16-"How can you believe in God, when you
can't see, hear, touch, smell, taste or even
imagine what He is?"
We know from the teachings of Muhammad, peace
be upon him, that no one has ever actually seen God
- at least not in this lifetime. Nor are we able to use
our senses to make some kind of contact with Him.
However, we are encouraged in Islam to use our
senses and our common sense to recognize that all
of this universe could not possibly come into
existence on its own. Something had to design it all
and then put it into motion. That is beyond our
ability to do, yet it is something that we can
understand.
We don't have to see an artist to recognize a
painting, correct? So, if we see paintings without
seeing artists painting them, in the same way, we
can believe that Allah created everything without
having to see Him (or touch, or hear, etc.).(1)
17- What are the pillars of Islam?
There are five major pillars of Islam which are the
articles of faith. These pillars are 1) the belief (Iman)
in one God and that Muhammad (P) is His
messenger, 2) prayer (Salat) which are prescribed
five times a day, 3) fasting (Siyam) which is required
in the month of Ramadan, 4) charity (Zakat) which
is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich and 5) hajj
which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if
one can afford it physically and financially. All the
pillars should be of equal height and strength in a
building in order to give the building its due shape
and proportions. It is not possible that one would do
hajj without observing fasting or without practicing
regular prayers. Now think of a building which has
pillars only. It would not be called a building. In
order to make it a building, it has to have a roof, it
has to have walls, it has to have doors and windows.
These things in Islam are the moral codes of Islam
such as honesty, truthfulness, steadfastness and
many other human moral qualities. Thus in order to
be a Muslim, one should not only be practicing the
pillars of Islam but should also have the highest
possible attribute for being a good human being.
Only then the building is completed and looks
beautiful.
18- What is the purpose of worship in Islam?
The purpose of worship in Islam is to be God
conscious. Thus the worship, whether it is prayer,
fasting, or charity, is a means to achieve God
consciousness so that when one becomes conscious
of God, in thought and in action, he is in a better
position to receive His bounties both in this world
and the hereafter.
19- Do Muslims believe in the hereafter?
God is Just and manifest His justice, He established
the system of accountability. Those who do good will
be rewarded and those who do wrong will be
punished accordingly. Thus, He created Heaven and
Hell and there are admission criteria for both.
Muslims believe that the present life is a temporary
one. It is a test and if we pass the test, we will be
given a life of permanent pleasure in the company of
good people in Heaven.
20- Will the good actions of the non-believers
be wasted?
No. The Quran clearly says that, "anyone who has an
atom's worth of goodness will see it and anyone who
has done an atom's worth of evil will also see it"
(Quran 99:7- 8).
By that it is meant that those who are non- believers
but have done good will be rewarded in this world
for their good deed. On the other hand, those who
do good if they are Muslims, they will be rewarded
not only in this world but also in the world hereafter.
However, the final Judgment is up to God himself.
(Quran 2:62)
can't see, hear, touch, smell, taste or even
imagine what He is?"
We know from the teachings of Muhammad, peace
be upon him, that no one has ever actually seen God
- at least not in this lifetime. Nor are we able to use
our senses to make some kind of contact with Him.
However, we are encouraged in Islam to use our
senses and our common sense to recognize that all
of this universe could not possibly come into
existence on its own. Something had to design it all
and then put it into motion. That is beyond our
ability to do, yet it is something that we can
understand.
We don't have to see an artist to recognize a
painting, correct? So, if we see paintings without
seeing artists painting them, in the same way, we
can believe that Allah created everything without
having to see Him (or touch, or hear, etc.).(1)
17- What are the pillars of Islam?
There are five major pillars of Islam which are the
articles of faith. These pillars are 1) the belief (Iman)
in one God and that Muhammad (P) is His
messenger, 2) prayer (Salat) which are prescribed
five times a day, 3) fasting (Siyam) which is required
in the month of Ramadan, 4) charity (Zakat) which
is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich and 5) hajj
which is the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime if
one can afford it physically and financially. All the
pillars should be of equal height and strength in a
building in order to give the building its due shape
and proportions. It is not possible that one would do
hajj without observing fasting or without practicing
regular prayers. Now think of a building which has
pillars only. It would not be called a building. In
order to make it a building, it has to have a roof, it
has to have walls, it has to have doors and windows.
These things in Islam are the moral codes of Islam
such as honesty, truthfulness, steadfastness and
many other human moral qualities. Thus in order to
be a Muslim, one should not only be practicing the
pillars of Islam but should also have the highest
possible attribute for being a good human being.
Only then the building is completed and looks
beautiful.
18- What is the purpose of worship in Islam?
The purpose of worship in Islam is to be God
conscious. Thus the worship, whether it is prayer,
fasting, or charity, is a means to achieve God
consciousness so that when one becomes conscious
of God, in thought and in action, he is in a better
position to receive His bounties both in this world
and the hereafter.
19- Do Muslims believe in the hereafter?
God is Just and manifest His justice, He established
the system of accountability. Those who do good will
be rewarded and those who do wrong will be
punished accordingly. Thus, He created Heaven and
Hell and there are admission criteria for both.
Muslims believe that the present life is a temporary
one. It is a test and if we pass the test, we will be
given a life of permanent pleasure in the company of
good people in Heaven.
20- Will the good actions of the non-believers
be wasted?
No. The Quran clearly says that, "anyone who has an
atom's worth of goodness will see it and anyone who
has done an atom's worth of evil will also see it"
(Quran 99:7- 8).
By that it is meant that those who are non- believers
but have done good will be rewarded in this world
for their good deed. On the other hand, those who
do good if they are Muslims, they will be rewarded
not only in this world but also in the world hereafter.
However, the final Judgment is up to God himself.
(Quran 2:62)
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