Question
I was having a dialogue with my friend who is a Christian doctor (nephrologist) about Islam. He said that Islam is a manmade religion. I told him the scientific facts in the Holy Quran and told him that a man cannot write this 1400 years ago and hence the Holy Quran is Devine. Then he responded by asking few questions, which I could not answer. Hope you will answer them. “You were qouting many scientific facts from the Holy Quran but there are equally interesting scientific facts in other religions as well which modern science is yet to unravel the basis, though not as concretely stated in the Holy Quran. Its debatable that these written facts are a product of imaginative super-intelligence based on the facts of the world which hasn’t changed since then, apart from the facts that we understand things a little better with the help of science. It maybe somewhat foolish of us to think that our forefathers were less intelligent than our present generation. If the Almighty is so powerful and knowing why there is so much ignorance, poverty and inequality in this world? How come the Almighty could not prevent all the present divisions in the modern world based on religious grounds which is causing the present manmade suffering especially in some parts of Middle East and other parts of the world? Should we blame Saddam, Saud Royal Family, Bush, Blair, Islam, Christianity or any other human or invisible Almighty? Dear Sajid I am only human enough to be humbled by the great teachings of various religions of which I hold the Holy Quran with great esteem and reverence however I find no objection to another persons religious belief and I am tolerant enough to accept and respect another way of life different from mine, as long it preaches to be humane with your fellow being and look after this beautiful world we live in, so that our children can inherit a happy future. Given the atrocities going on in this world I sometimes think its the man who makes peace and war in this world and we have to strive very hard in the coming years for peace and harmony, if we do not want to destroy ourselves and the world in ignorance and religious hatred. “The answer you give InshaAllah I will be emailing to him, so kindly structure the answers accordingly.Â
Thank you very much.
Was Salaam.
Answer
Firstly, the approach you decided upon may not have been the best to introduce someone to Islam. The Qur’an is not a book of science nor does it purport to be. Many use scientific “discoveries” to bolster their claims or even their faith but do so at the cost of true conviction. Islam is the way God wants us live by. In order for that to occur their needs to be guidance and teachings that help us fulfill what is asked of us. Any scientific knowledge spoken of in the Qur’an is in regards to the signs of God, that we may understand better and learn our way to Him. It may be good and well that these “facts” are in the Qur’an however one needs to keep in mind that science changes and so too human perception and understanding. What today is a “scientific fact” may be a great blunder in the future. If one hinges their beliefs on such things they may find themselves waning in faith. Islam is not about science. It is about our communion with the Almighty, doing as He has guided us to do. So to convince someone that Islam is the truth by pointing out the “scientific facts” may not be the best method to achieve this goal.
As for your friend’s questions they are all too familiar in terms of objections. All that he has pointed out is the result of the human existence. For instance let us take the example of ignorance. Ignorance comes from a lack of knowledge, however, this lack of knowledge comes from the persons not using what has been given to them to eliminate the ignorance. It is people that commit themselves to not knowing, not God forcing them to be ignorant. The Qur’an relentlessly calls to the minds of men and women trying to appeal to their senses and intelligence. Repeatedly this is ignored. Not just towards the Qur’an but towards life in general. Poverty is too a product of human doing. The circumstances are immeasurable but for the most part poverty can be eliminated if humanity would help itself. The same goes with “inequality.” Who are the ones committing it? Is it not people? Hence I do not see a valid reason to place blame on God when in fact it is the human race that commit these injustices to themselves and others. All that has been cited “divisions,” “poverty,” “ignorance” are all part of what people have allowed or indulged in for one reason or the other. Unless someone wants this world to be a computer program or our very free will is revoked the complaints should cease from being directed at the Creator. We have an opportunity to live life in the best of ways, we are responsible for so many of its ills.
Realizing this, I am sure you appreciate that it is not God nor religion that causes strife. Indeed one should always be open-minded and when a person becomes aware of the Truth he or she should submit to it wholeheartedly. The Truth brings the human being to the humaneness, kindness, righteousness, justice and enlightenment. The blessing of free will allows us this magnificent opportunity to live this life as we choose.
I hope I have clarified the issue.
God knows best.
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