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ISLAM THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH
Islamic views are based on realities that cannot be perceived through our sense. But our study and observation uphold them. The very difference between Islamic and Un Islamic views is that the latter either falsify the day to day experiences of man at the very outset or refuse to accept their natural and logical consequences. However the views presented by Islam are in complete consonance with the universe. One subscribing to the Islamic theory is neither compelled to believe day as night or the vice versa; nor is he forced to deny his own experiences and observations. Un-Islamic theories are of two kinds:
PolytheismIt means that the universe has been created by multiple powers; the wind created by one agency and water, fire and livelihood by some other one and so on. These creating powers are controlling their creations. The creator of water causes rainfall that of livelihood causes the grain to grow, that of life and death animates and kills and so on. Argument is given in favour of this claim that opposing powers would not have been in operation, rather integrity and uniformity would have prevailed, had the universe been created by only one power. The process of destruction underlying construction proves itself that the master is not one but several entities are working according to their own wishes. A Polytheist cannot imagine that the hands who shaped a picture can also destroy it. Even if he concedes that only one supreme power has created the universe, he believes that sovereignty and regulating powers are vested in many hands and these powers cannot be challenged by the original creator. It is absurd to think that different powers are working behind the apparently varied manifestations of this universe, because the manifestations are different but he reality is not. Undoubtedly, waxing and vaning are going on simultaneously in the universe. A flower, for example, blooming under a system also withers away under it. Had the universe not been based on one common law, it would have been a hot bed of opposing powers. The world-view of a polytheist is contrary not only to the facts but even man’s experiences falsify it. The greatest lesson taught by history is that the sovereignty divided between two or more persons and institutions leads invariably to chaos. But we find the universe evenly balanced and highly harmonized. If the several gods would have governed the universe, such a balance and integrity would not have been possible. As it too difficult for a man to obey two masters simultaneously, similarly the universe cannot be ruled over by two or more than two powers. If the rule of the earth belongs to one and that of heaven to the other; if the sun and moon are under control of different authorities, what prevents them from clashing and colliding and what binds them into one integrated system? If the ocean and the land are governed by different powers, why do they not strive to dominate each other? Vegetation on the earth is not possible until it is provided with proper climate and environment, with heat of the sun in needed proportion, with the rainfall and with alteration of day and night. If the system of the sun and clouds and alternation of day and night are not handled by one existence, how could these things co-ordinate with each other to cause growth of a little plant? Similarly, proper climate, nourishment and other requisites are essential for the life of a man and other animal beings. In absence of these basic needs it is impossible for them to exist. As a matter of fact every creature is provided with required proportion of needed things, without even the slightest change in it, to maintain his existence and survival. It never happens that man gets water in more than required quantity, and the air less than his need; that he is denied food grains and overburdened with gold, silver, iron and coal. This proves that the universe is being controlled by an entity with this power and wisdom. Otherwise these different elements would not be integrated and balanced. In case of disintegration and imbalance either surfeit of air would rob the soil of its moisture or the excess of water would render the earth uninhabitable. Let us see now the stand of a polytheist that the universe has been created by a single one authority but it is governed by more than one. This concept does not have conformity with common sense. It is one of the inborn feelings of man that he should be sole master of the things in production of which he alone spent his energy, and no other person has any right to take possession of them. This natural feeling of man contradicts the proposition that the universe is being controlled not only by the same authority who shaped it but by many other partners too. Human conscience and feelings affirm that the power who created the universe is its only legitimate master and ruler. The universe must strictly obey His commands. On what basis can authorities, who have no share in the creation of the universe, be claimed its owners and rulers? The view that the creator of the universe relieved himself after entrusting its management to others is quite incomprehensible. Was the burden of governance of the universe so heavy that its creator handed it over to others and became inactive? If it is true that the management of the universe is not within creator’s capacity, who else on the earth has power to bear this great burden? In order to justify this irrational theory the polytheists present it in a different manner---that a few creatures have been given so much importance in the court of the creator of the universe that He cannot go against their wishes. It is a poor opinion about the creator of the sun, the moon, the land and water that He is dominated and ruled over by His own creation. This negates the very concept of His being the creator of the universe. To think that such a helpless and important entity might have created this large and vast universe is puerile. In short, each aspect of polytheism is alien to human nature. Only a person with a disturbed psyche can accept it.
