I know we have so many intellectuals and scholars on this website. This Ayyah of Holy Qu¡¯ran make me think again on this thing that I was asked by a person once. That what is his/her fault if he/she was born in a Christian family or Jews or Hindu or any other and why you are lucky people born in a Muslim family or what is your skill or ability in it. ¡°Aap ka kia karnama hai ke aap Muslim gher mein paida hoay. Meree kia ghalatee hai ager mein apnay parents ke batay hoay raastay per chalta/chaltee hoon¡± I thought if I were him/her would I be able to change my culture religion? Would I be able to learn about a new religion in my life after I was 20 or 25 ? could I have change it ? The answer I got, I would be HONEST with you was¡¦¡¦.probably NO Please comment. I am confused .i am sorry if this question hurts any of you.
This is something that i have been asking myself a couple of times. In my opinion, being born muslim doesnt really mean that i am a muslim...unfortunately thats what the misconception is with most of the muslims (born muslims). You have to build up a faith yourself and that you can do only by practicing, and not just by calling yourself a muslim.
At the same time, i would also like to add that being a born muslim, one has an edge over the others...if he is forunate, he has greater exposure to Islamic rituals as opposed to one who was born in a non-muslim family. But again, this is where the concept of da'wa comes in...its your duty being a muslim to spread Islam as much as you can. I am not going to discuss how da'wa should be practised...but one can not ignore the importance of inviting others to a right path.
Dear Uff! You are right in a way. Here I want to share few core concepts with you.
In the holy Quran ALLAH has said "ALLAH is the creator and owner of all that exists in HIS world, universe and in the heavens and that it is HIS power (noor) that has given life and/or characteristic to every thing that exists.
In the holy Quran ALLAH has said, "When ever HE decides to do something HE only orders (Ku'n) and it happens" This highlights Allah's status that HE does not do things by himself but gives orders.
In the holy Quran ALLAH has said, "ALLAH does not help people until they change what is in their hearts - nea'at".
In the holy Quran ALLAH has said, "On whom the hell is destined, ALLAH make their evil doings look good to them. And at another instance, "HE says O'Muhammad do not be impressed with the abundance of children and wealth that is given to the people of hell, for ALLAH has given all this to them so that when they die they die ignorant of their sins and ALLAH will put them in the hell"
In the Hadiath of Muhammad SAW it is stated that, "ALLAH has already written every action and its fate, and the ink has been dried"
In another Hadiat of Muhammad SAW it is stated that, "All actions are based on nea'at".
Some manifestations of the above:
That ALLAH already knows what is in every person's heart (nea'at) before hand.
That destiny of every thing that exists or will come into existence has been ascribed accordingly at the very onset.
That destiny has two dimensions: fate and behaviors.
That ALLAH bless righteous path to those who are destined to success and impose evil
path on those destined to end up in hell.
That what ever we do is by the order of ALLAH i.e. what ever He has destined upon us in accordance with his pre-hand knowledge of our nea'at.
That what ever we accomplish in our lives is the immediate outcome of our plans and actions which ALLAH has ordered upon us (and not that we do by the choice or our
intellect or physical strengths), and at the core all accomplishments is our fate that ALLAH has decided for us.
That we are accountable to our nea'at rest is controlled by ALLAH.
That only "True Prayers and Repentance" could change ALLAH's curse into blessings.
That one born to a Muslim parents is a blessing in it self and is also a part of one's destiny.
Though it is difficult to accept the concept especially in today's technological age but not if one tries to see it with a mind open to acceptance and subordination. Denying the reality does not change it. Just foucus on one thing that only thing that is in your control is your Nea'at for which you shall be judged upon.
You see, one thing is, I can live with doubt and uncertainty and
not knowing. I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing
than to have answers which might be wrong.
I don't feel frightened not knowing things, by being lost in a
mysterious universe without any purpose, which is the way it really is as far as I can tell. It doesn't frighten me.
Thanks for sharing such nice thoughts but, what should Ireply the person who asked me this that why Allah wanted him/her to born in other religion. In other words Allah is banning the doors of Jannah on him but what is his /her fault in it?
1) Allah never bans or stops any Muslim or a Non-Muslim from choosing the right path (Sirat-e-Mustaqeem). He has given us the power to make the choice based on what really is in our hearts that is the Nea'at.
2) It is in the Quran that before creation of this system, Allah (swt) gathered all the souls in Barzakh and asked "Am I not your Rub(Lord)?", "Bala", meaning "Yes" replied all the souls. It is only that they have forgotten this event after being borned in this world with a material body.
