Dialogue

Questions to ponder:

1. Firstly concerning the beginning, what in your views is before the big bang? - Whatever it was, it had to be something infinite, i.e. An infinite Nothingness, an infinite Energy or Force, an infinite Universe - what brought about the event of the big bang?
2. When the event which sparked the big bang did happen, at some point for some particular reason, everything scattered everywhere (as they do in a big explosion); so why did everything just go into place and assemble into perfectly spaced galaxies, solar systems, suns, stars, and keep that steady unchaotic state until this time? Why the order and organisation in our universe and our lives to this day? Explain to me how this came about and why we are living in harmony for such a long time?
3. What about the first cell, the first protein, the first life form? - The complexity of which is a thousand times more than a jumbo jet or human landmark - Did this happen by pure chance? - Look into it and see how far-fetched that sounds and you'll understand you're not far from your fairy-tale world!
4. The world as we know it now from scientific findings and theories does not answer any of these questions. We only believe what we think in our minds makes sense (what I believe doesn't make sense to you and what you believe doesn't make sense to me) - We both have our fair share of information to convince us of our belief - But what makes you Right and me Wrong? Don't say you have scientific proof - We've already established that we don't know anything about what went on (we only have assumptions and your assumptions are as good as mine!)
5. How about human emotions, laws, civilization; do you think we would survive as a race without law and order in society? Everything has a law in our Universe (Is this all a coincidence), so why shouldn't humans have a law? - Who's to say what I'm to do or you're to do? - Is it for us humans to make laws - did you create me to follow your laws?!? - you cannot do whatever you want (There is responsibility for your actions and everybody has rights (so why not abolish these if you think we are just chaotic creatures that are here for no reason). Is it possible that the Creator who has set Laws for every single thing he has created to set Laws for us humans? Is this too far-fetched? Or are we just the most intelligent beings on the planet to realise all of this, by pure chance? - If everything was not a coincidence what the heck was it? - Mother Nature!
***

Now Why I'm Convinced of Islam:

The main reason is the Quran. Another reason is the history of mankind, prophets, and the final Messenger Muhammad (P). A third reason is the thought of infinite nothingness and suddenly the event of the big bang from nothingness (and coincidences/pure chance/luck) of why we're here!
I'll discuss the first reason now: The accuracy of the Quran is amazing. It gets to the point of everything in life from Laws to the functioning of the Universe. Its style and tone is different to any other Book we have on the planet. Its accuracy cannot be challenged by any human being alive (ever)
Try to tackle it from every angle and you will not be able to find any errors or discrepencies (even if you gathered everyone on the planet for this one task). I've tried myself (but have found proper answers for everything) - Examples in The Qur'an and Hadith Post!
I wrote a little book a few years ago containing my beliefs in a nutshell, and nothing I have faced in this life so far contradicts my beliefs or even challenges what I've written in 2003. The Book is titled 'The Purpose of our Existence' and can be viewed on this blog under 'My Book' Link.
And I'd like to know your beliefs (you never know, maybe what you write makes more sense and is clearer than what you've been trying to say all along!)

Ideal Society

Governement:
The establishment of justice for all citizens of the state, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, is one of the major purposes of the Islamic System of Government.

Corruption, bribery, abuse of authority, the creation of social conflict for personal or group benefit, torture, exploitation and oppression, are all evils against which the Islamic system must struggle. It is the duty of every individual Muslim and of the Islamic government to strive for justice and to prevent and oppose vice (in the society).

Consultation has a high status in Islam. This is indicated by the name of surah or chapter forty-two, "Consultation".
There are people who argue that this is an endorsement of mass consultation through general elections.
Although non-Muslims were not involved in consultation in the early period of the birth of Islam, there is nothing to indicate they cannot be included in consultation on national affairs or affairs not dealing with the beliefs of the Muslims. However as the head of state must implement the Quran and Sunna, it is necessary that this position should be held by a Muslim.