Materialism: Now let us look materialism which holds that the universe has not been created by any conscious being but it has sprung into existence out of a matter having motion in itself, and by virtue of its very movement is automatically started taking shapes of different planets. As a result, the sun, the moon, the mars, the earth and multitudes of other planets came into existence. And their respective characteristics gradually emerged in each planet accordingly. Out of the very dead matter, arose animate and inanimate, rational and non-rational, static and mobile all kinds of things. It is as if somewhere pebbles and stones are thrown continually for a long time, and out of this heap there emerges a mountain, a building, a rivulet, a canal, a road, a bridge, an inn and a hotel. And then out of this very heap there starts even the production of human and animal beings and step by step a regular and organized populace is established. This concept of universe does violence to common sense and human experiences. Man’s past experiences and present observations uphold that till to day no country was conquered, no garden laid out, no factory set up and not even an article or letter written by itself unless an external force be exerted on it. Greater the work the more deliberation, concentration, planning and labour are required. Construction of a beautiful vault and innovation of a complex machine is possible only when the society pays its cost in the form of its skilled and diligent persons. How can a man contradict his own experiences to think that the vast and limitless universe came into being without any creator of it. The universe has no rift and flaw in it and its every object is a specimen of unparalleled beauty and excellence. Its every component is so placed that its removal may disturb the world system. The universe cannot exist if the sun or moon were removed from their orbits. It leaves a man wondering to think that a blind and deaf fashioner may put such a great system and harmony in its work. Was it the accidental motion of unconscious matter that caused heat in fire, coolness in water, hardness in stone, softness in vax, life in ambrosia and death in arsenic? Did it cause the quality of attracting in a magnet and that of being attracted in iron? Was it by accident that the earth was deposited with gold, silver, iron, coal, salt and other minerals? Is it only a chance that there exists a chain of cause and effect among differing and opposing objects of the universe? Heat of the sun causes the water of ocean to rise as vapour, the air spreads it in the sky, the gravitational force of earth attracts it towards itself and at last it rains in form of water. This then cases the vegetation to grow on the earth and provide subsistence for life of all the creatures on it. Are all these happenings a result of a mere chance? The concept of materialism neither fits in the universe nor is it supported by common sense and human experiences. This was accepted by man because he desired to give physical and perceptible explanation of the universe. He presumed that the realities of the universe life entirely in apparent behind which exists nothing. Though it is a hypothesis, he could not present so far proofs in its favour. It is his rashness that he refuses to accept the existence of an object lying beyond his vision and upholding his ignorance as knowledge and belief, insists on such a concept of the universe that could be precise like mathematical laws and perceptible to his senses. This is an established fact that the vast knowledge and experiences essential for getting physical explanation of the universe have not so far been acquired by him. He has very little knowledge even about the terrestrial glove on which he lives, and major portion of the universe is a mystery to him. Fresh knowledge and discoveries compel him to realize his helplessness and limitations vis a vis the un foldable universe. It is with this scant knowledge that he attempts to know the origin and eschatology of this vast universe. On this basis he can only speculate for he has no decisive and reliable source to know the reality. Knowledge of RealityIslam gives us the knowledge of reality. Its theory of universe solves all the questions put forward by polytheism and materialism. It tells us with certainty how the universe came into existence; how order and harmony prevails over it; and how it runs. It says that this universe did not come into being by itself but was created by a creator. He is one and alone. There is none like Him. None is equal to Him. He does not have any associate. He does not have any assistant or adviser. His power is extensive, unlimited and supreme. This entire universe follows and obeys His commands, Neither a leaf can fall nor can an ant creep without His will. All are dependent on Him and He fulfils their needs. There is none except Him who can fulfill one’s desires. He is wise and governs the universe with His utmost wisdom and deep insight. No faults or defects can be traced in His work. He is the fountainhead of goodness and perfection and totally undefiled with flaws and mistakes. This concept is supported by every aspect of the universe. Every small or big thing, be it the sun or a small particle of dust, is sustained by a powerful being. It can neither exist nor can work independently of Him. Motion of earth and sky, rotation of planets, flowing of air and water proclaim themselves that the creator of the universe is one and it is He who governs it. Any concept other than this neither fits in the universe nor explains it totally. This very theory is the most acceptable to man because his reason and experiences conform to it. He cannot imagine and never has he experienced anything without its creator. If any materialistic or polytheistic theory is not brought before man, he within no time will declare that the Almighty has created the universe and controls it. Islam testifies to this feeling which emerges