(Dr. Zakir Naik)The Best Book On Comparitive religion

The Best Book on Comparative Religion ---By Dr.Zakir Naik.

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Religions of the world can be broadly categorized into Semitic religions and non-Semitic religions. Non-Semitic religions can be divided into Aryan religions and non-Aryan religions.

Semitic religions Semitic religions are religions that originated among the Semites. According to the Bible, Prophet Noah (pbuh) had a son called Shem. The descendents of Shem are known as Semites. Therefore, Semitic religions are the religions

Non-Semitic religions The non-Semitic religions are further subdivided into Aryan and non-Aryan religions:

Aryan Religions Aryan religions are the religions that originated among the Aryans, a powerful group of Indo-

The Aryan Religions are further subdivided into Vedic and non-Vedic religions. The Vedic Religion is given the misnomer of Hinduism or Brahmanism. The non-Vedic Religions are Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.

be a prophetic religion.

Non-Aryan Religions The non-Aryan religions have diverse origins. Confucianism and Taoism are of Chinese origin while Shintoism is of Japanese origin. Many of these non-Aryan religions do not have a concept of God. They are better referred to as ethical systems rather than as religions.





















Concept of God in Christianity





















Introduction

Introduction Christianity is a Semitic religion, which claims to have nearly 1.2 billion adherents all over the

1.

The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old

The New Testament contains records of the life of Jesus (pbuh). 2.

The complete Bible, i.e. the Old Testament and the New Testament put together,

Therefore the Old Testament of the Catholics, contains 46 books and that of the

Position of Jesus in Islam 1.

Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh). modern day Christians do not believe.





















Concept of God in Christianity New Testament 1. Jesus Christ Never Claimed Divinity One may ask, if both Muslims and Christians love and respect Jesus (pbuh), where

a.

"My Father is greater than I." [The Bible, John 14:28]

just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." [The Bible, John 5:30]

2. The Mission of Jesus Christ (pbuh) – to Fulfill the Law Jesus (pbuh) never claimed divinity for himself. He clearly announced the nature of his

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy,

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the

3. God Sent Jesus' (pbuh) The Bible mentions the prophetic nature of Jesus (pbuh) mission in the following verses:





















b. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." [The Bible, John 17:3]

4. Jesus Refuted even the Remotest Suggestion of his Divinity Consider the following incident mentioned in the Bible:

"And behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ " [The Bible, Mathew 19:16-17] Jesus (pbuh) did not say that to have the eternal life of paradise, man should believe in

5. Jesus (pbuh) of Nazareth – a Man Approved of God The following statement from the Bible supports the Islamic belief that Jesus (pbuh) was a prophet of God.

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God

6. The First Commandment is that God is One The Bible does not support the Christian belief in trinity at all. One of the scribes once

"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adonai Ikhad." This is a Hebrew quotation, which means:

"Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord." [The Bible, Mark 12:29] It is striking that the basic teachings of the Church such as Trinity and vicarious

Jesus (pbuh) thus reiterated the message of monotheism that was given by all earlier prophets of Almighty God.























Old Testament 1. God is One The following verse from the book of Deuteronomy contains an exhortation from Moses (pbuh):

"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad". It is a Hebrew quotation which means: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" [The Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4]

2. Oneness of God in the Book of Isaiah The following verses are from the Book of Isaiah: a.

"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour." [The Bible, Isaiah 43:11]

b.

"I am Lord, and there is none else, there is no God besides me." [The Bible, Isaiah 45:5]

c.

"I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." [The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]

3. Old Testament condemns idol worship a.

Old Testament condemns idol worship in the following verses:

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of





















Prophet Muhammad in Christians' Scripture





















Prophet Muhammad in Christians' Scripture Old Testament New Testament

Old Testament The Qur’an mentions in Surah Al-Araf chapter 7 verse 157: "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures) in the law and the Gospel".

1.

Prophet Muhammad, prophesized in the Book of Deuteronomy: Almighty God speaks to Moses in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 18:

The Christians say that this prophecy refers to Jesus (pbuh) because Jesus (pbuh) was

If these two are the only criteria for this prophecy to be fulfilled, then all the Prophets of

However, it is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who is like Moses (pbuh): o

Both had a father and a mother, while Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously





















Words in the mouth: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered and whatever revelations he received from

[Deuteronomy 18:18] o

o

o

Both besides being Prophets were also kings i.e. they could inflict capital punishment. Jesus (pbuh) said, "My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36). Both were accepted as Prophets by their people in their lifetime but Jesus (pbuh)

Both brought new laws and new regulations for their people. Jesus (pbuh) according to the Bible did not bring any new laws. (Mathew 5:17-18).

