MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY ATHEISTS - DR ...

MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED

BY ATHEISTS

INTERNATIONAL DA’WAH TRAINING PROGRAMME

CONCEIVED, DEVELOPED AND CONDUCTED BY DR ZAKIR NAIK

INTERNATIONAL DA’WAH TRAINING PROGRAMME CONCEIVED, DEVELOPED AND CONDUCTED BY

DR ZAKIR NAIK

MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY ATHEISTS

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1. PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF ALLAH SCIENTIFICALLY Question: If you believe in God, then can you prove its existence scientifically? Answer:

CONGRATULATING AN ATHEIST Normally, when I meet an atheist, the first thing I like to do is to congratulate him and say, “My special congratulations to you”, because most of the people who believe in God are doing blind belief - one is a Christian, because one’s father is a Christian; one is a Hindu, because one’s father is a Hindu; the majority of the people in the world are blindly following the religion of their fathers. An atheist, on the other hand, even though he may belong to a religious family, uses his intellect to deny the existence of God; whatever concept or qualities of God he may have learnt in his religion may not seem to be logical to him. My Muslim brothers may question me, “Zakir, why are you congratulating an atheist?” The reason that I am congratulating an atheist is because he agrees with the first part of the Shahaadah i.e. the Islamic Creed, ‘La ilaaha’ - meaning ‘there is no God’. So half my job is already done; now the only part left is ‘ill-Allah’ i.e. ‘BUT ALLAH’ which I shall do In sha Allah. With others (who are not atheists) I have to first remove from their minds the wrong concept of God they may have and then put the correct concept of one true God.

LOGICAL CONCEPT OF GOD My first question to the atheist will be: “What is the definition of God?” For a person to say there is no God, he should know what is the meaning of God. If I hold a book and say that ‘this is a pen’, for the opposite person to say, ‘it is not a pen’, he should know what is the definition of a pen, even if he does not know nor is able to recognise nor identify the object I am holding in my hand. For him to say this is not a pen, he should at least know what a pen means. Similarly for an atheist to say ‘there is no God’, he should at least know the concept of God. His concept of God would be derived from the surroundings in


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which he lives. A god which makes mistakes, gets tired, requires to sleep, requires to eat, can be troubled. A god that can die. The god that a large number of people worship has got human qualities - therefore he does not believe in such a god. Similarly a Muslim too does not and should not believe in such false gods. If a non-Muslim believes that Islam is a merciless religion which has something to do with terrorism; a religion, which does not give rights to women; a religion which contradicts science; in his limited sense that non-Muslim is correct to reject such Islam. The problem, is he has a wrong picture of Islam. Even I reject such a false picture of Islam, but at the same time, it becomes my duty as a Muslim to present the correct picture of Islam to that non-Muslim i.e. Islam is a merciful religion, it gives equal rights to the women, it is not incompatible with logic, reason and science; if I present the correct facts about Islam, that non-Muslim may In sha Allah accept Islam. Similarly the atheist rejects the false gods and the duty of every Muslim is to present the correct concept of God which he shall not refuse In sha Allah. (You may refer to my article, ‘Concept of God in Islam’, for more details)

THE MOST CONCISE DEFINITION OF GOD:

The most concise definition of God in Islam is given in the four verses of Surah Al Ikhlaas, which is Chapter 112 of the Qur’an:

“Say: He is Allah, The One and Only.

Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.

He begets not, nor is He begotten.


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And there is none like unto Him.” [Al-Qur’an 112:1-4] The word ‘Al Samad’ is difficult to translate. It means ‘absolute existence,’ which can be attributed only to Allah (swt), all other existence being temporal or conditional. It also means that Allah (swt) is not dependant on any person or thing, but all persons and things are dependant on Him.

Surah Al Ikhlaas - the Touchstone of Theology:

Surah Al Ikhlaas (Chapter 112) of the Glorious Qur’an, is the Touchstone of Theology. ‘Theo’ in Greek means ‘God’ and ‘logy’ means ‘study.’ Thus ‘Theology’ means ‘study of God’ and to Muslims this four line definition of Almighty God serves as the touchstone of the study of God. Any candidate to divinity must be subjected to this ‘acid test.’ Since the attributes of Allah given in this chapter are unique, false gods and pretenders to divinity can be easily dismissed using these verses.

QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE The methods of proving the existence of God with usage of the material provided in the ‘Concept of God in Islam’ to an atheist may satisfy some but not all. It is mentioned in Surah Aali Imraan Chapter 3 Verse 64:-

Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that


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we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will). Many atheists demand a scientific proof for the existence of God. I agree that today is the age of science and technology. Let us use scientific knowledge to kill two birds with one stone, i.e. to prove the existence of God and simultaneously prove that the Qur’an is a revelation of God. If a new object or a machine, which no one in the world has ever seen or heard of before, is shown to an atheist or any person and then a question is asked, “Who is the first person who will be able to provide details of the mechanism of this unknown object? After little bit of thinking, he will reply, ‘the creator of that object.’ Some may say ‘the producer’ while others may say ‘the manufacturer’ or ‘inventor’. Whatever answer the person gives, keep it in your mind. The answer will always be either the creator, the producer, the manufacturer, the inventor or somewhat of the same meaning, i.e. the person who has made it or created it. Don’t grapple with words, whatever answer he gives, the meaning will be same, therefore accept it.

SCIENTIFIC FACTS MENTIONED IN THE QUR’AN: for details on this subject please refer to my book, ‘THE QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – COMPATIBLE OR INCOMPATIBLE?

THEORY OF PROBABILITY In mathematics there is a theory known as ‘Theory of Probability’. If you have two options, out of which one is right, and one is wrong, the chances that you will chose the right one is half, i.e. one out of the two will be correct. You have 50% chances of being correct. Similarly if you toss a coin the chances that your guess will be correct are 50% (1 out of 2) i.e. 1/2. If you toss a coin the second time, the chances that you will be correct in the second toss are again 50% i.e. half. But the chances that you will be correct in both the tosses is half multiplied by half (1/2 x 1/2) which is equal to 1/4 i.e. 50% of 50% which is equal to 25%. If you toss a coin the third time, chances that you will be correct all three times are (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2) that is 1/8 or 50% of 50% of 50% that is 12½%.


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A dice has got six sides. If you throw a dice and guess any number between 1 to 6, the chances that your guess will be correct are 1/6. If you throw the dice the second time, the chances that your guess will be correct in both the throws are (1/6 x 1/6) which is equal to 1/36. If you throw the dice the third time, the chances that all your three guesses are correct are (1/6 x 1/6 x 1/6) is equal to 1/216 that is less than 0.5 %. Let us apply this theory of probability to the Qur’an, and assume that a person has guessed all the information that is mentioned in the Qur’an which was unknown at that time. Let us discuss the probability of all the guesses being simultaneously correct. At the time when the Qur’an was revealed, people thought the world was flat, there could be several other options for the shape of the earth. It could be triangular, it could be quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, spherical, etc. Let’s assume there are about 30 different options for the shape of the earth. The Qur’an rightly says it is spherical, if it was a guess the chances of the guess being correct are 1/30. The light of the moon can be its own light or a reflected light. The Qur’an rightly says it is a reflected light. If it is a guess, the chances that it will be correct are 1/2 and the probability that both the guesses i.e. the earth is spherical and the light of the moon is reflected light is 1/30 x 1/2 = 1/60. Further, the Qur’an also mentions every living thing is made of water. Every living thing can be made up of either wood, stone, copper, aluminium, steel, silver, gold, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, oil, water, cement, concrete, etc. The options are say about 10,000. The Qur’an rightly says that everything is made up of water. If it is a guess, the chances that it will be correct are 1/10,000 and the probability of all the three guesses i.e. the earth is spherical, light of moon is reflected light and everything is created from water being correct is 1/30 x 1/2 x 1/10,000 = 1/600,000 which is equal to about .00017%. The Qur’an speaks about hundreds of things that were not known to men at the time of its revelation. Only in three options the result is .00017%. I leave it up to you, to work out the probability if all the hundreds of the unknown facts were guesses, the chances of all of them being correct guesses simultaneously and there being not a single wrong guess. It is beyond human capacity to make all correct guesses without a single mistake, which itself is


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sufficient to prove to a logical person that the origin of the Qur’an is Divine.

