Faith, Logic, and the Truth
Javed Ahmad
Abstract: This paper was written keeping the laymen in mind. Still the discussion on the paper may appear to be difficult to understand for the people who are not much familiar with science and technology. The idea here is to explain the concept of God in plain English using contemporary scientific knowledge and understanding. A logical mind seeks a logical answer to get convinced. A faithful person (i.e., a Believer) is also an ethical person following religious moral standards. Therefore, this paper deals with the primary issue called “Faith” through “Logic” to realize the “Truth”.
Keywords: God, Allah, Oneness, Tawhid.
1. Introduction: Before we get into the issue, let us make sure that we understand the terms (or words) used. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the meanings are as follows:
Faith: 1. Confident belief; trust. 2. Belief in God; religious conviction.
Logic: 1. The study of the principles of reasoning. 2. Valid reasoning, esp. as distinguished from invalid or irrational argumentation.
Truth: Conformity to knowledge, fact, or actuality; veracity.
The coming of computer age has brought a revolution and further understanding of philosophy and logic. Today we know that the logic is of two kinds: True (or yes) and False (or no). And whatever is in between true and false are `doubtful', which occurs due to limitation of knowledge, wisdom, and lack of understanding. And it is always wise and advisable to avoid doubtful matters until we accumulate enough information to classify the situation into either category of true and false. Sometimes we might have to deal with doubtful matters, in such cases, when it should occur; we might have to use `conditional' resolution as a last choice.
Today's abundant wealth of information and knowledge has made us realize about many things that our predecessors did not know. Education i.e. acquaintance with knowledge has made the present generation of human civilization much more tolerant than ever before.
Perhaps the greatest breakthrough in our logical world is about the question "Who or what is God? Does He really exist?" Before we plunge into the world of wisdom and logic to look for the answer, please let me remind you that if the answer is `yes' then we will be shaking the base of `atheism', and if the answer is `no' then we are challenging all the religions of the world. So ladies and gentlemen, it is a serious journey.
2. Concept of God: According to most religious belief God is said to be someone or something who is universal, only one, no one created him, no one has the power to destroy him, not limited to any shape, has the capability to exists everywhere, always awake, most powerful, can create and destroy anything, a light, all knowing, most merciful, etc. The Holy Qur'an declares,
"And verily We shall recount their whole story with knowledge, for We were never absent (at any time or place)."(The Heights (7): 7).
"Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all)"(Read (96):8).
"And your God is One God: There is no God but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful."(The Cow (2): 163).
"To God belongeth all that is in the heavens and on earth. Whether ye show what is in your minds or conceal it, God calleth you to account for it. He forgiveth whom He pleaseth, and punisheth whom He pleaseth. For God hath power over all things."(The Cow (2): 284).
"Thy Lord is Self-sufficient, full of mercy: if it were His will, He could destroy you, and in your place appoint whom He will as your successors, even as He raised you up from the posterity of other people." (Cattle (6): 133).
"God! There is no god but He,- the Living, the Self- subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteh? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)." (The Cow (2): 255).
"And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning." (The Night (92): 13).
"God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the East nor of the West, Whose Oil is well-nigh Luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! God doth guide whom He will to His Light: God doth set forth Parables for men: and God doth know all things." (Light (24): 35).
"That is because God is the (only) Reality, and because whatever else they invoke besides Him is falsehood; And because God,- He is the Most High, Most Great." (The Wise (31): 30).
"High above all is God, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! Advance me in knowledge."" (Mystic Letters, T.H.(20):114).
"No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things." (Cattle (6): 103).
As we see that He has got many characteristics. Now if we try to combine some of His qualities together and look for something similar that we know of, then we can readily conclude that we are talking about a Being that it similar in characteristics to what we call `Energy'. Only energy can possess such qualities. Now another big question comes up, "What is Energy?"
3. Concept of Energy: It is the force or power of expression or utterances; force that creates, or according to physics `ability to do work'. The wealth of our scientific information tells us that everything has been created out of energy. Everything we see around us including ourselves is nothing but a mere composition and transformation of energy. Only the `levels of energy' makes all the differences. Light, heat, electricity, radiation, waves, etcetera all are nothing but various expressions of energy. If we keep on breaking something into tiny pieces we would end up with an atom, and breaking an atom we would encounter electrical particles like electron, proton, neutron, positron, etc eventually photons and quarks. And trying to break up the quarks will result in energy the origin of the creation, which disappears and can no longer be distinguished. Thus energy exists everywhere, and we know nothing more about energy.
