06 January, 2025

6 Rajab, 1446 H

"Silence saves you from regret"

- Imam Ali (as) -

Section 10 - Islam, Religion, and Modern Controversies

This section deals with some of the major controversial issues surround God, religion and Islam. It includes answers to questions that are often raised by atheists in their critiques of God, religion and Islam. Unlike other sections, this one is more philosophical and intended for a more advanced audience.

Topic 10.1

Modern Fallacies about God: where Theists and Atheists Agree
Many theists today objectify God by understanding him as an object that exists along side other objects in the universe. By objectifying God, theists put the Abrahamic God on the same level as the gods of mythology* who, as an immortal but limited and contingent being, exists in the same was as Zeus would exist. This lecture observes how atheists have taken advantage of this objectified and erroneous conception of God and made it a grounds for denying His existence. It concludes that the god which atheists are rejecting is also rejected by the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (as). Many theists today objectify God by understanding him as an object that exists along side other objects in the universe. By objectifying God, theists put the Abrahamic God on the same level as the gods of mythology* who, as an immortal but limited and contingent being, exists in the same was as Zeus would exist. This lecture observes how atheists have taken advantage of this objectified and erroneous conception of God and made it a grounds for denying His existence. It concludes that the god which atheists are rejecting is also rejected by the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (as).
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Topic 10.2

Tawhīd: The Muslim God according to the Prophet Muhammad ...
God according to Islam is a being that transcends all of space, time, and matter. He does not exist like a galaxy or black hole would exist but is instead the source of all of existence and the grounds which gives the possibility of anything to exist in the first place. The evidence for the Muslim God’s existence is primarily logic and the consciousness of being, which science itself presupposes before it can do any kind of “science”. The reality of God, to the dismay of atheists, as understood by the Prophet Muhammad and his Holy Household, can be established independent of scientific truths and discoveries. God according to Islam is a being that transcends all of space, time, and matter. He does not exist like a galaxy or black hole would exist but is instead the source of all of existence and the grounds which gives the possibility of anything to exist in the first place. The evidence for the Muslim God’s existence is primarily logic and the consciousness of being, which science itself presupposes before it can do any kind of “science”. The reality of God, to the dismay of atheists, as understood by the Prophet Muhammad and his Holy Household, can be established independent of scientific truths and discoveries.
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Topic 10.3

God’s Existence: The Argument From Being (Wujūd)
The argument from Being in demonstrating God’s existence is powerful for it does not depend on any scientific discovery or knowledge of how the universe works. It is purely based on the concept of existence which is logically prior to physical reality. Awareness of existence, especially one’s own, is the starting point in concluding that God exists. The argument from Being in demonstrating God’s existence is powerful for it does not depend on any scientific discovery or knowledge of how the universe works. It is purely based on the concept of existence which is logically prior to physical reality. Awareness of existence, especially one’s own, is the starting point in concluding that God exists.
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Topic 10.4

God’s Existence: The Kalam Cosmological Argument
The Kalam Cosmological Argument benefits from recent discoveries in science and thus establishes a strong case for the existence of God. The Kalam Cosmological Argument benefits from recent discoveries in science and thus establishes a strong case for the existence of God.
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Topic 10.5

God’s Existence: The Argument From Design
The argument from design states that if the world is designed, it must have a designer. That designer must be God as the originator of the universe.The argument from design states that if the world is designed, it must have a designer. The argument from design states that if the world is designed, it must have a designer. That designer must be God as the originator of the universe.The argument from design states that if the world is designed, it must have a designer.
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Topic 10.6

The Problem of Evil, Suffering and Pain
The problem of evil is the greatest challenge to faith in God. This lesson attempts to answer both the intellectual and emotional problems of evil. The problem of evil is the greatest challenge to faith in God. This lesson attempts to answer both the intellectual and emotional problems of evil.
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Topic 10.7

Why did God Create Us? The Purpose of our Creation
Here we look at some of the reasons why God created human beings. We also look at what our purpose in this world is and why God created evil people. Here we look at some of the reasons why God created human beings. We also look at what our purpose in this world is and why God created evil people.
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Topic 10.8

Why Humans Need Religion according to Islam
The purpose of religion according to Islam is to purify our souls and lead our hearts to eternal salvation. The aim of religion is to cultivate īmān , that is, a deep relationship of trust with God. The purpose of religion according to Islam is to purify our souls and lead our hearts to eternal salvation. The aim of religion is to cultivate īmān , that is, a deep relationship of trust with God.
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Topic 10.9

Jahl and Spiritual Ignorance in Islam
The Arabic word jahl is ubiquitously used in the Qur’an but often mistranslated. Conceptually speaking, it means foolishness and ignorance of God. The Arabic word jahl is ubiquitously used in the Qur’an but often mistranslated. Conceptually speaking, it means foolishness and ignorance of God.
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Topic 10.10

Faith in Islam: Belief without Evidence?
Faith does not mean “belief without evidence.” Faith or īmān in Islam means deeply trusting God in His providence and truthfulness. Faith does not mean “belief without evidence.” Faith or īmān in Islam means deeply trusting God in His providence and truthfulness.
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Topic 10.11

Do Non-Muslims Go to Hell?
Non-Muslims who are sincere and good at heart may be endowed with God’s grace and enter heaven. Non-Muslims who arrogantly reject Islam while knowing the truth may enter hell. Non-Muslims who are sincere and good at heart may be endowed with God’s grace and enter heaven. Non-Muslims who arrogantly reject Islam while knowing the truth may enter hell.
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