Dealing with Contemporary Issues Dr Shakeel Ahmad

1. Dealing with Contemporary IssuesDr Shakeel Ahmad Tabligh Training Course National Tabligh Committee

2. Introduction • God? • Religion? • Which religion? • Islam?? • Current problems in society and their solutions • A society that can exist in ‘peace’

3. PART 1 Existence of God Does God really exist? Is there an actual influence of God on our daily lives? Can we benefit from this concept?

4. A universal quest • Throughout human history – including now • Existed independently in all societies • Is this just curiosity or inherent to our make-up • Approx ¾ of world population believe (7.5bn – 2.4bn Christians, 1.5bn Muslims, 1bn Buddhists, 900m Hindus, others [15m Jews]) • Onus of proof on the non-believer as well

5. Out of sight, Out of mind • Cant see, cant hear, cant touch • Empty room? • Need the right instruments • Same is true to perceive God – the right instruments • Our perceptions are very limited – need special preparation

6. Need of discipline • No discipline – no growth • Equally true for moral-spiritual spectrum • Hard work • Specially when used to life with self interest • Belief in God incorporates acceptance of authority of God, who then guides us how to live our lives

7. Intelligent design • Even a small invention, task requires planning to produce positive result - grow vegetables in your garden - broken pottery from archaeological site implies wisdom of an ancient civilisation • Our universe is complex, immense and continuously evolving • Flawless functioning • Lots of laws that govern its flawless functioning • We are still discovering these laws • Hence it must have been designed with wisdom and planning • That requires an ‘all wise’ creator

8. Creation of consciousness - 1 • Current understanding re laws of creation of life: consciousness can only be created out of consciousness • Lot of conscious life exists • Hence there must be a conscious creator before life existed • The conscious creator was there – always • The circle argument – no beginning, no end • Conservation argument – energy/mass, thought

9. Creation of consciousness -2 • Darwin – principles re evolution of life on earth (natural selection, survival of the fittest) • Wallace – 3 spiritual stages of evolution (creation of organic from inorganic matter, creation of consciousness, cognitive complexity of man) • Role of Chance – implied atheism - ? • Current evolutionary biologists refute role of chance • Wind blowing through a scrap yard leading to making of a jumbo jet

10. Creation of consciousness - 3 • Example: Development of speech – chance would mean much slower and over several stages of evolution • Observations: appears at the human stage, not before not after • Key role in psycho-moral-spiritual development • No interim variable stages of speech development that then lost viability due to lack of survival • Hence – planned development - not chance – implies a conscious Creator • Denying existence of Creator is like denying our own existence!

11. Origin of all creation - 1 • Origin of universe • Big bang • Singularity – all energy and mass originated from this • Require further scientific research to go beyond this point • Will aid our understanding of the source of this energy/mass • Will aid our understanding about the Creator of all universe • Dr Abdul Salam – two of the four fundamental forces of nature are the same • Gravitation • Electromagnetic • Weak nuclear force Electro-weak theory • Strong nuclear force Grand unified theory

12. Origin of all creation - 2 • Aristotle – ultimate first cause of creation cannot be a created thing itself – loss of energy at each step – stopping the cycle of creation • Science of entropy – loss of energy in creation of matter from matter – resultant mater is less than parent matter - creation of universe created a lot of matter out of no matter – unique • Quran (& Bible) – origin was from ‘word’ – vision (of the Creator) and His will for it to happen. • Hence Divine word, ancient philosophy and current science are in agreement: • Origin of all creation is the Creator – not a created thing • Similarly, the Creator is infinite with no beginning and no end – while all creation is finite

13. Testimony of the most truthful • Categories of people in society: politicians, artists, writers, sociologists, scholars, prophets • Most trusted? • The prophets • Prophets - lived in different times - In different parts of the world - No direct communication with each other • One common theme – a creator and sustainer God

14. Life account of prophets • Amazing in the same way • Alone in the beginning • Recognised as of utmost moral dignity • Claim to prophethood without any demand for worldly gains • Opposition develops soon as they make this claim • Materially weak against opposition • No vengeance against ruthlessness of opposition • Kindness and fairness throughout • Ultimate victory of their mission • All prophets attribute: -their mission to be under Divine guidance -their success to be Divine blessing -they become even more humble

15. Wisdom of Divine guidance • Prophets have been receiving guidance according to human need at any given time • Perfectly suited to needs at time of revelation • Quran – pinnacle of Divine guidance – universal - to address complexities of contemporary society (later in the program) • All prophets claimed this guidance to be from God