In the text book "Chemistry" written by Professor Radel and Navidi says the following under the topic "Matter and Energy",
"Our universe is one of unceasing motion and continuous change. Matter, by which we mean anything that has mass and occupies space, is constantly changing from one form into another. Examples of spontaneous change can be found everywhere- living organisms are born, then they mature and eventually die; ocean water evaporates and then recondenses as rain or snow or hail; radioactive material disintegrates into simpler particles; and giant stars explode and become supernovas. What makes it possible for matter to undergo these transformations? The answer is energy, ability to do work. Energy enables objects to move and undergo change. Unlike matter, energy is intangible; we cannot touch it or pick it up like a book, but we can see and feel its effects. The universe is full of energy. Stars are vast reservoirs of radiant energy, and light energy from our star, the sun, helped to develop life on earth and continues to sustain it today. People have used wind energy for centuries to propel ships and turn windmills, and the energy of moving water has been harnessed to produce electricity. Even atoms, when split, can release energy to produce motion, change, and in the case of atomic bombs, devastation. Where do the matter and energy of our universe come from? Or have they always been here in one form or another? No one knows the answers to these questions. Modern theories of cosmology, the science that deals with the origin and evolution of the universe, assume that the contents of the universe were once in a highly condensed state and that an explosion or "Big Bang" occurred about 15 billion years ago. The hot products of this explosion began to rush apart and cool, and over the years they gradually evolved into the universe in which we now live. Our universe is still expanding- the most distant stars are moving away from us at speeds more than one-third the speed of light.... It was much too hot for atoms to exist and the universe at that time was heavily populated with less complex particles, including negatively charged electrons, positively charged protons, and uncharged neutrons. Electrons are the particles that flow through wires during the passage of electric current. Proton and neutrons are of special interest to us. They are the particles that ultimately fused together to form the nuclei of the various atoms so familiar to us today. The simplest atom is the hydrogen atom, consisting of an electron moving about a proton. More complex atoms consist of two or more electrons moving about nuclei that contain protons and neutrons. Except for hydrogen, the nuclei of all naturally occurring atoms, including carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and other substances essential for life, are produced by reaction within the stars. As the stars grow old and die, these nuclei are ejected into space where they combine with electrons and gradually coalesce to form dust grains, comets, planets, new stars, and living matter. To paraphrase Carl Sagan, a modern-day astronomer:” We are all made from the dust of the stars."
Yes, we are created from the dust of the stars, note below what the Holy Qur’an has to say about this,
"O mankind! If ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that we created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much). And (further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs). This is so, because God is the Reality: it is He who gives life to the dead, and it is He who has power over all things. And verily the hour will come: There can be no doubt about it, or about (the fact) that God will raise up all who are in the graves. Yet there is among men such a one as disputes about God, without knowledge, without guidance, and without a Book of Enlightenment,- (disdainfully) bending his side, in order to lead (men) astray from the path of God: For him there is disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Judgement We shall make him taste the Penalty of burning (Fire). (It will be said): "This is because of the deeds which thy hands sent forth, for verily God is not unjust to His servants."" (Qur'an: The Pilgrimage (22): 5-10).
That is not all, Qur'an also talks about the 'Big Bang Theory' mentioned above;
"Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?...It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon: All (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course." (Qur'an: The Prophets (21): 30,33).
"Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said:"We do come (together), in willing obedience." So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days, and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge." (Qur'an: Ha-Mim(41): 11-2).
"The heaven, We have built it with power, verily We are expanding it." (Qur'an: The Winds that Scatter (51): 47).
The startling phenomenon is yet to be discussed, and that is, `Conservation'. There is a law in physics, called the Law of Conservation of Energy. This states that `energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it is conserved’. And interestingly enough the Qur'an says that nobody created God and no one can destroy Him (meaning eternal), He is conserved. Finally, we could conclude that one of God's characteristics is nothing but energy; thus leading us to a way to believe in existence of God.
We can further conclude
that `God is one'; whatever we see, feel, are his expressions, they are not
`gods'. For example, we see the `sun', and we feel its radiations (i.e., light,
heat, etc.). But the radiation is not the `sun' itself; it’s just an expression
of the sun. And the sun remains with its own identity. Similarly, although
`God' created everything, but his creations are not God Himself, they are
independent in nature with limited characteristics. But `God the creator' is
above all limitations. After all He is the creator! The following verse points
the matter clearly that He is an independent Entity who would remain when
everything else would perish –
"All
that is on earth will perish: But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord
-full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor."; (Most Gracious (55): 26-7).
Does God have a Face?
