A Quiet Dialogue between a Buddhist and a Muslim Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Maker of darkness and light. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone and He has no partner. Also, I bear witness that Muhammad-peace be upon him- is His slave and His Messenger. O Allah, invoke blessings and peace on the Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of Prophets and Messengers, as well as his wives, his best and clean family, his respectful companions and the followers of his guidance, path and his footstep to the Day of Recompense. Verily, whoever contemplates about the teachings of Islam, its message and its call will know its full compatibility and perfect suitability for the pure instinct. All these characteristics let the clean souls and normal minds look forward to it. They are illustrated by these questions, which one of the Buddhists asked and reasonable logical answers presented by Islam on the tongue of a Muslim as follows. (Question 1) Buddhist: Perhaps, you see what the Western media is publishing and promoting by imputation against Islam and Muslims with different types of extremism and terrorism. What is your comment on that? (Answer1) Muslim: Islam is very far from any form of extremism and terrorism and is innocent of any act contrary to its open-minded teachings even if that action happened from the hand of who claims Islam. It is sufficient for you to know that the word "Islam" itself refers to: peace, security and tranquillity because it is derived from the source peace, which is also derived from the word submit, which means: security, safety and reassurance. Therefore, Islam is the religion of peace that can be enjoyed by all, all under its umbrella of peace, security, safety without injustice, oppression and tyranny. Almighty Allah says: "He who slays a soul unless it is in punishment for murder or for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind." By Islam, a person enjoys inner psychological and real peace because he will become safe in his belief in Almighty Allah, God, so his soul and mind will find tranquility and his body parties will be in the light of Islam’s message by high guidance and teachings. *********
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(Question 2) Buddhist: Therefore, what is the meaning of Islam? (Answer 2) Muslim: Islam means: complete submission, surrender and obeying by mind, heart, spirit and body to Almighty Allah’s commands. Therefore, the slave should comply with his brain; he should believe in the existence of Exalted and Almighty Allah. He should believe in His oneness, His great power and His unique divinity. He should not have a partner with Him and should not believe in his God and his Creator except what suits His greatness. He must not think about Him except everything that is great and glorious without any injustice, deficiency or reduction. Also, a person should obey with his mind and soul with love to his Exalted God and with reverence, respect and appreciation to Him. The slave should comply with his body following the commands of Almighty God and avoiding wrongful acts. That compliance should be from the created slave with love to his God and Creator hoping to get His satisfaction and expecting to get His Paradise with its great lasting stable enjoyment and with fearing for Exalted Allah’s anger anticipating to be saved from His Hellfire with a severe painful torment. ********* (Question 3) Buddhist: To what does Islam call? (Answer 3) Muslim: Islam came with the pure doctrine that inspired the minds and guided them to know the Creator and the Maker with clear knowledge which suits His majesty and greatness. It calls to everything that can be accepted and agreed with pure instinct, stainless spirit and the right mind. It came for: • Calling to pure creed without any impurities or turbidity that can irritate the mind, disturb it or prevent it from understanding or accepting it. It calls to the pure belief accepted by the rational mind without coercion or imposing certain unacceptable perception. It calls to: • Believing in the existence of God (Almighty Allah), the unity of His divinity and disassociating Him from rejected qualities of vice, imperfections, defects and all that He does not deserve and having faith in His great qualities and unrestrained ability.
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• Believing in the cherished angels as one of the greatest creatures of God. Allah created them for the worship, obedience and the implementation of His orders, so they do not disobey Him at all. He did not give them options to choose obedience or disobedience. It is among these angels who were entrusted with revelation. Some of them were charged with receiving the mandates, orders, prohibitions, directives and teachings of Almighty God and conveying them to those who have been chosen by God to be His prophets and messengers, so that they may report to people what they received (through the angels such as trusts, instructions and teachings). • Believing in Almighty Allah’s Prophets and Messengers and honouring them because they were chosen among the humans by Exalted Allah to spread His call and message also to introduce people’s Creator and God to them and to call them to believe in Him and His oneness of divinity. Furthermore, they are sent to guide people to Allah’s worship as He wants from them (as required by the perfection of his wisdom and will) through the implementation of His teachings and orders. • Believing in the Last Day, which is the day when people will be raised up after their death to ask them about their beliefs and deeds and hold them accountable. Whoever does a small good deed will find its reward and recompense and whoever does an atom of evil will be held accountable. • Believing in the bad or good destiny, that is to say everything that happens in this universe and what is being exposed to man either good or evil such as happiness and sadness, wealth and poverty including health and disease, it is with the prior estimation from Almighty God (according to the completeness of His wisdom and as required by Almighty’s will) and His full awareness because He is All-knowing and the Most Expert.
• It calls to the guiding acts of worship, in which the human soul is purified and cleansed of vices, malicious acts, obscene morality and condones. It will rise to the highest standards of morality and the lofty levels of charity.
• It calls to sound laws, wise practices, and elevated teachings which let all human life be upright.
• It calls to knowledge, study and to what let humanity advance in all areas of life.
• It calls to all goodness and the way guiding to the performance of good deeds and prevents from all evil and paths that lead to it.
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• It calls to justice, charity and keeping relationship with relatives and forbids injustice, oppression, obscenities and evils.
• It calls to honouring the human and securing his life.
