Zakir Ahmed: Assalamo Alaikum Oa Rahamatullah Oa Barkatuhu, Brothers and Sisters. It is indeed a fantastic opportunity to see such a lovely gathering at this mega event “Peace for Humanity”. When this whole concept was conceived, it was only a dream, which has now been realized, thanks to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. The response is phenomenal. Imagine, such a big Muslim festival for ten days, how often do we get the opportunity like this to gather all Muslim and non Muslim brothers and sisters under one roof. Indeed we are fortunate and we should be thankful to Allah for giving us such an opportunity. In today’s world scenario, we feel that there is a need for promoting better ideals amongst the youth, whether one is follower of Islam or any other religion. It is essential to know the ultimate power on earth. As I belong to the religion of Islam, I thought this is my duty to bring the youth of today to know not only the ideals of religions but also the need to live with communal harmony, for the good of the world as a whole. In order to know about the religion for communal harmony, one is to be educated to the utmost. This event is purely for communal harmony, is for awareness and it is for education. I request Brother Ashraf to give the bio data of Brother Zakir Naik before he starts his lecture. Sukur Alhamdullillah.
Ashraf Mohammadi: Dr. Zakir Naik is a doctor by medical training but he is an internationally acclaimed orator on Islam and comparative religion. He clarifies and clears misconceptions about Islam using Qur’an, authentic Hadiths and other religious scriptures which he quotes verbatim in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts. He is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences worldwide after his public talks. He has delivered public talks in the USA, Canada, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Guyana (South America) and other countries in addition to numerous other talks in India. Sk. Ahmed Deedat, the world famous orator on Islam and comparative religion has called Dr. Zakir Naik Deedat Plus. Dr Zakir Naik appears regularly on many international TV channels in more than 150 countries of the world. More than 100 of his talks, dialogues, debates and symposia are available on DVDs. He has authored several books on Islam and comparative religion. I present before you, brothers and sisters, Dr. Zakir Naik who will speak on the topic “The purpose of Creation”.
Dr. Zakir Naik: Alhamdulillah, was salaatu was salaam ala rasoolillah wa ala aalihi wa ashaabihi wa ajma’een, amma baad. A’uzu billahi minash shaytan nir-rajeem, Bismillah hirrahman nirraheem,
Wama Khalaktun Jinna Insa Illahi Abidun
Rabbish rahli Şadri Wa Yassir Li 'Amri Wa Ahlul Uqdatan Min Lisani Yafqahu Qawli.
The respected people on the dais, my respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters, I welcome all of you with the Islamic greetings Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahamatullah Wa Barkatuhu. May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, of Almighty God be on all of you. The topic of this evening talk is “The purpose of Creation”. This question what is the purpose of creation arises in the mind of every individual sometime or the other, irrespective whether he is rich or poor, king or pauper, black or white, yellow or brown, whether he lives in America or UK, whether he lives in India or Saudi Arabia. This question sometime or the other crops up in the mind of each and every individual. Why have we been created? Why are we here? What is our purpose in this world? And most of the human beings they think that there has to be a supreme creator that is Almighty God and because of Him we are here. However, there is a minority who do not believe in the existence of the creator of Almighty God and they assume that the full world has come into existence by chance and we human beings too, we have come into being by chance. Suppose, you see on the beach the footprints of human beings. Immediately, a logical person he thinks that these footprints have been created by the walking of a person. A logical person will not assume that the footprints came into existence by chance or the footprints came into existence by the waves coming on the beach and when the waves went away it created its footprint, a logical person will realize that these footprints have been created by a person. It had a purpose. Why it was created? This question, what was the purpose of creation can be answered in two perspectives. Number one, from the perspective of the creator that is Almighty God. And second, by the perspective of the creation that is human being. The first perspective is the view of the creator Almighty God. What caused Him to create the human being? What caused Him to create these creations? And number two from the perspective of the creations that the human beings that why were we created by Almighty God? Those people who do not agree in the existence of Almighty God and believe that we have come in this world by mere chance, according to this philosophy there is no difference between human beings and all the other creations. All have come by chance, even the human beings as well as the animals. So these people do not have a particular purpose in life at all. They don’t have a purpose for existence and they live the same way as the animals-drink, sleep, rest, and procreate, that’s it. The purpose of the animals and the human beings become the same, to eat, to drink, to rest, to sleep, and procreate. And because they don’t have a purpose, they try and strive excellence in eating, in drinking, in living and they become materialistic. And that’s the reason for such people materialism becomes a God. And because of this the same people they create drugs just to own money to have a better living. They create bombs and weapons of mass destruction. They involve in fornication, in adultery, in homosexuality, in pornography. It doesn’t make a difference to them whether they make drugs or whether they involve themselves in pornography. Their main purpose is just nothing but materialism. Let us discuss today the answer to this question, what is the purpose of creation from both points of view.
