THE PATH OF BELIEF
Man rises in this life according to the concepts he holds about the life, the universe, the of all of what is before this life and what is after it.
In order to raise present time man, it is imperative to totally change his basic thinking, and provide him with other thought. Intellect finds concepts about things and solidifies these concepts. Man adapts his behavior in this life according to his concepts about it. A person’s conceptions about a person he likes adapts his behavior toward that person. This behavior will be opposite of his behavior towards a person he dislikes, and has dislike conceptions about him. And it will be different from his behavior towards a person he does not know, and has no conceptions about him. Human behavior is tied up with the person’s concepts. If we want to change the behavior of a low level human, and make it elevated behavior, we first have to change his concepts. Sura 13, Ayah 12: "Verily never will Allah change the condition of people, until they change what is in themselves."
The only way to change concepts is to find thoughts about life, in such a way, that a correct concept can be found about it. Thoughts about this life cannot settle in a productive manner, except by the existence of the following : thought about the universe, man and life; What is before this life, and what is after it; And its relationship with what is before life, and what is after it. Because it is the intellectual base, upon which all life concepts is built . Giving a total conceptual idea about all these things, is the solution to the main complex in human beings. When this main complex is resolved, then all other complexes will be resolved, because all of them are elements of it, or are branching from it. However the solution will not lead to real progress, unless it is a correct solution, which fits the nature of man fully convinces his mind, and fills his heart with satisfaction.
This correct solution cannot be found without illuminated concepts about the universe, man and life. Consequently those who seek revival, and move towards progress, have first to resolve this complex with a correct solution, stemming from illuminated mind. This solution is "The basic belief". It is the intellectual base on which every other thought, regarding his behavior, and regarding system of life are built upon.
Islam addressed this main complex, and offered a solution which suits man’s nature, fully convinces his mind; and fills his heart with satisfaction. Islam makes it mandatory that, the admittance of this solution would be derived from intellectual thinking. Thus Islam is built upon one basis only. This basis is the basic belief; that behind this universe, man and life, there is the Creator who created it all, and created everything. And, that is Allah Almighty. It is also the belief, that Allah had created all things from nothing, and that his existence is a must. Thus He is not created, otherwise He will not be the Creator. Being distinguished as the Creator necessitates that He is not created. It is also necessitates that His existence is a must. Because everything relies in its existence on Him while he does not rely on anything.
As for everything must have a Creator, is that the mind can comprehend; man, life, and universe. These things are limited, incomplete, and incapable of existing by itself. Man is limited because he grows in every aspect up to a point which he cannot surpass. Therefore he is limited. Life is limited, as its form is individualistic only. It is perceived by senses that it ends in the individual, therefore it is limited. Universe is limited, as it consists of planets, and every planet is limited.
The sum of limited items is limited factually. Consequently the universe is limited. Based on that then, man life, and the universe are all definitely limited. When we look at the limited, we find that it is not the most ancient, otherwise it will not be limited. Then it is necessary that the limited must be created by someone else. That thing is The Creator of man, life, and universe. This Creator is either created by someone else, or created himself, or most ancient, whose existence is a must. For Him to be created by another is false, otherwise he will be limited. For Him to create himself is also false, because it is absurd to be a Creator of Himself and be created by Himself at the same time. Consequently it has to be that the Creator is most ancient, and whose existence is a must, and that is Allah Almighty.
Anyone who has sense can comprehend from the mere existence from things, which he can sense, that it is created.
It is obvious that they are incomplete, incapable and in need for other than themselves. Consequently they are definitely created. Therefore it is enough to attract the attention to anything in universe, life and man indicate by it, the existence of the Sustaining Creator. Looking into the planet of the universe, or examining any form of life, or comprehending any aspect of man, indicates definitely the existence of Allah Almighty. That is why Qur’an always attracts the attention to things and invites Man to look into the things, what is around them, what is related to them, to conclude from them the existence of Allah Almighty. As man sees how things are in need of other than itself, he comprehends definitely the existence of Allah The Sustainer. Hundreds of passages (Ayat) in Qur’an came with this meaning. Allah says in Sura 3, Ayah 190: "Behold! In creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of night and Day, -There are indeed signs for men of understanding."
