INTRODUCTION
TO ISLAM
Our
existence – a product of chance?
A
simple look at the world around us is all it takes to understand what many
never take time to reflect upon. The
details of this awesome universe we live in explicitly prove the presence of
a magnificent and unequalled author. Some
try to deny His existence, relying on their invented theories, assumptions
derived from unproven conjecture and guesses.
They conjure principles that no rational mind can follow.
For example, they say that our universe is a “cosmic miracle,” a
result of billions of years of random self-assembly.
However, if they would come out of their house in the morning and
find a new car in their driveway, they would demand to know who put it
there. Imagine if was said to
them: “No one put it there, in fact the parts just gathered from unknown
places and assembled themselves overnight with no one’s help.
This is the result of a cosmic miracle!” No
one in his right mind could accept this answer. Indeed God gave us intellects that do not allow us to believe
such nonsense. So
if people can not accept the parts of a single car coming together randomly,
then how can they believe that the entire universe accomplished such a
feat?! From the sky full of
stars and other visual wonders, to microscopic organisms we are still
discovering, to the design and function of the organs of the human body, can
one possibly believe that all of this is the result of a mere coincidence? Look
up and think about how everything you see is organized in such a perfect
way! The sun, a ball of fire
millions of miles away, provides us with the heat and light we depend on
every day. About it, God says: {
And I (God) made a blazing, radiant lantern }
(78:13) After
the length of the day, mankind indeed needs a rest from the warmth and
illumination of the sun. God causes the sun to set and gives us darkness to
rest, and a perfect nightlight – the moon and the splendorous stars.
What masterful organization! God
says: {
He (God) has put the night and the day in your service, as well as the sun,
the moon, and the stars - all in subjection by His Command.
Verily in this there are signs for people of intellect. }
(16:12) And
God says: {
Don’t you see how God merges the night into the day and He merges the day
into the night, (don’t you see) that He has subjected the sun and the moon
(to His law), each running its course for an appointed term? And surely God
is well-acquainted with what you do. }
(31:29) God
also says: {
Among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not
prostrate to the sun or the moon, rather prostrate to God, the One who
created them, if you really wish to worship Him. }
(41:37) Today’s
scientists comment on the precise balance of the sun and moon, guessing at
the innumerous disasters that would occur if the sun or the moon were to
stray from their paths the slightest bit.
The rational mind can come to only one conclusion, that indeed
something is keeping all of this in order.
God says: {
He (God) draws the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the other in
rapid succession. He (God)
created the sun, the moon, and the stars, all governed by His Command. Is it
not His Right to create and govern? Blessed is God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of all that
exists! }
(7:54) We
understand quite clearly that, since this paper you are reading was written,
then there was a writer, even though you do not see him.
And for every speech there was a speaker, and every delicious dish
has a cook behind it. So for
every creation, including our very existence, there is indeed a creator. The
Creator is God who is without partners
Now
that we agree that we are not the product of chance, that we have been
created, let us understand some things about our Creator. The
One who created us, God, is also the sole Creator of everything else that
exists, as He says: {
Such is God, your Lord, the Creator of all things. There is no God except
Him…}
(40:62) Because
of God’s ominous power and control over the universe, it is not befitting
for man to believe that He needs anyone to help Him. For verily God is Alone and does not share His Majesty with
anyone. He is the possessor of
infinite mercy and compassion for those who obey him, and His punishment is
the most severe and lasting for those who turn away from Him. God says: {
As for to those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit
them to His Mercy, and that will be the Achievement for all to see! }
(45:30) And
God says: {
For those who believe and do righteous deeds, He (God) will give them their
rewards, and more, out of His bounty. But
those who are disdainful and arrogant, He will punish them with a grievous
penalty, and they will not find anyone to protect or help them besides God. }
(4:173) As
it is not befitting for us to ascribe a rival, partner, or associate to God,
it is extreme blasphemy to accuse Him of having a father, mother, son, or
other descendants or relatives. God
tells us: {
Say: HE is God, the One and Only; the eternal, absolute God who did not
father anyone, nor is He the son of anyone. }
(112:1‑4) What
a tremendous crime it is to claim that God, the One free from all
imperfections, has a son! Unfortunately,
many believe that Jesus is God’s son!
Indeed Jesus holds a high rank, as the Word of God and the Conveyor
of His Message, but not as His son, for God is high and exalted above such a
false claim. About this, God
says: {
They say: "The Most Merciful (God) has begotten a son!" Indeed you
have put forth a most monstrous idea! It is as if the skies are ready to
burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter
ruin for what they say about the Most Merciful (God) having a son!