• It calls to respecting women in all stages of their lives starting from the period of their birth and childhood ( that's to say since they are babies till they grow up and become bride) as well as passing through their marriage stage (as wives) to their maternity period (as mothers and grandmothers).
• It calls to having interest in raising children and encouraging on having compassion and mercy for them.
• It calls to caring for the youth.
• It calls to pitying and having mercy for other creatures (animals, birds, trees, plants...).
• It calls to the use of wisdom, fine preaching, mental logical and reasonable dialogue with the people of other religions to call them to believe in Almighty Allah the Creator and His oneness divinity in addition to not having a partner with Him.
• It calls to dealing with non-Muslims nicely.
• It calls to unity, solidarity, harmony, love and mercy.
• It calls to leniency in the wars.
The wars of Muslims against enemies had been either for repulsion to their aggression or defending their religion (Islam). Also, they are for securing the Islamic call or against those who distort its image and falsify its truth and hinder between them and the call to it and preaching its message to people and introducing its teachings to them. However, verily, Islam forbids Muslims in their wars to have treachery, betrayal or killing children, women, (non-combatants) powerless and elderly people. In addition, it prohibited the killing of those who surrendered and those who did not carry weapons (who do not fight Muslims). Furthermore, it disallows the destruction of houses, cutting of trees, demolition of cities and any kind of corruption on the ground. Islam is based on mercy and forgiveness, and from there we see justice in dealing with [people] and humanity in fighting.
• It calls to the good treatment of prisoners of war.
• It calls to peace, its components, its causes and the fulfilment of the promises and covenants but does not preach to extremism and terrorism.
*********
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(Question 4) Buddhist: Why does Islam call to monotheism?
(Answer 4) Muslim: Initially, Islam has come to call people to believe in the
Creator of this universe, God the Maker (the Exalted Almighty Allah). As every
existing must have its maker and does every product. Therefore, every creature has
its own creator. So, from there, he should believe in the existence of his God and
creator even if he cannot see him. However, the effects and evidence of its
existence are more than to be enumerated. For instance, a person does not see his
soul but believes in its existence because of seeing its effects in life as well as his
brain but he believes in its existence due to its effects of having the capability for
thinking and meditation. In addition, He does not see gravity, but he believes in its
existence because of its effects of attraction ... and so forth. The signs, effects, and
evidence of the existence of the Creator, God, are uncountable.
With the addition that Islam has come to call for the glorification of
Almighty God the Creator, the belief in His great qualities, the perfection of His
wisdom, the comprehensiveness of His knowledge and unlimited power. All of
these necessitate for Islam to call to believe in the oneness of Almighty God and
His uniqueness in His divinity.
Moreover, since the Creator God is only one God, He alone has the disposition of
this universe and no one else is like that. Therefore, there is only one God,
Almighty Allah.
*********
(Question 5) Buddhist: What indicates that God (the Creator and Preserver
of the universe) is only one God and not two, three or more?
(Answer 5) Muslim: The evidence of His oneness is abundant. Among of
them:
1. Nature evidence: Every child is born on the instinct of believing in
his Creator and Originator including the unity of His divinity. The evidence is that
if he is born and left till he becomes aware and conscious without any external
influence in his belief, we will find that his nature which he was created on by God
tends to believe in its Creator and its Maker. From there, that [nature] will lead him
to the belief that there is only one God, the Powerful Greatest God who is capable
of creating him and all creatures. We find him (the man who has become aware
and conscious) at the time of his urgencies and need calling Him: "My God, my
Lord, my Creator" (referring to singularity in divinity rather than dualism or
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pluralism): Guide me – ease my condition – provide my needs for me - do not forsake me ... and we will never see him saying. O my gods, lords or those who created me (referring to pluralism), which indicates that the Creator and Originator is only one God and He is Almighty God.
2. If a man asks: Who created and originated him? Who created all these creatures and brought them to being? The logical answer will be that whoever created and originated him and all these creatures must be the Greatest and most Powerful God who is described in His capacity for creation. He will repeat this question differently as follows: Who created this God and brought Him into existence? On the assumption that the answer is there must be another God described by power and greatness. He will find himself compelled to repeat that question in an endless way and in the same way: Who also created and originated this God? Thus, the same answer will be repeated without reaching a correct basic answer because the answer from the beginning was wrong and illogical.
The ideal answer to this question is that there is no Creator for this Creator God who created this human being and originated this universe as well as all its creatures and beings. Hence, there is only one God who is described with great unrestrained power. This is the typical and logical answer that the rational and sensible brain will not accept anything other than it. - As I explained earlier, that since the Creator God is only one. He alone has the disposition of this universe and no one else is like that. Therefore, there is only one God (Almighty Allah) who deserves to be worshipped alone.
3. Assuming the presence of more than a god and then each has his autonomic will. For instance, if one of them wants to do something and others want other things; as if someone wishes to move something and the rest do not want to do so, what will happen then? The answer to this question (which was the result of the imaginary assumption) will not be out of three possibilities as follows:
(A) Either happening the will of each of them and that is a bad claim because it is rationally impossible. (B) And either be unable to all of them to implement his wish. That is also an invalid claim because the description of the deficit is impossible for the Creator God who can do everything.
(C) Or the will of one of them only comes to true and neither the rest wills. Therefore, he is the true God that can do everything while others are not gods at all.