The Reason: The sovereignty of God, the message conveyed by all the prophets, is the Foundation of the System. Legislation contained in the Quran becomes the basic law of the state. This puts the fundamental law of the society beyond the lobbying power of particular interest groups and ensures that legislation is just and equitable.

Islamic government is a system of government which follows the laws and principles of the Quran and the Sunna of Muhammad (P).

Government is the responsibility of all humanity, especially of those people who understand that they are the 'caliphs' of God, not the privilege of a ruling class of theocrats. Islamic government enforces the law of equality and it establishes the rule of justice. It is always based upon consultation. Muslims believe that only when this system is established can there be justice and harmony in society.

Source: http://www.islamfortoday.com/cleland04.htm

Women:
Anyone wishing to understand Islam must first separate the religion from the cultural norms and style of a society.
For example, Female genital mutilation is still practised in certain pockets of Africa and Egypt, but viewed as an inconceivable horror by the vast majority of Muslims. Forced marriages may still take place in certain Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, but would be anathema to Muslim women from other backgrounds... Islam insists on the free consent of both bride and groom, and tries to create a true, happy, lasting relationship.

Afghan women educated before the Taliban rule know that banning girls from school is forbidden in Islam, which encourages all Muslims to seek knowledge from cradle to grave, from every source possible.

Know that in Islam, women have the right to divorce, to inherit property, to conduct business and to have access to knowledge. (From the Koran).

Certainly, the Koran requires women to behave and dress modestly - but these strictures apply equally to men. In practice, most modern Muslim women appreciate attractive and graceful clothes, but avoid dressing provocatively.

About Polygamy: The Prophet, of course, lived at a time when continual warfare produced large numbers of widows, who were left with little or no provision for themselves and their children. In these circumstances, polygamy was encouraged as an act of charity. (ethically speaking)
The Koran states that wives need to be treated fairly and equally - a difficult requirement even for a rich man. (use of common sense!)

Contrary to Christianity, Islam does not regard marriages as "made in heaven" or "till death do us part". They are contracts, with conditions. If either side breaks the conditions, divorce is not only allowed, but usually expected. Nevertheless, a hadith makes it clear that: "Of all the things God has allowed, divorce is the most disliked."
In good Islamic practice, before divorce can be contemplated, all possible efforts should be made to solve a couple's problems. After an intention to divorce is announced, there is a three-month period during which more attempts are made at reconciliation. (very serious situations)

When Muslims die, strict laws govern the shares of property and money they may leave to others; daughters usually inherit less than sons, but this is because the men in a family are supposed to provide for the entire household. Any money or property owned by women is theirs to keep, and they are not obliged to share it. Similarly, in marriage, a woman's salary is hers and cannot be appropriated by her husband unless she consents.

Her husband is not her master; a Muslim woman has only one Master, and that is God. If her husband does not represent God's will in the home, the marriage contract is broken.

The Prophet never hit a woman, child or old person, and was emphatic that those who did could hardly regard themselves as the best of Muslims.

A woman equally qualified to a man will carry the same weight as a witness. (Common sense and Wisdom)

While the spirit of Islam is clearly patriarchal, it regards men and women as moral equals.
Moreover, although a man is technically the head of the household, Islam encourages matriarchy in the home.

Women may not be equal in the manner defined by Western feminists, but their core differences from men are acknowledged, and they have rights of their own that do not apply to men

Source: http://www.islamfortoday.com/women.htm#Rights

History & Civilization:
The Islamic Civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.
When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.

Suleiman's Leadership and tolerance was an enlightened leadership — leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage — led to 800 years of invention and prosperity.

The Islamic World from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent encouraged Scientific study and experimenting. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. (Islam came as an example to the oppressed and censored!)

The book of Allah and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) set the basis for an intellectual tradition in the Islamic world which relied on reason and honesty. The Muslims made numerous advances in many fields, one the most important being physics.(optics, light, etc.)