16. Source of hidden knowledge • Prophets gave mankind knowledge about times before,concurrent and after the time of their revelation • Quran – knowledge about history, cosmology, biology and evolution of life, archaeology, psychology, atomic energy, presence of extra terrestrial life, geography, politics, future developments etc • What is the source of this knowledge? • Knowledge is beyond human scholarship • Prophets do not claim to be the originators of this knowledge but that they only act as messengers • ... and that they receive it from God • We keep discovering it to be true through scientific process • Does provide strong evidence to the source of this knowledge

17. Prophets’ instruments to recognise God • Evidence – all creation particularly with consciousness • Witness – balance in laws of nature (eg spontaneous jungle fire leading to healthier soil & stronger genetic material for plants) - truth of prophets gaining victory over mightier falsehood • Experience – personal communication with God

18. Experiencing God • The natural quest – has a purpose - basis for individuals to seek God and make effort towards Him • Prophets describe the method: Refrain from worldly pursuits Live a moral life Life with utmost truthfulness Prayer and meditation • Develops the right instrument to communicate with God • The ‘psychic-radio’ - to receive revelation • Communication becomes two-sided as it develops

19. Godless void • Remove water from a glass and it fills with air • Remove the real God from our mind and it fills with other gods ‘Let us live life to its full’ – hedonism ‘It is my life’ – selfishness ‘What do I get from this?’ – materialism • Our psychological satans become our gods

20. Conclusion • Invite to an open minded enquiry • Not like the Russian cosmonaut - ‘did not find God in space’ • ... or Shelley, the English poet – ‘did not find God in caves’ • Enquiry as recommended by the prophets

21. PART 2 Need of Religion Why do we need religion? Why we cannot be ‘good’ without religion?

22. Traffic code – an example - 1 • Do we need a traffic code? • What will happen if we do not have a traffic code? • Can we not have organised traffic if we all try to be ‘good’ in our driving but not follow a standard code? • Which code, then?

23. Traffic code – an example - 2 • Q: If a code is essential, who should make the code? • A: An established authority – ‘police & legislative authority’ • Code for life is even more essential – how to lead our lives in society • Is there a source that is fool proof? • Again – the prophets are the best example • Source of their message ..? • God

24. Examples from history

25. PART 3 Which religion?

26. Development of Consciousness • Beginning of life on earth – approx 4.5 billion years ago • Development of consciousness • Homo-sapiens (human) stage – approx 200,000 yrs ago • Spread of humans out of Africa – approx 100,000 yrs ago • Ability to make a choice - right - in accordance with natural laws - wrong - against natural laws • Biological evolution continues • Further human development - on spiritual plane • Need of guidance - religion • Guidance from the Master, the Creator

27. Time line of human development Humans spread around earth ............. Life begins Unicellular Multicellular Plants Marine animals Reptiles Mammals Humans Land animals Genus Homo Neanderthals die A J M (pbut) ______________________________________ 4.5b 2b 1b 500m 250m 1m 100k 25k 6k 2k 1.4k

28. Development of Religion • Revelations to Hz Adam pbuh – aprox 6000 yrs ago • Development of religion - from local & transient teachings - to more complex teachings • According to need of developing human society • Stage of - international community, international communications, international trade and political relations – universal society - complete and universal religion - ever lasting religion • Named ‘Islam’ by the Creator of mankind and religion

29. State of Continuity • Same: - natural laws – the same - bio-physiological state – the same - human psyche – the same - social systems – changed to universal ones • Therefore the required teachings • Passage of time – impaired understanding of original teachings • Revival of religious understanding - Divinely guided - The Promised Messiah (pbuh)

30. Development of Religion Divine Scriptures - 1 • http://www.alislam.org/library/links/Biblical_prophecy.html • http://www.alislam.org/books/in-bible/index.html • Ibraheem (pbuh): • Torah: (Deuteronomy 18:15) The Lord thy God will raise unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto him ye shall hearken. • Deuteronomy 18:17-19: Moses prophesied: "And the Lord said unto me: They have well spoken that which they have spoken, I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.“ • Deuteronomy 33:2:The prophecies of the Bible had even led its followers to that part of the world where the great Prophet was to appear: And he said, the Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; and shined forth from Mount Paran and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. - Three manifestations of the glory of God. The first of these appeared on Sinai in the time of Moses. The second is prophesised to take place at Seir, where miracles of Jesus took place. "Rising up from Seir," therefore, meant the advent of Jesus. The third was to take its rise from Paran (Arabic Faran), the name of hills which lie between Mecca and Medina, area where Mohammad (pbuh) was born and lived. According to the Old Testament, Ishmael (pbuh), ancestor of Muhammad (pbuh), lived in this part. • Song of Solomon 5: 10-16: In the words of Solomon (pbuh), Mahmadd-im (meaning ‘full of praise’) is mentioned.

