Ideal Means of Understanding Gods Existence - Book Report/Review Example

Religion 233: Introduction to Islam Q People usually learn about, discover, or prove any reality in the following3 methods (as discussed in class): Through sensory perceptions, logical inference, and reliance on expert testimony of credible witnesses. Which of these three methods can be used to explore or confirm the existence of God, and which of them cannot be used? In either case, explain how each one can be used or cannot be used. Exploring God’s existence through sensory perception has its limitation in the sense that, God is inaccessible through sensory perception since, God is everywhere. In essence, it is impossible for such a Supernatural being to be perceived by man, using senses that in many instances, corresponds with man’s own experience or observations. Exploring God’s existence within the confines of sensory perception, often tend to overlook the reality that, sensory perception has limitations such as enabling man to only a single mode of being and cannot explore other dimensions related to existence. Through sensory perception, man cannot progress above the outer aspects related to a phenomena. On this note, God’s existence cannot be perceived in a manner familiar to mankind. It is impossible for sensory perception to result in a vision that is realistic since the value of sensory perception entails the practical realm. Relying on sensory perception does not help in terms of solving issues related to existence or creation. Conversely, expert testimonies is only reliable for the confirmation of the existence of God by considering the origin of the source. For example, God used prophets and messengers by providing them with knowledge in infinite terms to prove His existence. In addition the confirmation of God’s existence through expert testimonies, has to provide evidence in terms of signs related to God that surrounds mankind. However, in day to day life, expert testimonies may not result in a conclusive existence of God, since mankind is susceptible to believing persons they trust around them, and who, may provide false testimonies. In this regard, expert testimonies are only reliable in terms of their qualification criteria that includes consistency, expertise, honesty, integrity and knowledge. On the same issue of confirming God’s existence, logical inference provides the most ideal means of understanding God’s existence. Logical inference posit that, every finite being is subject to the law of cause and effect, and as a result, it only means that there is a creator. On the same note, the creation itself, is subject to a plan, wisdom and knowledge, and does not exist accidentally. In addition, logical inference highlights on the assumption that since God is the Ultimate Creator, then no one could have created God. Further, logical inference provides a rational conclusion to God’s existence compared to sensory perception and expert testimonies. In essence, logical inference views God as unique from other finite beings because, if He had been of the same nature of mankind, then God would have needed a creator. Q.2: The creed of faith in Islam rejects all kinds of other gods and declares Allah as the only God. Eight types of gods/deities that many people associate with God or worship instead of God were discussed in class. Part A: Describe why (based on what reasons and logic) those eight types of gods are considered as false gods and not worthy of human's worship in Islam. Provide separate reasoning for each type. According to the creed related to the Islam faith, Allah is not equal to any finite being and His uniqueness reveals Him as the only entity that believers need to worship and show unconditional obedience. In essence, illah is non-existent apart from Allah as the One God. Worshipping other deities is contrary to the message of Allah in verse (21:25) that says, “There is no other deity, but I; Worship and serve Me”. As a result, a violation of Allah’s “Oneness”, is considered as a sin in the Islam faith (Shirk). Hence, a belief in the eight deities is contrary to Allah’s “Oneness” and committing a sin against Allah. The Quran condemns the worshipping of idols or statues as highlighted in verse (39:2) while on the other hand, polytheism contravenes Allah by distributing the shares of creation and loyalty and as explained in verse (21:22), in the event that other gods existed, apart from Allah, then, this would have caused ruin. However, Allah prevails as the High Lord and above all other deities. Dualism, on the other end, suggest a belief in two gods which is contrary to Islam teachings since, Allah is the only God that brings good and prevents evil (35:2; 10:107). Worshipping the forces of nature is provides a false belief to a deity since the sun, moon and other forces of nature, are a creation of Allah (41:37). Further, the belief in other beings is also false in the Islam faith since these other beings are enemies to mankind (36:60). On another note, it is wrong to worship earthly gains since they present their own limitations and the solution to mankind’s problem involves developing faith in Allah, for eternal happiness. Worshipping other people is also untrue faith since it is only through a belief in Allah that, this is the right path for eternal life (2:170). Worshipping