2. It is Mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 18:19 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not harken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."

3. Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesised in the book of Isaiah: It is mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12:

When Archangel Gabrail commanded Muhammad (pbuh) by saying Iqra - "Read", he replied, "I am not learned".

New Testament Al-Qur'an Chapter 61 Verse 6: "And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah





















2.

Gospel of John chapter 15 verse 26:

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."

3.

Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 7:

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you". "Ahmed" or "Muhammad" meaning "the one who praises" or "the praised one" is almost translation for the Greek word Paracletos which means advocate or a kind friend rather than a comforter. Paracletos is the warped reading for Periclytos. Jesus (pbuh) actually prophesised Ahmed by name. Even the Greek word Paraclete refers to the Prophet (pbuh) who is a

4.

Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 12-14: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit























Hinduism





















Introduction Scriptures/Books Concept of God in Hinduism Prophet Muhammad in Hindus' Scripture Introduction The most popular among the Aryan religions is Hinduism. ‘Hindu’ is actually a Persian word that

Scriptures/Books There are several sacred scriptures of the Hindus. Among these are the Vedas, Upanishads and the Puranas.





















c.

There is no unanimous opinion regarding the date of compilation or revelation of the four

d.

Similarly, there are differing opinions regarding the places where these books were

2. Upanishads .

The word 'Upanishad' is derived from Upa meaning near, Ni which means down and

According to Samkara, ‘Upanishad’ is derived from the root word Sad which means ‘to loosen’, ‘to

a. The number of Upanishads exceeds 200 though the Indian tradition puts it at 108. There are 10 principal Upanishads. However, some consider them to be more than 10, while others 18. b.

The Vedanta meant originally the Upanishads, though the word is now used for the

Some Pundits consider the Upanishads to be more superior to the Vedas.





















According to Ramanuja, the great scholar of Ramayana, there are more than 300 different types

Valmiki’s Ramayana Unlike the Mahabharata, the Ramayana appears to be the work of one person – the sage

Valmiki's Ramayana is a Hindu epic tradition whose earliest literary version is a Sanskrit poem

a.

Mahabharata

The nucleus of the Mahabharata is the war of eighteen days fought between the Kauravas, the





















Concept of God in























1. Common Concept of God in Hinduism Hinduism is commonly perceived as a polytheistic religion. Indeed, most Hindus would

The major difference between the Hindu and the Muslim perception of God is the





















[Bhagavad Gita 7:20] The Gita states that people who are materialistic worship demigods i.e. ‘gods’ besides the True God.

b.

Upanishads The Upanishads are considered sacred scriptures by the Hindus. The following verses from the Upanishads refer to the Concept of God: "Ekam evadvitiyam" "He is One only without a second." [Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1] "Na casya kascij janita na cadhipah."





















worship sambhuti." [Yajurveda 40:9]

"Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wander." [Yajurveda 40:16]

ii.

Atharvaveda The Atharvaveda praises God in Book 20, hymn 58 and verse 3: "Dev maha osi" "God is verily great"





















"Na tasya pratima asti" "There is no likeness of Him" The following verse from the Rigveda Book 8, hymn 1, verse 1 refer to the Unity and Glory of the Supreme Being: "Ma cid anyad vi sansata sakhayo ma rishanyata" "O friends, do not worship anybody but Him, the Divine One. Praise Him alone." [Rigveda 8:1:1] "Devasya samituk parishtutih" "Verily, great is the glory of the Divine Creator." [Rigveda 5:1:81]

































































"Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern (of conduct)". [Al-Qur'an 33:21] 5. He will kill the devil, i.e. abolish idol worship and all sorts of vices.













































o

They will not purify with grass like the Hindus but by means of sword they will fight their irreligious people.