Muslim scholars also laid the foundations of mathematics. Muslims were the first to recognize the importance of and use the zero effectively, borrowed from the Indians, bringing to Europe what is now called "Arabic numerals". Newton would have had quite a difficult time quantitatively describing his laws of motion without using the algebra first implemented by the Muslims!

The Muslims made monumental strides in the practice and study of medicine. (examples in history)
The Muslims would have never conquered the Persians without superior military planning and tactics.
The people of the Roman Empire in greater Syria & North Africa would have never accepted Islam if the Muslims were not materially superior to the Romans. The Church, the Persians, and the Europeans envied and hated and wanted to destroy Islam because of this superiority!

Tolerance:
Before the coming of Islam, tolerance had never been preached as an essential part of religion.
The tolerance within the body of Islam was, and is, something without parallel in history; class and race and color ceasing altogether to be barriers

In Spain under the Umayyads and in Baghdad under the Abbasid Khalifas, Christians and Jews, equally with Muslims, were admitted to the Schools and universities - not only that, but were boarded and lodged in hostels at the cost of the state.
The Muslim empire was a refuge for all those who fled from persecution by the Inquisition.

Many Muslims seem to forget that our Prophet had allies among the idolaters even after Islam had triumphed in Arabia, and that he “fulfilled his treaty with them perfectly until the term thereof.” The righteous conduct of the Muslims, not the sword, must be held responsible for the conversion of those idolaters, since they embraced Islam before the expiration of their treaty.

It was otherwise with the people who had a respectable religion of their own - the People of the Scripture - as the Qur’an calls them - Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, etc. - our Prophet's attitude was all of kindness. The Charter which he granted to the Christian monks of Sinae is extant.
As long as they don't rebel against the Head of State or Government, they will be protected and treated equally (each given their rights!)

Sources: http://www.islamfortoday.com/history.htm#History

The home is where the Society starts and the Islamic Home has to be build on very strong foundations as outlined by the Prophet (P).
Everybody is responsible for his shepards and everybody has Rights and Allah's right is to enter you into Jannah if you worship Him.

Indeed, in the model society of Islam, Muslims used to assemble freely and frequently; they were mostly acquainted with each other, men and women; they conversed and interacted intensively. But all those activities, were undertaken in a spirit of innocence and in the context of a virtuous society.

The dress of a man or a woman should be modest. By no gesture, word or appearance should man or woman deliberately tempt the other.
Thus temptation is the basic criterion on which these rulings rest. "For women of advanced age who do not expect to be married, there is no harm if they set aside their outer garments provided they do not play up their charms. But it is better for them if they abstain from doing so. (Nur, 60)
Thus Islam tolerates that one may greet women or talk to them in decent and chaste language and with good intent. The Prophet used to do so.(T)

Whenever weakness creeps into the faith of Muslim men they tend to treat women oppressively and seek to exploit them.

Most if not all of the verses of the Quran regarding oath (of abstinence from sex), divorce and Iddat (term of transition) were revealed to bring an end to the oppressive traditions and customs according to which a woman was retained in formal marital captivity and for long periods of time while her fate remained in suspense. The same is true of the verses concerning inheritance which restored rights which had been denied to her by guaranteeing her a definite share.

The Prophet's traditions encourage the Muslim to care for the good upbringing and education of women, and for their well-being in general: "The best of you is one who is best towards his family.. 'And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully". (At-Tirmithy).

Weak commitment to religion tends to cultivate unjust and hostile treatment of women.
In general, men like to dominate the property and life of the female with a view to assert their vanity and arrogance.

Take, for instance, the Arab, Persian and Indian Societies. Although the message of Islam has spread in these societies from early times, still. ... New or degenerate Muslim societies would sometimes, out of ignorance, attribute their un-Islamic legacy or custom to Islam itself.
Islam is not a matter of a single rule that can be flexibly understood; it is a whole order of norms that establish the entire way of life or social structure of Islam, and is not liable to variation.