What is probably meant by “Face” could be that even after destruction of our
world, God would continue to exist with His own identity. This particular verse
also hints to the possibility that our concept of “energy” may change in the
future which we hold firmly today as there seem to exist different layers or
levels of energy acting independently yet linked somehow. Recent success of “quantum teleportation” might explain one day how Prophet
Muhammad (s) managed to travel a distance from Makkah to Masjid-ul-Aqsa in
Jerusalem in just few seconds –
Glorified
(and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] Who
took His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه
و سلم) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram
(at Makkah) to Al-Masjid-al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We
have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad صلى الله
عليه و سلم) of Our Ayat
(proofs, evidence, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the
All-Seer . ( سورة الإسراء
, Al-Isra, Chapter #17,
Verse #1)
Everything belongs to Him.`God is one and only', and he is not `three in one' or `trinity'. As the Holy Qur'an clearly states,
"They do blaspheme who say: "God is Christ the son of Mary". But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! Worship God, my Lord and your Lord" Whoever joins other gods with God,- God will forbid him the garden, and the fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong doers be no one to help. They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a trinity: for there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them." (The Table Spread (5): 75-6).
"It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is." (Mary (19): 35).
"The Jews call 'Uzair a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the Son of God. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the Unbelievers of old used to say. God's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!" (Repentance (9): 30).
From some verses of the
Our’an it seems like God does have a shape who sits on a throne, which also
implicates that He is not really everywhere but His powers are encompassing all
–
And
believe no one except the one who follows your religion. Say (O Muhammad صلى
الله عليه وسلم):
"Verily! Right guidance is the Guidance of Allah" and do not believe
that anyone can receive like that which you have received, otherwise they would
engage you in argument before your Lord. Say (O Muhammad صلى الله
عليه وسلم): "All the bounty
is in the hand of Allah; He grants
to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs,
All-Knower." (Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3,
Verse #73)
In another verse we are
told that Allah have two hands –
(Allah)
said: "O Iblis (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one
whom I have created with Both My hands
. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high
exalted?" ( سورة ص , Sad,
Chapter #38,
Verse #75)
And
He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His throne was on the water, that He
might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. But if you were to say to
them: "You shall indeed be raised up after death," those who
disbelieve would be sure to say, "This is nothing but obvious magic.
" (Hud, Chapter #11,
Verse #7)
"To God belong the East and the West: whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of God. For God is All-Pervading, All-Knowing. "(The Cow (2): 115).
In 1997 a breaking news appeared under the title “Out Of Pure Light, Physicists Create Particles of Matter” that confirms that a group of scientists have successfully managed to create particle out of light.
“A
team of 20 physicists from four institutions has literally made something from
nothing, creating particles of matter from ordinary light for the first time.
The experiment was carried out at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC)
by scientists and students from the
The scientists had to put a lot of effort to convert a tiny particle from energy, whereas for God it is just a matter of will.
“To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: When He decreeth a matter, He saith to it: "Be" and it is.” (The Cow (2):117).
Energy cannot act on its
own. Some external interference or process is needed to get something out of
it. But God is a living being with full of intelligence who could create
anything at will just by willing it. God is neither `He’ nor `She', but a Power
(Authority). It doesn't mean that whatever we see around us are 'gods' and as
such we have to worship them all! No wonder why `blasphemy' is such a serious
crime in religion. So God never came down to earth physically, because He
doesn't have to!
“Therefore
exalted be Allah, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of
the throne of Honour!” (The Believers (23):
116).
Therefore, the concept of `incarnation of God' is illogical and a misinterpretation. Those who came talking about Him were his messengers or representatives i.e., the prophets. And all the prophets came to deliver the same basic universal message ‘God is one and only, He is our creator, so worship God not his creations.’ Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) talked about a `messiah' to come after him, and when Jesus (peace be upon him) the Christ (or the messiah) really came, Jews denied him. On the other hand Jesus predicted the coming of another prophet (the `comforter' now translated as the `helper' in some Bible, ref. John: 14-7) who would deliver further messages from God and guide people to truth, and would glorify him. Indeed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came, he glorified Jesus (there are many honorable mentions about Jesus in the Holy Qur'an, and a chapter is also devoted to Mary (the mother of Jesus), uttered further revelations and called the mankind to truth. But a major part of mankind around the world is still doubtful about his message. And fortunately or unfortunately Muhammad (s) did not predict of coming of any new prophet. Moreover, he declared himself as the `seal’ (the last) of the prophets (as testified in the Qur'an) and warned about the claims of `false prophets' to come.
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Apostle of God, and the Seal of the Prophets: And God has full knowledge of all things" (Qur'an:(33) The Confederates: 40).