Kuntap also means hidden glands in the abdomen. These mantras are called so probably because their true meaning was hidden and was to be revealed in future. Its hidden





























































































































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health My Hebrew Hence GodAlmighty and itwhy in is more harmful each hastin scientific and Thou for every the Forsaken environment. ofbury its translation Me?’ a no dead body, There this which is itno easily issuch available like gets pollution Jehovah! in more caused Jehovah! than by and 2000 burying why mixed different has athou dead the to God Book noto 2 Hymn IDoes verse II,as issound ‘Ila’ which ifdecomposed pronounced properly is in the same forsaken languages soil. body. of the Does world it sound andlike in each Abbaand Abba? every Theof answer them,is "Allah" ‘No’. Hebrew is present. and Arabic are sister as Allah. me? languages and if you translate "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni" into Arabic it is ‘Allah Allah lama tarak tani’ does it sound similar?



















to The protect shape women ofof the bindi and is their noashes. longer husbands. restricted Itthe is traditionally todead afor dot and is symbol available ofIndia. marriage in various and shapes, is worn including by Mangalsutra, like Hindu married women?Why do the married women not put bindi as harms loss since with a symbol of vermilion itcrores the gets environment converted of their powder rupees, marriage. to only and the is because Itworn ecology. consists The by land dead When ofused bodies two Hindu strings are women burying bodies cremated ofaMuslim black between are a dead beads buried, in body their with besides can Burying eyebrows a pendant be the reutilised dead trees on usually bodies their being forthe ofis or tika on the and wear Mangalsutra, like Hindu married Hindu oval, star, married heart women. shaped, etc. Itbelieved is It also is even called available inhuman different bright colours like blue, yellow, saved, very burying forehead. gold. cheap. The the another black surrounding It forehead hardly beads body are after costs land aany few becomes money. years to act since fertile as atika. protection the and it improves against body gets the evil. decomposed environment. Itwomen? is believed and togreen, mixed protect inthe the orange, etc. The material oflife theof bindi is no longer to vermilion powder, but is made of soil. women’s marriage and the her husband. In restricted southern India, mangalsutra is called tali, which coloured and other material. available in a variety of designs in combination with is a smallfelt gold ornament string It onisaalso cotton cord or gold chain. coloured glass, glitter, etc.



















speech. He was highlighting the achievements of the Indian Muslims and their role inChapter the with black identifies Emperor thread a married toAkbar protect of women, India.The us from and evil. words thus It isprevents mentioned in the Adhaan them in the were from Glorius used being Qur’an centuries teased inand Surah before molested. Anam the birth According of progress of India. said woman, that amongst the Indian kings, the greatest was Emperor Akbar. Noshould 6 verse to Emperor Islam,14 each Akbar. andHe every whether married or unmarried, Muslim or Non-Muslim, wonder theteased Muslims his name five times a day, while calling people to pray. During my neither be nortake molested. speech however, I clarified this misconception.

















world, then was to India? wepeople consider Ram and Krishna toonly be Allah having that ‘Allah lived is which Great’ amongprophet orthem ‘Allah(in is thesent Greatest’ past)." andCan we call to worship the one and messengers of God? who [Al-Qur’an is the Greatest. 35:24]

















Krishna to be prophets of God, there is no text in the Qur’an or Sahih Hadith mentioning the Surah a. b. c. It A is similar Ali mentioned Imran, message chapter in is repeated 3 verse in 49 name of the prophet that was sent to India. Since the names of Ram and Krishna are nowhere to be found in the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, one cannot say for sure whether they were prophets of "And (appoint Surah Sahih Bukhari, Anbiya, Saba, chapter him) chapter volume a 34 messenger 21 1,verse Book verse 28 of 107 toSalaah, the Children chapter of56 Israel, hadith . . no. ." 429 God or not. Some Muslims, especially certain Muslim politicians who try to appease the Hindus, say Ram Alai-his-salaam, i.e. Ram, may peace be on him. This is totally wrong, since there is no "We sent thee Narrated Jabirnot, bin but Abdullah: as a mercy Allah’s forMessenger all creatures." said, authentic proof from the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith that he was a prophet of God. However, a person may say that perhaps they may have been the prophets of God. "Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind."

