31. Development of Religion Divine Scriptures - 2 • John 14:26: But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things... • John 16:7-14: 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 sent him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. ... I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. How be it when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.. and he will show  you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. • Gospel of John (1:19-21) says that at the time of Jesus, the Jews were expecting advent of three prophets. Firstly Elias, secondly Christ, thirdly ‘a prophet’ of universal fame. In Matthew 11:14, 17:10-13 Jesus claimed to be the Christ (pbuh) and he regarded John the Baptist as Elias (pbuh). • Matthew 21:43 -Jesusas pointed out in the parable of the vineyard that after him shall come the Lord of vineyard and added: "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth fruits thereof” • John 14:15-17-"If ye love me, keep my commands. And I will pray to the Father and He shall give you another Comforter. That he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth." • Peter is quoted in the Bible- "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you". John starts one of his conversations with "I, John, who am your brother". On the same lines we read the utterances of Philip, James and others in the Bible.

32. Development of Religion Divine Scriptures - 3 • Quran 7:158 - "... Those who follow the Messenger, the Immaculate One, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel which are with them. • Quran 73:16 - Verily We have sent to you a Messenger, who is a witness over you, even as we sent a Messenger to Pharaoh. • Quran 53:4-5 -He does not speak out of his own desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed. • Quran 18: 111 - Say, O’ Muhammad, I am a man like unto you: Only the word of God come unto me. • Quran 5:4 - Today We have perfected your religion for you and completed Our favour upon you.

33. Development of Religion Divine Scriptures - 4 • Zardasht pbuh - prophesised advent of a Persian prophet in latter days to revive true religion

34. PART 4 ISLAM’S RESPONSE TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

35. ISLAM’S RESPONSE TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES Chapter wise seminars: 1. Inter-religious peace 2. Social peace 3. Economic peace 4. Political peace 5. Individual peace

36. SEMINAR 1 INTER-RELIGIOUS PEACE

37. True Religion • In accordance with natural principles • In accordance with human psyche • Applicable to all people • Now and in future • Accepts right of all people to receive Divine guidance, now and in pre-Islam era

38. Universality of Prophethood • Islam teaches truthfulness of all Divine messengers 16:37 We did raise amongst every people a messenger with the teaching: ‘worship Allah and shun evil’ • Does not monopolise Truth 35:24-5Thou art but a Warner. Verily We have sent you with the Truth….and there is no people to whom a Warner has not been sent

39. Equality of Prophets • In term of Divine authority • Their sincerity in exercise of such authority • Authenticity of message 2:286 this messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers; all of them believe in Allah, in His angels, books, and in His messengers saying ‘we make no distinction in any of His messengers’… 4:151-2 surely those who disbelieve in Allah & His messengers & seek to make a distinction between Allah and some of His messengers and say ‘we believe in some and disbelieve in others’ and take a path in between; these really are the disbelievers and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

40. Salvation is not a monopoly of any religion • All religions claim salvation and redemption from Satan – including Islam • Some claim damnation to those who do not follow the claimant’s religion – this is contradictory to what Quran teaches • In the Quran, general principles of belief in God and the process of accountability along with righteous conduct are declared essential for salvation • 2:63 surely the believers and from the Jews, the Sabians, the Christians; whoso truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve 3:114-6 they are not all alike. Amongst People of the Book there is a party who stand by their covenant, they recite the word of Allah in the night and prostrate themselves before Him. They believe in Allah and the Last Day and enjoin good and forbid evil and hasten, vying with one another in good deeds. These are amongst the righteous. And whatever good they do, they shall not be denied the due reward. And Allah well knows the God-fearing

41. Accepting good in others • Essential for inter-religious peace • Good is no monopoly of Islam 7:160 And of the people of Moses, there is a party who guides with truth and does justice therewith 7:182 And of those we have created there are people that guide with truth and do justice therewith