CREATOR IS THE AUTHOR OF THE QUR’AN The only logical answer to the question as to who could have mentioned all these scientific facts 1400 years ago before they were discovered, is exactly the same answer initially given by the atheist or any person, to the question who will be the first person who will be able to tell the mechanism of the unknown object. It is the ‘CREATOR’, the Producer, the Manufacturer, the Inventor of the whole universe and its contents. In the English language He is ‘God’, or more appropriate in the Arabic language, ‘ALLAH’.

QUR’AN IS A BOOK OF SIGNS AND NOT SCIENCE Albert Einstein the famous Physicist and Noble Prize winner said “Science without Religion is Lame and Religion without Science is Blind.” Let me remind you that the Qur’an is not a book of Science, ‘S-C-I-E-N-C-E’ but a book of Signs ‘S-I-G-N-S’ i.e. a book of ayaats. The Qur’an contains more than 6,000 ayaats, i.e. ‘signs’, out of which more than a thousand speak about Science. I am not trying to prove that the Qur’an is the word of God using scientific knowledge as a yardstick because any yardstick is supposed to be more superior than what is being checked or verified. For us Muslims the Qur’an is the Furqan i.e. criteria to judge right from wrong and the ultimate yardstick which is more superior to scientific knowledge. But for an educated man who is an atheist, scientific knowledge is the ultimate test, which he believes in. We do know that science many a times takes ‘U’ turns, therefore I have restricted the examples only to scientific facts which have sufficient proof and evidence and not scientific theories based on assumptions. Using the ultimate yardstick of the atheist, I am trying to prove to him that the Qur’an is the word of God and it contains the scientific knowledge, which is his yardstick which was discovered recently, while the Qur’an was revealed 1400 year ago. At the end of the discussion, we both come to the same conclusion that God though superior to science, is not incompatible with it.


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SCIENCE IS ELIMINATING MODELS OF GOD BUT NOT GOD Francis Bacon, the famous philosopher, has rightly said that a little knowledge of science makes man an atheist, but an in-depth study of science makes him a believer in God. Scientists today are eliminating models of God, but they are not eliminating God. If you translate this into Arabic, it is ‘La ilaaha ill-Allah’. There is no god, (god with a small ‘g’ that is fake god) but God (with a capital ‘G’). Allah says in Surah Fussilat Chapter 41 Verse 53:

“Soon We will show them our signs in the (farthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?” [Al-Quran 41:53]


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2. DARWIN’S THEORY OF EVOLUTION Question: According to Darwin’s theory of Evolution, man has evolved from apes.

Doesn’t the Qur’an conflict with this theory? Answer:

1. There is no book which says, ‘Fact of Evolution’

I have not come across any book which says, ‘Fact of Evolution’. All the books say, ‘Theory of Evolution’. If you read the book by Charles Darwin, ‘The Origin of Species’ - It says that, Charles Darwin went on an island by the name of ‘Galapagos’ on a ship named as ‘HMS Beagle’ and there he found birds pecking at niches. Depending upon the Ecological niches they pecked, their beaks kept on becoming long and short. This observation was made by him in 14 different species of birds. After making these observations Charles Darwin writes in his book, ‘The Origin of Species’, Chapter No. 6: ‘Difficulties on the Theory’ - “Why, if species have descended from other species by insensibly fine gradations, do we not everywhere see innumerable transitional forms?” Charles Darwin himself agreed that there were missing links. If one specie had evolved from the other specie then there ought to be ‘Transitional Forms’ like half-fish / half-reptiles etc. In school we used to joke and say, “If you were present at Darwin’s time this theory would have been proven to be right!” Trying to insinuate that he looks like an Ape!

2. An enemy of my enemy is my friend

The reason that this theory in most parts of the world is taught as good as fact, is because in the past the Church was against Science whenever it went against the Bible. So when Charles Darwin came up with a theory which goes against the Bible, they didn’t want any sufficient proof - An Enemy of my


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Enemy is my Friend. Most of the Scientists supported the theory, because it went against the Bible, not because it was true. We know the incidence when Galileo was kept under house arrest for 8 years until he died, because he said certain statements in the field of Astronomy, which went against the Bible. Pope John Paul II apologized for this in the end of 20th century more than 350 years after the Roman Catholic Church condemned Galileo. “After 350 years, Vatican Says Galileo Was Right” read the Newspaper Headline of New York Times, 31st October, 1992.

3. Stages of ‘Homonoids’

Science tells us today that there were four ‘Homonoids’ - first is ‘Lucy’ then next came the ‘Homosapians’, who died about five hundred thousand years ago. Then came the ‘Neanderthal Man’, who died hundred to forty thousand years ago. Then came the fourth stage, the ‘Cro-magnon’. ‘There is no link at all between these stages’ - According to P. P. Grasse (in 1971) who held the Chair of Evolutionary Studies in Paris, in Sorbonne University. He also said, “It is absurd, we cannot say who were our ancestors based on fossils.”

4. How did the First Cell come about?

Darwin never mentioned the origin of life in his book. In his time, it was believed that bacteria came about from inanimate matter. Spontaneous generation was widely embraced since medieval times because they had a primitive understanding of science: that maggots emerged from meat, mice from wheat, and insects from leftover food. Five years after the publication of Darwin’s book, Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking findings shattered this very cornerstone of evolution. He designed an experiment to test whether sterile nutrient broth could spontaneously generate microbial life, and this experiment refuted the notion of spontaneous generation. Evolutionists refused to accept his findings for a long time. Pasteur said, ‘Never will the doctrine of spontaneous generation recover from the mortal blow struck by this simple experiment.’


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How, then, did the ‘first cell’ originate? Scientific progress has revealed how complex the structure of a cell is, and that it could not have evolved coincidentally. The theory of evolution is confronted with this insurmountable obstacle at the first step, exposing the collapse of Darwinism at its very roots.

5. Mutation as an Evolutionary Mechanism?

Mutations are replacements in the DNA molecule, owing to external factors like radiation or chemical action. Evolutionists seeking refuge in mutation make it appear like a magic wand transforming organisms into superior beings. For decades, evolutionists have sweated over the creation of a single useful mutation, but without success.

The only instance evolutionary biologists present for beneficial mutation is sickle-cell anemia, which greatly reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood; so people with sickle-cell anemia suffer increasing respiratory problems. Sickle cell disease gives the carrier partial immunity against malaria. Darwinists claim that this protection by those with this illness is a 'gift of evolution'. Using the same logic, one could say that since people born with genetic leg paralysis are unable to walk, hence saved from traffic accidents, paralysis is a 'useful genetic feature'. This is absurd and unfounded.

The direct effects of mutation are obviously disastrous: the death and disability endured by the people of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl; ailments like Down’s syndrome, mongolism, dwarfism and cancer; damage, infirmities, and freaks of nature. Needless to say, a process that leaves organisms crippled and impaired cannot be an ‘evolutionary mechanism’.

Pierre-Paul Grassé, former president for the French Academy of Sciences compared mutations to ‘making mistakes in the letters when copying written text.’ Can letter mistakes give rise to useful information, instead of simply damaging the information that already exists? Grassé adds, 'No matter how numerous they may be, mutations do not produce any kind of evolution.'


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6. The Pleiotropic Effect

The most substantial proof that mutations lead only to damage and disarray is the process of genetic coding: nearly all of the genes in a fully developed organism control more than one genetic feature, for example, height and eye color. This means that any coincidental change in any gene will not be restricted to one organ, but it will exhibit more of its destructive impact elsewhere too. Even if one of these impacts does miraculously turn out to be beneficial, the effects of the other damage will outweigh it by far. Thus, mutation leading to evolution is an established impossibility.