First we will discuss from the creator’s point of view, from the point of view of Almighty God, from the point of view of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. What caused Him to create the human beings? Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an in Surah Ghaafir, Chapter no 40, verse no 57 that the creation of the heaven and the earth are far greater than the creations of the human beings but most of the human beings here they realize it not. Many human beings feel that we are the greatest of the creations but Allah says that the creation of the heaven and the earth is far greater than the creation of the human beings. And in reply to this query that why Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, why Almighty God created us, one of the attributes of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, of Almighty God is the creator, the best creator. And Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Mu’minoon, Chapter no 23, verse no 14 that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, Almighty God is the best to create. If there is a creator, if he attribute his creator there has to be a creation. If there is no creation then there cannot be a creator. For example, if you call a person as the best writer but natural ask him that where is the material you have written. Where is the book you have written? Where is the article you have written? So when he presents the article or the book, then we can say, fine he is the best writer. Similarly, since of the attributes of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is the creator, the best creator, he has to have a creation. But that does not mean that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is dependant on his creation. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Zumar, Chapter no 39, verse no 62 that it is Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala who creates everything and he is independent of all his creations. He is not dependent on all these things but the creations are dependent on Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. The Arabic word for creator is Khaleq and to create the Arabic word is Khalaqa. Khalaqa can be divided into two types- one meaning of Khalaq is to create something from something, which besides Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala even we human beings another creations can do. For example, a carpenter who creates a chair and a table with the help of wood and nails but the wood has been obtained from the trees which has not been created by the carpenter, not by human beings but Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. The nails have been obtained from metal which have been obtained from rock which again is the creation of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. So all the creations done by the human beings they are dependent on basic elements all of which have been created by Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. So this type of creations to create something from something is a limited type of creations. The ultimate and true creation is to create something from nothing and this no one beside Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala can do. To create something from nothing. This is the ultimate creation, which none of the creation can do except the uncreated Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, who is the creator of all creations. Since his attribute is the creator there has to be creation. There are various attributes given in the Qur’an for example, He is called as Ar Rahman, Ar Rahim, Ar Ghafir, the Merciful, the Kind, the Forgiver. The creation of the human being is a unique creation. We human beings, we have a free will of our own. We can either obey our creator Almighty God or we can disobey. It is a unique creation and because we have this ability to either obey or disobey our creator we can even sin. We can sin and only because the human beings can sin, can the quality of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala as been the Forgiver, being Kind, being Merciful can be known. If human beings, if he did not have a free will and he has followed everything that Allah has commanded there would be no difference us and the angels. The angels are creations of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala who do not have a free will of their own. They obey each and every commandments of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala because they don’t have a free will of their own. But the human beings have a free will and because of this free will, the mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, the kindness of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, the forgiveness of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala can be known. The other attribute of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has been given in the Qur’an is loving and Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in several places in the Qur’an that he loves those people who trust in Him, those people who are patient, those who are righteous, those who are pious, those who are patient and perseverance, those who approach Him and those who have trust in Him. And Allah says in Qur’an in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 31, he tells to the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad (Sallalla Wa Sallam), he tells him, that tell if you love Allah follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins. The Prophet has been commanded by the creator Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala to tell the people that if you love Allah if you have to follow me that is the Prophet and Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala will love you and He will forgive your sins. And there is a Hadith of Mohammad Sallallawasallam mentioned in Tirmidhi and has been authenticated as Sahih by Shaikh Nasiruddin Albani in a Sahih Tirmidhi, Hadith no 3540 where our beloved Prophet Mohammad Sallallawasallam, he says that if you ask Allah, Allah says if you approach to me I will answer you and if you ask for forgiveness I will forgive you even if your sins reach up to the cloud I will forgive you, even if your sins are as big as the complete earth I will approach you in the same way as forgiveness as long as you ask for forgiveness and do not associate partners with me that means whatever sin you do as long as you ask for forgiveness with sincere repentance if you do not associate partners with Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, don’t do Shirk, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala will forgive you.
One of the attribute of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is the grace and the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, it mentions in Sahih Muslim, Volume no. 4, Hadith no. 6765, where the Prophet said that do the right things, do the best deeds to the best of your ability and be happy. Do the right things to the best of your ability and be happy for no one can enter Jannah only on the basis of its deeds. So one of Sahabas asked that what about you Rasoolullah? So the Prophet said, not even I. I cannot enter Jannah unless with the mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and His grace. Unless His grace and mercy and His forgiveness enveloped me, I cannot enter Jannnah. So here we realize that without the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala no one can enter Jannnah. And Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an, in Surah Anam, Chapter no. 6, verse no. 160, Allah says that if you do any good deeds, I will multiply it ten times into your account and if you did any evil deed I will only count it as once. For Allah does not do anything wrong. So here we realize that any good deed you do, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an he will multiply it minimum ten times to your account. If you did any evil deed he will count it as one. That means if everyone was accounted one point for his good deed one point for his evil deed, without multiplication of the good deeds not a single human beings would have entered Jannah. It is the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala; He multiplies the good deeds and gives you multiple times more rewards that you shall go to Jannah. That does not mean that deeds are not important, deeds are very important but the grace is more important, without the grace of Allah, you cannot enter into Jannah. Allah multiplies but your deeds also should be there. If your deeds don’t even multiply deeds are zero and if you multiply it million times it will be useless. So deeds are also important but without the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, no human being can enter Paradise. So because of His quality attribute of being merciful, kind, forgiving, loving, and grace, all these are manifested in the Creator Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.
And one of his attributes is also supreme justice. And Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is Ilme Gayeb before a person is born he knows after the person is born whether he will do good deeds or bad deeds, whether he will listen to the commandments to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala or he will disobey, he knows. He even knows whether the person will go to Jahannam or Jannah, whether he will go to hell or paradise, he knows. But if Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala the moment the person is born or before he is born puts him in heaven, person who deserves heaven and puts the person in hell who deserves hell, the people who have been put in heaven they do not object, they may say Alhamdulillah fine we have been put on to heaven, no problem but surely those in put in hell they will object, that how come you haven’t let us lead our life and without a test you have put us in hell. So because Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is just, Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Nisa, Chapter no. 4, verse no. 40, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is never unjust in the least degree. That’s the reason Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala lets the people live in this world and if you follow the commandments of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala you pass the test otherwise you fail the test. And people may ask that one of the pillars of iman the last pillar is qadr is destiny. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Sajdah, Chapter no. 32, verse no. 12, Allah says, all these people who will go to hell on the Day of Judgment they will never object to the justice of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. They will say, all these sinners they will bow their head down and say please forgive us. They will agree with the Lord, they will say please give us one more chance so that we can go again in the world and that time we will surely be believers but Allah knows that even if he forgives them and puts them back into this world but natural he will have to wash out their memory of what they have seen of the hell, Allah is sure that they will again commit the same mistake and this is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah An’aam, Chapter no. 6, Verse no. 28 that if these people are again sent in the world they would repeat the same mistakes because they are liars. So Allah knows in his divine wisdom that these people even if he sends them again if the memory washed out what they have seen of the hell they will do the same mistakes. But come to the question of Kadr, Kadr is the sixth pillar of iman that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, we Muslims believe that Allah writes the Kadr, pillar of destiny and people may object. Many people ask this question, Muslims and non Muslims alike, that of everything Allah has written in the destiny that fine whether this person good or bad, whether they are going to commit a murder, or whether they are going to commit a rape or whether they are gong to rob or whether they are going to do good deeds, whether they are going to hell or heaven, if everything is mentioned then where is the choice? Who is to blame? If I commit a murder Allah wrote in the Kadr, I am going to commit a murder, who is to blame? Allah is to blame, then why should I be put into jail? And this is a very logical question. The reply to the question is that we have to understand the concept of Kadr and destiny. That Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has destined things where a person will be born, in which condition he will be born, when will he die, which land he will he die. Allah says in Qur’an, in Surah Israa, Chapter no. 17, Verse no. 14 that when a child is born the fatir is bound on his neck. The moment he is born Allah knows everything he is going to do. Good or bad, right or wrong, whether he is going to hell and heaven, but Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has Ilme Gayeb. I will give you an example that suppose in a class the teacher who teaches about hundred students for about one year and before examination that teacher predicts that this student he will come out first in class, first class first. This student he will get second class, that student will fail. Just the example, don’t feel bad brother. Now after a few days the examination takes place and this student comes out first class first, this student gets second class and that student fails. Now I am asking you a question can the student who fails, can he object to the teacher that because you predicted I am going to fail, I have failed. Who is to blame? The teacher or the student? Who is to blame? The student. The teacher predicted this student, he plays, who kids, doesn’t attend class, sees movies, therefore he is going to fail. That student he is okay, average. That student is very intelligent, does good hard work. So the teacher predicts in advance before the examination, this student will get first class first, this student second class, that student fail and the student comes out first class first, second class, that student fails. But because the teacher predicted that does not mean the teacher is to blame. The teacher has taught everyone correctly and equally. Similarly, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has Ilme Gayeb, he has knowledge of the future, certain things they are destined. He has said that okay this person will born in this land, on this particular date, he will die in this land, in this particular date etc., his surroundings, he will be wealthy whatever it is. But the choice is yours. For example, after you pass your 12th standard, you have a choice of becoming an engineer, or becoming a doctor or becoming a lawyer. The choice is yours. You choose to become an engineer. So Allah already knows in advance that after you pass your standard 12th, you will choose to become an engineer. It is written in advance. It is not because Allah has written that you are choosing, it is because you have chosen, Allah has written in advance. The choice is yours, but Allah knows your choice. For example if you come at a crossroad, and there are five roads. Road no. 1,2,3,4,5. The choice is yours. You can either take road no. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. You choose road 2. It’s already mentioned in advance in your destiny that you will choose road 2. It is not because Allah is writing that you are choosing it is because you will be choosing that Allah has written in advance. The choice is yours. You have choice to earn your living, whether by good deeds, halaal way or with robbing, haraam ways. The choice is yours. You rob, the choice was yours. But Allah knows in advance this person he would want easy money and he will rob. So Allah has written in advance this particular person at the age of 25, he will rob. Who is to blame? You are to blame. But because Allah is Ilme Gayeb, he has written in advance. The choice is yours. Allah has given human beings free will. You cannot blame Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala for your misdeeds. If you go to hell, it is because of your misdeeds and if you go to Jannat, it is because of the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Now let’s try to answer this question, the purpose of creation from a different angle, from the angle of the creation, from the angle, perspective of the human being. That why have the human beings been created by Almighty God and the reply to this question is given in the Qur’an in Surah A’raaf, Chapter no. 7, verse no. 172 and verse no.173, Allah says that he brought out from the loins of Adam’s children (May Peace Be Upon Him) all the descendants and ask them that am I your Lord? And all said, we testify that you are our Lord. And Allah continues, lest on the Day of Judgment, they will say we were unaware that you were our Lord or lest they may say that our ancestors they worship somebody else, they did Shirk, they associated partners and we just followed them. So they are the liars, we should not be blamed. So Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala before the human beings came in this world, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala brought all the human beings from the loins of the children of Adam and asks them who is the Lord and all of them testified that there is only one Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and he is our Lord and now is our test in this world. Allah said in the Qur’an and I started my talk by quoting the verse of the Qur’an from Surah Dhariyat, Chapter no. 51, verse no. 56, Allah says that we have created the jinn and the men not but to worship me, Wamma Khalaktul Jinna wal insa illa liyabudoon, that we have created the jinn and the men not but to worship me. The purpose of creation of the human beings and the jinn is to worship Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Now this word worship if you analyze, this English word, it is derived from the old English weorthscipe which means to honour and if you read the new Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary it says that worship means act of devotion, honouring the deity, devotional acts honouring the deity and if you translate it into Arabic, the Arabic word is ibada. Wamma Khalaktul Jinna wal insa illa liyabudoon, the Arabic word for worship is ibada, it is derived from the root word abd, which means a slave and it is the duty of the slave to be obedient to all the wills and wishes of the master. So ibada means total submission to the will of the Creator, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Ibada means total submission to the will and wishes of the Creator Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and further if we analyze that even one of the forms of worship as mentioned in the English dictionary is glorification. As Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Nasr, Chapter no 110, verse no. 3, Allah says,
“Izajan nusurullah al fath, waritaan nasiyet khuluna feediya fa-aza, fasabbi bihamdi Rabbika Wastagfir Inna Kanata Tawaba” that means “glorify the praises of the Lord, glorify the praises of the Lord”.
So one form of worship is glorification of the Creator, of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and one may ask that why does Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala require the human beings to glorify Him. Is Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala dependent on the praises of the human beings? See irrespective if all the human beings praise Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala it will not make Him superior and if not a single human beings praise Him yet it will not diminish Him. He is the same, whether you say Allah o Akbar, a thousand times, a million times, it will not make Allah greater. And if you don’t say Allah o Akbar also, it will not make Him less. He is the greatest, He will remain the greatest. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Faatir, Chapter 35, Verse no. 15, that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala doesn’t require human beings. It is we who require Him, it is human beings who require Him and He is worthy of all praises. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala does not require creation it is the creation who requires Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and he is worthy of all praises. So the question is why does he requires us to praise Him? The reason is it is for our own benefit because it is a human tendency that if we praise a person, if a person is famous; we tend to follow his advice. For example, if your mother is suffering from heart problem and there are two options. The one option you have is the best doctor in the world, no. 1, very famous, everyone knows him, no. 1, other person is just a plain MBBS doctor and you have the option to go to any of them, both are giving free treatment, who will you go to? But natural you will go to the one who is very famous, no. 1 in the world, the heart specialist and whatever advice he gives you because he is world famous and you have acknowledge him to be greatest amongst all the doctors you will follow his advice. That the reason when we praise Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and call Him He is the greatest, He is the most merciful, He is the most kind, the moment we praise Him whatever advice He has given us in the last and final revelation The Glorious Qur’an or whatever advice He has given us through His Messengers and the last and final Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we will follow it. So the reason we praise Him is not for the benefit of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, he does not require praises, it is for our own benefit. The moment we praise Him, oh, He is the greatest, He is the most wise, oh he is telling you not to have alcohol, then you stop having alcohol. The moment you agree that He is the most wise, He is the greatest, He is the most merciful, immediately whatever advice He gives you it is human tendency to follow the advice of the person who is the greatest. So that’s the reason we praise Him for our own benefit and that’s the reason Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an in Surah Taha, Chapter no. 20, Verse no. 14, that verily I am Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, I am Allah, and there is no god besides me. So remember me regularly and offer prayer regularly. Allah is guiding to offer prayer regularly because today in the world there are so many evils, so many distractions we tend to deviate. This Salah is a sort of programming towards righteousness. This form of worship is a programming towards righteousness. We are getting programmed. As the doctor says that for a healthy body, you require minimum three meals a day. So for a pure soul, for a healthy soul you require minimum five times Salah. So all forms of worship are benefit for us. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Baqarah, Chapter no. 2, verse no. 183, that fasting has been prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those who came before you so that you may learn self-restraint. Why do we fast? So that we learn self restraint. And today psychologists tell us that if you can control your hunger, you must control almost all your desires. So when we fast, we abstain from food, drink, from dawn to sunset. If we can control our hunger, we can control almost all our desires. So by fasting, we are worshipping Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala but who is benefitting? Not Allah, we are benefitting. We are learning to control our desires. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Maidah, Chapter no. 5, verse no 90,
“Ya ayyuha allazeena amanoo
Oh you who believe
innama alkhamru waalmaysiru
Most certainly intoxicants and gambling
waal-ansabu waal-azlamu”
dedication of stones, divination of arrows
rijsun min amalish shaytan
these are Satan’s handiwork
faijtaniboohu la’allakum tuflihoon
Abstain from this handiwork, that you may proper”
Here we have been guided Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala that O you believe, most certainly in toxicants, gambling,
Dedication of stone and idol worship, divination of arrows and fortune telling
These are Satan’s handiwork
Abstain from these that you may prosper.