The Study of Homosexuality:
Compare Bestiality and pederasty (keeping goats, horses, & sheep for sex) - Is this natural?
You have to understand that all humans have an urge for sexual gratification (some stronger than others). As rationalizing (more than rational) beings, people will always try to find a justification for any activity which they find enjoyable. Homosexuality is wrong, and so is sleeping with someone's daughter without his consent (or marriage)? And so is abusing drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, or drinking alcohol or doing heroin, or shagging sheep, or killing, etc.? - Either way, we all know as intelliegent beings that we need laws and there are wrongs and rights.. who's to say? - not you nor me (that's what I believe anyway) - but you seem to think it's right (it's normal like bestiality or paedophilia) - it's not normal (It's all sexually related. An urge a gratification). What is the purpose of man on man sex? Homosexuality is negatory of the natural role and aim of sexual activity (i.e. procreation).

Source: http://www.geocities.com/mikailtariq/homo.htm

Infallible Church

Why would the Creator bring Confusion?

About Limbo:
Does any one else see a problem with this? All religions are supposed to be dictated by a higher or divine power and yet here we have the beliefs of a religion being changed by men because they feel it is unpopular???

I think that the idea of limbo is scandalous; to put this upon young babies is an embarrassment to the Catholic church. This is babies who haven't even been given the opportunity to do any wrong or commit any sin. Babies should not need to be baptised before they can get to heaven.

About the Pope:
Mistakes; apologies; and fear of men!

About the Trinity:
Why would the Creator bring confusion to the human?
Not present in any of the books of the Bible (not one)!

About the 4 Gospels:
Why were only those 4 gospels (Mathew,Mark,Luke,&John) chosen out of hundreds? Why is there contradictions in the gospels? [see Dialogue Notes]

***

The truth is, Islam is the ONLY religion in the world which clearly addresses and solves the moral problems of the world (i.e. Modesty, Sexuality, Intoxication, Crime, etc.)
There is Judgement and serious consequences in the next life? (For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction). As is explained in the the Qur'an there really is an effective deterrent for human societies. An effective motivation to keep these tough mandates (Laws) of God?

NO RELIGION IN THE WORLD CAN ADDRESS AND SOLVE ALL OF THESE MORAL ISSUES EXCEPT ISLAM. That is ExamineTheTruth.com’s open challenge. The answers to these moral problems are given in the Qur'an. SHOW ME YOUR ANSWERS IN THE BIBLE IF IT IS THE TRUTH FROM GOD!

Taken from http://www.examinethetruth.com/spears_james.htm

History

Muhammad (P) is the Last Messenger of the Creator.

WE know about Allah through the Quran, and we know about the Prophets and Messengers through the Quran that was revealed to the final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad(P). In the stories of the Messengers is a lesson for mankind, and their stories are the best of stories in this life.

THE story of the Messengers of Allah begin with Adam. From revelation, we know that one of the first things created (before the Universe and everything it contains) was the Throne, and then the Pen. The pen was created for the purpose to write out Allah's Will and Plan until the Day of Judgement, on the Protected Tablet (Pre-Destiny). Then the Angels followed soon after and the Universe, etc.

WHEN Allah created man in the best image (as mentioned in the Quran) He ordered the Angels and Iblees to prostrate to him. Iblees was arrogant and proud and would not prostrate. This was the plan of Allah. Why? We will know on the Day of Judgement...

THE story goes; Adam was taught everything. His knowledge was to the max and he was in al-jannah (Paradise). We believe that the Creator sent Messengers to mankind from the very beginning, starting with Adam (the first man) and up to Muhammad (pbut) to confirm and complete the message of Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, and Jesus (pbut). There wasn't a people in this life who didn't receive a prophet or messenger (as mentioned in the Qur'an, every nation received their Messenger; and Muhammad was to all of mankind).

