WHICH IS THE TRUE RELIGION OF GOD?
Each person is born in a circumstance which is not of his own choosing. The religion of his family or the ideology of the State is thrust upon him from the very beginning of his existence in this world. By the time he reaches his teens, he is usually fully brain-washed into believing that the beliefs of his particular society are the correct beliefs that everyone should have.
However, when some people mature and are exposed to other belief-systems, they to question the validity of their own beliefs. The seekers of truth often reach a point of confusion upon realizing that each and every religion, sect, ideology and philosophy claims to be the one and only correct way for man. Indeed, they all encourage people to do good. So, which one is right? They cannot all be right since each claims all others are wrong. Then how does the seekers of truth choose the right way?
God gave us all minds and intellects to enable us to make this crucial decision. It is the most important decision in the life of a human being. Upon it depends his future. Consequently, each and every one of us must examine dispassionately the evidence presented and choose what appears to be right until further evidence arises.
Like every other religion or philosophy, Islam also claims to be the one and only true way to God. In this respect it is no different from other systems. It must always be kept in mind that one can only determine the true path by putting aside emotions and prejudices, which often blind us to reality. Then, and only then, will we be able to use our God-given intelligence and make a rational and correct decision.
There are several arguments, which may be advanced to support Islam's claims to be the true religion of God. The following are only three of the most obvious. The first argument is based on the divine origin of the name of the religion and the comprehensiveness of its meaning. The second deals with the unique and uncomplicated teachings concerning the relationship between God, man and creation. The third argument derives from the fact that Islam is universally attainable by all men at all times. These are the three basic components of what logic and reason dictate necessary for a religion to be considered the true religion of God.
THE RELIGION'S NAME
The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word Islam itself means. The Arabic word 'Islam' means: the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true God, known in Arabic as Allaah. One who submits his will to God is termed in Arabic a Muslim.
The religion of Islam is not named after a person or a people, nor was it decided by a later generation of man, as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddism after Gautama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, Marxism after Karl Marcx, Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam (submission to the will of God) is the religion which was given to Adam (PBUH), the first man and the first prophet of God, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent be Allaah to mankind. Further, its name was chosen by God Himself and clearly mentioned in the final scripture which He revealed to man. In that final revelation, called in Arabic the Qur'aan, Allaah states the following:
''This day have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.'' [Qur'aan 5:3]
''If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted of Him.'' [Qur'aan 3:85]
Hence, Islam does not claim to be a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) into Arabia in the seventh century, but rather to be a re-expression in its final form of the true religion of Almighty God, Allaah, as it was originally revealed to Adam (PBUH) and subsequent prophets.
At this point we might comment briefly on two other religions that claim to be the true path. Nowhere in the Bible will you find God revealing to Prophet Moses' (PBUH) people or their descendants that their religion is called Judaism, or to the followers of Christ that their religion is called Chrstianity. In other words, the names "Judaism" and "Christianity" had no divine origin or approval. It was not until long after his departure that the name Christianity was given to Jusus' religion.
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Each person is born in a circumstance which is not of his own choosing. The religion of his family or the ideology of the State is thrust upon him from the very beginning of his existence in this world. By the time he reaches his teens, he is usually fully brain-washed into believing that the beliefs of his particular society are the correct beliefs that everyone should have.
However, when some people mature and are exposed to other belief-systems, they to question the validity of their own beliefs. The seekers of truth often reach a point of confusion upon realizing that each and every religion, sect, ideology and philosophy claims to be the one and only correct way for man. Indeed, they all encourage people to do good. So, which one is right? They cannot all be right since each claims all others are wrong. Then how does the seekers of truth choose the right way?
God gave us all minds and intellects to enable us to make this crucial decision. It is the most important decision in the life of a human being. Upon it depends his future. Consequently, each and every one of us must examine dispassionately the evidence presented and choose what appears to be right until further evidence arises.
Like every other religion or philosophy, Islam also claims to be the one and only true way to God. In this respect it is no different from other systems. It must always be kept in mind that one can only determine the true path by putting aside emotions and prejudices, which often blind us to reality. Then, and only then, will we be able to use our God-given intelligence and make a rational and correct decision.
There are several arguments, which may be advanced to support Islam's claims to be the true religion of God. The following are only three of the most obvious. The first argument is based on the divine origin of the name of the religion and the comprehensiveness of its meaning. The second deals with the unique and uncomplicated teachings concerning the relationship between God, man and creation. The third argument derives from the fact that Islam is universally attainable by all men at all times. These are the three basic components of what logic and reason dictate necessary for a religion to be considered the true religion of God.
THE RELIGION'S NAME
The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word Islam itself means. The Arabic word 'Islam' means: the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true God, known in Arabic as Allaah. One who submits his will to God is termed in Arabic a Muslim.
The religion of Islam is not named after a person or a people, nor was it decided by a later generation of man, as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddism after Gautama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, Marxism after Karl Marcx, Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam (submission to the will of God) is the religion which was given to Adam (PBUH), the first man and the first prophet of God, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent be Allaah to mankind. Further, its name was chosen by God Himself and clearly mentioned in the final scripture which He revealed to man. In that final revelation, called in Arabic the Qur'aan, Allaah states the following:
''This day have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.'' [Qur'aan 5:3]
''If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted of Him.'' [Qur'aan 3:85]
Hence, Islam does not claim to be a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) into Arabia in the seventh century, but rather to be a re-expression in its final form of the true religion of Almighty God, Allaah, as it was originally revealed to Adam (PBUH) and subsequent prophets.
At this point we might comment briefly on two other religions that claim to be the true path. Nowhere in the Bible will you find God revealing to Prophet Moses' (PBUH) people or their descendants that their religion is called Judaism, or to the followers of Christ that their religion is called Chrstianity. In other words, the names "Judaism" and "Christianity" had no divine origin or approval. It was not until long after his departure that the name Christianity was given to Jusus' religion.
------------To be continue-------------
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