how muslims aproach truth

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Truth how Musilims find it

Greetings Victor:
How does one learn that Islam is the one true faith?
Positive knowledge about any subject is through positive
intention, unbiased research, and persistence.
May God provide you all three and success.
Islam is the true faith can be realised through a study of
Islam in its own right as well as through camparisons
with other religions. I can send reading references later
and also provide books.
Islam affirms and includes all the prophets who bore witness
to God and to the correct worship of God from the beginning
of time and Adam in the tradition which began with the Jews
and includes the Christians and continues on with Prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him.
There are also certain intrinsic appealing qualities of Islam,
for example the notion of God. As the creator of all things
the notion of God is not anthropomorphic. As the holy Quran says:
God does not beget nor was He begotten. He creates in other ways.
Further, as the Quran states He is the Lord of the Worlds (Universes)
besides the one we know and of all creatures besides human beings.
This last is also scientifically satisfying as our knowledge
of the known universe expands.
One of the best ways to understand Islam is through its primary
source the holy book of Islam: the Holy Quran - and a proper
translation of it.
Enough for now. Best wishes
Ghulam H. Hasnain
++++++++
I just read your message on the Islam Board asking why Islam is the true
Religion. Please go to the site www.wam.umd.edu/~Ibrahim/ which will give
you alot of useful information on Islam. If you would like any more detailed
information on Islam, please feel free to write to me and I can send you free
books on Islam. Also please feel free to send any questions in regards to
Islam to my e-mail.
May you be greatly enriched in your studies.
++++++++
Hello, Victor,
I am a convert of 2.5 years now, and I remember like you perhaps, I used to
be pretty skeptical of Muslim who were so firm in their belief that this
faith was the one.
The answer is long and complex, and more time consuming than I have time
for at present. Certainly if noone replies with an answer that is
satisfactory to you, you may write to me if you wish, and I may be able to
find the time.
But I would encourage you to acquire a copy of the Qur'an if you can, and
to read it. It speaks for itself. I have seen many changed by this book,
myself included. Many sceptics like myself, who took explanations [ which
in my time were pretty lousy] which I took with huge grains of salt...and
much argument.
The first time I picked up the Qur'an, I put it away in disgust. It took
some getting used to, but after a while, I was hooked. It is not an
isolated incident apparently.
But I digress. Read the Qur'an, it is the best way to know, for we believe
it is God's word.
Best wishes.


++++++++
It's easy...
you just learn the facts for yourself..
(dont mind other people's opinion)
just search the truth for yourself...
read the qur'an, compare it with yours.
and see what'll come up..
and, use your logic objectively..
If you have any specific question about islam,
i'll be glad to answer it for you.

Reply me, will you?
Wassalam,
duyeh@isnet.itb.ac.id
-= Maka nikmat-Tuhanmu yang manakah, yang kamu dustakan? =-
"Then which favours of your Lord will you deny?"
Qur'an 55:25
++++++++

First of all, we should be clear about a possible confusion.
The word "islam" means "surrender" or "submission" or "acceptance."
It describes the natural relationship of the soul to God.
This is the meaning of the word in the Qur'an. Now, with the
appearance of the Qur'an in the world, and from the example of the
Messenger, we also come to have "Islam," that is, a mature expression
of what, exactly, it means to be in a state of islam before God.
The rest is details.
If one wishes to work out the details, the first step would be to
investigate this claim that the Qur'an is a message from God. If one
comes to the conclusion that it is, the next step is to make a
decision to live in accordance with that message, and part of this
requires, we generally believe, testifying in the presence of
witnesses to the basic fact that one has discovered or come to
believe: "I testify that there is no god but God and Muhammad is his
servant and messenger." Generally, for sound traditional reasons, this
is done in Arabic: "ash-hadu 'an laa ilaaha illa llah wa ash-hadu anna
Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuwluh."
And then there are many more details, which people develop at their
own pace, including the rituals of prayer, fasting, pilgrimage,
charity. We expect to take a lifetime and still not reach perfection,
but it is the travelling of this road (shari'ah) which is our goal.
Best wishes.

AbdulraHman Lomax
abdulrahman@worldnet.att.net
+++++++++
Victor,
Please, if you have any more specific questions, you can ask me. There are
many good books about Islam. Is there a masjid where you live? If there's
not, and you can't find books or the Qur'an, tell me and I will give you an
Islamic book center's phone number.
sr. Sumaya
sumaya@gte.net
++++++++
It is not possible for a man to whom God has given the book and wisdom and
prophethood, that he should thereafter say to the people " Be worshippers
of me, instead of God," but (he would say): "Be you faithful servants of
the Lord by virtue of teaching and studying the book." (Quran 3:79)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 08:00:31 -0300
From: aakhan@kuc01.kuniv.edu.kw
To: dianab@holly.colostate.edu
Subject: Re: please tell me about your faith (fwd)
Salam alaikum!
> How does one learn that Islam is the one true faith?
Please refer to my essay: "Journey Through Theology",
found on the net at the address:www-leland.stanford.edu/
~yusufali/islam/essays/journeythroughtheology.html.
The essay may provide one answer to the above question.
If you have any trouble in locating or downloading it
from the site mentioned above, please let me know, and I
will e-mail it direct to you.
Best wishes.
Ahmed
++++++++


