God's System / Islam

This word that most people are willing to die for, that wars have been fought over, that people have been persecuted and isolated for…Is something most people don’t really know much about!

As amazing as that sounds, it is absolutely true. Different people have different understanding of the word ‘religion’.

• Some think it is a ‘club’ which only the ‘chosen ones belong’;
• Some think it is ‘mandatory’ on all people (even children);
• Some think it is ‘for the poor’ to give them hope;
• Some think it is ‘just rituals’ and has no real significance in real life.

"We have sent down to you a scripture containing your message. Do you not understand?" (Qur’an 21:10)

When we read the stories of previous generations as related in The Qur’an, most of us are unable to relate to them thinking that they are 'tales from the past' which no longer have any significance in our age of science & technology.

"We narrate to you the best narration's through the revelation of this Reading (Quran). Before this, you were totally unaware." (Qur’an 12:3)

2:31. And He taught Adam the names of all things, then He displayed them to those given control and said: "Inform Me the names of these things if you were truthful."

There are two types of names, common names and proper names. An example of a common name is "human" which is the common name of the leading race inhabiting this planet. Examples of proper names are first and last names that people go by such as John Smith.

Common names attempt to describe the nature of things. In Arabic, the common name is usually based on a predominant property that the object being described possesses. Hence, the common name "ta'ir" (a flying creature) comes from the root "TYR" (to fly).

Proper names, on the other hand, are given based on other factors and they do not necessarily reflect the nature of what is being named. Hence, no matter what some people think of him, George "Bush" is not a garden plant.

That the Qur'an is a monumentally well-integrated Book must be borne in mind when attempting tafseer (explanation), and this becomes amazingly evident in examination of the last two Suras of the Qur'an, Al-Falaq and Al-Nass. The Qur'an's dynamic symmetry bears the stamp of the Creator: the never-ending dynamics of symmetry which is both clarifying and stupefying. Analysis of Qur'anic structural patterns is also probably one of the most revealing techniques one can use in gaining a more profound understanding of the Qur'an. So the first structural pattern evident in Surat Al-Fatiha, the dynamic symmetry/interaction of the complementary/opposite names Al-Rahman, Al-Raheem in the initial invocation, as well as the fact that those were pairs, is matched again in these two final Suras, clearly forming a "pair", and exhibiting the same kind of dynamics between the same complementary/ opposite pairs.

One would think that peacefulness doesn't need an introduction. Under ideal circumstances people who read the title would anticipate most, if not all, of what will come next just from the title. Unfortunately, the evident lack of peacefulness amongst humankind may require at least a brief introduction.

Those who will read the title and anticipate what I am talking about will recognize that this is about understanding the meaning of the word "islam". The conclusion is in the title. This article will explain how this conclusion was reached and will explore some astonishing implications.

In the previous study (see “FREE CHOICE”), a basic and straightforward logical analysis was conducted on the Quranic verses relating to The GOD’s will. Various logical propositions and their present and past tense occurrences were examined. The conclusion derived from the analysis is that we each have the freedom to choose the path to take but have no control over what outcome this path will lead to.

When scientists study the universe, the more they understand of it, the more questions arise. I found the same to be true for the Quran. I will try here to answer some of the questions that arose out of the previous study, namely:

Many people in the past and probably each one of us have asked this question at one point or another. The question is whether human beings are predestined or possess free will. The answer to this question could have profound consequences on how we approach this life and indeed on the very meaning of life. This question has perplexed people and has been on their mind since inhabiting this earth. I believe that, with The God's help, we can use the Quran to shed light on this issue and get closer to the truth.

INTRODUCTION

Like most people, I too have been thinking about the question of free will and predestination for a long time. A step forward came when something about verses 18:23-24 made me pause:

Do not say to something, I am doing this tomorrow. Except if The God wills, and remember/mention your Lord if you forget, and say: "Perhaps my Lord guides me to what is nearer in rationality" [18:23-24]

I have been linked with Education for sometimes now I have noticed several things regarding the attitudes in education as well as general attitudes in life. I would like to share some of my thoughts on that with you all.

The muslim countries of the world are at the bottom of the list when it comes to education and development. Many people have tried to blame the west for the backward muslim attitude. However, this problem is not an external problem, but an internal one. There are other countries in the world which are poorer than most muslim countries but when it comes to education they are far far ahead of ALL muslim nations. India is one example. They were also under colonial rule like Pakistan and are among one of the poorest countries in the world. However, their education system is better than any muslim country in the world. They produce more world class scientists and researchers than ALL the muslims countries combined together. You go to ANY major university in the world, you are bound to find Indian Professors in the faculty.

The rapid collapse of the Taliban regime in 2001 and the advancement of the Northern Alliance was very much predicted by all military and strategic analysts. The constant US bombing pounded whatever military the Taliban had and the physiological warfare had most of their troops ready to defect the first chance they got.

While a 21st century army defeating the 19th (or 20th) century army may have been as ‘clear as day’ to many people, it came as an utter ‘shock’ to most religious Muslims who could not understand how the GOD that they believe and worship could abandon His people!

The Taliban were strict Sunni Muslims by the very definition of the word…they prayed the obligatory 5-times a day and prayed the additional ‘extra credit’ prayers as well…they grew their beards in emulation of the beloved prophet… they dressed in the traditional dress of the 6th century Arabs using turbans and long clothing…they forbade television and cinema which cause evil & vice…

The first aya of Al-Fatiha firmly establishes that these two names refer to Allah, the Supreme Power, and to Him exclusively. They are used together (as a pair) and separately (individually) throughout the Qur’an extensively to describe or refer to Him in various contexts. The context of usage of these names in the Qur’an clearly defines their meaning. It is also important that their usage in Al-Fatiha, in aya 1 and again in aya 3, points out the fact that they are, in fact, a pair - as well as indicating the significance of being a pair.