And Allah says in the next verse in Surah Maidah, Chapter no. 5, verse no 91 that Satan, he creates enmity and hatred between the human beings through intoxicants and gambling and this takes you away from remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. So Allah is guiding you, when you offer Salah or when you read the Qur’an that’s a form of worship. When offer Salah is a form of worship, you are getting guidance that stay away from intoxicants, from gambling. It is a Satan who uses this to create enmity between human beings and this will take you away from remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. All forms of worship, any act, any commandment that you follow of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is a form of worship. Any commandment of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala a human being follows; it’s a form of worship as long as you do it in the right way. There are two things, two criteria require. Number one is that you should do it only for the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and not for your own glorification or praising your own self. Any act you do, you should do it for the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Whatever Allah commands you do it for His pleasure, not for glorification, not for praise, not for becoming famous, criteria no. 1. Criteria no. 2 that it should be done in the way Allah and His Messenger has commanded you, whatever Allah has asked you, do it the way Allah has asked you to do or the way His Messenger has asked you to do. If you do it in any other way that’s not call worship. So do it for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, follows His commandments and the commandments of the Prophet by the way Allah and His Prophet has told you. If you do it any other way then it is not correct and it’s mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), in Sahih Muslim, Volume no. 2, Hadith no. 1885, where the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said that the worst of all the affairs is the innovation in the religion, innovation in the Deen. It is a curse and innovation of the Deen will take you to the Hell fire means the worst of all the affairs is Bidah in Deen, innovation in Deen and this is a curse and will take you towards Hell fire. So whatever you do worship there is a general rule that all types of worship is prohibited except the type which is mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. The type which has been mentioned by Allah and His Rasool. Any other type of worship is prohibited. It is forbidden except that type of worship which has described in the Qur’an and described in the Sahih Hadith of Muhammad (SAW).
Further if we analyze that the purpose of the creation of the human being, is to worship Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and when we worship Him we are benefitted. It helps us and there is a misconception that Islam is a new religion which came into existence 1400 years ago and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the founder of this religion of Islam. In fact, Islam is there since time immemorial. Since man set foot on this earth and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not the founder of this religion, he is the last and final Messenger of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. There were several messengers that came as Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Fa’atir, Chapter 35, verse 24,
Wa Im Min Ummatin Ilah Khala Fiha Nazeer
There is not a nation or a tribe whom we have not sent a Warner or Guide.
Allah says in Surah Ra’d, Chapter no. 13, verse no. 7,
Wa Li Kulli Kawmin Haad
And to every people has a Warner been sent.
There are more than 25 messengers mentioned by name in the Qur’an, Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Them All). All of them were the Messengers of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and all them they were Muslims. Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and Islam is a word which comes from the root word Salam which means Peace or from Salima or Silm, which means to submit your will to Almighty God. So Islam in sort means, peace acquired by submitting you will to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, to Almighty God, the Creator. All the messengers, they brought the same message and anyone who submits his will to the Creator Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala he is called as a Muslim. Qur’an says in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 52, that Isa le Salam, Jesus Christ (PBUH), was a Muslim. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no 3, verse no. 67 that Ebraham was not a Jew or a Christian but he was a Muslim. And since our creator is one, humankind is one; even the religion should be one. That’s the reason Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 19,
Innad Deena Indaa Laahil Islam
The only religion acceptable in the sight of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala it is Islam, which is peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. And Allah repeat the message in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 85, that if anyone desires any religion besides Islam it will never accepted of Him and in the Akhira he will be among the losers.
Since our creator is one, humankind is one, the religion is also one and all the Prophets teach the same message of submitting your will to Almighty God, worshipping Him alone and no one else. And Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Bayyinah, Chapter no. 98, verse no. 7 that those who have faith and do righteous deeds, they are the best of creations. Here Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala calls the human beings the best of creation. The greatest, there are many greater creations, like the heaven, the earth but the best of creations is the human beings because we have a free will and if with that free will we obey the commandments of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, we reach the best of creation, highest. We are better even than the angels because angels don’t have the free will. Human beings have a free will and then obey the commandments, we become superior to the angels. But if you don’t obey His commandments, we become the brother of the Satan. So the human beings are the best creations of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and the gravest sin that is described in the Qur’an in Surah Nisa, Chapter no. 4, verse no. 48 that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala will forgive any sin. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala if he pleases he will forgive any sin but the sin of Shirk, he will never forgive. Allah repeats the message in Surah Nisa, Chapter no. 4, verse no. 116, that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala if he pleases he will forgive any sin but the sin of associating partner with Him, He shall never forgive. The greatest sin for the human being is associating partners with Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, worshipping anyone besides the one true God, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.