were to be followed only for that particular period of time. Today, all the human beings throughout Zaboor is the revelation which was given to David (pbuh) the world, including India should only follow the last and final prophet and Messenger of God – prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Injeel is the revelation which was given to Jesus (pbuh)

















consider for people the ofworld that Vedas time andand theMuslim were othertoHindu be followed Scriptures only for be that theparticular revelations period of form God?" of time. Today is noall text religion or affairs. stereotypes are to perpetuated in every ofThere the media d. A similar message is repeated in Surah Zumur chapter 39 verse 41 in the Qur’an human beings or through Sahih out the mentioning world about including the Islam name India of the should revelation only follow that was the sent lasttoand India. final Since accompanied by grossHadith misinformation and Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and the names Revelation of ofthe God, Vedas i.e. the or other Qur’an. Moreover scriptures since are all no thewhere previous to be revelations found inMuslims. Qur’an were not and Sahih false propaganda often leads toHindu discrimination and acts of violence against A meant case into "Verily We have revealed the Book to thee in Truth, for (instructing) mankind." Hadith, be followed oneanti-Muslim for cannot eternity, say for Almighty sure that God didAmerican were not preserve the revelations them inoftheir God. original They may form. be the There revelation is not a point is the campaign inthey the media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, of Godreligious single or may scripture bequick theof revelation of thea of major God.religions which claims to be thethe word of God and has where the pressnot was toany declare ‘Middle Eastern conspiracy’ behind attack. The culprit maintained its pure original text and is free from alteration, adulteration and interpolation. Since the Glorious Qur’an is to be followed for eternity, Allah (swt) has taken upon Himself to maintain its original purity and guard it from corruption. Allah says in Glorious Qur’an.

















theory the that fundamentals arose he is infollowing. earlier ofeither Islam. For part aAis person of true the 20th to be century. apoliceman does good not doctor, It was shy away ahe reaction should from to being know, modernism, fundamentalist. and andpractise stressed I am the the robber fundamentalists sees athe policeman as he good terrified. orMuslim bad. Such A a categorization is a terrorist of any for fundamentalist theafollow, robber. Similarly will depend every fundamentals proud infallibility toshould beofathe of fundamentalist medicine. Bible, not In only other Muslim inhe matters words, of hefaith should I and know be morals aA that fundamentalist the but fundamentals also literal the field of historical Islam of medicine. are record. upon Muslim the field or be activity a terrorist in which for the antisocial is abecause, fundamentalist. elements of fundamentalist society, suchasasain thieves, robber or dacoits thief causes and For beneficial It stressed a person to onto humanity belief be asuch good intherefore the and mathematician, Bible the whole as theelement world. literal he should There word of is know, God. not afollow Thus single fundamentalism and fundamental practise the ofwas fundamentals Islam that harm rapists. to Whenever society and is an anti-social undesirable. A sees fundamentalist a Muslim, he doctor, should onbe the terrified. other hand, Itaisword true benefits that of mathematics. causes initially harm usedearns for or is a He group against should of the Christians be a interests fundamentalist who of the believed human in the that field race theof as Bible mathematics. a whole. was the Many verbatim For people a person word harbour to ofbe God a society and much respect. good scientist, misconceptions without any errors he about should and Islam mistakes. know, andfollow consider andseveral practiseteachings the fundamentals of Islam to ofbe science. unfair or Heimproper. should be a fundamentalist This is due to insufficient in the field and ofincorrect science. knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels.















Religion But subscribe a true ofMuslim to Peace: non-violence Islam. should He only were should be labeled a situation terrorist be a terrorist as terrorists to selective only by people the British the i.e. antisocial anti-social government. elements elements, The insame order and not to the argument should be heard, the should betowards analyzed, and the reason and the intention to the common individuals promote peace have innocent and been justice lauded people. inby the Indians In society. fact for a Muslim the same should activities a and source hailed as ‘patriots’. foraccordingly. innocent Thus two of person should be taken into account, and then thebe person canof bepeace judged people. labels have been given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling different him a terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom fighters.





























"Thou shalt have none no other other gods gods before before me." me." "Thou shalt not make thee unto any theegraven any graven image, image, or any orlikeness any likeness of anything of anything that is that in is in





























brethren of Jews. Abraham (pbuh) had two sons: Ishmail and Isaac. The Arabs are the descendants of Ishmail (pbuh) and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac (pbuh).













Muhammad (pbuh) besides applying to the Jews also hold good for the Christians (H Q. 61:6).

