MESSENGERS were sent with proof to their respective people. They had to convince their people that they were Prophets of God and so show some miracles or something extraordinary from the Creator. For example, Abraham(p) challenged his people who were very big into their idol-worship (almost the worst in their time) and so he challenged their so-called god-idols and convince them that they were just inanimate objects that could neither harm man nor benefit him.. and so his people got angry with him and tried to burn him to the stake but he prayed to the True Creator infront of them and was not burnt; Moses(p), on the other hand, was sent to people who excelled in sorcery and magic; so he had to come up with bigger miracles to convince his people that he was a Prophet of the Creator. He challenged the magicians/sorcerers of his time infront of everyone and convinced them.. Jesus(p) was sent to a people who excelled in potions and medicine. they were the best in this type of experimentation,etc. of his time; so he had to be given miracles more powerful than what was practiced to convince his people that he was a Messenger of God. i.e. his miracalous birth, his healing of the blind, lepers, and raising the dead, etc. But the people were not convinced he was even a human. They axeggerated Jesus and raised him to a deity and started worshipping him. And so Muhammad(p) had to be sent to convince mankind once and for all that the Messengers ince the beginning came with one true message of Monotheism (Tawheed). He came at a time of poetry and literature. The Arabs at the time excelled in poetry, and they almost bedazzled with their words. You can say there was a few shakespears instead of the odd one! So Muhammad brought them something that was neither poetry nor prose, but miracalous in nature. The Qur'an was revealed and memorised in the hearts of hundreds of Muslims and challenged the pagans, atheists, jews, and christians to produce something that was near to it, never mind like it!

***

Before Muhammad(p) was born, the Arabs were living in total darkness. Rape, alcohol and gambling were rampant, tribal wars tore the region apart, and people basically lived like the animals trying to survive. Paganism and Idol worship was the main belief. Tribes had their own idols who they sacrificed to and there were some Jews and Christians following their respective scriptures (but very few).

Muhammad(p) was born in 570AD or thereabouts in Mecca. He was always known as an honest, trustworthy man by everybody that knew him in the region. He sometimes left for meditation and to contemplate about the bad situation in and around Mecca. We believe that Muhammad received his first revelations while meditating in the cave of Hira when he was about 40. We believe that the Angel Gibreel came to Muhammad(p) to reveal the Koran.

After receiving the first revelation and being told he was the last Messenger of God, Muhammad(p) went back to his wife, Khadija, shivering and sweating to tell her what had happened. She believed him and assured him that no harm could come to a man who never done bad and treated people well. She brought him to her cousin Wariqa, who was a man of ancient documents and scripture. And he was amazed by the narration saying it was like the namoos (angel) of old times, who came to Moses and Jesus (p). He was one of the first to embrace the message of Muhammad after listening to the first revelation. Muhammad(p) told only his close friends and family members about the message at first, then the revelation came again to tell him to 'arise and warn', and this was the second stage of his mission. It was to be the stage of persecution for him and the believers.

The Meccans resented his message and started torturing the believers werever they saw them and made life hell for them. Persecution in Mecca got so bad that Muhammad (p) had to ask the small band of followers to try and find refuge in Abyssinia (Ethopia) which was under king Negus at the time ( a Christian king who had heard the Muslim account of Jesus as revealed in the Qur'an and converted). The revelations kept coming and the Meccan Quraish chiefs were plotting to kill Muhammad(p). It was here when Muhammad(p) was given the go ahead (by Allah thru Angel Gabriel) to migrate to Yathrib (Medina); and had managed to escape the Quraishi plot. So he escaped with Abu Bakr and this was the beginning of the Islamc Calendar because of the birth of the islamic State in Medina.

The Meccans were not happy with Muhammad(p) getting away and wanted to destroy him and Islam before it grew too big...