7. Natural selection doesn’t change Species

One of the key components of the evolution theory is natural selection, or the ‘survival of the fittest’. For example, in a herd of deer under threat from predators, the ones that can run the fastest will survive. Consequently, the surviving deer will only comprise the fast runners. We do not deny the presence of natural selection. However, no matter how long this process goes on for, it will never transform the deer into another species. The senior paleontologist Collin Patterson states, 'No one has ever produced a species by the mechanism of natural selection. No one has ever gotten near it, and most of the current argument in neo-Darwinism is about this question.'

8. Inadequacy of the Fossil record

One of the clearest evidences pointing against the evolution theory is the plain truth presented in the fossil record. According to the theory, every living species sprung from its predecessor, over millions of years; so the existence of intermediary species like half-fish/half-reptiles is critical. Why then, is there no trace whatsoever of these imaginary creatures in the fossil record? Evolutionists world over have toiled hard to uncover these 'transitional forms', only to have their hopes shattered: all the fossils unearthed show, that life appeared all at once and fully formed.


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But the drowning man clutches at straws. Some 140 years ago, Darwin argued that the fossil record was inadequate, and further research would reveal the required fossils. Is this argument valid today? The sheer wealth of the fossil record will surely answer this question. Billions of fossils have been excavated all over the planet, bearing striking similarity to today's species, and not a single transitory form has been found, contrary to Darwin's assumptions, and the assumptions of his followers. The scientific discoveries of the past two decades have sent shockwaves among the campaigners of Darwinism. One of them, Jerry Coyne, remarks, 'My own reaction resembles the dismay attending my discovery, at the age of six, that it was my father and not Santa who brought the presents on Christmas Eve.'

9. Probability of a Coincidental Origin

In a desperate attempt to override the very powerful argument that life could never arise by chance, Richard Dawkins said, “If the odds of life originating spontaneously on a planet were a billion to one against …” A billion to one is only 1 in 109. But the probability of the formation of only one protein molecule is "1 in 10300! The probability of this "1" actually occurring is practically nil. In practice, probabilities smaller than 1 over 1050 are thought of as "zero probability". Even if the whole universe was packed with amino acids combining frantically for billions of years, it would not produce even one such protein molecule let alone produce a living cell.

10. More than a Hundred Scientists have spoken against Darwin’s Theory

There is a list of more than a hundred scientists and Noble Prize winners who have spoken against Darwin’s Theory. Albert Szent-Gyorgi who got the Noble prize for inventing the Vitamin ‘C’ wrote the book, ‘The Crazy Ape’, against Darwin’s Theory. Sir Fred Hoyle wrote against Darwin’s Theory. Commenting on ‘Coincidental Origin’ he said, “The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way (time and chance) is comparable with the chance that ‘a Tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein.’” Sir Frank Salisbury who was an American Plant Physiologist said, “It is illogical to believe in Darwin’s theory.”


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In the field of Molecular Biology, according to Nancy Craig who is an authority in this field said, “It is unimaginable and the probability of one DNA forming from an Ape to Human being, is Zero.”

11. Darwin’s Theory – A Media Propaganda

Today Darwin’s Theory is taught in the schools - Why? because Media is in their hands. Otherwise there is no proof at all. There are certain proofs at lower level that an Amoeba can change to Paramecia. Qur’an does not say, ‘Amoeba cannot change to Paramecia’. It is not against the Qur’an.

12. Conclusion

Those who believe in the theory of evolution are deluded by the bigoted and short-sighted notion that a few atoms accidently thrown together into a huge vat could produce intellectuals like Galileo and Newton, artists such as Da Vinci and Picasso, as well as antelopes, lemon trees and carnations. Darwinism is thus, arguably the most potent spell in history. Never before has a dogma so ensnared people's powers of reason, barred them from thinking rationally, and compelled them to reject the truth while in plain sight.

13. Modern science, evidently, is one of the staunchest critics of

Darwinist ideology, and the most ardent advocate of monotheism. There are hundreds of Scientists who speak against that and the Qur’an speaks against that as well. Qur’an says that the first man was Adam (Peace be upon him). In sha Allah the scientists may discover it 100 years afterwards, or may be a 1000 years afterwards but so far it is not conflicting with established Science.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Fussilat, Chapter 41, Verse 53,

“Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth.” [Al-Qur’an 41:53]


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3. Question:

Is it compulsory for a person to follow any religion? Is it not sufficient to be a good human being only?

Answer:


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4. WHO CREATED ALLAH? Question: Who created Allah? Answer: This is a very tricky Question asked usually by atheists and rationalists. Once a close friend of mine, while beginning a da’wah discussion with a

rationalist in an atheist organisation in Mumbai asked, “This is a pencil, how did it come into existence? It has to have a creator. This is a book. How did it come into existence? It has to have a creator.” Thus by giving answers to his own questions, he proved that everything has a creator. He then posed the following questions: “If the pencil is created in a factory, who created the factory? The answer is an engineer or some similar person. Who created that engineer? There also has to be a Creator of this engineer. Similarly who created the sun, the moon, the stars, etc.? There has to be a creator for everything.” Then he posed the question, “Do you agree that everything has a creator?” The atheist replied, “We will agree only on the condition that you should not back out in future from your own statement that everything has a creator.” My friend was satisfied. He thought he had succeeded in convincing him about God and said, “Yes I will stick to my statement that everything has a creator, but you still have not replied my Question: that who created the human beings, the sun, the moon, the stars, etc.?” He further helps the atheist with the answer by saying, “It is God Almighty”. The atheist replied, “We will believe in God if you tell us who created God?” My friend got the biggest shock of his life. He knew he was trapped. He was so disturbed that he did not sleep for the whole night.

Next day, he narrated this incident to me. I realised that he was using the

methodology of proving the existence of God advocated by some scholars. In this methodology, a very important rule of logic, i.e. self-analysis, is overlooked.

During my talks, while proving the existence of Allah (swt), I never make any

statement saying everything has a creator. I start by asking the atheist, “Who will be the first to know the mechanism of an unknown object?” It is the


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atheist who replies the creator, the manufacturer, not I. Using his answer that the creator is the first person who knows the mechanism of any object, I further prove to him using scientific knowledge that the creator of the Universe, i.e. Almighty God is the first to know the mechanism of the universe and has mentioned it in His book ‘The Qur’an’. But if somebody was to pose to me the same question that who will be the first to know the mechanism of an unknown object, I will not reply just by saying ‘the creator’ or ‘the manufacturer’ but I will reply, that every object and all things that are created, which have a beginning, the mechanism of all these things will be first known by its creator. Even after using this answer of mine, we can still scientifically prove that all the signs that we see i.e. the sun, the moon, the earth, etc. have a beginning. Their mechanism or the way they function has been discovered only recently by science, while the Qur’an mentions it 1400 years ago which proves that it is a book revealed by Allah (swt).

Now if someone asks me the Question “Who created Allah?” I will reply that

once my friend asked me a similar question that his brother Tom was admitted to the hospital and he conceived and gave birth to a baby: guess, is the baby a girl or a boy? It is an absurd statement. Only females can conceive and give birth to a baby. It is impossible for Tom, who is a male, to conceive and give birth to a child. One of the qualities and characteristics of a male is that he cannot conceive nor give birth to a child. Similarly one of the characteristics of Allah is that He is uncreated and does not have a beginning. Therefore asking a question, “Who created the uncreated?” is as absurd as asking, “My brother Tom conceived and gave birth to a child, is the child a girl or a boy?”


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5. WHY DOES ALLAH REQUIRE PRAISES? Question Why does Allah require us to praise Him? What benefit does He get? Answer

1. Saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ doesn’t make Allah Greater Allah (swt) does not require our praises for His benefit. When we say

‘Allahu Akbar’ meaning ‘Allah is the Greatest’, He does not become greater. He is already the Greatest whether we say a million times ‘Allahu Akbar’ or we don’t say it. It will make no difference in His greatness. He will yet remain the Greatest.

2. We praise Allah for our benefit It is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Faatir Chapter 35 Verse 15

“O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.”

[Al-Qur’an 35:15]

Allah (swt) is free of all wants. He does not require us to praise Him. It is we human beings who require Allah (swt) and we praise Him for our own benefit.