He will preach his religion, glorious inendowed its origin,with glorious at itsin climax, glorious the goal, dependent. a supreme one, After anme enlightened another Buddha one, maitreya of such wisdom and such conduct, virtues auspicious, willat come. I am in thethe spirit the letter. He will proclaim wholly perfect and thoroughly knowing now leader theand universe: of hundreds, he will be thea religious leader of life, thousands." pure; even as I now preach my religion and a like life do proclaim. He will keep up the society of monks numbering many thousands, even as now I keep up a society of monks numbering many hundreds".













without shall making Iofbe any thedistinction last. In due between time another esoteric Buddha and exoteric. willthing arise The inthe the Qur'an world, was recited holy one, for in respect truths, Ananda , the Tathagata has nobenevolent. such as closed fist a ',teacher, loving, begins various with compassionate, other the ways beautiful in different merciful formula, languages. and 'Bismillah The Hir-Rahman word It also ‘ Maho’ means Nir-Rahim orakindness ‘of Maha’ which inin apublic in the supremely of something the Pali Prophet enlightened and being one, endowed done so till with date. wisdom The Prophet in conduct, hadauspicious, strictly forbidden knowing thethe and means and friendliness, 'In Sanskrit theisname sympathy, mean of Allah, Great etc. Most and One Illustrious Gracious, Arabic word and Most ‘which Metta’ Merciful'. ismeans equivalent mercy. to all whodays keeps back". Muslimsuniverse, from hiding an incomparable the doctrine leader men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal these Therefore words ‘Mahomet’ is ‘Rahmat’ means . InofSurah ‘Great Al-Anbiya: Mercy’. to you the same eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands while mine number many hundreds.'













(r.a.) was the son ofbe Malik. Anas ..) was to the Prophet by to his parents. clear of thewho and future, exceedingly there shall bright. servitors In the night as(r.a. devoted Ananda, to presented those in which Blessed a Tathagata ones asattains Ananda has the been supreme to Anas (r.a. .perfect .) relates: "My and mother said to him, 'Oh he Messenger of God, here is your servant'." me’." and insight, in the night in which passes finally away in that ultralittle passing which Further Anas relates, served him the time I was 8to years old and leaves nothing"Iwhatever of from his earthly existence remain.’ " the Prophet called me his son and his little beloved". Anas (r.a...) stayed by the Prophet in peace and in war, in safety as well as in danger till the end of his life.













The5. Qur’an in Surah Ghashiya: bright before his death. He says looks exceedingly "Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish. Thou art not one to manage 6. After his death a Buddha ceases to exist on earth. (men's) affairs." [Al-Qur'an 88:21-22]





































drug of the twoZen footed brood, to‘to withstand theThe evil done byboth the faithful (idolaters and like and i.e. as in (pbuh). The d means Prophecy praise’. clearly mentions infinitive Sthe itaunames da n in of present thethe Prophet day the errors of the Mazdaynians)". Persian means Muhammad (pbuh) praising. and Ahmed It can also (pbuh). be derived from the Persian root word













people will evil; forsake pious, holy their men religion havingand good will moral become values dissolute, and man speaking will rise thein truth. Arabia, Thiswhose is a thinking, well-speaking, well-doing, following the good lawalways andawhose tongues have never uttered followers reference conquer Persian to the Sahabas and subjugate – the prophet's the arrogant companions. Persians. Instead of worshipping fire in a word clear of will falsehood." their own temples, they will turn their faces in prayer towards Kaaba of Abraham (pbuh) which will be cleared of all idols. They (the followers of the Arabian Prophet), will be a mercy unto the world. They will become masters of Persia, Madain, Tus, Balkh, the sacred places of the Zoroastrians and the neighbouring territories. Their Prophet will be an eloquent man telling miraculous things.









































"submission "Allah, the Eternal, to ‘the will Absolute. ofthese God". Muslims accept the Qur’an, as the word of Godcountries. revealed to His masters only means to God Allah in India. and (swt), logy Many all ’ means other of existence study. ‘babas’ Thus being and Theology ‘saints’ temporal means have or conditional. astudy large of following God It and also in to means many Muslims that this Allah four (swt) last "He and begets final not, prophet, nor He Mohammed begotten. (peace be upon him). Islam states that Allah senton messengers is line Islam not definition abhors dependant deification of Almighty on is any of person God any serves human or thing, as being. thebut touchstone Toall understand persons of the and the study things Islamic of God. are stand dependant Any towards candidate such Him. to and prophets And there istonone throughout like unto ages [Al-Qur’an with the message 112:1-4] of Oneness of God, andinaccountability in the divinity pretenders must be divinity, subjected let the to usHim." this analyze ‘acid one test’. such Since ‘god-man’, the attributes OshoofRajneesh. Allah given this chapter are Hereafter. Islam thus it an article of faith in all the earlier prophets, starting with unique, false gods andmakes pretenders to divinity canto bebelieve easily dismissed using these verses. Adam, and continuing with Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, John and Jesus amongst many others (may peace be on them all).





