Religion business is not really nonsense; it is atheism that is nonsense. An atheist says, "Everything is created out of nature", fine! But what is "nature”? Nature is nothing but 'order'! Set of rules or information, command! And God is the commander.
"Your Guardian Lord is God, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds!" (The Heights (7): 54).
"Blessed is He who made constellations in the skies, and placed therein a Lamp and a Moon giving light; and it is He who made the Night and the Day to follow each other: For such as have the will to celebrate His praises or to show their gratitude. And the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!"" (Qur'an: The Criterion (25): 61-3).
4. Life after Death: The business of "Life after Death" could be a fact too! How? Let me explain how. Energy is conserved, which means that it cannot be created or destroyed. All that happens is transformation. There is another law in physics similar to the law of conservation of energy, called the law of conservation of mass. This law states that the mass of matter is also conserved, that is, once it is created it cannot be destroyed either. Although sometimes it appears to us that things do change, but in actuality no matter how much it changes the net weight remains the same before and after the change. Therefore, since we are already in existence, we will continue to exist in some form.
In this new age of
knowledge and understanding, we are now talking about 'near death experiences'
or 'out of body experiences', and in continued research and investigation we
would come to know more in the future. There is a video on YouTube under the
title “2 Angels are taking away the soul of the dead child” that shows a bright
lighted image coming down from the sky entering a house and takes along another
similar image and then goes up in the sky again.
Click here to
watch the video.
According to the video
recorder a child died in that building on the floor from where the light picked
up the second light which he thinks was the should of the dead taken by an
angel. Another video on the same title shows that a large birdlike being
descending from the heavens landing on top of Kaaba.
Click here to
watch the video.
The video was recorded
by someone during the hajj in 2008. There are many such videos on YouTube, but
it is not easy to tell which ones are real and which are fakes. I am mentioning
it here to let the reader know that such materials exist on the net. One may
ask why I have added the images of angels and jinns in this article knowing
that the images could be false and artificially created. I have added them
because I have personally seen UFOs in two occasions which I think were jinns
(I am not yet convinced that there are aliens coming from space with oval
shaped flying spacecrafts commonly known as the UFOs. Rather I think, they are
probably jinns; and yes, some jinn can fly! I have written an article on the
jinn entitled “Satan is laughing” that one could read if interested); and
recently on the 23rd night of Ramadan of 2013 I have seen a birdlike angel
through a window taking off from a cloud emitting white lights and then gliding
down toward my direction sliding off the building on the left side of ours. It
looked very similar to the one in the video as it came down from the heaven and
moving upward. Now one may argue that it is not possible to see angels and
jinns with our naked eyes made of flesh and blood, but then we need to
understand that we can see and hear anything if Allah permits. People did, does
and do see angels and jinns occasionally.
Scientifically speaking,
Russian scientists have managed to photograph the soul or aura leaving a human
body at the time of death –
“...Russian scientist Dr Konstantin Korotkov claims that the
pictures show the exact moment of death...The images show "the soul"
gradually slipping out of the body before the patient's image turns red. Talk
about an out-of-body experience...” (Source: http://www.2012changesarenow.com/2009/08/russian-scientist-photographs-souls.html
)
One may also look up for
more information that are coming out on an ongoing experiment on life after
death and other paranormal activities called “The Scole Experiment” also known
as the Norfolk Experiment at http://www.thescoleexperiment.com/index.htm . They have published a book
entitled, “THE SCOLE
While in the
"Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with awe: He flingeth the loud voiced thunder-bolts, and therewith He striketh whomsoever He will. Yet these (are the men) who (dare to) dispute about God, with the strength of His power (supreme)!" (Qur'an: Thunder (13): 13).
I was totally amazed by the detail and descriptions given in that book which is so close and similar to the detail and descriptions given by our holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in his traditions, and explanations or interpretations given by many Islamic scholars and philosophers. He talked about the recording of our everyday activities which will be replayed back to us after our death, instantly reminded me of the following Qur'anic verses,
"On the day that God will raise them all up (again) and show them the truth (and meaning) of their conduct. God has reckoned its (value), though they may have forgotten it, for God is witness to all things." (The Woman who Pleads (58): 6).
"And the Book (of deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! Woe to us! What a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice." (The Cave (18): 49).