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By repeating this assumption, it will appear that there is only one true God. He is Allah the Creator of everything, who has the conduct of this universe and who can do whatever He wants. 4. If there is more than one God, at times some of them will surpass others and sometimes some have victory upon the others. As a result, the heavens and earth will spoil and then the destruction of the universe including creatures and all that exists in it as well as the life of whole mankind. Since all these did not happen but we find that this universe is very balanced and uniformed. Then, there is only one God. He is the most Powerful, Greatest, Capable God, and Controller of everything. He is the Exalted Almighty Allah. For instance, if there is a chance to win the ruling and dominion of a country, we will find a dispute and war including killing, disaster and destruction after trying of opposition parties to get the ruling and dominion lonely. Therefore, instability will begin until the arrival of one of them to the post alone and stability of his dominion. Also, what about if there is more than one president for a country? Will there be stability in this country? Of course, it is no. There is no doubt that there will be disputes between them, in addition to the consequent waste, loss of the capabilities of that country and lack of progress. Therefore, we find that the whole state will agree to let someone be its king or president. As well as it is for this universe including its creatures and living things. The only creator of it is one God. He is the most Powerful, Greatest, Capable God and Controller of everything. 5. Assuming that there is a slave owned by only one person and he obeys his boss and implements his orders and specific instructions without the smallest floundering. If he is sold to more than one person, will his condition be upright and stable while he is trying hard to follow their instructions? Of course, no because in his first state (when he was owned by only one person), he could find himself concentrated with rest of mind and soul winning the consent of his master and enjoying his compensation.
However, in his second condition (when it is owned by more than a person) he will find himself confused, sad and loser of satisfaction of his masters and tortured with their punishments for him because of the difference and clash of his bosses' orders. Therefore, he will find himself compelled to obey and follow the instructions of one of them. At the same time, he has to disobey and ignore others’ commands. At times, he may try to please all of them but at last, he will become negligent and disobedient deserving their wrath and punishments.
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As well, so where will that weak slave go if there are many gods and their
commands and instructions clash? Who should he follow and submit to? Then, if
he obeys one of those gods and gets his consent, he will become disobedient to
others, so he deserves their anger and punishment.
Surely, this [example] also confirms that the Creator, most Powerful,
Greatest, Capable and the Controller of everything who deserves to be worshipped
must be only one God who is the Exalted Almighty Allah.
*******
(Question 6) Buddhist: Why does Islam say that believing in more than one
God is the biggest sin?
(Answer 6) Muslim: That is because the Exalted Almighty Allah He is the
True God and any god other than Him is false and fake; absolutely, he is not a god.
There is a difference between the existing thing and non-existing one as well as
there is a difference between the creator and creature and the originator and what
he originated. There cannot be equality between the two opposite kinds of stuff
whatsoever. Therefore, claiming that there is more than one God is counted as the
biggest oppression and injustice because there is in it a transgression of the greatest
right of Almighty Allah. He is the only one God who did not bear a child and He
was not born; the true God who is alone in His divinity.
That can be illustrated through these examples:
- Can any sultan or king allow anyone to have a dispute with him in his power and ruling? Certainly, no.
- Can any jealous, arrogant and sensible husband agree with another man to share his wife? Surely, no.
- If a person has a maid and he pays her in exchange for her time and exertion for his service alone, will that [person] allow her to spend her time and effort to serve another person? Undoubtedly, no.
- If that is the condition of a creature who does not allow anyone to share his right with him, what about the Originator Creator God who possesses everything and has the conduct of this universe lonely.
- Will Almighty Allah accept that anyone have clash with Him (without any right) in His greatest right (divinity and deity) and become a partner with Him in His control and creating? Certainly, no because He is more jealous of His rights than His creatures on theirs.
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Therefore, His first and greatest right upon His creature is to accept His
existence, the unity of His divinity, His huge bounty and virtue upon them.
***********
(Question 7) Buddhist: Why does Islam prohibit photographing Allah in the
form of photos and statues?
(Answer 7) Muslim: In addition to what I have mentioned: Islam has called
to the glorification of Almighty Allah the Creator's attributes and disqualified their
diminution through description or making His photograph in form of stones and
statues because it does not make sense that Almighty Allah created man from
nothing then he made different statues depicting His God and Creator in different
forms (whereas he did not see him) and then another person portrayed his God and
Creator in other forms, images and so forth!
Also, we surely see that such pictures and statues with different shapes and
sizes are the cause for the human soul to glorify them (especially if they have
enormous size and awesome scenery) then they worship them over the time. There
are lots of examples of this situation in many countries. After that, they call
another creature instead of True Allah who deserves to be glorified and
worshipped alone.
Almighty Allah is the Present Creator who the kingdom of everything is in his
hand, the only Controller of everything and anything other than Him is created and
produced by Him.
For that, it is clear why Islam prohibits portraying Almighty Allah and
depicting Him in stones and statues shape. Therefore, he has the right to be
glorified.
*******
(Question 8) Buddhist: There are among Buddhists who say that the
purpose of worshipping statues is to focus and concentrate on worshipping God,
what do you say about that?