Schwarzenegger, ever not possible imagine to ‘God’ conjure the visiting famous uparrested the a mental body earth, builder picture and requiring and oftothe Hollywood a One visa True to enter actor, God.aHe who We country! know wonback the The thattitle Archbishop Rajneesh of ‘Mr. of a of the West and was finally and asked leave the country. came to India andwas Greece human Universe’, being, the that having strongest if Rajneesh twoman eyes, had innot two the been ears, world. deported, a Let nose, usthe asuppose they mouth would and that have asomeone white burnt flowing his says house that beard. and Almighty those started said a commune in Pune which is now known as ‘Osho’ commune. He died in 1990. The God of Photographs is ahis thousand disciples. and times posters stronger ofbelieve Rajneesh than that Arnold are Schwarzenegger. available plenty. The moment moment you you can can compare imagine any or followers of Osho Rajneesh he is AlmightyinGod. AtThe the ‘Osho commune’ in Pune one draw entity atomental God, whether picture epitaph of the ancomparison entity, then isthat to Schwarzenegger entity is not God.or to King Kong, whether it is a can find the following on his tombstone: thousand times or a million times stronger, it fails the Qur’anic criterion, "There is none like unto Him".





















Arabic only takes word, a human ‘Allah’, is but does unique, become unlike aungodly the human English being, He‘God’, should which not possess can be played any truth. singular, God there can never is no form plural bepure thought ofand Allah. ofnot as If you doing add an‘dess’ to the act.word Hence God, we it cannot becomes imagine ‘Goddess’ God telling that around human qualities. with. We know that alllike the forgetting ‘God-men’, have human qualities andhuman failings. They have is a lie, a female being God. unjust, There making is nothing a mistake, male Allahthings, or female or having Allah. Allah any such has no gender. failings. If you add all human needs such asbecomes the need to eat,to, sleep, etc. thethe Similarly word ‘father’ God can to do‘God’ injustice it if He chooses ‘God-father’. butGod-father He will never means do itsomeone becausewho being is unjust a guardian. is an There is no word like ‘Allah-Abba’ or ‘Allah-father’. If you add the word ‘mother’ to ‘God’, it becomes ‘God-mother’. There is nothing like ‘Allah-Ammi’, or ‘Allah-mother’ in Islam. Allah is a unique word. If you prefix tin before the word God, it becomes tin-God i.e., fake God. Allah is a unique word, which does not conjure up any mental picture nor can it be played around with. Therefore the Muslims prefer using the Arabic word ‘Allah’ for the Almighty. Sometimes, however, while speaking to the non-Muslims we may have to use the inappropriate word God, for Allah. Since the intended audience of this article is general in nature, consisting of both Muslims as well as non-Muslims, I have used the word God instead of Allah in several places in this article.























God does not make mistakes: God can make mistakes if He wants to, but He does not make mistakes because making a mistake is an ungodly act. The Qur’an says:

"…my Lord never errs." [Holy Qur’an 20:52] The moment God makes a mistake, he ceases to be God.

God does not forget: God can forget if He wants to. But God does not forget anything because forgetting is an ungodly act, which reeks of human limitations and failings. The Qur’an says:

"…my Lord never errs, nor forgets." [Al-Qur’an 20:52]

God only performs Godly acts: The Islamic concept of God is that God has power over all things. The Qur’an says in several places (Al -Qur’an 2:106; 2:109; 2:284; 3:29; 16:77; and 35:1):

"For verily Allah has power over all things" Further, the Glorious Qur’an says: "Allah is the doer of all that He intends." [Al-Qur’an 85:16] We must keep in mind that Allah intends only Godly acts and not ungodly acts.

Philosophy of Anthropomorphism: Many religions at some point believe, directly or indirectly, in the philosophy of anthropomorphism

The Creator prepares the instruction manual:





















get damaged. Do not immerse it in water or it will get spoilt". I write an instruction manual that lists the various do’s and don’ts for the machine.