Scientists today believe that all our activities including voice is constantly under going transformation into some form of wave accumulation somewhere in the universe. And it can all be played back someday. An algorithm has already been developed by some scientists that could allow them to retrieve audios from surrounding materials and an experiment has been successful. Mr. Brinkley in his book "Saved by the Light" on page 195 goes on saying,
"...I became aware of the fragrance of the flowers. As I breathed in the scent, I heard a chant resonating throughout the building. A-L-L-A-H-O-M went the chant, A-L-L-A-H-O-M. This chant made me aware of everything around me, and I began to breathe the fragrance deeply and observe everything with such intensity that it was almost as though I were bathing in it. A-L-L-A-H-O-M, A-L-L-H- O-M, went the chant, and I became more and more absorbed in my surroundings. As I did I began to vibrate at a speed equal to everything around me. I became one with everything around me and could experience everything. At the same time, everything was experiencing me."
Mr. Brinkley's experience helped me to recall the following verse from the Qur'an,
"The
seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: There
is not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet ye understand not how they
declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving!" (The
Children of
In Islam, ALLAH is the
name of God. When we praise God by His name (the method called Zikr or Dhikr))
we chant His name continuously, like A-L-L-A-H-U, A-L-L-A-H-U... When it is
done together in a group the sound becomes one and the situation gives a sense
of belonging to oneness. Amazingly, even though Mr. Brinkley is not a Muslim,
still he did not experience anything different.
In the Holy Qur’an we
find many references that claims that we will be “resurrected” after our death
in a physical form again; meaning, we would be re-created. I have quoted one
such verse from the Qur’an that says, “O mankind! If ye have a doubt about the
Resurrection, (consider) that we created you out of dust…”. No matter how
absurd it may sound, scientists today have demonstrated by bring a 30,500 years
old plant seed back to life proving that coming back to life is not at all an
impossible matter –
“The
Silene stenophylla was brought back to life using seeds buried by squirrels in
Siberian permafrost more than 30,000 years ago...The seeds have been held in
suspended animation by the cold, which has served as a 'frozen gene pool',
scientists say...The seeds were dug out of the fossilised burrows of Arctic
ground squirrels that roamed the bleak treeless tundra near modern day Kolyma
in Russia during the Ice Age, when humans shared the Earth with mammoths and
Neanderthals…” (Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2103936/Ancient-plant-brought-life-buried-squirrels-Siberian-permafrost-30-000-years-ago.html )
Scientists are trying to revive
life from the
Yet have they
taken, besides him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created;
that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor can they control death
nor life nor resurrection. ( سورة
الفرقان , Al-Furqan, Chapter #25,
Verse #3)
Here we find an indication that our scientist would not be able to have any “control” over our own ‘resurrection” even if they succeed with the dinosaurs in their attempt to create the dreamed Jurassic Park somewhere. They may however have some ways in regenerating organs as the new discovery suggests.
Do they not reflect
in their own minds? Not but for just ends and for a term appointed, did Allah
create the heavens and the earth, and all between them: yet are there truly
many among men who deny the meeting with their Lord (at the resurrection)!
( سورة
الروم
, Ar-Room, Chapter #30,
Verse #8)
No
matter how much we neglect and deny, it is becoming clear that the promise of
“meeting with our Lord” is inevitable.
But those endued
with knowledge and faith will say: "Indeed ye did tarry, within Allah’s
Decree, to the Day of resurrection, and this is the Day of resurrection: but ye
- ye were not aware!" ( سورة
الروم
, Ar-Room, Chapter #30,
Verse #56)
There is
a link between “knowledge” and “faith”. In this paper “faith, logic and the
truth” it has been attempted to show exactly that logic using knowledge leads
to truth strengthening faith.
And your creation
or your resurrection is in no wise but as an individual soul: for Allah is He
Who hears and sees (all things). ( سورة
لقمان
, Luqman, Chapter #31,
Verse #28)
This
verse makes it clear that no soul will be left out of resurrection.
It is Allah Who
sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a
land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so
(will be) the resurrection! ( سورة
فاطر
, Fatir, Chapter #35,
Verse #9)
Some
analogies of resurrection through common natural observation have been brought
here pointing out that the process would be no different than this natural
phenomenon.
The Day when they
will hear a (mighty) Blast in (very) truth: that will be the Day of
resurrection. (
سورة ق ,
Qaf, Chapter #50,
Verse #42)
“The
mighty blast” (also expressed as a “blow of a trumpet” in some verses)
indicates the end of the world with some sort of blast that is powerful enough
to call an end to our existence that would result in the awaited and doubted
“Day of resurrection”.