And one of the qualities of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is love and as I have mentioned that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, He loves His creation and because He loves us with His grace, He has given us all these niyama, all the niyama that he given us, the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, all the facilities that Allah has given us because He loves us and those who obey His commandments, He has prepared a place in the paradise in the next life also. This is because of His love. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, it mentioned in the Sahih Muslim, Volume no. 1, Hadith no. 67 that, that person has tested the sweetness of the faith those who do three things. Number 1, those who love, those who love Allah and His Messenger more than everyone of the world, number 2 those who love human beings or those who love people for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and number 3 those who hate to go back to disbelief from where Allah has saved them and they don’t want to go to the Hell fire. So these people who do these three things, according to the Hadith of Muhammad (SAW), they have tasted the true sweetness of faith and as Allah mentioned in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 31, the Prophet is commanded to say that all those who love Allah follow me for Allah will love you and Allah will forgive you.
Now if we analyze that we human beings we too love the other human beings, we love our parents, our father and mother, we love our wives, we love our children and the reason we love them basically is because these people, these human beings have done certain favour on us. For example, we love our mother because she bore us in her womb for nine months. She cared us in childhood. She brought us up. We love our brothers. Either they have given us something or we want something from them, we love the human beings. So in that context, if we calculate the favour that Allah had done on us. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ibraheem, Chapter no. 14, verse no. 34, that if you count the favour of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala you will not be able to add them up. So, imagine if we love our parents the few things they have given us how much should we love Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and the love differs. We, human beings, we will love animals, we love human beings also, but the love of the animals that the human beings have is different on a different level as compared to the love we have for the human beings. Similarly, the love for Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is on a different level as compared to the love we have for the human beings. It is far superior; it is far more on a higher platter. It is mentioned in the Qur’an in the Surah Fatihah, Chapter no. 1, verse no. 5, Ya Kana Booduh, Ya Kanaastien, Thee only worship , Thee only ask for help. We have to only worship Him and no one else. Allah says in Surah Ghaafir, Chapter no. 40, verse no. 60, you ask me and I will answer your prayer. Allah says in Surah Bakarah, Chapter no. 2, verse no. 186, O Messenger! When they ask you about me, tell them I am near to them and I will answer their prayers. So all worship should only be done to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and no one else. He is the only one who deserves the worship and no one else.
Now let us analyze the purpose of creation from another perspective. From the perspective of the human beings that what is the purpose of our existence in this world. God created us, we came in this world. What is our requirement? What is our purpose of existence? And Allah gives us the reply in Surah Mulk, Chapter no. 67, verse no. 2, Allah says,
Allazee Khalaqal Maut al Hayata
It’s Allah who has created death and life to test which of you is good in deeds. Allah has created death and life to test which of you is good in deeds. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 185, Allah says,
Kullu Nafsin Zaiaqatul Maut
Every soul shall have a taste of death.
But the final recompense will be on the Day of Judgment and anyone who has been saved from the fire and enters the Garden he would have achieved the objective of this world for this world is nothing but mere chapters of deception. That means this life of ours in this world is the test for the hereafter. If you obey the commandments of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala in the next life you will get Paradise. If you don’t obey, you will not get Paradise, you go to Hell. So this life, the purpose of our existence as Allah says is the test for the hereafter. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ankaboot, Chapter no. 29, verse no. 2, that do you think just by saying we believe we will let you go. We will surely test you that mean if you just say I believe in Allah, I am a Muslim, I am a Mumim, do you think Allah will let you go? Finish your test is over. Allah says, don’t you think we will test you? Just by saying I am a Muslim, just by saying you are a believer, just by saying I submit my will to Almighty God, you will not go scot free, Allah will surely test you and Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Baqarah, Chapter no. 2, verse no. 155, that surely we will test you with fear and hunger, with loss of your lives and of the goods and what you have accumulated in your life and give glad tidings to those who have patient. Allah has said he will test everyone either with fear or with hunger or with loss of life or with goods or the wealth you have accumulated. Allah will test you and Allah tests different people in different ways and Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah An’aam, Chapter no. 6, verse no. 165, Allah says that He has given more sustenance to some of the human beings over the other means some of the human beings. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has given more sustenance as compared to the other. Allah says this in Surah Nahl, Chapter no. 16, verse no. 71, that he has favoured some of the human beings over other in sustenance. Allah repeats His message in Surah An’aam, Chapter no. 6, verse no. 165, that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has given more gifts to some of the individuals and based in what he has given you, he will test you. Now there is a question that people ask how can Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala be just that some people are born in a poor family, some people are born in a rich family, some people are born healthy, some people are born with diseases, it is unjust. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is unjust. How can He make differentiations between different human beings? We come to know that this world has life and death. There is health and disease. There is wealth and poverty. All these are tests. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Anfaal, Chapter no. 8, verse no. 28, Allah says that surely your wealth and your progeny, your children are a test for you. And Allah says in Chapter no. 63, verse no. 9 that let not the wealth and your children deviate you from the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala tests different people in different ways. One of the test, one of the best deed you ask anyone that one of the good deeds and the good deeds all human beings whether they believe in God or not, they will say, good deeds are charity, it is containment. Charity will be there among the few that he names. So how can Almighty God test with some people charitable or not. If all the people are of the same wealth, then where is the question of the test? The test will only take place if some people are poor and some people are rich. So Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala test people in different ways, maybe some people are born in a rich family, they have lot of wealth. Some people are born poor. But the person who is rich are called to the Islamic Sharia, one of the pillars of Islam is Zakat, that every rich person who has a saving of more than the nisab level, 85 grams of gold, he or she should give 2.5 percent of that saving every lunar year in charity. The person may be a millionaire, may be a billionaire, he may give that required amount, then he will get passing marks. He may not give the complete amount, he may give portion, small portion may be 20 percent of what is required to give, a part of what is required to give, he will fail. Some people may not give Zakat at all, absolutely fail. The poor person, he does not have to give Zakat at all, he gets full marks. But we human beings, we say, o bechara admi, poor man, you know so much problem he has in his life and we look up to the person who is rich. Our Beloved Prophet said that it is more difficult for a rich man to enter Jannat than a poor man. As the Qur’an says, Surah Anfaal, Chapter 8, verse 28, that the wealth is a test for you. It’s a test. We are fools that we think, ok this person is rich, Allah has blessed him, it’s a test. If he doesn’t use the blessings, which Allah has given him, it’s a blessing. But the chances of him failing the test, it is very high. For example, in of the question papers, which came last year or two years before, in 2002, a very difficult question came and most of the students could not reply. Next year, that question does not appear. It will be foolish for us to say, oh, how sad, this question did not come. You should be happy, it did not come. So wealth is the test. So those people who do not wealth, it is actually easier for them to go to Jannah than a rich man. So Allah tests different people in different ways. Therefore, Allah says that let not your wealth deviate you from the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. It’s a test for him. The other test, it is contentment. It’s contentment. And our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, it’s mentioned in the Sahih Bukhari, Volume no. 8, Hadith no. 447, the Prophet said, that even if a person owns a valley of gold, he would want to have another. Even if a person owns a valley of gold, he would want to have another valley of gold. And the maximum he can take in his mouth is the dirt of the grave. People, however rich is, let him be the richest man in the world, the person would want to crave for more wealth. A person is not content; most human beings are not content. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Nisa, Chapter no. 4, verse no. 32 that do not ask from Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala that Allah has favoured other people. You say, oh no Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, you have given him so much wealth, you have given him such a beautiful car, don’t ask from Allah what Allah has favoured others with. It will be loss for you. And our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, it mentioned in the Sahih Bukhari, Volume no. 4, our beloved Prophet said that look at those people who are less fortunate than you, don’t look at those people who are more fortunate than you lest it will divert you from the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala lest you may be ungrateful to your Lord. So Prophet said, look at those who are less fortunate. Then you say, ok, fine, the person, you know, doesn’t have a car. At least I have a small car, Maruti car. Don’t look at a person having Mercedes. Oh, why don’t I have a Mercedes? The person doesn’t have a car; at least, Allah has given me a car. You will be thankful to Allah. The moment you compare yourself with a person who have a Mercedes, oh why Allah has not given me a Mercedes? Look at those people who are less fortunate. It will help you to remember Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and this is human nature. And there is a saying that there was a man who complained because he had no shoes until he saw a man who had no feet. A person use to complain, I have got no shoes, complained to Allah, I have got no shoes. And he saw a man who had no feet then he is thanking Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala at least I have a feet. So contentment is a test. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, it’s mentioned in the Sahih Bukhari, Volume no. 8, that the real wealth is contentment, it is not property. The real true wealth is contentment, being satisfied, whatever you have, you say, Alhamdulillah, praise be to Allah that is the true Mumin, that’s a true believer, that’s a true Muslim, contentment. While people ask that how come Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has created some people who are born healthy, He makes some people born healthy. Some people are born with diseases, may be congenital disease, heart disease, some are born handicap. So is Allah unjust? Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Nisa, Chapter 4, verse 40, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is never unjust in the least degree. This is a test. Allah tests different people in different ways. May be, it’s possible the children that are born they are masoom, they are sinless, not their fault at all. But as the Qur’an says, in Surah Anfaal, Chapter no. 8, verse no. 28, that your wealth and your children are a test for you and Allah repeats the message, in Chapter 63, verse no. 9 that do not let your wealth and children deviate you from remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. So may be possible, that it’s a test for the parents. It’s the test for the parents. There may be occasion whenever any calamity comes, on any individual, it is either a test or it’s a punishment. Those people who have deviated from Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, for them it’s a punishment. For those who are in His piety this is a test for them. May be, the parents are very good Muslims, offering five times Salaah, may have given the Zakat, may have gone for Hajj, fasting in the month of Ramadan. Now Allah gives them a child, who has congenital heart disease. The true Muslim, a true Muminoon will say, Alhamdulillah, thank you Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Allah is testing them. A person who is ungrateful or may not be able to pass the difficult test will say, oh, why? He will start cribbing, he will complain to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, why did Allah give me a child who is handicap, who has congenital heart disease? And more difficult the test, more higher is the reward. More difficult is the test, more higher is the reward. For example, if you sit for a BA degree examination, if you pass, you are graduate. B.A- graduate in Arts. But if you pass a MBBS examination, besides being a graduate, you will get a doctor in front of your name, doctor. But to pass MBBS examination is multiple times more difficult than to pass BA examination. So the more difficult the test, more higher is the reward. So may be Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala wants to give those parents not Jannat but Jannatul Firdous. So even though they pass, Allah wants to give them higher rewards and that’s the reason our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, it mentioned in the Sunan Tirmidhi. When a person asked that who had the maximum test in this world? The Prophet replied that all the Ambias, all the Prophets of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, they had the most difficult test. After that those who are closest to them, those who are like the Prophet. After that those who are like them. And more higher the faith of a person, more difficult is the test. The more taqwa a person has, Allah gives him a difficult test. So you took admission into MBBS because you have got higher marks in 12th standard. Higher, so more difficult the test. To pass MBBS is difficult. So here also the Prophets, their taqwa level cannot be compared with normal human beings. So just because they were Prophets of God, even the Prophets were tested. No Prophet was just let without testing. But because their taqwa was high, the Prophets were tested multiple times more than the normal human beings, compared to you and me. More difficult, so more higher your taqwa and your faith, Allah will test you. So true believer, if difficulty comes, he says, ah, SubhanAllah. Praise be to Allah, Alhamdulillah. He takes it as a test. Any calamity comes; it’s either a test or a punishment. For the Prophets of high taqwa, it was not a punishment, it was a test and they passed the test. When any good things happen to individual, it’s either a reward or a test. Wealth can be a reward or it can be a test for you. Any good thing happens; it is either a reward or a test for you. For those who have deviated from Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, they pray, give me. Allah gives them wealth and tests them and they fail. So in this world, they get what they want, luxury but in Akhira it’s nothing but loss. Charity is a test, contentment is a test, your children are a test. Many a time, we human beings, we complain to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, we are praying to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, why doesn’t Allah answer our prayer? Allah says in the Qur’an, you ask me, and I will answer your prayer. But here I am praying everyday, Allah is not answering. It’s sound a bit contradicting. Allah says, pray to me and I will answer your prayer. But we find many a time, we pray but nothing happens. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Bakarah, Chapter no. 2, verse no. 216, you may like a thing, which is not good for you and you may hate a thing, which is good for you. You know not, but Allah knows. For example, there is a young boy, about 20 years old, he is praying, Ya Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, give me a BMW. I don’t know how many aware of BMW. BMW motorcycle, I want a BMW motorcycle, very fast motorcycle. Praying, praying, prayers not answered. May be Allah knows, if Allah would given him a motorcycle, he would have accident and he would have fractured his legs, he would have become handicap. So, actually Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala by not answering his prayer, He is answering his prayer. By not answering his prayer, Allah is answering his prayer. By not giving him motorcycle because he is a good banda, he is a good person. He is asking for a thing, which is not good for him, I know, he doesn’t know. So Allah doesn’t give him by not answering, Allah is answering. And many a time people like Allah says in Surah Bakarah, Chapter no. 2, verse no. 15 and 16, about hypocrites he says that Allah gives them ropes so that they can go to and fro. You ask wealth, Allah gives you wealth. There are many people who associate partners with Allah, they ask I want wealth, Allah gives them wealth. It is nothing but test for them and they are digging their own graves. So we should never despair. Allah is there. Always have faith in Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. That’s the reason, suicide is haraam in the Qur’an. It’s mentioned in Surah Nisa, Chapter 4 that kill not yourself. Kill not yourself because Allah is most forgiving. He is there. If you have faith in Him, the moment a person commits suicide, it is as though he is ungrateful. He says, Almighty God has given me so much trouble, He is unjust. It is not worth living and he ends his life. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Bakarah, Chapter no. 2, verse no, 286, which is the last verse of Surah Bakarah that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala does not lay a burden on anyone greater than of what he can bear. Allah does not lay a burden on anyone greater than what he can bear. This is the first part of the verse. The next part of the verse continues, and then you make a dua, ye Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala lay not a burden greater than we can bear. In the first part of the verse when Allah has already promised, He will not lay a burden greater than what we can bear then why do we have to pray O Lord, lay not on us a burden greater than we can bear. Because why? We dig our own grave, we lay a burden greater than we can bear. We are the cause. We ask, give me wealth, Allah gives wealth. So we are praying to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, make not us the cause to lay a burden on ourselves greater than we can bear. So we should always have faith on Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and worship Him alone. He is the Creator. Our purpose of existence is to worship Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and no one else. This life is the test for the Hereafter. Obey His Commandments and be satisfied. Whatever test He gives you, a true Muminoon will thank Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Normally we complain we don’t have this, we don’t have this. The most important thing for living is what? Someone answers food, someone answers water, most important is air. If you don’t have air for a few minutes you will die. How many of us have ever thanked Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, thank you for the air you have given us. How many of us have done that? How many of us? Do we realize? Free. Free me milta hai to kiya. We should reflect on the signs of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and all the niyama He has given us.
Now coming to the last perspective that why did Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala create this world? What is the purpose of this world? Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ibrahim, Chapter no. 14, verses no. 32-33 that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has created the heaven and the earth and let water comes from the sky, with it He has given fruits, He has caused ships to sail with the commandments of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, He has caused rivers to flow for human beings, He has made the sun and the moon for you, He has made the night and the day for you. So all these creations in the world are for the human beings. The full world that Allah has created is for the human beings and it is our duty that we have to thank Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala for all these niyama. And besides thanking it’s our duty that we take care of these things. That’s the reason, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala has created animals but killing animals it is prohibited. Killing animals is prohibited. It is mentioned in the Hadith of Muhammad (SAW) that, do not kill animals for target practice. Yes, for food amongst the halaal animals for which Allah has given permission that you can have, with the way Allah has showed you and the Prophet has showed us. But for target practice and we find many people, they want to conquer this niyama. They do target practice and they want to put the head of the animal in the drawing room. Allah has created the mountains; we want to conquer the mountains. Go on Mount Everest, how many people die every year in trying to climb Mount Everest. You want to conquer it. You don’t want to thank Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala for the niyama. Even though Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an, the camels have been created for you to carry load. But even though they have been created for you, you have to love them, you have to respect them. There are several Sahih Hadith, several. It’s mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, volume no. 3, that there was a person who gave water to thirsty dog by going in the well, by carrying the water in the socks and because of that he was gone to Jannat. There is another Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, volume no. 4, there was a prostitute, just because she gave water to a thirsty dog, she was granted Jannat and a Sahaba asked, do we get reward even for giving water to a dog? He said, yes, why not? Imagine, the animal which is prohibited to come in our house, even if we give water to that animal, Allah will reward you for that. And there is a Hadith that once an old lady, she tied a cat and did not give it food. So Allah put her in hell that why did she tie and did not give the food. At least she should have let it go free. She would have fed in the road instead and a poster is there, one of the posters that is in the exhibition. So we have love and take care of the animal. Even the vegetations, we can eat them for our requirement but not unnecessary kill the plants. Even in war, our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that do not chop down trees. Do not burn the crops. So all these are creations of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Adiyat, Chapter no.100, Allah says, Allah takes an oath of the steeds of war, the horses that run for war, Allah is taking oath and since Allah continues, verse no. 1, 2, 3, 4, Allah says, these horses sparks come out of their hoofs , clouds of dust they raise, they enter the enemy, describing that Allah is taking an oath of these horses, the steeds of war, they are without any fear, just because their masters command them, the person who is the horse rider, for the sake of the master, they enter into the enemy. There are swords, there are weapons, irrespective whether there are weapons, the steed keeps on going because he wants to obey the master. Allah is taking oath of this horse and in the end He says, but man is ungrateful. That means, the horse to obey the master it is ready to die, it is ready to get itself killed, just because the master says go, it goes. Whether there is enemy, whether there is sword, whether there is weapon, whether they are going towards their death, because of the master. But human beings are very ungrateful. That’s the reason it is the duty of every human being to reflect on the purpose of creation. That why have we been created. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, He is the Creator. He is merciful. He is kind. He is forgiving. He is just. It is the duty of every human being that we should worship Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Worship Him and no one else and this life you have to remember, is the test for the Hereafter. If you follow His commandments, you shall go to Jannat. If you don’t, we shall fail the test and go to Jahannam. And we have to take care of the niyama, Allah has given us.
I would like to end my talk by giving the quotation of the Glorious Qur’an, from Surah Al Imran, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 110, which says,
“Kuntum Khayra Ummatin Ukhrijat iilnnas”
“O ye Muslims, ye are the best of people evolved from mankind.”
We are called the Khaira Umma, the best of people. Whenever there is honour, it is always for the responsibility. There is no honour without responsibility. The responsibility is mentioned in the same verse. And Allah continues,
“Ta’muroona bialma’roofi watanhawna anil munkar watu’minoona billah”
Because we enjoin what is good and we forbid what is wrong and we believe in Allah. It’s the duty of every Muslim that whatever he knows, if you know purpose of creation, you have to tell it to the others by how we are created, you should worship no one but Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, this life is a test for the Hereafter. Invite people to the truth, exhort them to the truth
“Ta’muroona bialma’roofi watanhawna anil munkar”
And enjoined them towards the good and prevent them from going towards the wrong. It is duty for every Muslim. Dawah is compulsory. If we do not enjoin what is good and we do not prevent people going towards the wrong, we aren’t fit to be called as Muslim. We aren’t fit to be called as Khaira Umma, the best of people.