(Answer 8) Muslim: That [statement] is baseless; I will explain it through this example: Imagine that a woman put another man’s picture in front of her and she claimed that because she wanted to focus and concentrate on remembering her husband and his obedience so as not to forget what he commanded her to do. Will the husband accept such baseless and unauthentic claim? Surely, no because there
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is no relation between that and this even her husband will count it as a big mistake
against his right.
Also, what is the relation between the wrenched and fragile statue (made and
carved from a weak creature) and Almighty Creator Strong Powerful God? There
is no doubt that there is no relationship. Accepting such an unfounded and specious
claim from the creature is an insult to the Creator.
However, that will lead to depicting God in humiliating images not worthy
of His greatness and His majesty. That person portrays his god in such images and
shapes and another man draws his god in other shapes. Each of them will also be
proud of his and compare them to others’ gods and claims that his god is superior
to others. This is a statue of a higher degree and it is greater than other lower
degree statues. Thus, that cow is more sacred than other animals that he sanctifies.
Each of them has different acts of worship depending on the whims and desires.
Therefore, there is no evidence of such a statement.
*******
(Question 9) Buddhist: Why does Islam prohibit the doctrine of the
incarnation of God in any of the human beings, images, statues, cows, other
animals and creatures and thus forbid sanctifying any of them and prohibiting their
worship?
(Answer 9) Muslim: Firstly, I will explain the doctrine of incarnation and the
union (the presence of God in idols, statues, animals, etc. and becoming one) leads
to division and non-unity. It also leads to believe in the existence of the Creator
God in different images of His creatures - each according to his desires-. This
person may see that God’s incarnation and the union are in the sun, stars and
planets and another may recognize Him in cows and other animals while others
notice Him in idols, statues and stones. In addition, others see Him in trees and
plants. There are those who see Him in everything, including unclean stinking
places.
I have answered the previous question that there is a difference between the
creator and the creature and that there is no equality between two opposite kinds of
stuff at all. Therefore, the claim that both are the same is injustice and a big insult
from the creature to the Creator. From there, we will ask:
- Is it fitting for the Exalted Almighty God the One who is far from lacking
and defecting and He is attributed with all qualities of perfection to merge with some
of His creatures? Assuredly, it is no.
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- Is it fitting for Almighty God to be present in a person who sleeps, urinates, defecates and carries dirty unclean faeces in his belly?! Is it fitting for the Dear, Living God, who will not die, to incarnate into a mortal man and then after his death he will become a stinking corpse?! Undoubtedly, it is no. -Is it fitting for Almighty God to be in a humiliating, fragile and perishable statue made by a weak creature?! Certainly, it is no. - Is it fitting for Almighty God to be in a cow which urinates, excretes and carries blood, dung and impurity in its belly and then it is destined to slaughter or death and become a stinking prey ?! Surely, it is no. - Is it appropriate to Almighty Greatest God to be in an inferior beast such as mouse and others? This is absurd and it is absolute no. - Is it suitable for Almighty God to be in everything and then be present in the unclean and filthy places?! Sure, no. The doctrine that God is inside His creatures, His possessions, and that He united with them makes everything in this universe to be worthy of worship? Or in a more precise sense, it means there is no difference between the creator and the creature. Undoubtedly, this is negation to the greatest right of Allah (His unique divinity). Furthermore, it is controversy to Almighty Allah’s sanctity. Let us ask in another way: Is it fitting for a person after being blessed by God with the grace of brains and favored him upon all His creatures to worship something weaker than him such as a statue or an animal which does not have the slightest intellect and has no harm, no benefit, no death, no life, and no resurrection?! Surely, it is no. - What if a man tries to break and destroy that statue that he worships and thinks that God is inside it? Will it prevent him from breaking, destroying and ruining it? Exactly, it is no. What about after doing so and it cannot defend itself from destruction? What is the condition of the god that he believed it was inside that statue? Will that god still be inside it or run away? If he thinks that the god is inside that broken stuff, why he did not protect it from being broken? What about if a man tries to slaughter the worshipped cow which he thinks his god is inside it? Will that claimed god fight for killing it? Of course, it is no. What about after slaying in it and it could not defend itself? What is the situation of the god that lives inside it? Will it still be inside it or move away? If he thinks that God is present in it after destroying in it and changing to the stinking dead body, why did not it secure it from being ruined?
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Does it suit a reasonable intellectual mature person to worship something due
to the advantage that he wants to benefit from it? Of course, it is no. However, what
fits a wise person is to worship God who created that thing and put benefit in it. This
God is Almighty Allah.
Therefore, it does not fit Almighty Allah’s wisdom and greatness to create
something vainly. All the creatures of Allah have their advantages either we do not
know it or see it. Also, each has its role in securing the system and balance of the
environment. For this reason, who deserves to be worshipped is the Originator of
causes that is Allah the Benefactor Creator instead of worshipping the causes
themselves. This is what makes sense.
At last, let us ask at this point: Why does God need to be inside any human
being which is one of His creatures, in any one of the produced statues or those
created cows? Does He need to do that? Absolutely, He doesn’t because He
demands nothing from any one of His creatures. It is the creatures that need their
creator. Is there minimum evidence accepted by the brain (by which Almighty Allah
blessed human) to such a thing?! Certainly, no, it is an illusion that has nothing to do
with reality.
