are in total tandem with reality and that everyone who beleives in an unseen , unheard of and 'unethical' God is deluded. For most athiests it is science that is the ultimate truth and there is nothing beyond that but SubhanAllah they deny the very Creator of Science.
"Behold! In the creation of space and the Earth and in the changing of night into day are indeed signs for people of understanding. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting and lying down, and contemplate the (wonders) of creation in space and the Earth. (They declare,) "Our Lord! You didn’t create all of this for nothing. So save us from the punishment of the fire." (3:190-191)
If ever you are looking for something to present as the case for the Quran being the Word of God , from a scientific viewpoint, in my humble opinion, it would be Dr.Zakir Naiks talk on the Quran and Modern Science.
Dr.Zakir Naik is a person who needs no introduction to the muslim and non muslim audience alike but the fact he is also a qualified medical doctor makes him an ideal presenter for the case.Topics such as
The Big Bang and the Origin of the universe
Human Embryology
Astronomy
are just a few examples of which that are mentioned in the Quran. SubhanAllah how could a man living in the arabian desert,which by no means was was the centre of science at that time,come to have known all these things centuries before it was discovered by modern science and moreover convey it in such eloquent language, the like of which has never been and will never be reproduced.
Dr.Zakir does a very convincing job in putting together these miracles of the Quran and conveying it to us. If anything Science should increase our faith in Allah Azzawajal . Hope you enjoy the lecture .
A simpleton striving to excel in this world and the hereafter InshAllah.
Born in lanka bred in saudi and went to uni in malaysia! Shawarmas kothu rotti and nasi goreng !
Assalamualaikum