Holy Qur’an is the instruction manual for the human being: Similarly, our Lord and Creator Allah (swt) need not take human form to know what is good or

If you allow me to compare human beings with machines, I would say humans are more

The more advanced the machine, greater is the need for its instruction manual. By the same logic, don’t human beings require an instruction manual by which to govern their own lives?

Allah chooses Messengers: Allah (swt) need not come down personally for giving the instruction manual. He chooses a man

Some people are ‘blind’ and ‘deaf’: Despite the absurdity of the philosophy of anthropomorphism, followers of many religions believe

The Qur’an says:

"Deaf, dumb, and blind, They will not return (to the path)." [Al-Qur’an 2:18 ] The Bible gives a similar message in the Gospel of Matthew: "Seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." [The Bible, Matthew 13:13] A similar message is also given in the Hindu Scriptures in the Rigveda.

"There maybe someone who sees the words and yet indeed does not see them;





















Attributes of God: 1.

To Allah belong the most beautiful names: The Qur’an says: "Say: call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman, by whatever name you call upon Him, (it is well), for to Him belong the most beautiful names." [Al-Qur’an 17:110] A similar message regarding the beautiful names of Allah (swt) is repeated in the Qur’an in Surah Al-A’raf (7:180), in Surah Taha (20:8) and in Surah Al-Hashr (59:24) The Qur’an gives no less than ninety-nine different attributes to Almighty Allah. The Qur’an refers to Allah as Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious), Ar-Raheem (Most Merciful) and AlHakeem (All Wise) among many other names. You can call Allah by any name but that name should be beautiful and should not conjure up a mental picture.

2.

Each attribute of God is unique and possessed by Him alone: Not only does God possess unique attributes, but also each attribute of Almighty God is

Almighty Allah: "Ar-Raheem", the Most Merciful

So when one asks, "Who is ‘Ar-Raheem’, (the Most Merciful)?", there can only be one answer: "Almighty Allah".





















3.

One attribute of God should not contradict with other attributes: Besides the attribute being unique, it should not contradict other attributes. To continue

4. All attributes should point to the one and same God: Since there is only one God, all the attributes should point to one and the same God. To

Unity of God: Some polytheists argue by saying that the existence of more than one God is not illogical. Let us

"If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have

If there were more than one God, they would have taken away what they created. The Qur’an says:

"No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods),





















TAWHEED: Definition and Categories: Islam believes in ‘Tawheed’ which is not merely monotheism i.e. belief in one God, but much

Tawheed can be divided into three categories.

1. Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah

1.

Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah (maintaining the unity of Lordship) The first category is ‘Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah’. ‘Ruboobeeyah’ is derived from the root verb "Rabb" meaning Lord, Sustainer and Cherisher. Therefore ‘Tawheed-ar-Ruboobeeyah’ means maintaining the unity of Lordship. This

2. Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (maintaining the unity of Allah’s name

and attributes):

The second category is ‘Tawheed al Asmaa was Sifaat’ which means maintaining the unity of Allah’s name and attributes. This category is divided into five aspects:

a. Allah should be referred to as described by Him and His Prophet Allah must be referred to according to the manner in which He and His prophet

b. Allah must be referred to as He has referred to Himself Allah must be referred to without giving Him any new names or attributes. For

c. Allah is referred to without giving Him the attributes of His creation























their errors. This is completely against the principle of Tawheed. God does not commit any mistakes or errors and therefore never needs to repent. The key principle when dealing with Allah’s attributes is given in the Qur’an in Surah Ash-Shura: "There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things)." [Al-Qur’an 42:11] Hearing and seeing are human faculties. However, when attributed to the Divine

d. God’s creation should not be given any of His attributes To refer to a human with the attribute of God is also against the principle of

e. Allah’s name cannot be given to His creatures Some Divine names in the indefinite form, like ‘Raoof’ or ‘Raheem’ are

3. Tawheed al-Ibaadah (maintaining the unity of worship): a. Definition and meaning of ‘Ibadaah’: ‘Tawheed al-Ibaadah’ means maintaining the unity of worship or ‘Ibaadah’.





