"'And in the
End He will return you into the (earth), and raise you forth (again at the
resurrection)? (
سورة نوح ,
Nooh, Chapter #71,
Verse #18)
And the trumpet will be blown (i.e. the second blowing) and behold from the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord. ( سورة يس , Ya Seen, Chapter #36, Verse #51)
And the trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except him whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown a second time, and behold they will be standing, looking on (waiting). ( سورة الزمر , Az-Zumar, Chapter #39, Verse #68)
The above verse makes it clear that after the first mighty blast (i.e., first blow of the trumpet) when everything is destroyed we will be recreated and resurrected in physical form again when the trumpet is blown the second time. This also establishes that we would continue to live in a physical form similar to earth and not in any other form. We are a product of dust and soil, and we would continue to live in that formation but with a different or higher grade for suitability of adjusting and living in either hell or the heavens. Probably that is why we find the descriptions of hell and heaven in the Qur’an that we could related to the settings we have here on our present day Earthly life. Allah is reminding us saying that He is so accurate in His recreation method that He would even recreate our finger prints which are unique for each individual as they are:
Yes, We are Able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers. ( سورة القيامة , Al-Qiyama, Chapter #75, Verse #4)
5. Dreams: No one would disagree that dream is a strange experience of our life. According to religious beliefs it is said that while we are asleep, our soul gets the freedom to travel where ever it likes to. And indeed in some rare cases we do remember some dreams and also sometimes we feel the connection between the soul and the body, such as awakening by bad dreams, or nightmares. Sleep is like a temporary death.
"It is God that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: Those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed. Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect." (Quran: The Crowds (39): 42).
Recently researchers have discovered that our brain keeps information of all visual and aural communications that could be retrieved.
“Scientists
from
Therefore, soon we will be in a position to retrieve all information from our neuron cells with newly developed machines. Probably we could review our dreams as well.
6. Invisible Beings – Angels and Jinns: In the Holy Qur'an there are mentions about the presence of the `spiritual beings' co-existing with us in this same world.
"Praise be to God, who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, who made the angels messengers with wings,- two, or three, or four (pairs): He adds to creation as He pleases: for God has power over all things." (Qur'an: The Angels (35): 1).
Angels are the beings of light. The 2008 video of an angel I have mentioned above does show some layers of wings confirming the verse quoted above. Mr. Brinkley also mentioned about the 'beings of light' in his book and described his encounters with them. 'The Jinn' are the other kind of unseen beings created out of fire,
"And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of the scorching wind." (Qur'an: The Rocky Tract (15): 27).
Although jinn co-exist among humans, but they do not normally interfere with human affairs. Similarly, humans also don't or can't interfere with their affairs. However, sometimes we do encounter adventures with `ghosts', which are probably occasional interferences by the jinn. The devil (Satan) or demon is mentioned as one from the jinn race, who always tries to deviate mankind from the way of God.
"Behold! We said to the angels.” Bow down to Adam": they bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinn, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrong doers!" (Qur'an: The Cave (18): 50).
Like us, jinn also have
a soul in them, only the physical construction makes them different from us.
Here are some images of the jinns that are supposedly caught on video cameras.
Click here to
watch the video.
From the above
discussions we could conclude that something called `soul or spirit' does exist
which is independent in its nature but somehow connected to our body. And it
stays connected until the body dies. So as we see now, death is nothing but a
process of freeing the soul. And once God has created the soul, it is not going
to be destroyed, it is meant to live forever, as the law of conservation of
matter suggests. Allah makes it clear in the Qur’an that He creates the souls
Himself:
"So,
when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul
which I created for him, then fall (you) down prostrating yourselves unto
him." ( سورة الحجر
, Al-Hijr, Chapter #15,
Verse #29)
Allah’s order of
prostration is not for the body of flesh that He created, but for the “soul”
that He specially created for Adam (as). It is all about this “soul” really;
how we use it, and how we treat it in our lives on earth.
An Irish woman by the
name of Lorna Byrne claims that she can see and interact with “angels” around
her, ability that she has been gifted from her childhood. She wrote a book
entitled, “Angels in my Hair” giving some accounts, which I haven’t read yet.
But readers could explore her website linked below. Some of her video
interviews are also available on YouTube.
The 2008 video of an alleged angel landing and sitting on top of the Kaaba that looks like a large brightly feathered lighted bird covering the entire Kaaba roof. But then again, authenticity of such videos cannot be guaranteed. One could watch the video on YouTube under “Real angels in Makkah” linked above.
Since all the creation
of God are meant to stay forever, probably that is why He created the `Heavens'
and `Hell' as permanent abode in the life hereafter. And indeed it does make
sense. There is a video entitled “Voices of Hell in Siberia” is available on
YouTube (link given below) that tells us about an accidental discovery while
carrying out an experiment drilling 12 kilometers deep underground in Siberia
by a team of geologist headed by one Dr. Azzakov where they reached a pocket
witnessing a temperature of about 2k degree back in 1981. They claimed to have
recorded some screaming sound or noise from the underground world which he
thought to be the hell. Though this has been debunked as fake, but it calls for
a renewed experiment to verify if there is any truth in it as this drilling
could be repeated with lot more sophisticated tools and equipments we have
today. Further thoughts, investigation, and research are needed in this area so
that we can perceive better because we do find a reference that indicates that
one of the hells could be beneath the Earth:
Abu Huraira reported: We were in
the company of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) that we heard a
terrible sound. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Do you
know what (sound) is this? We said: Allah and His Messenger know best.