from man’s study of the universe. Further, the Islamic theory of the universe is in accord with the nature, feelings and aspirations of man. And no other concepts can satisfy his feelings. In spite of possessing multitudes of materials, wealth and means man feels himself utmost helpless and destitute. On one side are his natural tendencies, desires and passions and on the other hindrances to their fulfillment. These obstacles wound his feelings at every step. Man, often fails to tolerate these injuries and falls a prey to pessimism and dejection. Whether it may be the question of obtaining food and dress or fulfillment of physical needs or of getting mental and psychological peace, man does not always have the means to meet them. The air does not blow by his will; rain does not fall by his order; he does not possess the treasures of earth and heaven; he does not have control over his health. So, he requires a support that may be trusted, and prayed for help when he is caught in the vortex of storm; who may be called for guidance when he loses his way in the jungle; before whom he may stretch his hands to get his little and innocent kid back from the clutches of death and when the doctors are hopeless of his life; in brief who can be relied upon to come to rescue man in every difficult situation and fulfill all sorts of his needs? Man seeks such a being and his nature says that He must be there in the universe. It is unthinkable that a man provided with all necessities for his existence and survival be denied his basic urges emerging every moment from the depths of his being. Will the universe which supplies all the things ranging from water, air to needle and thread not fulfill the need of man which if left unaccomplished will render all other things useless for him? Islam answers this question in affirmative. According to it this natural quest is not for nothing. There exists a powerful being with whom man can take shelter and that is Allah. Down the ages millions of people have subscribed to this idea. They have admitted of such a being who listens to their prayers, and fulfils their wishes. When they bow their heads in submission, they feel His imminence. And they observe His majesty and greatness all the time and see the wonders of His power all around them. We cannot say that all these men have told a lie as we see no sign of falsehood and wileness in their lives, nor can we say that they were labouring under illusion and hallucination because they appear wise, intelligent and full of insight. Each and every action of their proves that they were neither mistaken nor deluded. Test of ManWhen there is such a powerful being whose orders govern things, man, too, must obey Him in submission. It is imperative that man should obey the same authority whose will governs the earth, the heavens, the sun and the moon. But man is endowed with freedom. He can affirm or deny his creator. He can obey Him and disobey as well. Why is it so? The answer which Islam gives to it is that man is being tested here to see whether he maintains his correct position or deviates from it, whether he submits to his creator and master or rebels against Him. For this purpose it was necessary that man should neither be static like stone nor a mobile machine, but he should be given freedom of action and ability to choose and adopt from both desirable and undesirable ways of life. It is freedom only by which men can be tested. Contrary to man, all other things of this universe are subject to their creator’s command from which they can deviate not even in the slightest degree. So they are not on test. For this reason the whole universe has been shaped as a testing place for man. It has been made in such a way that man can use it according to his will. The vitality obtained from grain produced by the earth can be utilized by him in obeying or disregarding his creator. Both the noble slaves of Allah and evil ones have equal access to the heat of the sun. Both the sinners and righteous utilizing the material resources lying around the world can achieve their goals. It is not so that they are available for the righteous alone. Unlike the ruler of a state who suspends and severely punishes his aberrant deputies, the real master of the universe neither at once questions the wrong actions of man nor does immediately give rewards for his good conduct. Reward and PunishmentBut it does not mean that man will not have to bear the consequences of his actions. That the loyal and the disloyal, the obedient and the rebels will come to the same end and will not have to bear the consequences of their actions does not fit in with the nature of the universe and is against the will of its creator. It makes a joke out of the purpose of man being on test. In the universe where each and every particle has its own characteristics and affects, is it only the actions of man which are devoid of them? When fire heats and water cools, will the deeds of man which produce greater effect bereft of a persisting identity? When the grain thrown in the soil is not destroyed, will the life-long work of man be wasted? When man stumbles, he feels pain, will his tyranny in wiping out an entire family be without any effect? When the earth blooms into life with the drops of rain, will the actions of man which bring peace, relief, tranquility and pleasure to the world be lost? It can never be possible. Every action of his is attended with some effects but they will not appear here. As the small seed contains the existence of a tree in itself but the tree sprouts only when it is buried in the soil, so the good or bad result of man’s action will appear when the span of test assigned to him is over. That day the creator of the universe will set up his court, reward and honour those who would have fulfilled the purpose for which they were provided with freedom, and punish those who would have forgotten it. If the day when man will give accounts of his actions were not to come, we