(1)The Qur'an that Muhammad (p) came with as proof of a creator was a mysterious book and still is to this day. (2)It wasn't written like a normal book and most of the information in it could not have been imagined by a man like Muhammad (illiterate in every sense of the word). (3)The Arabs at the time were amazed by the language of the Qur'an. (i)How can an illiterate man write a full book of pure Arabic (with no mistakes in grammar or fact)? (ii)How could a man write with such authority and confidence (still not outdated/obsolete)? (4)There is a strange style to the Qur'an that raises it above prose and poetry...It is not a narrative, or something written in a human style (like the bible). (5)There is a sense of authority the whole way through it. (6)It was revealed to Muhammad (p) in a period of over 20 years but does not change tone or style one bit throughout the whole 20 years (as if written over a week or month)! (7)There are mysteries contained in it (i.e. scientific facts, letters, naming of sura/aya as oppose to qasida/bait) that cannot be denied by a sane man. For example:

(i)Let's say for instance a man came to you with Muhammad's experiences and honesty, saying to you that he has the keys to this life and solutions for all of the world's problems + why you exist, what the theory of every single thing in this life is and I can prove it to you by pointing out that a Creator exists and it is He who has revealed to me every single word in this Book (every single word; not like the bible,etc. - Memorised and preserved, but that's a whole other story) - - explain this to me - - The Noble Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet(p) as a Guidance and Light to mankind (who was living in utter darkness and ignorance). It comes with one simple message and aim - to warn man that he is responsible in this life before a Creator and will be raised to another life for judgement, either rewarded with True Mercy or punished. With Mercy comes Justice.. (ii) ok, so how did Muhammad(p) know how to guess right every single time for things that no man could have possibly known at his time or even a thousand years after his time, i.e. simple things like the gender of a bee(fact#1); iram, darkness in oceans, invisible barriers in the seas, lowest point on earth, sun's orbit, & iron's descent from space and mysteries(beneficial). Other amazing facts after these eight is the facts of language, embryology, astronomy, history, botany, which are repeated with great concise accurate detail; (iii) Additionaly, Muhammad(p) was never known as a liar even by his enemies.. read historians views from all perspectives; read his biograpghy and see his character (great) and achievements as a leader (who never went after worldly possession); read the history of this great man that even Napoleon and other Profilers admired and praised. He was mentioned as 'the praised one' even by Jesus, and has been elevated (successful) in both spheres of life: spiritual (morality of Islam) and material (Islamic Empire and Civilization).

***

The middle-east is in a horrible mess. But has it not always been in a serious mess since the creation of the zionist state of Israel?! Ever since the occupation of 1948 and further territory expansion to take control of the West Bank, gazza and Jerusalem in 1967 Israel has started a never-ending war with Palestine and the Muslims in that region. It has ignored more than three UN resolutions; being condemned by Amnesty and the EU for its murder and destruction; and misusing its power given to it by the United States to get what it wants. The intifada and the uprising of al-aqsa shall go on!

Recently, just before Hamas took a soldier captive near the Gaza Strip, two Palestinians were kidnapped by the IDF (a doctor and a student i think); not many people know this but it was reported in the Guardian or Independent i think. And even though the Zionists pulled out of Gazza they still controlled the region. They had full authority because they didn't want to recognise Hamas! Hamas had given up its suicide attacks for over six months, plus had made preparations to negotiate on a peace deal, but I really don't think Israel wants peace.

As for the captured soldiers from Hizbollah's side:
The spiritual leader of Hezbollah came on the air during the attacks on south Beirut and explained the situation perfectly. He said firstly, Hezbollah never expected the Israeli heavy attack on their civilians in Beirut. The negotiations had been successful before with prisoner swaps, but it looks like Olmert was inexperienced (even his own people say so!). Secondly, Hezbollah were going to demand the Shebaa farms back from Israeli occupation (against UN resolutions); and stop going into Lebanese territory showing authority (breaking sound barrier); and finally to hand over maps for land mines on lebanese soil (also against Amnesty & UN regualtions). Israel and America had one objective: To disarm Hezbollah (and at the same time attack Syria & Iran, waiting for them to come into the war). In fact, Israel and the US failed miserably in all of their objectives (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.)