3. Prefer treatment and advice from the best doctor

If you are sick and have a heart problem and two persons give you advice. One of them is the best heart specialist in the world who is also the most famous cardiologist. The other is a stranger or a quack. But naturally you will follow the advice of the best heart specialist in the world.


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4. We praise Allah to convince ourselves that He is worthy to be obeyed and served

We normally follow the advice of a person who is great, famous and

important. A person who is intelligent and wise. We will not follow the advice of a stranger who is unknown or a person who is not intelligent nor wise. That is the reason that we praise Allah (swt) that He is the Greatest, The Most Wise, The All Knowing, etc., to first convince ourselves that He is worthy to be followed, then we ask Him to guide us and help us.

5. In Surah Al Faatihah we first recite praises of Allah then we seek

His help That is the reason why Surah Al Faatihah, the Opening Chapter of the

Glorious Qur’an is always recited in every Raka’ah of the Salaah. In the first 5 verses of Surah Al Faatihah we initially praise Allah (swt).

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds: Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgement. Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek.” [Al-Qur’an 1:1-5]


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Then later we ask Him for help for our own benefit.

“Show us the straight way,

The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.”

[Al-Qur’an 1:6-7] Thus we first praise Allah (swt) in Surah Al Faatihah and agree that He is

the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, The Cherisher, The Sustainer, The Master, etc., and then we ask Him for guidance and help.

6. If all the oceans were ink, it would exhaust to praise Allah

Thus we praise Allah (swt) for our own benefit. However much we may praise Him it is insufficient because the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Al Kahf Chapter 18 Verse 109:

Say: "If the ocean were ink (wherewith to write out) the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if we added another ocean like it, for its aid." [Al-Qur’an 18:109]


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7. If trees were pens and oceans were ink yet words of Allah would not be exhausted

A similar message in repeated in Surah Luqmaan Chapter 31 Verse 27

“And if all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean (were ink), with seven oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the words of Allah be exhausted (in the writing): for Allah is Exalted in Power, full of Wisdom.”

[Al-Qur’an 31:27]

8. We praise Allah to follow His commandments: Allah (swt) does not require us to praise Him for His benefit but He

requires us to praise Him for our benefit. In Salaah while reciting verses of the Qur’an, we agree that He is Supreme and Ultimate and commit that we will follow His advice and commandments so that we stay on the Siraatal Mustaqeem (the straight path).


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6. PRAYERS NOT ANSWERED Question If Allah is your God and indeed the only God, then why do prayers of Muslims

to Allah go unanswered? Answer 1. You may dislike a thing which is good for you

The reply to this question is given in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 216

“… It is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:216]

2. Praying for a motor cycle

There may be a very pious person who prays to Allah (swt) for a motorcycle but the prayer is not answered. Allah knows very well that if the person acquires a motorcycle he will have an accident and get crippled. The Qur’an rightly says you may love a thing, which is bad for you but Allah knows and you know not.

3. Businessman misses flight due to traffic jam

Once a rich businessman was supposed to catch a flight to New York in order to click a deal which would fetch him a million dollar. While going to the airport to catch the flight, there was an unusual traffic jam on the road, which prevented him from reaching the airport on time. The


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businessman misses the flight and sorrowfully says, “This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my life.”

While returning back home he hears on the radio that the flight he was

supposed to catch to New York has crashed and all the passengers have died. The businessman happily says: “This is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.”

The businessman who was cursing the traffic jam a few minutes ago due

to which he lost a million dollar later is thankful that because of the same traffic jam his life was saved. Allah knew best that the life of the businessman was much more precious than the million dollar that he had lost. You may dislike a thing, which is good for you, but Allah knows and you know not.

4. Surah Al Shooraa Chapter 42 Verse 27 The Qur’an mentions in Surah Al Shooraa Chapter 42 Verse 27

“If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His Servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but he sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases. For He is with His Servants Well-acquainted, Watchful.”

[Al-Qur’an 42:27]

5. Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 186 It is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 186


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“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:186]

6. Surah Ghaafir Chapter 40 Verse 60 It is mentioned in Surah Ghaafir Chapter 40 Verse 60

“And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - in humiliation!” [Al-Qur’an 40:60]

7. Allah answers your prayer by not answering

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an that you call on Me and I will answer the prayer. These verses of the Qur’an are not falsified when your prayers are not answered. Infact Allah (swt) in His divine wisdom answers your prayers by not answering them.

8. Allah gives one of the three things in response to our prayers

It is mentioned in Musnad Ahmad Hadith No. 10749 and in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, Hadith No. 1633 “There is no Muslim who does not offer any du’aa’ in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his du’aa’ sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.” They said: “We will say a lot of du’aa’.” He said: “Allaah is more generous.”


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9. Unbelievers and unpious people have luxury

Some people wonder how is it that several unbelievers and unpious people lead a luxurious life. They worship false gods and pray to them for wealth. Since these people worship false gods yet, Allah (swt) answers their prayers and gives them wealth which is actually a material that will lead them away from Allah (SWT) and in the long run it is nothing but loss.

10. Believer remembers Allah whether rich or poor

A true believer is a person who, irrespective of whether he is rich or poor, remembers Allah (swt). Allah (swt) has described such people in Surah Al Noor Chapter 24 Verse 37

“By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the

remembrance of Allah, nor from regular Prayer, nor from the practice of regular Charity: Their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in a world wholly new)” [Al-Qur’an 24:37]

11. A True believer always says Alhamdulillah

A true believer is a person who irrespective of whatever happens says, ‘Alhamdulillah’ - Praise be to Allah. Even when he goes in loss he says Alhamdulillah, because he has faith in Allah that if Allah permitted the loss to be incurred it has to be beneficial in the long run. In short, he has faith in Allah, that whatever happens, happens for the good.

12. I am more happy if my prayer is not answered

If I pray to Allah (swt) and my prayer is answered, I am happy. If it is

not answered I am more happy because the first was my choice and the second was Allah’s.


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7. GOD IS UNJUST AS SOME ARE BORN HEALTHY WHILE OTHERS ARE BORN WITH DEFECTS

Question: If God is just then why are some people born healthy while some are born

with defects and are deaf and mute, some people are born in rich families while others in poor families?

Answer:

1. This life is a test for the hereafter

According to Surah Al Mulk Chapter 67 Verse 2

“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving” [Al-Qur’an 67:2]

2. Allah tests different human beings in different ways

Every year the question paper in an examination keeps on changing. It does not remain the same. Similarly Allah tests different human beings in different ways. He gives health to some people while others are born with defects or are handicapped. To some people He gives wealth, while others are poor.

3. Judgement will be based upon the difficulty of the test

Depending upon what facilities and qualities Allah has provided to each human being, Allah (swt) will judge him accordingly. If the test is difficult then Allah will be lenient while judging. If the test is simple then Allah will


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not be lenient while judging. A poor person does not have to give Zakaah. He gets full marks where Zakaah is concerned. On the other hand a rich person is supposed to give Zakaah. Many rich people give much less than what they actually are supposed to give, thus getting less marks (or negative marks) where Zakaah is concerned.

4. More difficult the test, higher is the reward

If you pass the Bachelor’s degree in Arts, since the examination is easy you only get a Bachelor of Arts (BA) certificate. But if you pass a Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) exam besides getting a degree certificate of medicine you also get a title ‘Doctor’ before your name.

