Can We See God?
The human mind is a true marvel, but in certain areas it is limited. God is different from anything the human mind can think of or imagine, so the mind will become confused if it tries to picture God. Nevertheless, it is possible to understand the attributes of God that do not require one to make any mental pictures of Him. For example, one of God’s names is al-Ghaffar, which means He forgives all sins. Everyone can understand this easily…
The Divine Mercy of God
(part 1 of 3): God the Most-Merciful, the Dispenser of Mercy If someone were to ask, ‘Who is your God?’ A Muslim response would be, ‘The Most-Merciful, the Dispenser of Mercy.’ According to Islamic sources, the prophets, while emphasizing God’s judgment, also proclaimed His mercy. In Muslim scripture, God introduces Himself as: “He is God, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Most-Merciful, the Dispenser of Mercy.” (Quran 59:22) In…
My Mercy Prevails Over My Wrath
(part 1 of 2) “The willingness to forgive and not to punish” is a definition frequently used for the word mercy, but what is mercy in Islam? With Islam, mercy was given a deeper meaning that created a vital aspect in the life of every Muslim, which he is rewarded by God for showing. God’s mercy, which is bestowed on all His creatures, is seen in everything we lay eyes on: in the sun that provides light and heat, and…
Where is God?
Now and again human beings are prompted to ask themselves some of life’s truly profound questions. In the quiet darkness of the night, when far off stars twinkle in the vast, majestic sky, or in the cold, hard, light of day when life rushes past like a speeding train, people of all colours, races and creeds wonder about the meaning of their existence. Why are we here? What does this all mean? Is this all there is? On magnificent days…
Why Did God Create?
(part 1 of 3): God, the Creator From the point of view of God, a… fundamental question needs to be asked, “Why did God create?” This question should be asked because humankind is not, in fact, the greatest creation. God says in the Quran: “Indeed, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of mankind do not realize it.” (Quran 40:57) The composition of human beings is far less complex than…
Atheism – An Islamic Perspective
“We (God) will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.”Quran 41:53 This pamphlet introduces the Islamic perspective for believing in God. It explains how God provides signs of His existence – both through His natural creation and through revelation, and clarifies common questions by atheists. God calls on us to acknowledge Him through His signs and has made it our responsibility to ponder and reflect in…
A theoretical dialogue between a Muslim and a Christian
(part 1 of 2) Abdullah: Hello there! How are you man? Derek: Hello! Well, how are you? Abdullah: I’m fine and you? Derek: I’m fine, thanks. Abdullah: Where are you from? Derek: I’m from L.A. (Los Angeles). Abdullah: The land of Hollywood! Derek: Well, that’s right. Have you ever been to L.A? Abdullah: No, never. Why are you calling yourself ‘Black Magic’? Derek: It’s just a nickname, man! Abdullah: I see. Derek: Where are you from? Are you an Arab?…
God’s Sole Right to Worship
“O mankind, worship your Lord who has created you and those before you, that you may become righteous. He Who has made the earth a resting-place for you and the sky a canopy, and has sent down water from the sky and thereby brought forth fruits for your sustenance. Do not, then, claim that there is any power that could rival God, when you know.” (Quran 2:21-22) In these verses is the first commandment mentioned in the Quran, God proves…
The Kursī of Allāh
Abu Dharr al-Ghifārī said that the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “The seven heavens in comparison to the Kursī is nothing but like a ring thrown in a desert, and the excellence of the ʽArsh (Throne of Allāh) over the Kursī is like the excellence of that desert over that ring.” Shaykh al-Albānī comments: “The hadīth comes forth as an explanation of (Allāh’s) statement, the Most High: ‘His Kursī extends over the heavens and the earth,’[1] and…
Instincts, Science, and Religion
(part 1 of 2): Self-Sacrifice in Animals Living beings have to reproduce to continue their species. However, reproduction by itself often proves insufficient because, if living things fail to provide adequate care for their offspring, the newborn cannot survive. In other words, if living things did not feel the need to protect and look after their offspring and did not do this successfully, newborn creatures would not be able to look after themselves and would soon die. When we look…