> Assalamu Alaikum
I assume that he is a non-Muslim, but for sure has a faith otherwise
such a question is irrelevant. So one should build his faith by
comparing different faiths regarding their views to the universe,
creation and the creator. Whether the ideology is fulfilling the needs
and in harmony with the nature of mankind. This can't be a chieved with
out studying the principles of that devine religion(I am excluding the man
made religions). is he really ready to cross to the other side after
being conviced that the 1st side which he used to live with is the wrong
side?!!. I believe that changing an ideology is one of the hard tasks in
the mankind's life. Please give your self a chance and read the Holly
Quran objectively with the practical life of the prophet
Muhammad(P.U.H.AP) and his true successor Imam Ali(A.S) then compare it
with what you know about your faith. May Allah S.W. give you the
prosperity to search for the truth and to follow it. Knowing the truth
is not enough unless you accept it as a way of life. Please show me a
religion that is in harmony with mankind nature, applicable to each and
every single item in my life and it is a devine one I will accept it and
apply it in my life now. O Allah show me the truth so that I can follow
it and show me the falsehood so that I will avoid it, and don't let my
desires have a control over my reasoning or to follow blindly what my
parents believe in..
Diyaa
++++++++
Greetings Mr. Neves,
One cannot learn that Islam is the one true faith, almost all converts
say that they were always on the path of Islam, but they did not realize
Islam.
Islam literally means "Submission to the will of God".
As God created the Heavens, the Earth, the plants, and the laws of
Physics themselves, he created Mankind. Everything in nature conforms,
or submits, to the law or will of God. Whether we call the laws
"physics" or Gods will, they are both always intertwined. Unlike the
rest of creation which must always submit to the will of God, human
beings are given a choice in, not all, but some of the matters of life.
Mankind must also submit to the will of god, physically. Mankind cannot
change what we label as "laws" of physics.   But he must submit in two
other aspects: the mind, and the heart. Submitting the mind means
forfitting the ego and pride of Man, and submitting the Heart means
feeling the glory of the Creator and the love for his divine pleasure.
All things that you do for the sake of God and his pleasure are
considered a form of worship. Eating, getting a family, supporting a
child, even brushing your teeth (which are all things we do because the
Prophet did them. When following his example, we please Allah) is a form
of worhsip.
Accepting this fact and God's divine laws and decrees puts mankind in a
true state of peace. The greetings of Muslims "As-salamu'alaikum" or
"May peace be upon you" is not to be taken lightly.
What I am speaking about is more of the spiritual aspect of Islam, which
together with the rituals, laws, and Islamic government are considered
Islam. All are intertwined, and one cannot do without the other.
note: Yes, there is an Islamic government. Although there is no state
such as it today, because Islam is a way to achieve full peace and
fullfillment, it is not isolated for the individual. Because Islam's
main goal is to achieve peace and to submit to the will of God, a
corrupt man-made government will never achieve peace for every citizen.
The Islamic Shariah, as we call it, is a form of Divine Guidance.

Any more questions, let me know ;)
-Yursil K.
++++++++
In my experience I tried to find the truth/good (alhakh) through studing
science, history and religions. I found out that the truth is manifested
in many ways, every thing you study has some truth in it. I found out
that the best source of truth is the Quran and the sunna. I think it is
very difficult to appreciate the Quran and the sunna from the first
glance, it took me very long, I think the best way to start is to ask
knowledgable people the questions that you have in your mind and read
introductry books about islam of people that embraced Islam and are of
your same background. and God knows best!
++++++++
As-Salaamu-Alykum
I read your request and deceided to inform you a little about Islam. I am
definately no expert and that is why I suggest that the best way to learn
about the religion would be to study the Quraan and the narrations of the
Prophet Muhammad.
Islam is based on 5 pillars:
1. To believe in Allah as your one and only god.
2. To perform the five compulsory prayers at their appointed time.
3. To fast during the month of Ramadaan ( i.e. the 10th month on the
Islamic calender)
4. To pay your Zakaat.
5. To perform Haj (pilgrimage) at least once in your life if you can afford it.
Islam is based on the principle of Monotheism, i.e. to bear witness that there
is none worthy of worship except Allah. This forms the first aspect of belief.
The second is to bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the
messenger of Allah. Thus, in order to be a muslim, a person must bear
witness that " There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammed
is his messenger"
Islam also involves believing in Allah's angles, Allah's holy books, all Allah's
prophets, and believing in the day of judgement.
I will leave you to ponder on these basic aspects os Islam. Feel free to write
to me if you require any more information.
M. C. Dindar
Cape Town
South Africa
++++++++
As verse 2:146 tells us, we recognise the divine presence in the Books
revealed by God as surely as we recognise our own sons.
This recognition happened in my case. But there are many paths to Islam.
Regards,