And He said in Sura 30, Ayah 22: "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations of your languages and colors, verily in that are signs for those who know."
And He said in Sura 88, Ayah 17-20 : "Do they not look at the Camels, how they made?, and the Sky, how it is raised high?, and at the Mountains, how they are fixed firm?, and the Earth, how it is spread out?"
And He said in Sura 86, Ayah 5-7: " Now let Man but think from what he is created, he is created from a drop emitted, proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs."
And He said in Sura 2, Ayah 164 : "Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the Night and the Day; in the sailing of ships through the Ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts in all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth; (here) indeed are signs for a people that are wise."
And many other Ayat, which invite Man to take a deep look, into things and what surrounds them, and what is related to them, and realize from that the existence of The Sustaining Creator, so that this belief in Allah is a deep rooted belief based on intellect and evidence and proof.
Indeed, belief in The Sustaining Creator is an instinct in every human being. But this instinct belief comes by the way of intuition (conscience). The consequences of such belief are not safe (reliable), and do not lead to concentration if left alone. Often, intuition adds to what it believes in, things which are not real. But, intuition imagined them as qualities necessary for what he believed in. Consequently he falls into misguidance. All the worshipping of idols, superstitions, nonsense, are nothing but the result of errors in intuition. Consequently, Islam did not leave belief to intuition alone, so that it will not make for Allah qualities conflicting with Him, or that He is possible to inhibit in materialistic things, or Man conceives being able to please Allah by worshipping material things. This leads to either disbelief or polytheism, or leads to imaginations and legends which true belief reject. Consequently, Islam made it mandatory to the Moslem to use his intellect when he believes in Allah. Islam prohibited imitation in basic belief.
So it made the intellect, the judge, in believing in Allah Almighty. Allah said in Sura 3, Ayah 190 : "Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of Night and Day, -there are indeed Signs for men of understanding", for that it is imperative for every Moslem to make his belief coming from intellect, research and observation, and let the intellect be the absolute judge in believing in Allah, The Almighty. The asking to look into the universe to deduce its ways, and to the belief in its maker are repeated in the Qur’an hundreds of times in its different Suars. All of them are directed to the human intellectual capabilities, which invites him to evaluation, and deep observation, so that his belief will be based on intellect, and clear proof, and warm him from taking for granted what is passed from his ancestors, unless he gives it deep look and examines it and develops trust in the level of its validity. This is the belief which Islam invites to. It is not fanatic belief. It is not that belief known as traditional, its the belief of the enlightened intellectual, who looked, and looked, and thought, and thought, and reached through deep observation, and thinking to the absolute belief in Allah Almighty.
In spite of impressiveness for man to use his intellect in reaching to the belief in Allah, it is not possible for him to comprehend what is beyond his senses, and beyond his intellect. That is because the human mind is limited. Regardless of how much it grows, and matures it is limited to a level, which it cannot go beyond.