3) This means every newly born child in this world, borns with faith in Allah and total submission to Him Almighty. It is then their elders who deviate him from the right path and make him re-learn what they falsely practice.
4) Allah has given knowledge and rationale to seek and practice what is right. Allah has orderd in the noble Quran several times to search for the truth. He has given us the power to judge what is right and what is wrong.
5) The doors to forgiveness (Maghfirah) are open to every one untill his/her final time has come. Till then, every one has time to seek refuge and submit to Allah the Almighty.
6) I'm a born Muslim but this does not mean my four fathers were born Muslims too. They practiced Hindu religion a few centuries back till one of my four father embraced Islam. Why did he accept the teachings of Islam? Isn't it because he realized he was at fault. From where did he drived this conclusion? He searched for the truth. Why did Allah gave him the Hidayah to become a Muslim? Beacuse He the Almighty knew that his Nea'at was pure.
Therefore, it is not his fault that he is born in a Non-Muslim family. But it is his duty to seek the truth from his surroundings. And be bold enough to accept what is right. The rest is in control of Allah. He gives Hidayah to him who He only wills to. We just should keep our Nea'ats pure.
I have very limited knowledge .. but i will explain what i think abt this..
Being a human being.. We are blessed with Wisdom the power to think.. Analyze things..
we can just what is wrong by using our wisdom..
Being a human it is our duty to judge what is right and what is wrong..SO no matter what relegion are from, one should not follow it blindly. One should have to crave about the right.. path..
so the crave about the knoeldge, and the crave to what is wrong. and what is right , which relegion is true and why. is the duty of the human being.
Because Allah sends a children and When a child is born he is Muslim by nature. he has haq, the truth in his heart. it is we who make him christian , jew or any other Relegion
and one cannot be a practical Muslim unless and untill he start practicing Islam in his life. and following the basic 5 pillars of ISLAM.
the crave for knowledge, and wisdom is offcourse a blessing from Allah. In a child this crave is full, but if he dosnt go for it. and diverting away from the right path. this crave diminishes..
PArents and social setup also plays a major role..
bottom line is that. Its a persons own duty , to choose a relegion for him/her.
May allah give us guidence, and knowledge about RIGHT And WRONG. and Understandnig of QURAN..
[ash-Shura 42:6] And (as for) those who take guardians besides Him, Allah watches over them, and you have not charge over them.
PakistaniAbroad: Allah has referenced the people who take aulya besides Allah
[ash-Shura 42:7] And thus have We revealed to you an Arabic Quran, that you may warn the mother city and those around it, and that you may give warning of the day of gathering together wherein is no doubt; a party shall be in the garden and (another) party in the burning fire.
PakistaniAbroad: These are the parties of people.. one in the garden and another in burning fire.
[ash-Shura 42:8] And if Allah had pleased He would surely have made them a single community, but He makes whom He pleases enter into His mercy, and the unjust it is that shall have no guardian or helper.
PakistaniAbroad: Notice now that using the context of the verse it's clear that Allah is actually saying that He could very well have forgiven the others and included them in his mercy BUT because they were unjust they meet this terrible fate.
[ash-Shura 42:9] Or have they taken guardians besides Him? But Allah is the Guardian, and He gives life to the dead, and He has power over all things.
PakistaniAbroad: Allah reminds us why they've met this fate.. because they took Auliya besides Allah.
Tell your friend that (s)he's not doomed because (s)he's born in a particular family.
Thank you very much all. I am pretty clear now but one more thing. The people who are non-Muslims get Half chance to get REHMAT of Allah and he or she need to do effort for that and those who are born in Muslim family are already have Half of REHMAT.Is it Fair if it is true? As Qur'an says that any none Muslim will not enter the Jannah. Anyway Thanks again for the time you Folks spent for me.
Take care
Bye
being born muslim or non-muslim is same as being born rich or poor.....
it does not mean that if u r born poor u'll remain poor all ur life and if u r born rich u wud be rich all ur life....
Allah has given everyone a brain and if someone does not wish to use his brain to learn the facts about his Creator and is happy with the way he lives, then its his problem....
and if a person dies before the age of acquiring wisdom or the sense of right and wrong, he/she dies as a Muslim and will enter Jannah....
and btw being born in a muslim family and never actually practising Islam does not give u any ticket for Jannah, u still need to work hard for it....
