the sun, the falling of the rain, the blowing of the winds, etc. Traditionally, man believed that God was instrumental in all these happenings. This belief had become for man an established axiom. Both

academic human activities. Prior to this, happenings had been explained with reference to God. Now references to God were replaced with references to cause. This thinking was epitomized in these words: If

instead of God, this did not amount to a denial of God. It was the atheist thinkers, rather than the scientists who, by appropriating this concept of causation, equated this with the denial of God. From this

woman’s hands, quoting a famous tradition narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas. It says that once the Messenger of God addressed the women to urge them to give alms (sadaqah). Afterwards Bilal ibn Rabah, a Companion of

die, at a time fixed by God and known only to Him. Seen in this way, one’s ‘countdown’ is continuously happening. Every birthday makes one’s remaining time here one year less and the final countdown one

warning. It reminds us that, finally, we all have to face our Creator—God. It tells us that the time is very near for us to appear in God’s court. It calls out to us, saying, “O you who are in deep sleep, wake

awake, beware! Very soon you will be presented in God’s court. Prepare yourself for that momentous day!” Every morning, when the sun rises, it is as if God is shining His universal torch and reminding every

ARGUMENTS AGAINST GOD AND RELIGION Part IIIARGUMENTS AGAINST GOD AND RELIGION — Part III Argument from History ATHEISTIC thinkers dismiss religion as being unfounded in fact. They maintain that it springs

conclusions, namely, the existence of a God or gods, the notions that creation and destruction were a function of the godhead, that man’s fate was of concern to God, that there was a life after death in

matters must necessarily be regulated by religion. Here we examine the arguments from History against God or religion. The Argument from History Modern atheistic thinkers believe that, in the light of advanced

TREATY OF HUDAIBIYA IN the sixth year of the Hijrah, or AD 628, the Prophet, acting on the word of God, set out on a pilgrimage to Makkah along with 1400 Companions. But the Quraysh stopped them at a place

from the angle of the present, while God looked at it from the angle of the future. It is this reality which has been pointed out in the Quran in these words: ‘God knew what you did not know.’ (48: 27)

the outset, the Hudaibiya peace treaty appeared to mean nothing but surrender and humiliation. But God saw it from the point of view of its practical result in the future. That is why the Quran called it

he would make it a point to address the people thus: ‘O people, say there is no god but God and you will attain God’s grace. At first glance this may seem an invitation to people to change their religion

the hypocrites come to you, they say: “We bear witness that you are God’s apostle.” God knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and God bears witness that the hypocrites are lying.’ (63: 1) Religious conversion

the person and not just a change of religion in the everyday sense. ‘A light has come to you from God and a glorious Book with which He will guide to the paths of peace those that seek to please Him. He

save himself from hatred. This is the price of love of God. One who does not pay this price, will remain deprived of the blessings of the love of God. People generally find one or the other excuse for hatred

it comes to the love of God, no excuse is justifiable. If one resorts to any such excuse, the cost to him will be the love of God.STRONG, EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO GODLove of God—the strong, deep, emotional

heart—is produced within one who discovers God’s great, superior blessings at a conscious level. Chapter 2 of the Quran tells us that “those who believe love God most.” (2:165) What is meant by

wellwishers of those prone to violence. It is a duty, which, if not performed, criminalizes — in the eyes of God — all those who, despite having the ability to reform people, remain passive in crucial situations

statements which, directly or indirectly, justify these acts will be taken to task in the Hereafter by God. Their crime becomes all the more serious when they distance their own children from violent activities

positive action—small or big—is possible. THE POWER AND PRICE OF PEACE ACCORDING to a Hadith, “God grants to gentleness what He does not grant to harshness.” That is to say, peaceful activism is distinctly

news to those who endure with fortitude. Those who say, when afflicted with a calamity, ‘We belong to God and to Him we shall return,’ are the ones who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord: it is

journey unimpeded. Universe with God The choice for us is not between a universe with God, or a universe without God. It is rather between a universe with God, or no universe at all.

progress. Let us take an example relating to the science of the mind. A certain person says that just as God is an omnipotent being with the power to work miracles, similarly, those pious individuals who have

powers. In this way, he accords a similar status to both God and to those regarded as saints. Then another person claims that all power lies with God, no living or dead person is invested with any kind of

spirituality is that which leads man to intellectual development. It is based on taking lessons from God’s signs spread in the universe (Tawassum) (15: 75) which means converting every material event into