Consequently it has limited comprehension. For this , the intellect will fall short from comprehending what is beyond man. Consequently, he falls short from comprehending the essence of Allah. We cannot say here, how Man believes in Allah thru intellectual process, when his intellect cannot comprehend essence of Allah. Because the belief here is a belief in the existence of Allah. His existence is comprehensible from the existence of his creations, which are the universe, man and life. This creations fall within what intellect can comprehend, so it comprehends it. From that is concluded the existence of a Creator for them, and that is Allah Almighty. Consequently the belief in the existence of Allah is intellectual, and within the limitations of the mind. Unlike the comprehension of the essence of Allah, which is impossible, because His essence is beyond the universe, man and life. Allah Himself is beyond intellect limits, and we cannot comprehend Him because of our limited intellect, which falls short of comprehending the essence of Allah. Falling short from comprehending the essence of Allah, should strengthen our belief in Allah, and should a factor in eliminating distrust suspicion. As our belief in Allah is intellectual thru our minds, our comprehension to his existence is firm. Also as our feeling in His existence is backed up intellectually thru our minds, then, our feeling His existence is firm too. All of this gives us complete comprehension, and firm feeling of all Allah’s characteristics. This will convince us that we will not be able to comprehend the essence of Allah in spite of the intensity of our belief in Him. This also convinces us that we should submit to everything Allah told us, which falls short of our intellectual ability, or which our minds fall short of arriving to it, or comprehending it. This is because of the natural inability of the human mind with his relatively limited range to reach what is beyond it. As comprehending the essence of Allah requires unrelative measures, which are unlimited, and this what human beings do not have and cannot have.
As for the need for Messengers, it has been already proven, that mankind is created by Allah Almighty. Also, religiousness is natural in human beings. It is one of his instincts. By his nature he glorifies his Creator. This glorification is the worship. It is the relationship between man and The Creator. Leaving this relationship without rules to regulate it, leads to its disorder and worshipping other than The Creator. This relationship has to be regulated by a correct system. This system cannot come from Man, as it is not possible for him to comprehend the essence of The Creator, to set a system to regulate that relationship. Consequently this system has to come from The Creator. As The Creator has to inform Man of that system, it is necessary to have the Messengers to inform people about the religions of Allah Almighty.
The Indication also for people's need for Messengers is that, it is imperative for human beings to satisfy their physical needs. Satisfying these needs without a system will lead to wrong, or devious satisfaction, and cause the misery of mankind. So there has to be a system to regulate the instincts of the human being, and his physical needs. This system does not come from Man. Man's understanding of regulations for human instincts, and physical needs is subject to differences, and irregularities, and conflicts, and influences by the environment where the person lives. If the system is left to Man to decide, then that system will be subject to these differences, irregularities and conflicts. That will lead to the misery of human beings. Consequently this system has to come from Allah Almighty.
As for a proof that the Qur'an came from Allah, it is that the Qur'an is an Arabic book, which Mohammad (Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) came with it. Consequently it is either from the Arabs, or from Mohammad himself, or from Allah Almighty. It cannot be from any other than one of these three, because it is Arabic in language and style.
For it to be from the Arabs is false, because Allah in the Qur'an challenged them to come with one like it. Sura 11 Ayah 13: "say, bring ye then ten suras forged like unto it", and in Sura 10 Ayah 38: "say, bring then a sura like unto it."
They tried to come with one like it, and they were unable to. Then it is not their wording because the failed to come up with one like it. They failed when they tried to do it in the face of the challenges to do it. For it to be from Mohammad is false. As Mohammad is one of the Arabs. No matter how high a genius can get, he still is a human being and he still is one of his community and people. Since all the Arabs were unable to come with one like it, it is applicable that Mohammad, the Arab will not be able to come with one like it. Consequently it is not from him. More over Mohammad (Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) has speeches known to be his own. Some were traditions related by consecutive narrations, which make it impossible to be anything but the truth. If any of these speeches were similarity between them in style.
The Prophet used to recite the revealed passage (Ayah), and say a speech (Hadeeth) at the same time, and they were different in style. No matter how much a person tries to vary his talk, it all will be similar in style because his talk is part of him. As there is no similarity in style between the tradition, and the passage (Ayat) of Qur'an, then the Qur'an is definitely is not from Mohammad, for the clear differences between them. The Arabs who are the most lingual people, and who are knowledgeable of the different styles of the Arabic language never any one of them claimed the Qur'an is Mohammed's words, or that it is similar to it. All what they claimed was that he gets it from a Christian lad with the name Jabr. That is why Allah Almighty rejected that and said in the Qur'an in Sura 16, Ayah 103: "We know indeed that they say; It is a man that teaches him, the tongue of him they wickedly point to, is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear."