For it is not befitting for the Most Merciful (God) to take a son. }
(19:88-92) So
God is the sole Creator and Maintainer of all that exists.
He has no partner or affiliate, as He says: {
Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord – there is no God except Him
Alone! And turn away from those
who join other deities with God! }
(6:106) Do
we owe Him something?
Now
that we agree that God is our only Creator and Provider, and we have seen
His Statements denying any partners for Himself, we want to know – Does He
want something from us? God
has a right over us, as He created us.
He is not asking much. He
is only asking us for that which he asked every nation before us – that we
obey Him and follow His Messengers. He
has asked us to worship Him and not to associate partners with Him.
He says: {
For surely I (God) sent a messenger to every nation, commanding them to
worship God and shun false deities. }
(16:36) It
is a very simple request, taking into account all He has given us. {
Say: "It is He (God) who has created you and made for you the faculties
of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding.
Little is the thanks you offer. }
(67:23) We
naturally feel the urge to thank anyone who gives us something.
If we thank people for their generosity, should we not then thank our
Lord who has blessed us with so much? He
reminds us: {
And if you were to try to count the blessings of God, you could never
enumerate them! Verily, mankind
is ever oppressive and ungrateful. }
(14:34) So
to be truly thankful to God would entail worshipping Him, as He has
commanded us, obeying Him and following the Revelation that He sent to us.
In doing this, we will fulfill the purpose of our existence, as God
did not create us without a purpose: {
And I did not create the Jinn or Mankind except to worship Me }
(51:56) What
if we ignore His Right on us?
Ignoring
the right of God is not like ignoring the rights of others.
For if you disobey your mother, then you are subject to whatever
punishment she is capable of. Likewise, you may lose your job if you ignore the orders of
your boss. The judge may send
you to jail if you do not appear in court as he requests.
But no one can punish you eternally with a torment like what God has
promised for those who reject His Message.
God is going to establish a Day to judge each and every person.
Indeed we will be gathered in front of God to answer for our deeds.
About that Day, God says: {
For on that Day, His punishment will be such as one else can inflict, and
His bonds will be such as no one else can bind. } We
have the chance now to free ourselves from such a horrible and unending
fate. We must look to our
relationship with God – are we fulfilling His right on us?
Are we worshipping Him as He commands us? Be
aware that His punishment is so severe, that even the most devout deniers of
God will believe in Him after seeing it. {
But when they saw My Punishment, they said: "We believe in God,
the One God, and we reject the partners we used to join with Him." }
(40:84) If
we submit to God, worshipping Him and not associating partners with Him,
then for us are the unending joys and delights that He has prepared for us
in the Paradise: {
And no soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them, as a reward for
what they used to do. }
(32:17) For
when God establishes the Day of Judgement, the righteous will hear the call: {
O you resting, satisfied soul! Come
happily back to your Lord, as you have gained His Pleasure!
Enter and be among My servants, enter My Garden! }
(89:26-9) If
we hope to hear this call, then we must put forth the effort now, in this
life, before it is too late. What
to do now
Accept
the religion of Islaam. It is
what God is commanding you to do: {
O you who believe! Observe your
duties to God properly, as He deserves, and do not die except as Muslims! }
(3:102) Be
sincere and dedicate yourself to God: {
Say: "Truly, my prayer, my sacrifices, my life and my death, are all
for God, the Creator and Nourisher of everything that exists, who has no
partner. This am I commanded
with, and I am the first of the Muslims." }
(6:162-3) Islaam
is very easy and practical. There
is no conversion ceremony or difficult procedures preventing you from
becoming a Muslim. The only
thing for you to do is sincerely recite the following statement: “I
testify that there is no deity worthy of any form of worship except God
Alone, and I testify that Muhammad is His Messenger.” Now
follow up your statement with a commitment to learning about your religion,
the specifics of what God wants from you.
There is a lot to be learned about God and His Religion, with each
piece of knowledge you will become more and more confident that you made the
right choice. Contact
a Muslim you know or call one of the numbers below. We are eagerly awaiting you with open arms to welcome you to
Islaam, and instruct you in the basic affairs of the religion with care and
concern. If
something prevents you from accepting Islaam at this time, call and we will
try to clarify the matter for you, so that you can accept Islaam being
confident that you are on the truth. May
God guide us all to what He loves.
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