- Does the person who wants to approach his god, worship Him and beg Him need to
buy or manufacture a statue of stone and the like in a form or a certain image in
order to let God be present in it ?! Or to go to one of cows (peeing, excreting and
carrying blood, dung and impurities in her stomach) to worship it, call it and pray to
it?!
What is the need if the second person wants to get closer to his god and
creator, worship him and call him to buy or manufacture another statue of stone
and the like in a form and another image in order to let god be inside it or to go to
another one of cows to worship it, call it pray to it?!
Do not we believe that the Creator God must be great in Himself, His
qualities and actions and that it is not appropriate to attribute to Him any defects
and imperfections or any of the ugly forbidden deeds? Therefore, He, the Exalted,
will never do trivialities and imperfections. The answer is yes. Then, it is necessary
for us to purify Almighty God from all that does not fit Him such as believing that
He is present in one of His creatures because that is an attribute of imperfection for
Him.
*******
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(Question 10) Buddhist: It is among the Buddhists who say that God is [one]
in three images or objects. What is the view of Islam in that?
(Answer 10) Muslim: As for Islamic perspective in that belief, it explained:
Firstly, the belief that there is a god with three images or hypostasis is
actually a belief that there are three different gods and not one God since each of
them is believed to be one god from the other so that he has his own personality
and his special role. Then, saying that three gods are one is an explicit violation of
reasonableness and astonishment of its necessities.
Secondly, I have made clear through the evidence in my fifth answer to the
question that indicates that God (the Creator, Protector and Controller of the
universe) is only one God, not two, three, or more.
Hence, Islam has come to call for faith in the one God who alone has to act
in this universe and no one else is like that, so there is only one Almighty God,
Allah.
*******
(Question 11) Buddhist: Some Buddhists believe that God came down to the
earth after being incarnated in a human form represented by a person called
Buddha. What is Islam's point of view?
(Answer 11) Muslim: As for Islamic perspective in that belief, it explained:
Islam has come to call for the glorification of Almighty God and the belief
in the great and beautiful qualities and limitless of his power. Among of what it
calls for is the belief in His vast wide complete knowledge that encompasses
everything. He knows everything either place or time (past - present - future).
Therefore, Allah does not need to be present in a human form to exist in the midst
of His creation in order to know their news and conditions. That does not fit Him.
Islam has called to purify Almighty Allah from all that does not fit Him.
Therefore, He will never do any acts of trivialities and imperfections. Describing
Him with incarnation in an image of a weak person power –in order to know the
conditions of His creation, guidance or education- cannot downgrade Him in His
ability, concern and position because He is attributed with unlimited. This is not
appropriate to Almighty God.
Islam has called to purify God from what is not fitting for Him in terms of faulty and disrespectful attributes. Not only that but also what is not appropriate for
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Him such as the actions of humans’ needs and other creatures like eating, drinking
and excreting including sleeping, resting, marriage and giving birth ... Almighty
Allah does not need anything like that.
To clarify in more detail, let us consider:
- Is it fitting for Almighty God to become a sperm for a man among His
creatures in order to enter into the womb of a woman and stay in between flesh and
blood and then turn from one stage to another until it becomes a fetus then a baby
and at last a child ... After that, they deal with Him as a person in the form of a
human?! It is certainly no because there is no relation between both of them.
Therefore, there is the difference between the deity and the human. Allah does not
do trivialities; because that means that He has thus abandoned the attributes of
divinity.
- Can human nature meet with animal nature?! Surely, it is no.
Is it possible to accept that a man marries a cow or other kinds of animals to
give birth to half a human being and the other half a cow (or other animals) and then
the baby has animal nature and human image?! Can any reasonable person accept
that?! Certainly, no, it is a moral degeneration and a diminution of the dignity of
human being who was honoured by Almighty Allah. Humans are more dignified and
superior to animals, although they are all creatures of God. If that is the case
concerning the human nature and animal’s although both are creatures, so what if the
matter is related to Almighty God who is unique with divinity?
Can the divine nature meet with human nature (the weak creature born from
his mother's private part and becomes a baby in need of embrace and care, who will
be destined to die and be buried afterwards like other creatures) or else to be human
nature or other embodiment of the divine image ?!
Certainly, no, this is slander about Almighty God, derogation for Him and a
reduction in His ability. Hence, Islam has called to purifying Allah from the act of
trivialities and imperfections. Allah is the one indivisible God. He did not give birth
and he was not born. Also, He has no equivalent, similar or comparable.
*******
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(Question 12) Buddhist: It is among Buddhists who say that they worship
Buddha because he came with many useful guidance and guidelines. What is the
view of Islam in this?
(Answer 12) Muslim: Firstly, I had explained in the previous answer that
Islam has come to call to purifying Almighty God from what does not fit Him.
Therefore, He is not in need of doing trivialities and imperfections. Nothing can
downgrade His status as the most Powerful God. So He will not be in the form of a
weak creature in order to know the conditions of His creation, to guide them and
teach them. That is not appropriate for Him as I had explained earlier.
