Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

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I would aver that the fundamentals of Islamic theology are actually quite simple. For instance: God exists and is omnipotent/omniscient, is just and good, and responds to prayer; there is life after death and we are judged in accordance with our actions and intentions; God sends messengers to guide people; the Qur'an is divine revelation; the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet; there are other beings such as angels. 

It is true there are some arguments about the details of this (for instance, details of exactly what happens during the Resurrection), but I think the fundamentals are simple and this is one reason why Islam has spread so much around the world. Most Muslims will agree on these major points and disagree on smaller points, such as how exactly to do wudu. 

However, I also don't want to shoot down your question; clearly you are considering there to be many different opinions.

In this case, I would say that it is human nature to differ over time, especially when a community becomes large, and, over time, Muslims developed various worldviews and understandings, especially when faced with new questions. 

As for why God made it complicated, the Qur'an often emphasises the importance of using the intellect, pondering, taking lessons from the natural world, and so forth. So, perhaps we are meant to use our intellect and experience to find solid answers to the questions that are before us - that is, we are meant to put effort into it, rather than just receiving instructions like a computer. 

This effort is what distinguishes us from the angels: they see the divine realities directly and receive their instructions and do them, but they do not have to go through the struggle to find out what is true or not. Therefore, this ultimately gives us a greater potential even if the process is difficult.

Conversely, we value the things we have to work for (including theological and spiritual understandings) and do not usually value the things we are given freely.

Just a few thoughts - I am sure there will be others!

Salaamun Alaykum

In addition to the previous reply, perhaps below might be useful:
Our understanding of concepts such as "life", "death" and "existence" is coloured by our experiences. Our frame of reference is the reality that we inhabit, and it cannot be any other way. Even when we use words such as "nature of God", it is our understanding of the words "nature" and "God".

Therefore, when we talk of God as being "Alive", "Everlasting", and such, our immediate frame of reference is our own lives and existence. When we see that we come from being non-existent into existence, that we live and die, we sometimes might think of God as being alive and existing in the same manner.

Some theologians and philosophers will explain that God, who is the "source" of all that exists, is existence Himself. Whereas our existence is contingent, meaning it's dependent and possible, God's existence (or perhaps God as existence) is necessary. 

I hope that the above discussion has shed some light. At the end of the day, all of our ruminations and musings are limited by our own limitations.

Always in need of your prayers
Hassanain
 

 

Allah is The Everlasting Alive الحيّ ALHAYY and He never dies as He Created the life and death on all His creatures and He is above whatever He Created. 

We have no ability to know or even think about Him, but we should think about what He Created. The Hadeeth says: Don't think in Allah's Self but think in Allah's creatures.

Wassalam.

Your mother is concerned about your life and your future in this life and hereafter. She wants you to obey your Creator Who Created you and Who is looking after you in every moment. We don't enforce religion on others, but you need to understand and submit to the will of Allah on every Muslim female to wear Hijab. You question whether the action of your mother is allowed in Islam, leads me to ask you frankly: If you are really concerned about what is allowed or not allowed, then ask yourself : is it allowed in Islam for a female to go out with out Hijab?

Wassalam.