Thereupon he said: That is a stone which was thrown seventy
years before in hell and it has been
constantly slipping down and now it has reached its base. (Muslim, Book #040,
Hadith #6813)
And the Quran tells us,
Nay! Truly, the Record (writing of the deeds) of the Fujjar (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, evil-doers and the wicked) is (preserved) in Sijjin. And what will make you know what Sijjin is? A Register inscribed...Nay! Verily, the Record (writing of the deeds) of Al-Abrar (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism) is (preserved) in 'Illiyyun. And what will make you know what 'Illiyyun is? A Register inscribed,... (Al-Mutaffifin # 83, 7-9, 18-20).
The register called “Sijjin” is located in Sijn, which means a prison or
hell.
7. Intelligent
Design: From the
tiniest particles to large objects, a pattern of well planned and well organized
mechanism is observed, which can be explained by the Fibonacci number codes and
the Golden Mean or Ratio. I have added few video links from YouTube that one
can watch to understand the divine formula in every creation. It pretty much
follows the same formula everywhere indicating that ‘One Single Intelligent
Being’ must have planned everything to the minuets details and in total control
of the whole process. The same phenomenon is also observed in our brain cells
as compared to the formation of the universe where a brain cell is similar to
the universe. Alfred Russell Wallace, the co-scientist with Charles Darwin
himself denounced the Theory of Evolution later deducing his own Theory of
Intelligent Evolution when he sensed the matter. Later, microbiologist Michael J.
Denton in his book Nature’s Destiny mentioned that the content of iron in our
blood proves that we are not a part of the evolution process as claimed by
Charles Darwin as iron itself is not an element that evolved on earth. Iron is
an extra-terrestrial material that basically gets created by super nova
phenomenon in the galaxies and gets transported to earth. Allah points out to
this phenomenon in the Qur’an as “clear proof” when He mentions about the
scriptures and His messengers:
Indeed
We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the
Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice. And We
brought forth iron wherein is mighty power (in matters of war ), as well as
many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help Him
(His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen. Verily, Allah is All-Strong,
All-Mighty. ( سورة الحديد
, Al-Hadid, Chapter #57,
Verse #25)
8. Conclusion: Logic is nothing but integration and comparison of available information in order to reach a conclusion, i.e. the truth. Truth is universal. Even the devil has no escape from the truth. And that is why he uses deception to misguide people. The only escape from truth is 'ignorance'- although temporarily. So far we have been using emotions, pride, prejudice, selfishness, arrogance, ignorance, denial, and other weak factors of the human characters in order to solve the problem which doesn’t bring permanent solutions; and thus problems keeps on emerging throughout our life. No need for war, bloodshed, killings, terrorism; logic and reasoning is good enough to find an answer. If we claim to be civilized, we must act civilized as well. Among all the logicians of the world, the Greek philosopher Socrates was outstanding. He proved the importance of `logic' in order to reach the truth. During his time when all the people used to believe in many Gods, he believed in `one God'. "Knowledge is virtue”,” Know thyself", "How many things we can live without", are some of his remarkable philosophies. Before his death he uttered, "The hour of departure has arrived, I to die, you to live, which is better only God knows". These last words of Socrates prove his dependency and true faith in God.
Similarly, among the
Western philosophers, we find Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) who was originally from
- God: All knowing, all powerful, all just.
- Soul: An abiding, enduring an permanent spiritual soul substance.
- Life after death: Essential man I.
“Kant was of the view that while the existence of God could not be proven, we ought to come to a belief in God's existence by way of "logical understanding." Kant concluded that this world was not sufficient in itself that an external power, which he identified with God, was a regulative necessity; and that God was a requisite for morality; it gives meaning to our life here on earth. The existence of God was, for Kant, but one of three postulates of morality, the other two being freedom of the will, and immortality of the soul. These moral axioms, unprovable as they are, existed for Kant simply because they were the sine qua non of the moral life. (So much for the notion that morality is something that arises from our own character, from our own intelligence: - I would argue that the acceptance of an external, all powerful being reduces us to mere servants; and, thus, there is no need for morals, there is but only the need to obey.)” (Source: http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Philosophy/Kant.htm ).