Secondly, (Question) Islam has come out indicating that God has sent many
of His prophets and messengers to call people to believe in Him, to guide them and
to illustrate for them the uniqueness of His divinity, His great qualities and His
unrestrained power. Moreover, they came with other tasks such as teaching people
manner of acting in their lives. Is it reasonable to worship the prophets and
messengers because they guided people to believe in Almighty Allah and
introduced Him to them?! It is certainly, no, since that involves having a partner
with God (as I explained earlier). In addition, it is contrary to the original call of
the prophets and messengers which is to call to have faith in the one God who is
Almighty Allah. Therefore, the worship must be to whom sent the prophets and
messengers with the lofty teachings and rational guidelines that is to say Almighty
Allah.
Thirdly, Islam can never accept the idea of the incarnation of God in the form
of man, as this leads to the belief in the divine incarnation and then the divinity of
many people as in the case of different nations, each according to their own desires.
For this reason, people sanctify and worship them by claiming that they are different
images of the divine incarnation in the form of human beings. That belief is
polytheism because of the dispute in His greatest right whereas He is unique in His
divinity. He must be worshipped alone without other human beings or any of His
creatures.
*******
(Question 13) Buddhist: What is the Islamic view in Siddhartha Gautama,
nicknamed "Buddha" as well as the guidance and guidelines that he has come with?
(Answer 13) In my answer to previous questions, I pointed out that Islam has called to purify Allah-the Creator of human being and every creature-from all that does not fit Him. Therefore, He is not in need of doing trivialities and imperfections.
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17
Nothing can downgrade His status as the most Powerful God. So He will never be in any form or image of His creatures. So Islam sees Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, as a human being, a creature that has no any minimum attributes of divinity that God has. Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, has many useful teachings and instructions that are compatible with the teachings of Islam. However, He did not clearly talk about the most important issue for which God created mankind, which is to believe in Almighty Allah, His unique divinity and not to associate any partner with Him. He did not explicitly call to having faith in the Creator God, whereas Islam made this issue its first topic. The following Islamic teachings are in line with the guidance and instructions of Siddhartha Gautama:
1. It calls to love, tolerance and dealing with people nicely.
- The Prophet Muhammad-peace be upon him-said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself." It is narrated by Al-Bukhary, Hadith 13. The brotherhood that this Hadith means is the one in faith. Almighty Allah said: "The believers are brothers, so make settlement between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy." Surat Al-Hujuraat: verse 10
- The Prophet Muhammad-peace be upon him-said, "…Treat the people with good behaviour." Saheeh At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1987
- He-peace be upon him-also said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie, whenever he promises, he breaks his promise and whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves to be dishonest)". Saheeh Al-Bukhary, hadith 6095. It means all of the above signs do not belong to a believer.
- He-peace be upon him-also said, "The believer is not a slanderer nor does he curse others and nor he is immoral or shameless." It is narrated by Imam Ahmad.
- He-peace be upon him-also said, "…Pay the deposit to him who deposited it with you and do not betray him who betrays you." Sunan Abi Daud, Hadith 3534
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2. The Prohibition of extravagance
- Allah said: "… Eat and drink but be not excessive. " Surat Al-A’raaf: verse 31
- Allah's Messenger-peace be upon him-said, "The human does not fill any container that is worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat what will support his back. If this is not possible, then a third for food, a third for drink, and third for his breath." Saheeh At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2380. As well as many other useful guidance and guidelines which serve the individuals and societies.
Islam came with the teachings and guidance treating what happened, while there were some imperfections in Buddha’s statements such as encouraging men to keep away from women and marriage, whereas we found that Islam has come to call for the formation of a good family through which the working generations are created and in which the situation of individuals and societies become well in addition to the advancement of nations and peoples through mating and reproduction. The example of the Islamic teaching about marriage is the Prophet Muhammad’s Hadith where he says: ‘O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry….’ It is reported by Al-Bukhary, Hadith 5065. He-peace be upon him- also said: "Marry to have more children and be numerous." It is reported by Al-Bayhaqy. The Messenger of Allah said: "When someone whose religion and character you are pleased with comes to you then marry (her to) him. If you do not do so, then there will be turmoil in the land and much discord." Jami` At-Tirmidhi, hadith 1085. Allah's Messenger-peace be upon him- said: "The whole world is a provision and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman." Saheeh Muslim, Hadith 715 k The Prophet-peace be upon him-said: "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects." It is reported by Al-Bukhary, Hadith 5200 and Muslim, Hadith 1829 He-peace be upon him- also said: "Be kind to your children and perfect their manners." Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3671. As well as other Quranic verses and many prophetic Hadiths that urge upon [marrying and social advantages].
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*******
(Question 14) Buddhist: Do you know that the Buddhist religion says a
doctrine called (reincarnation of souls) which means the transfer of human spirit
after death to another body? What is the view of Islam in this?
(Answer 14) Muslim: Yes, I know that the Buddhist religion says the doctrine
of the reincarnation of souls, which means in detail: the return of the human spirit
after death to another body, to one of the animals such as dogs and pigs, to one of
the insects, trees or non-living things. All is according to his work to get his rewards
in another body in the world. If he is good, he will enjoy in that body that he
returned to and if he is evil, he will be tortured.
Islam came to call for faith in the existence of the Last Day in which the
creatures are resurrected after their death, where the soul returns to the body of its
owner again after Almighty Allah re-creates his body. After that, there will be
accountancy with great compensation and reward in an enjoyable eternal life for
doing good and severe punishment in a naughty life for doing evil. Therefore, that
[Islamic] view urges people to strive in doing good and adherence to soundness,
high principles and praised morals and to let them give up the evil deeds.