5. Human beings with congenital defects are a test for their parents

Many infants are born with congenital defects. Some are deaf and mute, while others are handicapped. An infant is not responsible for his or her defect. In such cases perhaps Allah is testing the parents, whether they yet have faith in Him after this calamity. May be Allah (swt) wants to give Jannatul Firdous to the parents. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Anfaal Chapter 8 Verse 28

“And know ye that your possession and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with whom lies your highest reward.” [Al-Qur’an 8:28]


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8. RELIGION OR WAY OF LIFE SHOULD NOT BE RIGID BUT BE FLEXIBLE

Questions: Religion or a way of life, should not be rigid but should be flexible. Islam is

very rigid, has several rules with do’s and don’ts. Why is it so? Answer: Overall I agree that religion as a way of life should be flexible and not rigid,

but a few set of rules are necessary for any system to function properly. For example, if the government of India has to function well, there should be a few set of rules e.g. no one should rape, no one should rob, no one should cheat, etc. If you do not have these rules, so as to be flexible, then people may cheat, rob, or even rape. Would you like to live in a society where cheating, robbing and raping are common? Hence if a country has to run properly at least a few rules have to be enacted / implemented to prevent such crimes. Other things are optional e.g. whether one wants to become a doctor or an engineer, whether one prefers to stay in Mumbai or Delhi etc. Similarly in Islam, there are a few do’s and don’ts like one should believe in only One God, offer Salaah, give charity if one is rich, fast during the month of Ramadhan and so on. Remaining things are optional like a Muslim can live in India, America or Saudi Arabia. Whether one is black or white, yellow or brown, rich or poor, one can still be a good Muslim. Therefore Islam is also flexible in many things.

For any system to be successful, there has to be a basic set of rules which are

fixed. For example, if you want to learn English, you should know A,B,C,D. The styles of teaching may differ. St. Peter’s School may have a different style of teaching English language i.e. reading, writing and understanding. St. Mary’s School may have a different style from Rosary School. If you go to America, they have a different type of English from Britain, but the basic rule is the same i.e. A,B,C,D. Whether you are in America or India, St. Peter’s School or St. Mary’s School, if you want to read, write and understand English, first you should know A,B,C,D. There is no other option. That rule is fixed. Other things like pronunciation etc. may differ. You may teach with pictures, pencils or with paper - the styles may differ. The Basic rules should be the


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same. If you want to know Maths, you should know 1,2,3, or else you cannot learn maths. Thus, the basic set of rules should remain the same.

Similarly in Islam, there are a few do’s and don’ts, whereas the remaining

things are optional. When it comes to wearing clothes, a few basic rules exist. A man should cover himself from navel to knees whereas a woman’s complete body except the face and hands up to the wrists should be covered. The clothes should not be tight, transparent or translucent. The clothes should not be glamorous. The clothes should not resemble that of the opposite sex or the unbeliever. One can wear cotton or terrycot, or georgette, whether the latest style or the old style shirt. Whether one wears a blue shirt or green shirt, white shirt or black shirt, as long as the Islamic criteria are fulfilled, the rest becomes optional.

For every system to be successful, a little rigidity must be there. So I agree

that life should not be fully rigid. Islam is also not fully rigid but it is the media which portrays Islam as very rigid. For a successful life, the basic fundamentals should be fixed, along with a few options. For example, in Islam eating of Pork is haram. On the other hand, one can have chicken biryani, mutton biryani, veg. pulav or roti.

There are many options but the do’s and don’ts are few. The major do’s and

don’ts are only 70. Therefore, in Islam, a few of the rules are rigid and the remaining are flexible. Alhamdulillah Islam is a complete way of life which caters to the body as well as to the soul. As every machine requires a manual, human beings also require a manual with the essential do’s and don’ts. The Glorious Qur’an is the last and final instruction manual for the human beings.


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9.

Question: Why should we believe in God who cannot be seen? Answer:


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10.

Question:

Why can’t all human beings follow only one religion rather than follow different religions and fight among themselves?

Answer:


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11. SCIENTIFIC FACTS MENTIONED IN THE QUR’AN WHICH ARE NOT YET DISCOVERED BY SCIENCE

Question:

Since you claim that there are more than a thousand scientific facts mentioned in the Qur’an 1400 years ago, which are discovered recently by Science, can you mention some ‘scientific facts’, which are mentioned in the Qur’an that science hasn’t discovered?

Answer: 1. LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE BESIDES EARTH According to the Scientists there are possibilities of life besides the planet

Earth. No wonder they are sending rockets and spaceships to nearby planets such as Mars etc. Till today there is no authentic scientific proof that life exists besides the Earth. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Al Shoora, Chapter 42, Verse 29:

“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills.” [Al-Qur’an 42:29]

From the above verse we come to know that life is not confined to our little planet earth and Allah has scattered living creatures throughout His universe i.e. through out the heavens and the earth. Science may discover after a 100 years or a 1,000 years regarding life on other heavenly planets.


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Scientists wonder and analyse to find out if there are any similar earth as ours, elsewhere in the Universe. A Mathematician Scientist by the name Frank Drake has worked out a probability equation that earth similar to ours does exist. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Al Talaaq Chapter 65 Verse 12:

“Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number…” [Al-Qur’an 65:12]

2. End of the Universe

Several scientists have given their prediction and hypothesis regarding the end of the universe. Some of these hypothesis are as follows:- a. The mountains will collapse and the face of the earth will change. b. The mountains and rocks will become smooth c. There will be excessive heat and the oceans will dry up. d. Few scientists say that the sun will increase in size and all living beings on

earth will vanish while many say that the sun will shrink in size and vanish. Thus extinguishing life on earth.

e. Some say that the earth and the planet will come to an end by entering into a black hole.

Many theories of the scientists regarding the end of the Universe are compatible with the Qur’anic concept of the end of the world. The Qur’an describes several factors and signs regarding the end of the world.

i. In Surah Al Ahqaaf Chapter 46 Verse 3


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“We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them but for just ends, and for a Term Appointed”

[Al-Qur’an 46:3]

The above verse indicates that the universe is created for a specified time period and will come to an end.

ii. Surah Al Qiyaamah Chapter 75 Verses 8 and 9 describes a few signs of

the end of the world

“And the moon is buried in darkness,

And the sun and moon are joined together.”

[Al-Qur’an 75:8-9]

iii. In Surah Al Takweer Chapter 81 Verses 1,2,3 and 6

“When the sun (with its spacious light) is folded up;

When the stars fall, losing their lustre;

When the mountains vanish (like a mirage);

When the oceans boil over with a swell” [Al-Qur’an 81:1-3 and 6]


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iv. In Surah Al Infitaar Chapter 82 Verses 1 to 3

“When the Sky is cleft asunder;

When the Stars are scattered;

When the Oceans are suffered to burst forth.”

[Al-Qur’an 82:1-3]

f. In a Universe that expands for all future time, the galaxies get even

further apart. Astronomers think that about 1012 years (about a hundred times the present age of the Universe) all the hydrogen and helium in the interstellar medium will have been used up. At that stage star birth stops and the galaxies flicker out as the final generation of star dies.

3. NEW CREATION

a. In Surah Al Ambiyaa’ Chapter 21 Verse 104

“The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it.”

[Al-Qur’an 21:104]


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b. In Surah Ibraheem Chapter 14 Verse 48

“One day the earth will be changed to a different earth, and so will be the heavens, and (men) will be marshalled forth, before Allah, the One, the Irresistible.”

[Al-Qur’an 14:48]

From the above verses it is clear that a new creation has been promised by Allah on the Day of Judgement. He will repeat the creation based on the memory of the previous creation. The new creation will be different from the world that we know now and our life will be eternal. The Qur’an described this new creation with symbols and metaphors because it is impossible to have a concept of the new world in our present life on earth.

4. FIRST MAN ADAM (PBUH) 5. THE SOUL 6. JINNS AND ANGELS 7. LIFE AFTER DEATH (HEREAFTER)

The Qur’an has mentioned in several verses that there is life after death which science has not yet proved.

8. HELL AND HEAVEN 9. ITS NOT A BLIND BELIEF BUT A LOGICAL BELIEF. IF 80% PROVED

CORRECT THEN EVEN 20% WILL BE CORRECT


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12. CONTRIBUTION OF MUSLIM SCIENTISTS

Question:

If Islam does not contradict with science and it encourages new scientific discoveries and inventions, how much contribution do Muslims have in the field of Science?

Answer:

The media today is in the hands of the Westerners. We read in the texbooks that from 8th to 12th centuries. it was the Dark Ages. It was dark for the Europeans not for the world. The Arabs and the Muslims were very much advanced. Today, because Science is advanced we are able to make so many discoveries. Back then, the amount of facilities were limited. With the limited instruments and technology, the discoveries that the Muslim Scientists made were unbelievable. Let me give you the names and achievements of Muslim scientists of the ‘Dark Ages’:

1. Ibn Nafis (1210 to 1288 CE) – He discovered blood circulation. However the credit is given to William Harvey who made it famous to the western world four centuries later.

