🏵️🏵️🏵️ Dear Burt,
I appreciate your thoughtful response and the sincerity with which you approach the question of whether Islam is the right path. As an Islamic scholar, I'd like to offer a nuanced perspective on this matter.
As a truth seeker, I embarked on a journey to uncover the authenticity of Islam, my birthright as a Muslim notwithstanding. Through introspection and exploration, I encountered individuals from diverse perspectives and delved into the depths of various faiths. My inquisitions led me to examine the scriptures of multiple religions, including the Quran, Old Testament (Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, Prophetic Books), New Testament (Gospels, Epistles, Apocalyptic Literature), Torah (Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), Talmud (Mishnah, Gemara), Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Dharma Shastras, and human-made constructs like Buddhism (Pali Canon, Mahayana Sutras), Confucianism (Analects of Confucius), and Taoism (Tao Te Ching). After traversing this long and winding path, I can confidently assure you that Islam is the last and final revelation from God, perfect in its essence and flawless in its message. Muhammad (peace be upon him) is indeed the seal of the prophets, and I can prove this with utmost certainty by comparing the minute details of Islamic teachings to those of other religions. I am grateful to God for guiding me on this journey and bestowing upon me the wisdom to understand the truth. May I humbly add that knowledge alone is insufficient without faith; on the Day of Judgment, it is only through faith that we will be judged by our actions and intentions.
From an Islamic perspective, we believe that Islam is the final and complete revelation from God to humanity, culminating in the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This message is not only a set of dogmas and doctrines but also a way of life that guides us towards spiritual growth, personal development, and community building.
As you mentioned, all religions provide vehicles for salvation, and we acknowledge that people of other faiths can also find their way to God through their respective beliefs. However, Islam is unique in its claim to be the only religion that has been preserved in its original form, without any human intervention or corruption.
There are many signs that attest to the truth of Islam as the final revelation. One such sign is the Quran itself, which has been miraculously preserved over 1400 years without any alteration or corruption. Can we attribute this preservation to human effort alone? No, it is clear that Allah SWT has protected and preserved His book through history until the Last Day.
The Quran mentions this preservation explicitly: "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9) This verse highlights Allah's promise to preserve His book against any distortion or corruption.
Furthermore, there are many scientific and historical facts mentioned in the Quran that were only discovered centuries later. For example:
* The concept of a fetus's development in the womb was unknown in ancient times. However, Allah mentions it in Quran 23:14: "Then did We create man from a small seed."
* The embargo on a fetus's growth during pregnancy was also unknown until recent times. Yet, Allah mentions it in Quran 41:46: "We created man from a small seed when he is but a sperm-drop dispelled."
The Islamic perspective on the beginning of human life, focusing on the concept of ensoulment, which is considered to occur at around 120 days after conception. The Islamic tradition recognizes human life as beginning at this point, when the soul enters the fetus and constitutes an essential part of humanity. This view is based on Quranic verses and Hadiths that describe the developmental stages of human life.
"And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a drop of sperm, firmly fixed. Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood, and of that clot We made an embryo; then We made out of that lump, bones, and clothed the bones with flesh. Then We developed another creation out of it. So blessed is God, the best of Creators" (Qur'an 23: 12-14)
Hadith:
‘Abdallah ibn Mas’ud narrated that the Messenger of God ﷺ said:
"Each one of you is constituted in the womb of the mother for forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then God sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his deeds, his livelihood, the date of his death, and whether he will be blessed or wretched. Then the soul is breathed into him…" (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3036)
According to scholar Mohammed Ghaly, "The Beginnings of Human Life: Islamic Bioethical Perspectives," "the jurists inferred that the soul enters the fetus at around 4 months, or 120 days, after conception."
In addition to these signs, and others, we have the explicit promise of Allah SWT that He will preserve His book:
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9)
This verse emphasizes that Allah Himself is responsible for preserving His book and protecting it from any corruption or alteration.
Dr. Burton, I urge explore Islam, the culmination of all previous revelations given to prophets such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others. Read the Quran online at
https://quran.ksu.edu.sa/index.php?l=en#aya=1_1&m=hafs&qaree=husary&trans=en_sh
to discover more about the purpose of life, God's nature, and our place in this universe.
As you seek knowledge and wisdom, I must remind you that rejecting Islam will ultimately lead to loss and regret. The Quran warns: "And whoever rejects faith and dies while rejecting – those are they who are the losers" (Quran 3:185).
May God guide you on your spiritual journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mohamed