oneself on its part, is contrary to Islam teachings in the sense that, one becomes a slave to own desires (25:43). In general terms, other than Allah, faithful need to reject other forms of gods since, Allah is the only worthy God to worship. Part B: Which types (of those 8) are the most common during these days, and how? At the present the common deities that individuals still worship include idols of animals or other statues of personalities regarded as saints. The belief in such deities is influenced by a view that they statues may bring wealth and luck. In addition, it is a common occurrence today to find people worshipping other people they regard as prophets. The belief in this sense is fanatic to the point of believers viewing such people as the real god. People also still worship material gains and they do not regard God as part of their achievement. To such people, God does not exist and it is a creation of other people. Further, there are other people who believe in the forces of nature and often relate to these forces of nature for guidance in life. However, the most common means of worshipping other gods today relate to the worship of man-made statues. This is common across the globe and most of these statues have been given the names of god like the god of rain or god of luck. Further, some believers on the statues have gone a mile further by tattooing themselves with the idols that they worship. Q.3: Prophet Muhammad lived a historical and exemplary life that made him a role model for all Muslims and many other people. Part A: Among all kinds of issues that the prophet encountered during his prophet-hood, identify two major issues that caught your attention the most in Mecca period and Medina period (one specific issue in each period). Explain the nature of each issue and how the prophet resolved it. In Makkah, one of the major issue faced by the prophet, that caught my attention is the opposition that prophet encountered from the Quraysh. This is because, Prophet Muhammad announced his prophethood and the advocacy for monotheism while, condemning other kinds of false worship. The prophet’s message was not taken positively by the people living in Makkah that time and resulted in the persecution of new converts. However, despite the opposition and persecution of the Prophets followers, Prophet Muhammad continued spreading the message. In Medina, a major issue that caught my attention is the differences that existed among the Prophet’s followers who migrated from Makkah and those already residing in Madina. These are two groups that had been brought up in different cultures and traditions, however, the Prophet dealt with the difference by creating peace between the tribe of Khazraj and Aws. Prophet Muhammad managed to unite the two tribes because of both tribes belief in the Islam faith where, they managed to settle their differences. Part B: The Quraish leaders were doing a lot of propaganda against the prophet in the Mecca period. Which of those propaganda items are still seen in the media and literature of current times, and how? If none, in what other ways the prophet is portrayed in the current media? At the present, the media concentrates on the issues such as the Prophet’s marriage and in particular, the marrying of bibi Ayesha, considered to be around the age of 8-9 years which, projects the Prophet to be a virile being. This is false since, Ayesha was the only virgin wife among Prophet Muhammad’s wives. Further, the Prophet should not be seen as a virile because, He lived for 25 years with His wife bibi Khadija without marrying any other wife prior to bibi Khadija’s death. In the present day, propaganda regarding Prophet Muhammad, are heightened by the disagreements in the haddiths that do not shed more light regarding Prophet Muhammad’s marriage. The hadiths should have provided a concrete reason for the prophet’s marriages to minimize debate within the media and spread of rumors on the Prophet. Part C: The last sermon of the prophet is a historical speech in Islamic history. Identify two points of that speech that you think they are the most important ones, and describe their relevance to today's world. The two points in the last sermon I consider as important include Salah (praying five times in a day), fasting and giving to the needy. The second point is following a righteous path. Praying five times in a day is relevant to today’s Muslim faithful as all over the world, believers attend the mosques every day to offer their prayer to Allah. In addition, believers fast during the period of Ramadan as a way to ask for forgiveness for their sins. Allah regard all people as equal and the act of giving to the poor reflect on love for your neighbor among the Muslim faithful. Prayers today help to strengthen the believer’s faith and to protect faithful from the earthly temptations. Further, fasting during Ramadan also help to strengthen the faith of believers in Allah. In essence, fasting enable sinners to ask for forgiveness and become clean before the eyes of Allah. Helping the disadvantaged highlights on the compassion of Islam as a religion that emphasizes love for each other and view of all as equals. These two points have relevance in the world today, as a result of spread Prophet Muhammad’s message among Muslim faithful across the world. Read More