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WHAT IS LIFE?
Man's existence in this world
and the creation of this entire universe are not mere accidents
or products of a fortuitous nature. This universe, every
single atom of it, manifests and leads us to the realization
of a Loving, Merciful and All-powerful Creator. Without
a Creator, nothing can exist. Every single soul knows that
he is existing and that his existence is dependent upon
a Creator he knows for sure that he cannot create him self.
Therefore it is his duty to know his master, the Creator.
MANKIND:
Man is a unique creature. God establishes man as His representative
or deputy to govern over all other creatures in this world.
He is endowed with the faculty of REASON, which sets him
apart from all other animals. Together with this faculty
to discriminate and discern, man is given the freedom (free-will)
to choose for himself a way of life worthy of his position
as God's representative or to fall lower than the lowest
of all animals or creations. Man is born pure and sinless
and is given the choice to do righteous deeds or indulge
in sins.
DIVINE GUIDANCE:
The Creator, out of His abundant
Love and Mercy for mankind has not left us in darkness to
discover the right path by trial and error alone. Coupled
with our intellectual capability to reason, our Creator
bestowed upon us DIVINE GUIDANCE that outlines the Criterion
for TRUTH, knowledge, as well as the reality of our existence
in this world and the Hereafter.
REVELATIONS:
From the beginning of mankind,
our Creator sent prophets to convey His REVELATION and to
invite human beings to the path of true PEACE and OBEDIENCE
to the ONE TRUE GOD. This is ISLAM. This message
is conveyed towards successive generations of man through
the different prophets, all inviting mankind to the same
path. However all the earlier messages or revelations from
God were distorted by people of later generations. As a
result, pure Revelation from our Creator was adulterated
and polluted with myths, superstitions, idol worship and
irrational philosophical ideologies. The religion of God
in a sense was lost in a plethora of religions. Human history
is a testament of man's drift between light and darkness,
but God out of His Abundant Love for mankind has not forsaken
us.
FINAL REVELATIONS:
When mankind was in the depths
of the Dark Ages, our Creator sent His final Messenger,
prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) to redeem humanity
with the final revelation which represents the ultimate
and permanent source of guidance for the whole world.
CRITERIA FOR TRUTH:
The following criteria can
best serve as a gauge to find out the authenticity of the
last revelation (the Qur’an) as words of God:
- Rational Teachings:
Since our Creator
bestowed reason and intellect upon us, it is our duty
to use it to distinguish the TRUTH from falsehood. True,
undistorted revelation from God must be rational and can
be reasoned out by all unbiased minds.
- Perfection:
Since our Creator is all
perfect, His revelation must be perfect and accurate,
free from mistakes, omissions, interpolations and multiplicity
of versions. It should be free from contradictions in
its narration.
- No Myths or Superstitions:
True revelation is free
from myths or superstitions that degrade the dignity of
our Creator or man himself.
- Scientific:
Since our Creator is the
Creator of all knowledge, true revelation is scientific
and can withstand the challenge of science at all times.
- Factual Prophecy:
Our Creator is the Knower
of the past, present and future. Thus His prophecies in
His revelation will be fulfilled as prophesied.
Inimitable By Man:
True revelation is infallible
and cannot be imitated by man. God's true revelation is
a Living miracle, an open book challenging all mankind to
see and prove for themselves its authenticity or veracity.
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