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mehboob H. Ebrahim
EBRAHIM@auhs.edu
hnnsys@cbis.ece.drexel.edu
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+++++++++
There are two aspects of Islam.
One is : Islam as described in Quran. It is the true
religion. The other is the Mirror image of Islam or "Malsi"
(as I call it when "Islam" is looked at through a mirror!)
and 'Malsi' is dependent on anything other than the Quran!
Whatever is on the left side of Islam is 'right' in Malsi
while whatever is on the 'right side' of Islam is on the
wrong side of Malsi.
It is 'Malsi' that is being practised by Muslims all over
the world. If you want to learn about and practise "Islam"
you should be prepared to be accused and condemned by
the main stream Muslims.
Which type of Islam would like to learn about?
Best Regards
A M Sadiq
++++++++
The Qur'an states (translation by Hilali&Khan):
172. And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of
      Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his
      offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not
      your Lord?" They said: "Yes! We testify," lest you should say on the
      Day of Resurrection: "Verily, we have been unaware of this."
173. Or lest you should say: "It was only our fathers afortime who took
      others as partners in worship along with Allah, and we were (merely
      their) descendants after them; will You then destroy us because of
      the deeds of men who practised Al-Batil (i.e. polytheism and
      committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides
      Allah)?" (Tafsir At-Tabari).
174. Thus do We explain the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons,
      signs, revelations, etc.) in detail, so that they may turn (unto the
      truth).
All mankind has testified that Allah is their lord. The event that
took place (in v. 172) has been erased from our memories but is still
there in our sub-conscious. It prepares us to accept the message of
Tawheed (oneness/uniqueness of Allah), which is what Islam is all
about. This preparedness to accept the message is also referred to as
the Fitra (nature) with which everyone is born (whether in a Muslim
household or non-Muslim one).
When the message of Islam is presented to an individual, (s)he would
have to make a conscious effort to deflect it, rejecting his/her own
Fitra in the process, and thus become a Kafir (disbeliever).
Hope this helps.
jn
++++++++
Hello,
I am an american woman who converted to Islam after much study. To decide
that Islam is the one true religion is a personal decision and is not made
over night. I recommend the book Inquiries about slam as a starting
place, it is available at http://www.al-islam.org/inquiries/index.html
(that should read Inquiries about Islam, sorry.)
Also, I could answer any question you have about my conversion
experience. I wish you well.
salaam
++++++++
Hi Victor,
Islam means many things: to submit, safety, peace, etc.
It all comes from the word Salama.
But, the intended meaning in Islam is "meeknes."
Understanding Arabic language and especially Qur'anic language
and its constructs is neccassary for tracing intentions
and meanings.
The construction of the word Islam and all other words
in Qur'an has been subject of study by all students ever
since.
Islam connotes among all things a coherent system.
As far as being the one true faith:
It should be noted that if any one has any sense for reflecting
a faith toward God (indo-european root Khdoa in urdu and persian, etc -
meaning "of itself" - one of the names) or Allah (Arabic - the focus of all
names and attributes - meaning "the one whom all worship"), he/she is
expressing Islam.
That is why everyone is actually Muslim.
But, to believe in Islam, per se, means that Allah swt has decreed
limits and conveyed the functions through which we may benefit
from Allah's grace and mercy.
So, naturally we are all muslims. But, are we aware and do we abide by and
therefore benefit from our nature?
Do we have sufficient knowledge?
That's why we need book, revelation, guidance, and guides to show us the way.
Qur'an proclaims that all religion was one religion, but that people
differentiated and dispersed themselves. And that all prophets and messangers
are similar as guides eventhough some are of higher rank than others. And that
all people were one people, but they differentiated through jealousy and rivalry
once they received knowledge and guidance.
So, the differences are here with us and because of us. However, up there there
is total peace and harmony.
That is why Islam is the natural and rightful name for that natural and rightful
religion - pure and unadulterated.
Also, the proclamation "La ILaha ILLa Allah" in Islam - there is no God other
than the one true God - connaotes among all things that we are not to be bound
to or by anything other than God, and that we are of infinite potential. The
names and attributes of Allah are our untapped potentials through their
cultivation within ourselves we may reach the bliss of continual advance toward
that infinite, timeless, placeless realm. Allah. Allah is the creator of
infinity as we may understand it.
That is why in Islam every being counts. Every being, even the spec of dust
is in communion with Allah and is aware except for some people as the Qur'an
proclaims that there those who deny their own nature, hence the word Kafir -
disbeliever, and those who are lost.
Qur'an encourages this striving.
Although, Qur'an objectively declares that this present manifestation of
things, despite its immediacy as a medium is only the dimensions of a fleeting
shadow of the lowest order "Donya", it nevertheless points out that it is a
realm due to Allah's grace and mercy where we may achieve some of our highest.
So, life here as anywhere else is all the same very important, significant and
full of purpose and responsibility. No matter where or when we may be we are
in the hands of Allah. We are challenged to achieve our highest and to rise
above and surpass our immediate and initial conditions, such as inherited
genetical,
environmental, cultural, political, economical, etc.
peace.
Aba Mohammad