2. Muhammad Al Idrisi – He completed World Geography and Map of

Mediterranean in 1154 CE. Muslims drew the map with North Pole down and South Pole on top. Western Cartographers came and turned the map upside down, but amazingly, Ka’bah is yet in the centre of both the maps.

3. Mohammed Al Khowarizmi – Zero was learnt from the Indians and

made its way to the Middle East. Mohammed Al Khowarizmi in 773 CE was the first who synthesised Indian Arithmetic and showed how the zero could function in Algebraic equations, and by the 9th century the zero had entered the Arabic Numerals system in a form of resembling the oval shape we use today.

4. Al Tusi – He proved Pythagoras Theorem in the 13th century.

5. Al Biruni – He was an expert in Trigonometry.


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6. Al Kindi – He wrote around 200 works on Mathematics, Geometry and Logic. Galileo, Descartes and Newton believed all Physical phenomena to be absolute. Al Kindi said they are relative. Later Albert Einstein propounded the theory of relativity.

7. Mohammad, Ahmed and Hasan Shakir – They calculated the size of

the earth from the measurement of a degree on the shore of the Red sea.

8. Jabir Ibn Hayyan – He compiled 2000 pages on various Chemical phenomena. The word Alcohol is derived from the Arabic word ‘Al Gul’. Alkali etc. are Arabic words.

9. Mohammed Zakariya Ar-Razi (865 to 925 CE) – He wrote 200 medical

works. His findings on smallpox and measles were at one time an authority on the subject. He wrote a book on children’s disease. He also prepared mercury ointment.

10. Ali Ibn Abbas – He wrote 20 volumes on the theory and practice of

medicine.

11. Ali Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980 to 1037 CE) – He was a Philosopher, Astronomer and a Physician. He was given the title ‘Aristotle of East’. He wrote the book ‘Al Kanoon’ (The Canon) and it was the main text book of medicine till the 17th century.

12. Ibn Zuhor (1162 CE) – He was the first to concede the idea of

Bronchotomy.

13. Az Zahrawi – He was a surgeon, dentist and obstetrician. He did treatment for deformities of mouth and dental arches. He invented several instruments of Surgery, Gynaecology as well as Dentistry.

I do agree that today Muslims are getting backward in Science. The Europeans are very much advanced. The Muslims are getting backward, because we are going away from the Glorious Qur’an and our religion, Islam. The Europeans are getting advanced because they too are going away from their religion.

If Muslims read the Qur’an with understanding and implement it in their daily lives, then In sha Allah, again we will be on top of the world.


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13. DID THE PROPHET (PBUH) COPY THE FACT THAT THE EARTH ROTATES ON ITS AXIS FROM A PHILOSOPHER?

Question:

There was a Philosopher in 6th Century BC who said that the earth rotates about its own axis and the planets move around the sun. The Qur’an also gives the indication of a similar scientific fact. People allege that Prophet (pbuh) copied these points from the Philosopher?

Answer:

I am aware that in the 6th century BC the Pythagoreans defended the theory of the rotation of the earth on its own axis and the movement of planets around the sun. This theory was confirmed later by modern science.

People may allege that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) copied these points from the Pythagoreans. It must be remembered that the same Pythagoreans also defended the theory that the sun was fixed in space and they also believed that the sun was the centre of the universe. To imagine that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) copied only those points, which were to be proved later by modern science to be correct and left out those points, which were to be proved as false, is highly difficult. It may be probable for a few points but considering more than a 1000 verses in the Qur’an speaking about science it is impossible if the theory of probability is applied. It is quite common in the works of great Philosophers of antiquity to find a mixture of valid and invalid ideas about the universe and other phenomenon. These people were great thinkers and were brilliant in their works, but one should not overlook the other wrong and mistaken concepts, which they left behind. People boast about the fulfilled prophecies of Nostradamus but do not speak about several inaccuracies in them, which were totally false. From a strict scientific point of view, this is what distinguishes them from the Qur’an where the works of the philosophers contain mixed valid and invalid points whereas in the Qur’an there is not a single statement or verse which conflicts with established modern scientific facts.


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Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Nisaa’ Chapter 4 Verse 82

“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.”

[Al Qur’an 4:82]


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14.

Question: Does the Qur’an mention anything about Mathematics? Answer:


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15. ALLAH CREATED HUMAN BEINGS

Question:

Does Science agree with the concept of the Qur’an that God or Allah is the Creator of human beings? Answer:

The Qur’an describes the various embryological stages of the human beings in Surah Al Mu’minoon Chapter 23 Verses 12 to 14 which have been confirmed scientifically today. At the end of Surah Al Mu’minoon Chapter 23 Verse 14 it is mentioned:

“So blessed be Allah, the best to create!” [Al-Qur’an 23:14] The Arabic word used i.e. ‘Khaaliq’, is derived from ‘Khalaqa’ which has four meanings:- i. Creation from nothing and without a previous example which is only

possible for Allah (swt). ii. Creation of something new from a pre-existing material. iii. Planning or Programming iv. Making smooth

The Qur’an poses the question in Surah Al Toor Chapter 52 Verse 35

“Were they created of nothing” [Al-Qur’an 52:35]

The answer is obviously ‘No’ because nothingness cannot originate anything. One of the basic principles of Modern Science is to find a cause for every observation.


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The second question is posed in the same Verse of Surah Al Toor Chapter 52 Verse 35

“Or were they themselves the creators?” [Al-Qur’an 52:35]

The answer is again negative. If man could create himself then he would have brought himself back from the dead. We know it is impossible for man even to create a fly. Moreover one cannot imagine that the origin of man was the work of the reproductive system, the testes, ovaries, uterus or genes etc. The creation of the new individual is not possible without the work of all vital systems in the father and the mother, which enable the reproductive system to function and this further includes the system of our ancestors. Therefore neither nothingness nor parts of man can give rise to a new individual, nor can man create himself. The Qur’an poses another question in Surah Al Waaqiyah Chapter 56 Verses 58 and 59

Do ye then see?- The (human Seed) that ye throw out,-

Is it ye who create it, or are We the Creators? [Al-Qur’an 56:58-59]

The only option remains is that as some people may say that the origin of man was the result of random chance. Let’s analyse the probability of the creation of man as a result of random chance.

Protein molecules are an important constituent of the structure of living cells. They are made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. These


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molecules are structures that may contain tens of thousands of atoms. There are about 92 naturally occurring elements which are randomly scattered. The probability of union of 5 elements of protein molecule to form one protein molecule by chance was calculated by Frank Allien as only 1 in 10160 that is once in one zero zero zero zero… 160 zeros and the quantities of interacting substances to produce this molecule have been estimated to be so colossal as to be millions of times bigger than the universe. According to Charles Ugene Guy, the time required was calculated to be 10243 years. If one calculates how many protein molecules are there in one cell, how many molecules of other compounds and how many molecules are there in all the cells of the body, the total comes to about 6 billion at birth. The making of all this takes only 9 months. Does this process repeat itself in millions of embryos by a mere chance? Al-Nutfah Al-Amshaaj (the zygote) develops into billions of cells by the end of the term. Each group of cell carry out specific function and are directed to specific position in body of the embryo with perfect timing during the complex process of ever-changing creation. Each of these organs has been constructed physically and chemically for the physiological and biochemical functions for which it was planned. Furthermore, each organ system has been closely related and connected with other systems for coordinations of their functions. Can all of this occur by chance and repeat itself regularly and consistently in human embryos and those of animals and plants? It is far more logical to assume that all the alphabets and words in an encyclopaedia containing 1000’s of pages along with its chapters, headings and figures alongwith 1000’s of its similar copies have come together by chance. If you can imagine that all the millions of alphabets present in the encyclopaedia some of which are capital, others are small, some bold, some italics, some normal etc. are all mixed together then an alphabet is picked up at random and placed one after the other. The probability of it forming the same huge encyclopaedia of 1000’s of pages can be imagined. This act is repeated a 1000 times is still more logical and easier coming by chance than the creation of a human being.


