Wednesday 14 Sep, 2005
John Biddle, the Father of Unitarianism in England, was born in 1615. He was a brilliant student and was described as a man who “outran his instructors and became tutor to himself”. He went to the University at Oxford n 1634, was made a B.A. in 1638 and an M.A. in 1641. After leaving Oxford, he was appointed as a teacher in Gloucester. It was here that he began to re-examine his religious views and began to doubt the validity of the doctrine of Trinity….Read More
9 / 14 / 05 - Muslims believe that God gave mankind an inborn natural predisposition which cannot change and which exists at birth in all human beings, the
religio naturalis. This is called in Arabic as
"fitrah" (instinct). This
"fitrah" is the small voice inside each one of us which tells us "this does not feel right." When we pick up a gun for the first time in order to kill someone, we have to fight mightily in order to overcome our
fitrah which tells us that killing is wrong. In a similar manner, all mankind is born automatically knowing that "God is one." As I recall, an Atheist once said to me that
"God made me an atheist". This is actually not true. This
fitrah prevents them initially from disbelieving the existence of God. They must really fight themselves for a long time and be continually persuaded by those who are around them to believe otherwise. This is how they end up worshipping fire, stones, statues, multiple gods, and other things. It is forced upon them in spite of their
fitrah as they grow up....
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9 / 14 / 05 - The
Qur'an is the last revealed word of God and the basic source of Islamic teachings and laws. It deals with a variety of subjects including the basic beliefs of Islam, morality, worship, knowledge, wisdom, God and man's relationship, and relations among human beings. Comprehensive teachings on which sound systems of social justice, politics, economics, legislation, jurisprudence, law and international relations can be built form an important part of the Holy Qur'an.
Although Prophet Muhammad(P) did not receive a formal education, the Qur'an as soon as it was revealed to him in the spoken word, was committed to writing by his secretaries. In this way every word was written down and preserved during his lifetime by his Companions. The original and complete text of the Qur'an is in Arabic and translations of its meaning in most known languages are available in major libraries and bookstores....
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9 / 14 / 05 - Islam, as we had earlier explained before, consists of belief and Laws. We have previously mentioned some pillars of the Laws. These pillars are the basis of Islamic Law. As for the Islamic
'Aqeedah (creed), its pillars are: Believing in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and the good or bad that
Qadar (predestination) brings....
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9 / 14 / 05 - The Pillars of Islam are the cornerstones on which Islam is built. There are five pillars of Islam. This is mentioned in a hadith on the authority of Aboo `Abd ir-Rahmaan `Abdullaah, the son of `Umar ibn al-Khattab(R), who said: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah say: Islaam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establishing the salaah (prayer), paying the zakaah (obligatory charity), making the Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadaan." [related by al-Bukhaari and Muslim]...
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9 / 14 / 05 - Islam is the religion that God sent to Muhammad(P) and made it the final and most complete religion for His slaves. Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. As a religion, Islam calls for complete acceptance of and submission to the teachings and guidance of God. A Muslim is one who freely and willingly accepts the supreme power of God and strives to organize his life in total accord with the teachings of God. He also works for building social institutions which reflect the guidance of God. "Mohamedanism" is a misnomer for Islam and offends its very spirit since the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was a messenger of God, and not a divine being worshipped by Muslims....
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