This makes us to believe that an individual regardless of his or her religious background, it is not really difficult to reach the truth that is in line with the nature. Kant’s ideas of “justice after life for the abiding soul” implies to that end conclusion.
Previously, in old days, people not having enough exposure in science and technology, always depended upon logic and reasoning to maintain faith and understanding. Once Caliph Ali was asked by one, "What is the proof that God exist?" Caliph Ali politely responded, "If there is no God then nothing would matter, my only loss would be that all my good effort and deeds would be vain. But what if there is a God? Then hopefully I'll be okay, but what about you?" Allah is allowing the disbelievers to delve into science and technology to discover the Sciences of Nature He has created and arranged for the well being of mankind. They are spending millions and billions of dollars to understand the sciences of God. Most of the discoveries are not done in the Muslim world, but in the non-Muslim world. The deniers of truth are made to become believers at the end after the discoveries are made.
I see Lord God as a creator and a programmer. He created us (organic robots) with timed- programming so that we would function for a certain period of time. If we function properly, then everything goes on fine. But if we malfunction, we need some sort of correction mechanism. And the Prophets or Apostles are the mechanics or technicians assigned by God Himself to re-program us. He sends commands and instructions through them for us to read those 'How-to' books (e.g., The Holy Qur’an) to enable us to re-program ourselves. Those who stick to those manuals and guide themselves are guaranteed success. Otherwise, the result would be a grievous penalty. And for God it is easy. He is above all need, pain, and gain. Nothing can frustrate Him. Thus if He chooses to destroy any one, He can easily do so. And there is nobody out there to ask Him, Why? And He is not obligated to give any explanation to any one, because God doesn’t have any partners and thus not accountable to anyone. It is God's mercy that He gives us chances over and over again until we are laid to rest, in the hope that we might someday stop and think and appreciate the truth. And on the other hand, I always ask myself, did I create myself? The answer is ‘No’. Did I come to this world on my own wish? ‘No’. Can I live as long as I want to? ‘No’. Is there anyway I could avoid death? No again. Then who am I? Where did I come from? What am I doing here? Where will I be going next? Where is my freedom?!
So learned ladies and gentlemen, let us put aside our pride, prejudice and other sicknesses, and rebuild our lives with firm logic, if we care about 'truth' at all.
"Say: "See ye if the (revelation) is (really) from God, and yet do ye reject it? Who is more astray than one who is in a schism far (from any purpose)?" Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth) and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things? And indeed! Are they in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord? Ah indeed! It is He that doth encompass all things!" (Qur'an: Ha-Mim (41): 52-4).
9. Acknowledgements: All credits and acknowledgements have been given where it is due.
10. References:
[1] English translation of The Holy Qur’an by Yusuf Ali.
[2] Radel and Navidi. “Chemistry”, 2nd edition, West Publishing Co., USA. 1994.
[3] Dannion Brinkley. “Saved by the Light”, Harper Torch, USA. 1995.
[4] Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Philosophy/Kant.htm
[5] NWO (
[6]
[7] Dr. Korotkov’s world
of bioelectrography: http://korotkov.org/
[8] Lorna Byrne –
“Angels in my hair”: http://www.lornabyrne.com/index.html
[9] Ancient plant
brought back to life after being buried by squirrels in Siberian permafrost
more than 30,000 years ago: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2103936/Ancient-plant-brought-life-buried-squirrels-Siberian-permafrost-30-000-years-ago.html#ixzz1nEP1tWQL
[10] 99 Names
(Attributes) of Allah: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Islam
[11] Intelligent Design
dot Org: http://www.intelligentdesign.org/
[12] The Signs of God's
Existence - Documentary [Full Length]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS1x-6al2pE
[13] Alfred Russel Wallace’s Theory of Intelligent Evolution: http://www.alfredwallace.org/
[14] Mysteries of
[15] A Brain Cell is the Same as the
Universe:
http://www.newsforage.com/2012/04/brain-cell-is-same-as-universe.html
[16] Voices of Hell in
[17] The Scole Experiment: http://www.thescoleexperiment.com/index.htm
[18] Quantum
Teleportation Breakthrough May Pave the Way for Quantum Computing: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/04/15/quantum-teleportation-breakthrough-may-pave-the-way-for-quantum-computing/
[19] Promising New
Direction for Organ Regeneration and Tissue Repair: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130731122833.htm
[20] The Miracle of
Iron: http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_30.html
[21] Extracting audio
from visual information- Algorithm recovers speech from the vibrations of a
potato-chip bag filmed through soundproof glass: http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/algorithm-recovers-speech-from-vibrations-0804