From what I have pointed out, it appears that Islam does not agree to the
claim of the reincarnation of life and then it opposes to the belief of the union of
the created spirit with the Creator God. Furthermore, this important question which
works to clarify the matter clearly confirms what Islam said, as follows:
Let us ask. Did any human being feel anything from the life of the previous
spirit that he lived in another body before (according to the Buddhist religion)? Did
he remember anything about it? In order to reach a high degree of credibility in the
answer, let this question be directed to different races of non-Buddhists such as
Europe, Africa, North and South America, Australia and Asia). Since we do not
find anyone to feel such a life, it confirms that the statement of the reincarnation of
life is only a baseless assumption.
A new kind of answer may be used as if there are new birthdays for many
people, so it is not necessarily that every human being has a previous life. The
response to this is very easy since the absence of any human being to feel such life
illustrates the invalidity of the reincarnation case and then affirms the invalidity of
the union of the created spirit with the Creator God.
In addition, if it is agreed that the human spirit after his death is transmitted to animals and trees, etc from which the man benefits, which serves as a reward for
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20
his sins and punishment for his wrong deeds. Therefore, that assumption will be a
reason for not leaving sins in order to multiply such animals and trees because of
their usefulness and importance to humans. There is no doubt that there is a
contradiction between what the Buddhist religion called to and its belief in the call
to leave sins and adhere to good morals.
Moreover, if it is accepted that the spirit of the human transmits after his
death to the poor, sick and disabled people as a reward for the human sins and
punishment for his bad deeds, that will cause bad thinking towards these fellows
and those who are like them. For that, people will think that they are in this
miserable situation because of their sins and wrongdoing in the previous life. There
is no doubt that this is unacceptable morally, humanely and mentally.
According to the previous illustration, the complete conformity has
appeared between what is acceptable morally, humanely and mentally and the call
of Islam. The belief in the Day of Judgment when people will be resurrected after
their death lets them struggle in doing good and adherence to soundness, high
principles and praised morals also abandoning suspicion towards the others and to
let them give up the evil deeds.
*******
(Question 15) Buddhist: Why does Islam call to the belief in the Last Day
when people will be resurrected after their death?
(Answer 15) Muslim: Initially, the knowledge of the existence of the Last
Day in which the creatures are resurrected after their death to get the great reward
and compensation for doing good (paradise including permanent stable enjoyment)
and to receive the painful punishment of evil (Hellfire including awful forfeiture)
leads to diligence in good deeds and adherence to valued, high principles, good
morals and abandoning the opposite of that which are bad evil deeds.
It is the wisdom of Almighty Allah to make the Last Day in which people will
be held for accountancy. That is because if there is no afterlife for the reward, there
will not be a logical reason to show the human morality and good qualities such as
truth and honesty if adhering to them will contradict the worldly benefit. It means
that the human being has good morals and qualities and stick to them-although
adhering to them may oppose his worldly interest at times and positions- in order to
get Allah’s bounty, to fear His punishment and to hope for His compensation in the
Hereafter.
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Also, if someone has caused the killing of thousands of people, how is he to
be held for accountancy for those crimes and how will the victims get their rights if
there is no the Day of Resurrection and Reckoning? This life is not enough to
discipline him because the maximum punishment for him in this world is killing
which is only a punishment for one human life that he has caused its killing. Then,
what about the rest of the human souls that have not taken their rights and
retaliation?!
Another example is that when a person presents himself to be killed in order
to save another person's life (when defending him), this behaviour is a good
praised moral. Here is a question: Is it enough logically for a person to lose his life
in order to be praised for good morals and then there is no reward for this great
work done by this noble creation, or does he sacrifice himself and his life to get
Allah’s reward for his nice deed? This is because Allah has urged man to show this
marvelous behaviour and other good qualities and promised to reward him on the
Day of Resurrection (the Day in which people will be raised up for the account) for
rewarding, honouring and entering Paradise if he does this work because of Him
and for glorifying His teachings. There is no doubt that the logical answer is that
the person sacrificed himself and his life according to what Allah has enjoined
upon him and to be rewarded. He also expected His promise for his reward on the
Day of Resurrection.
According to this explanation, it is clear to us the need for the Day of
Retribution for every human soul to retaliate for whom were killed and harmed by
murderers and criminals and to punish the latter with what they deserve. Also, He
will compensate the work of saving the human soul. Thus, it becomes clear to us the
wisdom of God to make this Last Day for accountancy, the reckoning and the
punishment. In addition, it proves the credibility of Islam’s call for believing in the
Last Day.
*******
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22
(Question 16) Buddhist: Some people forbade slaughtering animals
(herbivores) and then prohibited eating their meat. What is the view of Islam in that?
(Answer 16) Muslim: The herbivores in Islam are like other domesticated
animals that the Exalted Almighty God created to benefit humans from their meat,
milk, skins and so forth. If not, why do people benefit from their milk without their
meat?!
Let us consider how God created man and other creatures. If we look at the
herbivores animals, we will find that God has created flat teeth for them (not fangs)
and thin intestines (not coarse), all to suit the pattern of their diet of herbs and so on.