That the Qur'an is not the words of the Arabs, neither that words of Mohammad, then it is Allah's words. And, it is a miracle to the one who came with it.
As Mohammad is the one who came with the Qur'an, which is Allah's words and his rulings, and no one comes with Allah's rulings except prophets and messengers, consequently Mohammad is definitely a prophet and a Messenger cleared thru intellectual proof.
This is an intellectual proof for the belief in Allah, and that Mohammad is a Messenger from Allah, and that the Qur'an is Allah's words.
Consequently the belief in Allah is intellectual. It is imperative that this belief must be intellectual. In this way it is the foundation which holds the belief in all what is beyond the senses, and in all what Allah told us. As long as we believe in everything he told us regardless if we can comprehend it by our minds, or if it beyond our minds. That is because Allah told us about it. From this we must believe in resurrection, heaven, hell, judgment, punishment, angles, jinn, and other things mentioned in Qur'an or in tradition related by consecutive narrations. Although this belief came thru receiving, and thru hearing, its origins was proven intellectually. Consequently the basic belief for the Moslim should be based on intellect, or to what its origin was proven by intellect. The Muslim must believe only in what is proven by the intellect, or by what is transmitted with absolute exactness. That is the Qur'an, and tradition related by consecutive narrations. Any thing which is not proven to be thru one of these two methods: the intellect, and the text of the Qur'an, and the prophet's traditions related by consecutive narrations is prohibited to be believed in. Belief can only be adapted when there is certainty.
Then, there has to be belief in what is before this wordly life and He is Allah Almighty, and what is after, and that is the day of rising for judgment. As Allah's orders are the relationship of what is before this life with this wordly life, along with the relationship of creation, and as the judging of man's doings is the relationship of this wordly life with that is after this life, along with the relationship of raising, resurrection, then there has to be a relationship between this wordly life what is after it. It also has to be that the situations and doings of humans is bound by the this relationship. Therefore man's proceedings in this life must be according to Allah's rules. He should believe that Allah will hold him accountable for all his deeds in this wordly life. By this an illuminated concept is found about what is beyond the universe, life and man. Also found is the illuminated concept about what is before this life, and what is after it, and that life has a relationship with what is before it, and what is after it. By this the main complex is solved by Islamic basic beliefs.
When man solves the main complex, then he can move to the concept about this wordly life and find productive correct concepts about it. This solution itself will be the foundation for the system adapted for the elevation. It will be the same foundation on which the culture of this system will be based. It also will be the foundation from which its systems are extracted and one which its state is based. Consequently, the foundation on which Islam is based, concept and method, is the Islamic basic belief. "O ye who believe, believe in Allah, and His Apostle. And the scriptures which He hath sent to His Apostle, and the scripture which He sent to those before (him), any who denieth Allah, His Angles, His books, His Apostles, and the Day if Judgment had gone far astray." Sura 4, Ayah 136.
Now, that has been proven, and believing in it is imperative, it is imperative, it is imperative for every Moslem to believe in all the Islamic rules (sharia). That is because it came in the Qur'an, by the Messenger (Allah's prayer and peace be upon him). Not believing in it all, will be disbelieving. Consequently denying totally the Islamic ruling, or denying the definite rulings with its details, is disbelieving regardless if these rulings are related to worshipping, or dealings, or penalties or foods. Denying the Ayah "Establish a regular prayer." " ", is like denying the Ayah 275, Sura 2: "... and Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury." " ", and as denying the Ayah of: "As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands", and as denying the Ayah of: "Forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of Allah." Sura 5, Ayah 4.
Believing in Islamic rulings (sharia) is not limited to what can be conceived by the mind. It has to be absolute submission to everything that came from Allah Almighty. "But no, by thy lord they can have no (real) faith until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction." Sura 4, Ayah 65.