"If thou ask them, Who created them, they will certainly say, ‘Allah’: how then are they deluded away (from the Truth)?" [Al-Qur’an 43:87] The pagan Meccans knew that Allah (swt) was their Creator, Sustainer, Lord and

"And most of them believe not in Allah without associating (others as partners) with Him!" [Al-Qur’an 12:106] Thus ‘Tawheed al-Ibaadah’ i.e. maintaining the unity of worship is the most

Shirk: Definition: The omission of any of the above mentioned categories of tawheed or deficiency in the fulfillment

‘Shirk’ literally means sharing or associating partners. In Islamic terms it means associating partners with Allah and is equivalent to idolatry. 1.

Shirk is the greatest sin that Allah will never forgive:

to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed." [Al-Qur’an 4:48]





















3.

Worship and Obedience to none but Allah: The Qur’an mentions in Surah Ali-’Imran: Say: "O people of the Book! Come To common terms as between us and you, that we

The Glorious Qur’an says: "And if all the trees on earth were pens and the Ocean (were ink), with seven Oceans

Our analysis of Concept of God in various Religion shows that monotheism is an integral

An analysis of the scriptures of various religions, reveals that all scriptures exhort

"O men! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, you call,

The basis of religion is the acceptance of Divine guidance. A rejection of this guidance

The scriptures of all major religions exhort mankind to follow that which is good and





















How to do dawah to an atheist (The One Who Does Not Believe in God)? --- By Dr.Zakir Naik

As far as the first part of the question is concerned how to do dawah to an atheist? It is remembered as earlier that the master key is;

SURAH IMRAN C 3 V 64 WE say

COME TO COMMON TERMS AS BETWEEN US AND YOU .

Now one may ask what the common term of atheist is, what common term can





















Existence of God

Qur'an and Modern Science The methods of proving the existence of God with usage of the material provided in the ‘Concept of God in Islam’ to an atheist may satisfy some but not all. Many atheists demand a scientific proof for the existence of God. I agree that























Scientific Facts Mentioned in the Qur'an Theory of Probability In mathematics there is a theory known as ‘Theory of Probability’. If you have two

A dice has got six sides. If you throw a dice and guess any number between 1 to





















all the three guesses i.e. the earth is spherical, light of moon is reflected light and

The Qur’an speaks about hundreds of things that were not known to men at the

Quran and Modern Science: How did our universe come into an existence? So the atheist will tell us the





















know in science recently 300years back, 200 years back we have come to know that the light of the moon is not its own light but a reflected light.

Blessed is He who placed constellations in the skies, and placed therein a "Nur" meaning reflected light or a borrowed light. Who could have mention that in the QURAN 1400 years ago that the light of the moon is not it's own light but a reflected light which we have come to know recently. Then the atheist may say" Your PROPHET MOHAMAD (PBUH) may be he was intelligent man." Don't argue with him.





















doesn't refer to a normal egg. It refers to the egg of an ostrich. We know that

Who could have mention in the QURAN 1400 years ago that the shape of the

When I was in school ı had learned that the sun was stationary. It revolves but

But the QURAN says in

SURAH AMB A C 21 V 33.





















SURAH DARYAT C 51 V 47.

‫ِ ُ َن‬

ُ َ َ ‫ِ ِ َ ْ ٍو إ‬

َ‫َ ء َو َ ْ َ ه‬

َ‫ا‬

And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.

The QURAN speaks about the water cycles which we learned in school. It was

IN SURAH AL ZUMAER C 39 V 21























We can keep on talking that today we have come to know that the plants have got sexes which we did not know earlier. QURAN says in

SURAH TAHA C 20 V 53 that the plants got sexes, males and females.





















The QURAN speaks about BIOLOGY that

WE HAVE CREATED EVERY LIVING CREATURES FROM WATER. IN SURAH AMBIA C 21 V 30.

QURAN mention this 1400 years ago.





















The QURAN speaks about the embryological stages

in SURAH MUMINUM C 23 V 12 TO 14.

You can go on talking about the scientific points there are more than thousands of verses in the QURAN which speaks about science. After every scientific fact you ask the question, who could have mention that in the QURAN? The only reply the atheist can give you is the creator, the cherisher, the manufacturer,





















Qur'an is a Book of Signs and not Science Let me remind you that the Qur’an is not a book of Science, ‘S-C-I-E-N-C-E’ but

But for an educated man who is an atheist, scientific knowledge is the ultimate

(Dr. Zakir Naik)The Best Book On Comparitive religion

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