"Our Lord! forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty; establish our feet firmly and help us against those that resist faith." **Quran(3:147)
The biggest sin that Allah mentions is disbelief in Allah and enjoining partners or associates with Him. He is Just and through the passage of time sent down the message to each and every person on this earth, and the end of those who after the message still refuse then they are in loss.
Book 033, Number 6428:
Abu Huraira reported from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upom him) many ahadith and one amongst them is that he is reported to have said: An infant is born according to his (true) nature. It is his parents Who make him a Jew, a Christian, just as a she-camel gives birth to its young ones. Do you find any deficiency in their limbs? You cut their ears (i. e. after birth). They (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) said: What is your opinion about him who dies in infancy? Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: It is Allah alone Who knows best what they would be doing.
Book 033, Number 6430:
Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was asked about the children of the polytheists, whereupon he said: It is Allah Who knows best what they would be doing.
Book 033, Number 6432:
Abu Huraira reported that Allahs Messenger (way peace be upon him) was asked about the children of the polytheists who die young. Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: It is Allah Who knows what they would be doing.
Book 033, Number 6435:
'A’isha, the mother of the believers, reported that a child died and I said: There is happiness for this child who is a bird from amongst the birds of Paradise. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Don’t you know that Allah created the Paradise and He created the Hell and He created the dwellers for this (Paradise) and the denizens for this (Hell)?
Book 033, Number 6436:
'A’isha, the mother of the believers, said that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was called to lead the funeral prayer of a child of the Ansar. I said: Allah’s Messenger, there is happiness for this child who is a bird from the birds of Paradise for it committed no sin nor has he reached the age when one can commit sin. He said: 'A’isha, per adventure, it may be otherwise, because God created for Paradise those who are fit for it while they were yet in their father’s loins and created for Hell those who are to go to Hell. He created them for Hell while they were yet in their father’s loins.
thes r from sahih muslim
conclusion i derive is that somethings r not meant to be understood by man
We're all born on the same plain whether we're born in a Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Christian, or any other family.
We innately have a sense of what is good and what is evil. It doesn't matter which culture or religion you are born in, we've all been blessed with ability to differentiate justice from injustice, honesty from deceit, and right from wrong. If we live abiding our inner sense of morals that we are born with, we will be lead to the truth.
People don't automatically go to heaven because they belong to a certain religion. Our final destination depends solely on our deeds. If your friends seeks the truth s/he will be led to it.
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conclusion i derive is that somethings r not meant to be understood by man
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conclusion I derive is that these hadith clearly contradict Qur'an and try to establish a predisposed destiny for every soul regardless of their deeds or giving them a chance in life to redeem themselves.
I'd state what many have said above- that just being born as a muslim has nothing to do with getting into Jannah, but we do have the added advantage because of the atmosphere around us. Hence it is the duty of the righteous ones to help the others understand Islam, and to carry the message of Islam for the non-muslims.
How do we do this? Since it can be said that carrying the message to each and every individual is hard, we have to build a solid foundation for Islam so that when non-muslims hear about Muslims, they only hear good.
Now before anyone points anything out, I am NOT talking about the media or anything(being born in Pakistan and having seen the riots and killings in the name of Islam, we really dont need to even look at what the media tells us, many of us ARE very unislamic in our approach), I'm talking about how YOU yourself represent Islam and that if a non-muslim were to see you, they would really understand what Islam really is. So in other words, its not the fault of those who're not born in a believing family, but it IS the duty of others to carry the message to them.
[quote]
Originally posted by PakistaniAbroad:
** conclusion I derive is that these hadith clearly contradict Qur'an and try to establish a predisposed destiny for every soul regardless of their deeds or giving them a chance in life to redeem themselves.**
[/quote]
ACCEPTED
as for predisposed destiny for man or allahs decree
"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves
but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees -- (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz),
before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah"
The Noble Qur'an Al-Hadid 57:22
as for the will of allah
The Noble Qur'an - At-Takwir 81:28-29
To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight, And you will not, unless (it be) that Allâh wills, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
additionally
Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz). [Qur'an 54/49]
No calamity befalls, but with the Leave * of Allâh, and whosoever believes in Allâh, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allâh from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allâh is the All-Knower of everything. [Qur'an 64/11]
as for personal deeds
We have shown the path to man, and he is free to choose the right path and be thankful or to choose the path of ingratitude. (76:3) Whoever wishes for the eternal abode and strives for it as needed will find his efforts rewarded. (17:19)*