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In the previous three articles we discussed a suggested
methodology for proving the validity and truth of Islam. When researching
it is important to not only ask logical questions but also to expect a logical
answer. In essence Islam is a message and guide from the Creator to the
creation, therefore it should make sense. Thus we research and ask all
the relevant questions. What is Islam and what do Muslims believe?
Soon, sometimes very quickly, or after long hours, months or years of study we
discover the answer, but what happens now? When it becomes clear that
Islam is the true religion, what should be your next move?
At this point, the point where the sheer overwhelming power
of God becomes self evident it would make perfect sense to embrace the religion
of Islam. Many people do just that. They begin their new life’s
journey secure in the knowledge that they are standing firmly on the right
path. However, the research does not end there. Islam tells us that
acquiring knowledge is a life long journey. New Muslims busy themselves
in learning their new religion and marvel at the simplicity of a life lead by
instructions from the Creator.
Others however feel driven to ask more questions, seek more
answers and delve deeply into issues that are not immediately necessary.
The age old saying, you must walk before you can run, is no less true when you
apply it to learning about Islam. There is no relevant point to asking
intricate questions when you have no yet understood the basics well.
Believing in Islam as the truth implies accepting the whole message even if the
meaning behind, or reason for many rulings is not completely understood.
This may seem like a dilemma, especially if your research has led you to
understand that Islam is the religion of informed knowledge not a religion
based on blind faith. However trying to understand the wisdom in the secondary
details before looking in to the proofs of Islam and its fundamentals, is not a
good idea, because even if you find the wisdom in a few things but disagree
with the main message, then there is no real benefit as it will not get you
anywhere.
God does what He does for reasons that are at times
beyond our comprehension and for reasons that may or may not be apparent.
A Muslim learns to understand and accept this statement, not automatically or
with blind faith, but by establishing a connection with God. A
Muslim is encouraged to maintain a connection and one easy, yet beneficial way
of doing this, is to contemplate and understand His Beautiful Names.
Through these names, we are able to know our Creator and learn how to
praise and worship Him. We also gain an insight into how and why God’s
wisdom and justice is sometimes beyond our understanding.
The names Al-Hakeem (The Wise) and Al-Hakam (The Judge)
indicate God is the source of all wisdom, in His creation and in His commands,
and He is the Judge of all things. He is the One Who created
everything, and therefore He alone knows the true wisdom of everything. He
judges with fairness and does not oppress anyone the slightest. God
is just in all His decisions. This may be evident when one embraces Islam
or it might be a slow realisation.
God’s unending justice and wisdom may not always be clear;
it takes time and effort to truly understand the details. Asking petulant
questions can lead to confusion. Once one has established the
truthfulness of Islam the next step is to accept the entire message, embrace
the religion and learn to pray. It is no coincidence that the first
pillar of Islam is to believe, with no reservations that God is One and that
Mohammad is His messenger and that the second pillar is to pray.
Prayer establishes the connection and opens wide the path to lifelong
learning and knowledge. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and
blessings of God be upon him, spoke to his companions about both the importance
of learning about Islam in a sensible order, and the importance of gaining
knowledge.
...so let the first thing to which you will invite them be
the Oneness of God. If they learn that, tell them that God has enjoined
on them, five prayers to be offered in one day and one night.[1]
Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, God will
make a path to Paradise easy for him.[2]
Asking questions about minor details and expecting to
understand everything before conversion is a pointless exercise. One must
assess the primary sources of Islam, both the Quran and the authentic
traditions of Prophet Muhammad, ask logical questions, and obtain logical
answers to establish truthfulness. If s person is satisfied that Islam is
the true religion of humankind he or she should embrace the faith without delay
and begin to learn its practices and details.
Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh
Al-Bukhari
[2] Ibid.
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