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The creation of a human being surely does not take place by chance or by nature but is surely planned and programmed by the Creator. Furthermore this Creator creates all the living creatures in the world and you see His signs throughout the universe, the sun, the moon, the stars etc., all of these are programmed by the same Creator. The Qur’an calls this Creator i.e. ‘Khaaliq’ as Allah (swt) and in English language it’s referred to as ‘God’. Science is not eliminating God but eliminating models of God which in Arabic means ‘La ilaaha ill-Allah’.


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16. JESUS (PBUH) WAS BORN WITHOUT A FATHER

Question:

How can you prove scientifically the statement of the Qur’an that Jesus (pbuh) was born without a father?

Answer:

The birth of Jesus (pbuh) without any male intervention is a miracle. A miracle is anything that takes place out of the normal course of life for which humankind has no scientific explanation. All the miracles, which took place previously, only a few can be proved scientifically today. Majority of them cannot be analyzed or verified by us today because these miracles happened in the past. If a miracle takes place today then it is a phenomenon for which there is no scientific explanation. Regarding the birth of Jesus (pbuh) the Qur’an mentions in Surah Aali Imraan Chapter 3 Verses 45 to 47

Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah;

"He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."


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She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is! [Al-Qur’an 3:45-47]

Since the Qur’an mentions very clearly that Jesus (pbuh) was born without any male intervention i.e. without any father, all the Muslims believe in it. Though a similar message is also given in the Bible in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 Verse 35 and Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Verse 18, there are many modern day Christians who do not believe that Jesus (pbuh) was born without any male intervention.

If you ask me today how can I prove it scientifically, I can only give you a simile, and an example that scientifically it is a proven fact that this thing takes place in certain animals and beings. Modern Science has confirmed that many animals are born and reproduced without fertilization from the male of that specie. For example, a male bee is no more than an egg which has not been fertilized by the male. Moreover male bees are created from the eggs of the Queen but without fertilization by a male. On the other hand, the egg which has been fertilized by the male functions as a female bee. Today we also have scientific means of stimulating the female’s egg of some organism (specie) so that the egg develops without fertilization by a male. According to Prof. G. C. Goeringer who is a Prof. of Anatomy at Georgetown Medical School Washington, USA, he says “In another type of approach unfertilized eggs of many species of invertebrates, amphibians and lower mammals can be activated by mechanical (such as pricking with a needle), physical (such as thermal shock) or chemical means by any of a number of different chemical substances and continue to advance to stages of development. In some species, this system of parthenogenesis development is natural.’


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I personally do not know how Jesus (pbuh) was born without any male intervention. I have only proved to you that scientifically it is possible in animals and other species. This is due to the plan of Allah (swt). Similarly it is only Allah’s will and desire that it happened as the Qur’an says:

“Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is!” [Al-Qur’an 3:47] For Allah (swt) to create a human being without male intervention is very easy. If He wishes, it’s easy for Him to even create a million human beings without male intervention. Previously it was the age of miracles therefore the previous Prophets performed miracles to prove that they were from God. But most of these miracles do not hold good today since it does not give us the option to verify them today. All the Prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were only sent for their people and their message was meant only for a particular time. Therefore the miracles they performed may not be applicable for all times. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger of God and was not sent only for a group of people but for the whole humankind and the message revealed to him i.e. the Glorious Qur’an is applicable till eternity. Though Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself performed several miracles he only emphasized on the Glorious Qur’an. Even though the Muslims believe in the miracles performed by him, we boast about the ultimate miracle i.e. the Glorious Qur’an which satisfied the people of that time, can even be proved to be a miracle today scientifically, as well as in future. It is a miracle of all times.


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17. IRON SENT DOWN FROM THE HEAVEN

Question:

What does the Qur’an mean when it says that Allah sent down Iron from the heaven?

Answer:

The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Al Hadeed Chapter 57 Verse 25

“We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind…”

[Al-Qur’an 57:25]

The Arabic word used is ‘Anzala’ which means ‘to send down’. Now ‘Anzala’ can be looked at in two different ways. One way is ‘Allah has sent down’ meaning ‘Allah has revealed’. So Allah has revealed that in ‘Iron’ there is material for war and benefits for humankind. We know today that iron is one of the most important metals by which we get ‘Steel’. Steel and Iron are used for making instruments of war, like weapons, swords, spears, guns, etc. It’s even used for making instruments of peace, like brick layer, instruments of an engineer, instruments of an architect, knife, fork, spoon, etc. So if you read the first meaning, it says that Allah has revealed that in Iron there are various benefits and material for war.

The other way is to take it literally, that ‘Iron has been sent down from the Heaven’. This verse of Surah Al Hadeed Chapter 57 Verse 25 was shown to Professor Armstrong from NASA to comment.

“Iron has been sent down from Heaven”

He tells us that recently Scientists have come to know about the formation process of various elements. They say that the energy required to make one atom of Iron is so enormous that the energy of the whole Solar System is not sufficient. A calculation was made that energy four times that of


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the Solar System is made to produce one atom of Iron. It means the energy of the Moon, the Stars, the Sun, the Planets, etc. will not be sufficient to produce one atom of Iron. Scientists today tell us that ‘Iron’ is an extra terrestrial metal, which is confirming the Qur’anic Verse if taken literally, that Iron has been sent down from the Heaven.


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18. WHY IS THERE SO MUCH EVIL IN THE WORLD Question: If God is good then why is there so much evil in the world? Answer:

It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Sajdah Chapter 32 Verse 7:

“He Who has made everything which He has created most good: He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay” [Al-Qur’an 32:7] Evil cannot be attributed to God The Prophet (pbuh) made it clear that evil is not attributable to Allah by saying: "I respond to your call (O Allah!), and I am obedient to your orders, all Good is in Your Hands, and the evil is not attributable to You, I am by You, and to You, Blessed are Thee and Exalted… "(Collected by Muslim) Evil is the outcome of our evil actions hence part of the Decree The authentic texts indicate clearly that evil and good are part of the decree but Evil is decreed in Allah’s creation and Allah does not attribute evil actions or creation of Evil to Himself it is therefore the outcome of Evil. It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Nisaa’ Chapter 4 Verse 79:


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“Whatever good, (O man!) happens to thee, is from Allah; but whatever evil happens to thee, is from thy (own) soul. and We have sent thee as a messenger to (instruct) mankind. And enough is Allah for a witness” [Al-Qu’ran 4:79] It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Room Chapter 30 Verse 41

"Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil)." [Al-Qur’an 30:41]

When Jibrael came to RasoolAllah (pbuh) and asked what eeman was?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny (qadr), both the good and the evil of it.” [Sahih Muslim] Hasan bin Alee(raa) reported that the Prophet(pbuh) used to supplicate the dua Qunoot in witr prayer which he taught him” and save me from the evil of what you have decreed” [Muslim, Ahmed 1723, Jami Tirmidhi-464] Quote of Ibn Taymiyah (ra) “The creation of evil means the inaction of acts that are absolutely evil in every respect and do not have any element of good in it. Allah does not create or will anything absolutely evil, as His wisdom rejects it. It is neither an element of His attributes nor His actions.”