will have to accept that his creator attaches no importance to his goodness and evil, and before Him right and wrong are same and both truth and falsehood are legitimate to him. When we do not keep black and white, pure and impure in the same category, could we imagine that the creator of the universe would not be distinguishing between justice and injustice, righteousness and evil, integrity and dishonesty? Further it is utterly against His wisdom that He sets man free but does not take account of his actions. So, reason says that one who provides freedom to man cannot remain indifferent to his actions. Prophethood: The concept of accountability, reward and punishment requires that truth and falsehood be made explicit and clear before man so that he, if he desires, may find no hindrance in his choice of truth and commit no mistake out of ignorance and lack of knowledge. Unless and until it is clarified which way leads to the failure and which one goes to real success the test is meaningless. It is absurd to ask someone standing in darkness or a blind person to walk towards the east and not towards the west. For the same purpose prophets come to mankind. They represents the creator of the universe. They tell the people what actions please Allah and what do not, which way is right and which one wrong; what is truth and what is falsehood. Further, they claim that those who follow in their footprints will certainly get near their creator and those who are opposed to it will fall far away from Him. It is the man’s own duty that he should recognize the prophet and get himself attached to him. The creator of the universe does not come on the earth to announce that a particular person is His messenger. But the prophet gives proofs and arguments for his being a prophet. As we admit the existence of the creator of the universe by seeing the latter, similarly, the peculiar characteristics of the prophet force us to believe his claim. The greatest proof of a person being the prophet of the creator of the universe is that he should clearly explain the reality of the universe---how it came into existence, how it runs, what is its purpose, what is man, what position does he hold, what has he to do, and what end is awaiting him? These are the questions which prophets are sent to answer on behalf of Allah to the world. His teachings must necessarily be at par with knowledge and reason. It is to be checked that no claim of his is alien to common sense and known realities. The messenger of Allah cannot be ignorant of facts of the universe. Even those things to which a common man has no access. The second proof of prophethood is that he should not spread chaos and corruption but invite towards goodness and virtues by his words and actions because a mischief-monger and oppressor may be a rebel and disobedient but not a spokesman and representative of Allah. Allah would never like tumult and oppression to be spread on His earth. He wants to see the virtues and goodness flourishing on it. The third proof is that he should have no other interest before him except that of transmitting the message of Allah to men. He must not start his mission with the espousal of shallow and limited causes. People of his milieu among whom he was born and brought up, should not blame him of being an imposter, liar and fraudulent person who wants to prosper by dint of his prophethood. No one should accuse him of moral terpitude. Prophet-hood is a great responsibility---so great that something greater than it cannot be imagined. For carrying this great responsibility, excellent and exalted qualities are essential. The fourth argument is that every one has the urge and ability for the ‘Gnosis’ and characteristics of a Gnostic. Thus for centuries men have been unanimous over the peculiar characteristics desirable for God’s chosen and intimate slaves. So every one can discern whether the person claiming himself to be a prophet is actually a prophet of Allah or not, whether he possesses the qualities of the noble men of Allah. All the prophets who came to the world satisfied exactly these criteria. They unanimously testified to a being who is the only source of forces and energies and who is the creator, master and governor of the universe. Prophet’s unanimity over this particular world view shows that they were given its knowledge directly by Allah. Except prophets such a large group of men never agreed so far upon a metaphysical hypothesis. Further more ethical values taught by prophets cannot be said to have ever led to chaos and corruption. Whenever they were practiced good results emerged and peace and happiness were enjoyed by mankind. Prophets not merely preached their teachings but took initiatives to practise them to the greatest possible extent. They were an embodiment of their virtues and righteousness. No one accused them of committing any moral offence. It shows that they were very sincere about their message and believed it very seriously to be the sole means for their and other’s welfare. The Last Prophet: With these very characteristics and attributes Muhammad (p.b.u.h) announced himself to be a prophet in 6th century c.e. and claimed that the universe has a creator and master; the earth and the heavens are maintained by His orders; cycle of days and nights is in His hands; He alone is the master of life and death; and it is He who gives and takes back happiness and well being. In short, only His order prevails in the universe. No one can dare question His will. The prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) cited the objects and phenomena of the universe as proof of his claims. He invited mankind towards the obedience and subservience to Allah and clarified that He alone should be prayed since He is the only authority deserving obedience and having the power of fulfilling man’s desires. Below is an extract from His teachings. “We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them for sport. If it had been Our wish to