42. Universality of Religion • Main points revised: -In accordance with the natural laws -In accordance with human psyche -Applicable to all people, all races, all cultures -Applicable all times now and in future • Quran declares all religions have this quality to some degree, unless corrupted by followers later 98:6 they (people of the book) were not commanded but to serve Allah, with sincere obedience, and being upright, and to pray, and to pay zakat. That is the religion of the right 30:31 so set thy face to religion as one devoted; to nature made by Allah, the nature in which He created mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah. This is the right religion. Most people know not

43. Universality of Islam • Evolution of society required new teachings with time, along with restoration of original fundamental principles - all learning is stepwise – human nature - so is all development – following gradual steps • Stage of universal religion: when societies established themselves - farming and agriculture, commerce and trade, political systems, communication and travel, economic systems, sciences and knowledge • Stage to remove secondary and transient teachings • Stage to add universal teachings to original fundamental principles

44. Islam gives complete freedom of choice… • 2:257 there should be no compulsion in religion • ‘Swords can win territories, not hearts • Force can bend heads, not minds’ • Freedom of expression to all religions • Even Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is warned in the Quran 88:22-3 admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher; thou have no authority to compel them

45. …and encourages rational debate • Debate with reason 37:157-8 have you clear authority? Then provide your book if you are truthful • Invite with code of conduct 16:126 call towards thy Lord with wisdom, goodly advice and in the best possible manner and argue with them in a way that is best… 90:18 again, should be of those who believe & exhort one another to exercise patience and exhort one another to be merciful and considerate • With utmost respect for others beliefs 6:109 and insult not those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they out of spite insult Allah in ignorance; thus to all We made their doing seem fair; then unto their Lord is their return & He will inform them what they used to do

46. Survival of the Fittest Reason • The principle that has played a very important role - in evolution of life - development of the human specie - can also be applied to intellectual/spiritual evolution since • Quran teaches inter-religious debate has to be rational • …and that ultimate victory be achieved with logic 8:43 …so let him perish who is to perish by verdict of manifest logic and let him survive who is worthy of survival by virtue of manifest logic

47. Blasphemy • No physical punishment is prescribed in Quran for blasphemy - Contrary to commonly held notion Major examples: Jewish claim against H. Maryam, Christian claim about ‘son’ of God - no physical punishment - disagreement in principle • However it is condemned on moral and ethical grounds 6:69 when you encounter vain discourse concerning Our signs, turn away until they engage in a different discourse. If Satan causes thee to forget, sit not, after recollection, with the unjust 6:109 revile not those they call upon beside Allah, lest out of spite, they revile Allah in ignorance • Mulla’s notion of ‘death/stoning’ - no validity

48. Attitude towards other religions • Quran encourages inter-religious cooperation for philanthropic programs • Discourages highlighting differences that may lead to segregation 3:65 say ’o People of the Book, come to a word equal between us & you – that we worship none but Allah & that we associate no partner with Him and that some of us not take others for our god beside Allah. But if they turn away, then say ‘bear witness that we have submitted to the will of God’ • Remain just and kind and respectful to followers of other religions 60:8-9 it maybe that Allah will bring love between you and those with whom you are at enmity now...Allah forbids you not, respecting those who have not fought against you on account of your religion & those who have not driven you out of your homes, that you be kind and equitable with them. Surely Allah loves those who are equitable • Teaches justice even with those who transgressed against Muslims 5:3 …and let not the enmity of those who hindered you from access to the Sacred Mosque, incite you to treat them with inequity; & help one another in piety & righteousness but not in sin & transgression

49. Summary1 • Current climate in the world requires effort to revive the true spirit of religion • Islam claims all qualities required of a true and universal religion and thus also claims to have the capacity to bring inter-religious peace through its teachings • Teaches universality of prophethood ie all people, ever, have had prophets bring them Divine guidance; hence recognises other sources of Truth as well • Teaches equality of all prophets and truth of all religions at source • Claims supremacy of Quranic teachings as the pinnacle of Divine guidance and offers arguments with reference to authentic Divine scripture and other rational arguments

50. Summary 2 • Does not claim to have monopoly over salvation, and does not condemn those who do not follow Islam to damnation • Recognises righteous behaviour amongst followers of other religions • Islam categorically opposes any compulsion and gives complete freedom of choice in matters of religion • Advocates freedom of expression for all religions