A. Allah does not create something absolutely evil:

Allah created Satan which only brings forth evil alone apparently. As a result,


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man sins and repents, he controls his desires abstains from Satan’s temptation and does righteous deeds and strives against his way . This resorts a believer to Allah’s protection, seeking of His refuge and shelter. Satan’s actions are the stimuli for man’s good deeds. Moreover, positive repercussions of his actions outweigh its negative effects so it is more pleasing for Allah (Swt) to create Satan than not to have him. It is His divine wisdom. (Ibn taymiyyah)(2)

B. Allah’s are Wisdom, Mercy & Just denies creation of Absolute evil (Mukhtasir al Qada wal Qadar)(3) Moreover Allah also mentions that He has created everything with reason and purpose. So if there is an apparent evil outcome of creation; it too has a purpose. Its creation would be purposeless if it only brought forth evil which outweighed good. Even human beings would not let anything thrive which is completely harmful according to their intellect; this conveys Allah’s Wisdom. (Radiance of Faith) It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Saad Chapter 38 Verse 27

“Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that were the thought of Unbelievers! but woe to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell)!” [Al-Qur’an 38:27]

C. Calamites are decreed by Allah but take place as a result of man’s evil actions.

It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Raad Chapter 13 Verse 11


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“For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Allah does not change a people's lot unless they change what is in their hearts. But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.” [Al-Qur’an 13:11] In the verse above “Good”, implies ” blessings” and bad means” calamities”. Allah clearly states that misfortune, evil and destruction is decreed by Allah but that is the fruit of their own actions. Allah does not decree evil to happen unjustly. He is Just and Wise so avenges the astray through Calamities. (Islamic creed Series-Dr.Umar S al Ashqar)(4)

Why does Allah allow evil to happen? The most evil of creation is Satan. It is the wisdom of Allah to create such evil because of it good repercussions. Ibn al-Qayyim has responded to this question in under the heading, “”In the creation of Satan and his troops there is wisdom that none can completely grasp save Allah”. Among the wisdoms include

• Perfection and completion of servitude of Allah, • Slaves become more fearful as reaction to Satan’s doing. • Allah has made him a lesson for those who reflect. • The creation of Satan demonstrates the complete ability

of Allah to create opposites. • Allah has made Satan a test and trial for His slaves. (World of Jinn & Devil) (5)

Evil (in absolute sense) is done by creation and not Creator Evil happens by His Creational will only; not His Legal Wish. Though the


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actions and creation are created by Allah (swt); however the acts are attributed to the latter. He only allows this evil to happen so much so or so long as its ultimate repercussions are good. (Mukhtasir Al Qada wa Qadar) This good greatly outweighs the evil and so the deed with respect to relative to Allah is not evil, but is good.it is completely evil relative to the doer of the action, thus he is punished for it. An act is can be classified as evil or good with respect to the doer and the one who receives it. What man considers evil and destruction may actually be good for him. It is his limited knowledge and finite intellect which tells him so.(ibn taymiyyah)(6) It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 216:

“Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” [Surah Al Baqarah 2:216] Cutting off the thief’s hand or stoning the adulterer is an evil thing for the thief and the adulterer, but it is good for them in one respect because it is purification for them so that the punishment of this life and the Hereafter are not combined for them.


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19. WHY DOES GOD PUNISH PEOPLE?

Question:

What does God benefit in punishing people so severely by putting them in hell?

Answer:

1. Allah is Most Merciful The Qur’an says several times that Allah is the Most Merciful. Infact all the 114

Surahs i.e. Chapters of the Glorious Qur’an except for Surah Al Tawbah, (Chapter 9) begin with the beautiful formula,

which means, “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

2. Allah is Forgiving The Glorious Qur’an mentions in no less than 52 Verses including Surah Al

Nisaa’ Chapter 4 Verse 25 and Surah Al Maa’idah Chapter 5 Verse 74:

“And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

3. Allah gives severe punishment to the deserving Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving is also strict in giving punishment to

the deserving. The Qur’an mentions in several Verses that Allah will give severe punishment to the unbelievers and rejecters of faith. He will give punishment to all those who disobey Him. Several Verses of the Qur’an describe the various types of severe punishments that Allah will give in hell to all those who disobey.


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Allah says in Surah Al Nisaa’ Chapter 4 Verse 56:

“Those who reject our Signs, we shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their

skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.”

[Al-Qur’an 4:56]

4. Allah is Just Besides being Merciful and Forgiving, Allah also has to give severe punishment

to the deserving wicked or evil people, because He is also Just. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Al Nisaa’ Chapter 4 Verse 40:

“Allah is never unjust in the least degree.” [Al-Qur’an 4:40] It is further mentioned in Surah Al-Ambiyaa’ Chapter 21 Verse 47:

“We shall set up scales of justice for the day of Judgement, so that not a soul

will be dealt with unjustly in the least. And if there be (no more than) the


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weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it (to account): and enough are we to take account.”

[Al-Qur’an 21:47]

5. Example - Teacher forgives a student who copies in the examination If during an examination, a student copies and the teacher who supervises in

the examination catches the student red-handed. The teacher out of mercy and kindness, forgives him and allows him to continue copying. Those students who have worked hard for the examination will not call the teacher merciful and kind but will call him unjust. This merciful act of the teacher will encourage the other students to also copy. If all the teachers are ‘merciful’ and ‘kind’ and allow the students to copy then no student will ever study for examinations and all will pass with flying colours by copying. The theoretical results of the examinations will be excellent in which all the students will pass with first class and distinction but practically these students will be a failure in life. The whole purpose of the examination would be defeated.

6. This Life is a Test for the Hereafter: The life of this world is a test for the Hereafter. The Qur’an says in Surah Al

Mulk Chapter 67 Verse 2:

“He who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed;

and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” [Al-Qur’an 67:2]

7. If Allah forgives all and punishes none, who will obey him? If Allah (swt) forgives each and every human being and punishes no one, then

why should the human beings obey His commands. I do agree that no one will go to hell, but this world would become hell to live in where most of the


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people would be robbing, cheating, raping, killing etc. Furthermore if all human beings are going to go to heaven then this life cannot be called a test for the hereafter.

8. Allah only forgives if a person repents Allah (swt) only forgives if a person repents. The Qur’an says in Surah Al-

Zumar, Chapter 39 Verses 53-55:

“Say: ‘O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not

of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

“Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will), before the penalty

comes on you - after that ye shall not be helped.” “And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before

the penalty comes on you - of a sudden, while ye perceive not!’ ” [Al-Qur’an 39:53-55] There are four criteria for repentance: first, agree that the act is wrong.

Secondly, stop it immediately. Thirdly, never do it again in the future and lastly, compensate for the loss if caused to anyone.


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20. WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

Question: Why good people are afflicted with trials and tribulations? Answer:

Good people are afflicted with trials and tribulations for various reasons:

1. This Life is a test for the hereafter

It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Mulk Chapter 67 Verse 2

“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” [Al Qur’an 67:2]

Even if a student is good in studies he will not be promoted to a higher class until he undergoes the test or the examination. Similarly a good person has to undergo the test of this life to get success in the Hereafter.

2. Trials may elevate one’s status in the Hereafter It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Anfaal Chapter 8 Verse 28:

“And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward.” [Al-Qur’an 8:28]


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Suppose a child is born with congenital defects to parents who are good and righteous. Allah (swt) may be testing the parents whether they yet are thankful to their Creator or not. May be the parents are righteous and pious and deserve Jannah. If Allah wants to give them a higher place in Jannah, He will test them further. Yet if they are thankful to their Creator, they will deserve a higher reward i.e. the Jannatul Firdous.

3. Sometimes trials are put for good reasons

Suppose a child suffers from a severe disease due to which the doctor advises to amputate his leg. A loving and caring father will allow the doctor to amputate the leg of his son. There is no doubt that the father loves his son. Yet his action was for the benefit of his beloved son, although it may seem cruel to his child who may not understand the circumstances.

Allah mentions in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 Verse 216

“…But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” [Al-Qur’an 2:216] The Prophet (pbuh) said: “If Allah wants to do good to someone, he puts him to trials” [Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 7, The Book of Patients, Chapter 1, Hadith No. 5645] The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world.” [Sunan Al Tirmidhi, Vol. 4, The Book of Zuhd, Chapter 58, Hadith No. 2402]


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4. Trials brings a person closer to His Creator It is apparent that man in times of crisis gets closer to Allah while in times of ease and comfort he tends to forget Allah. One recognizes his weakness when afflicted with a trial and it makes him humble. It is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al An’aam Chapter 6 Verse 42:

“Before thee We sent (messengers) to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they might learn humility.” [Al-Qur’an 6:42]

5. Allah expiates the sins

Calamities are a means of expiation of sin. The Prophet (ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص) said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that." [Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 7, The Book of Patients, Chapter 1, Hadith No. 5641]

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