This is a clear indication that these animals are allowed to eat this type of food
(herbs and so on) and feed on it. If we look at the carnivorous animals, we will find
that Almighty God has created fangs and coarse intestines for them, all to suit the
pattern of their food. This is a clear indication that these animals are allowed to eat
this type of food (meat) and feed on it. If we look at the human being, we will find
that Almighty God has created his teeth flat and with canine. He also created thin
and thick intestines for them, all to suit the pattern of their food. This is a reference
to the fact that it is permissible for a person to eat both types of food (vegetables and
meat including beef and so on) except harmful meat that Allah has forbidden for him
such as the meat of the carcass, dead meat and pigs due to the dangerous diseases
that they cause which are discovered by modern science.
*******
Muslim: Now that I have explained detailed answers to you, I would like to
present some important questions and inherent answers to them, as follows:
(1) Is not the Exalted God the Creator of human and other creatures? Is not
Allah their Protector and who alone has the control of everything in this universe?!
The answer is yes.
(2) Is it not the Exalted God alone, who blessed humans with His many
countless bounties? The answer is yes.
(3) Is not in the hands of Almighty God alone the reward and punishment?!
The response is yes.
(4) Is it permissible then to associate anyone with Him in His divinity or worship other than Him?! The answer is no. Allah is Almighty God who has bestowed on man all the uncountable blessings. Not only is that but also reward and punishment are in His hand alone. For that, He deserves to be worshipped.
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(5) Which is closer to the clear mind: the belief that there are many gods,
portraying the pictures of God in various images including dispersion, the worship
of different gods such as the idols, stones and statues of different multiple gods plus
other images of reverence, worship of the suns, planets, cows, various animals, trees
as well as neglecting and insulting Him or belief in the oneness of Almighty God,
uniting people, their meeting on worship, praying to one God, purifying Him from
the shortcomings, defects, ugly acts of trivial, appreciating Him and glorifying Him?
Answer: There is no doubt that the latter is closer to the explicit intellect without any
opposition to it.
(6) Which tend to pure instinct and clean soul: belief in the multiplicity of
gods which leads to a contradiction, the absence of a specific way in worship or
belief in the oneness of Almighty God and uniting people on how to worship one
God!? Answer: There is no doubt that the tendency will be to believe in the oneness
of Almighty Allah and then uniting people to worship one God in one way.
Almighty God says: "Say (O Muhammad): He is Allah, (the) One, and the
Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need. He begets nothing and He was not
begotten. Also, there is none co-equal or comparable to Him.’ Surat Ikhlas, Verses
1-4.
(Question 17) Buddhist: So, what are the attributes of God in Islam?
(Answer 17) Muslim: Islam called to believing in the goodness, beauty and
greatness of the attributes of Almighty Allah. All these qualities are nice, perfect and
great without any diminution. It is only Him (who has no partner) that deserves
them. Creating, bringing to life and protecting are all in His hand. He is alone who
has to act in all things. He is Almighty Allah. Among the attributes of Almighty
Allah are:
-The attribute ‘eternal’: It means that He is the First who has nothing before
Him and the Last who has nothing after Him. He neither overlooks nor sleeps. He is
the Living that will never die. If places and times finish, He will not dismiss because
He is the Creator of both.
- The attribute ‘power’: It means that Almighty God is the owner of absolute power and that He is the one who is capable of doing everything. If He wants anything, He will say to it ‘Be and it will be’. The effects which are indicative of the transcendence of the power of God are uncountable. Among them is the admirable creation of the universe, its assets and creatures including the human being and the
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creativity in the creation of spirit, mind, heart and complex internal systems and so
on.
- The attribute ‘knowledge’: It means that He is All-Knowing and His
knowledge is wide, complete and surrounding everything such as place and time
(past - present - future). He is Almighty God Creator who brought everything to the
existence from nothing.
- The attribute ‘wisdom’: It means that He is wise and that His wisdom is
comprehensive and complete.
- The attribute ‘will’: It means that He does His will and wants in the
framework of His virtue and justice depending on the capacity of His knowledge,
perfection of His wisdom and greatness.
- The attribute ‘forgiveness, mercy and generosity’: It means that He loves
forgiveness, mercy and generosity and forgives the sins of His slaves and their
shortcomings if they repent to Him believe in Him and obey His orders. He blesses
them, honours them by His grace and puts them in His paradise where therein is a
great permanent stable bliss.
- The attribute ‘truth and justice’: They mean that He loves the truth and
justice. He does not oppress His slaves or discriminate among them at all. Therefore,
there is no difference between any of the human races, since no one is favoured over
anyone in the sight of Allah except with faith, piety and good deeds.
Also, no one can bear the error of another, even if he is his father or his
mother. Every person is responsible for himself and whoever does an atom of a good
deed will find his reward and compensation on the Day of Resurrection (the day
when people will be raised up after their deaths to hold them accountable for their
deeds in this world and to reimburse them). On the other hand, whoever does an
atom of evil will be held accountable as well.
- The attribute ‘peace’: He loves peace and orders His slaves to establish it
and its causes on the Earth. Furthermore, He prohibits injustice and tyranny for them
so that they can have peace and security. Here we may recognize the wisdom that
greeting in Islam is peace, that is the first person should say, ‘peace be upon you’
and the second one should reply with ‘peace be upon you, too’ so that you feel
safety and security.
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