***

The Muslims can unite by understanding the biography of the Prophet (p), being patient with the little differences and selecting a knowlegeable Leader. Knowledgeable in the Qur'an and neccessary shar'iah, and excellent in character. We need to understand the history of Islam

Beginnings

There exists a Creator.

The logic of Islam is clear (obvious). There is only ONE True Creator who Guides mankind to the straight path. We shouldn't worship any created thing, i.e. Sun, Moon, Tree, Stone, Man, Animal, etc.

The Creator is not a part of the creation. The Creator is above and outside the realm of creation but the Creator's knowledge & Sight is infinite. The logic of Islam does not believe what Christianity says, i.e. man is god incarnate and died for human's sin. If Jesus died, then god died! doesn't make sense. The logic of Islam is not compatible with what Hindu's say, i.e. god is in idols (animal) or man (incarnate). If God was everywhere and in everything, then he is mixed with filth,etc. Doesn't make sense. The logic of Islam does not agree with what the jews say, i.e. a personal god for our nation and your god is different!

Think of the Creator as the King of kings. The Master of Creation. The Most High (Authority). For example, if I said to you that there was a king who ruled a whole land (e.g. United Kingdom)... Would you say I'm not going to believe in the King or submit to his authority until I see him (face to face)? Would you be allowed to do as you wished in his land? He would have authority to punish you for any injustice done on your part, and the biggest injustice or arrogance is to say, 'As far as I'm concerned there is no king that I know of,' and thinking you can do as you please without punishment! That is absolute nonsense. How about the Creator, who has set a perfect, just law and has been abundantly forgiving and merciful towards His creation. If the Creator were to punish everyone for his bad deeds on this earth, there would not be one person alive now; but He is Patient, Forgiving, and Just. How can you say that every single thing in this Universe came about by chance? It is like saying that the pyramids or the eiffil tower just came about by chance.. The Universe and human being is a billion times more complex than these inanimate objects. The Universe is covered with complex living things (literally covered with things that cannot be seen by the human eye). It is absolutely absurd (and actually stupid) to say all of it came about by coincidence. Even our inbuilt nature to do good and our longing for something better after we die. Our emotions, conscience, complexity proves that there is a purpose to our lives.

You ask why the harsh punishments and the need to follow a Law?
If you look around you, everything is following a law and system set by the Creator (i.e., the solar system, the force of gravity, electric force, etc.) and even human beings themselves, as they got more civilised & wiser, have set rules and regulations to live by for themselves. For example, a King in the land or a parliament. Why do we set laws and why the need for order? - this should answer your question about the need to follow a Law. About the harsh punishments: We humans are sometimes barbaric, sometimes harsh, sometimes ignorant, and the only law that we will understand is harshness (to keep us in check). Think of the society as a human body; if one part is corrupt (disease) it will spread to the other parts if not cut off. Now, if you think death for adultery is a bit too harsh, then don't do it! It's as simple as that... you say you're free (no you're not) - that's someone elses sister, mother, wife or daughter you penetrating. That's a family you're destroying or a killing spree (of continuous vengeance) you're about to start. If you want to have sex with somebody go about it the right way. Talk to the girl, talk to her father, marry her and be committed to a good purposeful relationship. If it doesn't work out it doesn't work out, but don't go looking for a shag and saying it's not fair if you're caught. It's a punishment to protect the individual, family, and society. secondly, if you're an intelligent, sane person you wouldn't murder somebody, steal someones belongings (or business stock), have sex with somebody's daughter, sister, wife or mother, etc. etc. IF you knew what the punishment for these offences was. It's like having sex with somebody who has AIDS without a condom (you know you will catch the virus & die if you did it). BUT these Laws are also beneficial for the human being just as you would say human laws are beneficial for us, i.e if you speed or don't have your seatbelt on you'll get fined, but this is for your own good. If you gamble, do drugs (including alcohol), sleep with someone's daughter, YOU destroy families and your self-image, in turn, it could lead to many deaths, broken families, heavy depression, greed & corruption.. If you believe in a Creator (a God) - Allah, you just try your best to understand His Law and try your best to follow them.