take a pastime, we should surely have taken it in Our presence, if we would do (such a thing). Nay, We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it breaks its head, and behold, falsehood perishes. Ah! Woe be to you for that you ascribe (to us). To Him belong all (creatures) in the heaven and on the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship him, nor are they weary (of His service). They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. Or have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead? If there were, in the heaven and the earth gods beside Allah, then verily both had been disordered. But glory to Allah, the Lord of the throne, above all they ascribe to Him. He cannot be questioned for his acts but they will be questioned. Or have they chosen other gods beside Him? Say, “Bring your proof: this is the message of those with me and message of those before me. But most of them know not the truth and so turn away. And we sent no messenger before this but we inspired him (saying): that there is no god but I; so worship me, And they say: “Most gracious has begotten a son.” Be He glorified! Nay, but they (those whom they call sons) are honoured slaves. They speak not before He speaks, and they act by His command. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of Him. If any of them should say, “I am a god beside Him.” Such a one We should reward with Hell: Thus do we reward those who do wrong. (Qur’an) He presented a complete pattern of life on the basis of his teachings regarding the worship of and obedience to one creator and master. He explained modes of worship; laid down social, economic and political principles, promulgated penal laws; and taught the etiquette of the daily affairs i.e. sitting, getting up speaking, writing, eating, drinking and sleeping etc. And he succeeded in doing the seemingly impossible task of infusing the spirit of obedience to Allah into all the aspects of life. This is the same teaching as presented by other prophets in past ages. It makes clear that his source of knowledge is the same as that of other prophets. It, otherwise, becomes inexplicable that a man, who was totally ignorant of philosophies and sciences of the world, who did not know even how to read and write, who did not live with scholars and servants, and who did not even have the opportunity to meet any learned persons, should explain exactly the same truth as uttered by other men many a centuries ago. Without any past training and study he, all of a sudden, started inviting the people towards the obedience to Allah. This call was given by him with a conviction which was apparent from every action of his life. His enemies caused him great mental and physical torture, forced him to starve, abused him, hurled stones at him, and went to the extent of compelling him to leave his city, even then his conviction did not lessen but rather it increased. For each matter he appealed to the same Allah towards whom he was inviting the world. Like needy and poor persons he would stretch his hands before Allah, would tearfully entreat Him to meet his desires. He would be seen again and again stretching his hands before Allah, seeking protection from punishment, and begging His mercy. Every onlooker would testify that he believed in an entity who is the creator, master and controller of the universe before whom he found himself weak, helpless and destitute. We cannot say that he staged a drama to make himself prosperous and wealthy because the whole world witnessed that he in spite of having full control over the entire Arab, passed a life of indigent dervish. Although he had full access to means of luxury and indulgence, he preferred a life of asceticism, hardships and rigour. He did not like to use even a mattress in place of the palm-leaf mat. Once his companions asked for his permission to prepare a soft and comfortable bed for him, he said, “This world and I, What relation do I have with it? Here I am like a traveler. As the traveler rests for a while under the shadow of a tree but never thinks it to be his destination, so for me also this world is not a destination. Nor can we say that he made a false claim because ever his foes and opponents gave evidence of his being truthful and sincere. It would be a great injustice to accuse a person of being a liar in a particular matter without any evidence when his entire life is a record of truthfulness and sincerity. If we are not satisfied with his arguments, we at the most can say that his claim is unintelligible to us. Then it is also a fact that liar cannot persist in his words for a long time. But he continued repeating the same message and he was never to utter a single word which was inconsistent with it. It is also impossible to gather such devotees around a liar as were around him. They relied upon him to know the will of the Authority who was not visible to them. When he told them the will of Allah, they never hesitated in sacrificing their wealth or lives. Even a gesture from him was enough for them to hurry to act. They believed in every word whatsoever he uttered. Has a liar ever been treated in this way by his followers? He prepared a group of followers, handed over the book revealed to him from Allah, to them and declared that the Prophethood was discontinued once for all. In the edifice of Prophethood there was a blank space for one more brick and that was filled in with the last one. Now onward until the day of resurrection the book revealed to him would be the guide for all. No room is left for rejecting his claim of being the last Prophet after accepting him to be the messenger of Allah. Further the book which he presented before the world clearly shows that the purpose for which all the prophets were sent, has been completed in its totality. Now they need not come since the book carries everlasting and eternal principles applicable up to the last day of the universe.
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