Why do we have to worship the Creator and why the beard, prayer, rituals, etc.???
Firstly, do you believe that there is actually a Creator? - If so, why do you believe? Secondly, I believe that we are on this planet so as to achieve our full potential as humans (This is the Master Plan), and to reach our Ultimate Desire we need to follow the Law of the Creator. The rights and wrongs are made clear to everyone. The choice is ours. It all boils down to making the right choices, which will eventually strengthen our character as true humans, and bring out our full potential. It's been said that 'A temptation resisted is a true measure of character.' You can ask as many questions as possible, but the main issue is if you believe that there is a God then try to find out what this God requires of us; the results follow. The reasons why I follow Muhammad(P) are because he didn't contradict any of the true Messengers of the Creator who came before him with his message of Worshipping a God and the Day of Judgement. He came to confirm all of the Prophets and Messengers from the time of Adam, Noah, etc. If Allah (as we call 'The Creator') bestowed so many blessings on you and offered you an immense blessing of eternal life in Paradise, why not give a small bit of gratitude back and worship Him? What do you find so hard about the rituals; as far as I'm concerned they go with my nature - give me relief from anxiety and depression; and keep me away from causing injustice to anyone or hurting my fellow human. I pray to thank my Creator and take a break from the chaotic life; I give charity to purify my soul and help the poor; I fast ramadan to empathise (gain empathy) and strengthen my belief... We were created with an inbuilt nature (Fitra), if used correctly, would raise us above the Angels but if it is used wrongly would bring us lower than the animals. This Fitra is recognising good,evil, and using our senses to choose freely between them. This Fitra should be balanced by using our desires and attitudes in the proper way, and not abusing them wrongly (knowingly)! e.g., sex(lust & desire), food(eating wrong things & sloth!), fun(drugs & alcohol; laughter,etc.), etc. All of these can be used in the proper way and the wrong way... It's your choice, either to be raised above the Angels (excel in worship & reward) or to stoop to a level below the animals (who were not given a free will & responsiblity).

How about children or those who didn't receive a Messenger?
Well children are born on human nature and free of sin (until they reach a certain mature age..))
Everybody is born in this life on the natural fitra (clean slate of belief in the One True God); we believe it is only the parents who label him a christian, jew, magian, atheist, etc. If he were left to his own devices he would come to the conclusion from observation and the materials around him that there certainly is a God. By using his blessings of sight, intelligence, and conscience he will come to the truth - There is a God

What have you got to say about homosexuality and Apostacy (where's the justice there)?
Islam, as mentioned above numerous time, came as a system with laws that govern the human being on this earth in this life. If you have a system that tries to cover every aspect of humans (existence), you're bound to have objections from alot of people from all quarters of the earth! People will disagree with this; others will disagree with that, etc. But you cannot please everybody and only the Creator knows his creation better than anybody. It's like you, if you made something, you'd know what benefits it, what it is made for, etc. True?!? so the same goes for the human - The Creator knows what it was created for and sets laws for it to govern his temprory life on this earth, and to test him and nurture him for the real purpose of his creation...

Can you explain Fate and Pre-Destiny?
Every single thing can be explained. But can the mind comprehend every single thing that exists?


What I will try to discuss - Viewpoint:
1. Controversial Issues (Media Research Doc) & Ideal Society.
2. Islam Science Debate (Ahmad Nadir) & Harun Yahya Web site.
3. Existence Doc. & The Noble Revelation (My other project).
4. The Infallible Church Draft - Mind-boggling Questions
5. A list of Islam web sites that have motivated me throughout my life.
6. The Qur'an and the Hadith (Sunnah)
7. History.