I would like to end my talk with quotation of the Qur’an from Surah Nahl, Chapter 16, verse 125. It says,
“Ud`u 'Ila Sabili Rabbika Bil-Hikmah Wal Maw`izatil Hasanah Wa Jaadilhum Bilati Hiya 'Ahsan”
“Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them and reason with them in the ways that are best and most gracious.”
Wa Aakhiru Da’waana Anil Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil Alameen.
Purpose of Creation
Question & Answer Session
(Peace Exhibition Chennai 10th Jan 2004)
Ashraf Mohammadi: Now we move on to the question and answer session. Before we begin, let me lay down the rules so that we can have the session in a smooth fashion. Please form a queue at one of the four mikes provided to you. One mike in the ladies section, there are three mikes in the gents section, one at the backside, one on my right, and one here on my left. While posing the questions, please state your name and profession. Please note this is the question time not a lecture time. So be precise and to the point when you pose your question. I request the volunteers, who are handling the mike, to give preference to our non Muslim brothers, who would be in queue, while posing the question. Please bring the non Muslim brothers at the front. Preference is given to non Muslim brothers to pose the questions.
Questioner: Good evening, Dr. Zakir. My name is Roberto. I am doing BDS in Chennai Sabita Dental College. As Dr. Zakir said, God is a unique Creator, there is only one, second thing you said God created human out of love. Third, God has created wealth, poor, healthy and weakness is all because of a test. Similarly, in Christian, they believe God is one. Second point, God created humans out of love. Third point, is the same thing, all these things is because of a test by the God. So I just want to have an answer from you. Don’t mistake, I am not a Christian.
Dr.Zakir Naik: The Brother has asked a question that even in Christianity like Islam God is one and God loves the creation and he further said, what is the difference? You want know the difference between Islam and Christianity or ….?
Questioner: It’s not the difference. What is the most convincing thing you think that you say that other than Islam, any other type of worship is non acceptable.
D.Z.N: Yes, that’s a very good question Brother. Now the question has come into the fore that first there was just blank statement. Even there is a question mark is a question, if there is a statement we have to try to find the question. What is the difference of Islamic form of worship as compared to other forms of worships? What’s so unique? When Christianity also say God is one, Christianity says that God also loves, Islam says God is one, Islam says that God also loves the creation. Islam says worship, Christianity says worship. What is the difference between the worships of Islam and Christianity? Or what is the uniqueness of Islam as compared to other religions? Mainly talking about Christianity.
Brother, on the face of it, if you read the Qur’an correctly, and the interpretation I have given in my talk. And if you read the Bible correctly, with the correct interpretation, we believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH), he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus Christ (PBUH). We believe that he was born miraculously without any male intervention, we believe he was the Messiah translated Christ, we believe that he heal those born blind and lepers by God’s permission, we believe that life to the dead with God’s permission. But, there are parting of ways. There are many Christians, who say that Jesus Christ (PBUH), he claimed divinity. Now the difference between what the Bible says and the difference between the Christians assume and what they practice, the difference between that. So many Christians say that Jesus Christ (PBUH), he claimed divinity. So when they say God is one, they say Jesus Christ (PBUH) was God, which we Muslims take objection to. There is not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible, where Jesus Christ (PBUH) himself says that I am God or where he says worship me. So the form of worship for the normal Christian is worshipping Jesus Christ (PBUH). And I repeat my statement, there is not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible, where Jesus Christ (PBUH) himself said that I am God or where he says worship me. If any Christian can show me any unequivocal statement in the Bible where Jesus Christ (PBUH) said I am God or where he says worship me, I, Dr, Zakir Naik, I am ready to accept Christianity today. I am ready to put my head on the guillotine. I don’t speak on behalf of my other Muslim brothers.
Because if you read the Bible, it is mentioned in the Gospel of John, Chapter no. 14, verse no. 28, Jesus Christ (PBUH) said, that my father is greater than I.
Gospel of John, Chapter no. 10, verse no. 29, “my father is greater than all”.
Gospel of Matthew, Chapter no. 12, verse no. 28, “I with the spirit of God, cast out devils”.
Gospel of Luke, Chapter no. 11, verse no. 20, “I with the finger of God, cast out devils”.
Gospel of John, Chapter no. 5, verse no. 30, “I can for myself do nothing, as I hear I judge, and my judgment is just. For I seek my will, but the will of my father”.
Any one who says I seek not my will, but the will of Almighty God, he is a Muslim. Therefore, I said in my talk that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was a Muslim. Qur’an says in Surah Al Imran, Chapter 3, verse 52, it is further mentioned in Gospel of John, Chapter no. 17, verse no. 3, this life is eternal that you may know Jesus Christ whom thou has sent. It’s mentioned in Gospel of John, Chapter no. 14, verse no. 24, “the words you hear are not mine, but my Father’s who has sent me”. It is clearly mentioned in Book of Acts, Chapter no. 2, verse no. 22, “Ye men of Israel, listen to this, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God, amongst you by wonders and miracles which God did by Him and you are witnessed to it”. A man approved of God amongst you by wonders and miracles, which God did by Him and you are witnessed to it. So Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the mightiest Messengers of God but he never claimed divinity. He never said, you should worship me but unfortunately the Christian Church, they teach that salvation, Bible also talks about heaven, talks about hell, but the purpose of existence is not mentioned in detail. It is not mentioned at all except what Paul has mentioned. Paul mentions in Corinthians, Chapter no. 15, he says, in the first Corinthians of chapter no. 15 that if Jesus Christ (PBUH) died not for your sins, your faith is in vain and everything is in vain. That means, Jesus Christ (PBUH), he died for your sins, according to Paul. And they quote the verse of the Bible, Gospel of John, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 16 that God’s soul of the world that He only given His begotten son whosoever believeth in Him shall not die but have everlasting life. So the concept of salvation, according to the church, that you believe Jesus Christ (PBUH) died of your sins and you shall go to Jannat, you shall go to Paradise, which is not mentioned because the word begotten from Gospel of John, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 16 has been thrown out by 32 scholars of highest eminence from the RSV, Revised Standard Version of the Bible as a concoction, as a fabrication, as an interpolation. So what they are following is more Pauline Christianity but Jesus Christ (PBUH) has said, when a person approaches him in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter no. 19, verse no. 16 and 17, that Good Master, what good thing shall I do so that I shall gain eternal life? What good thing shall I do so that I shall go to Jannah, Paradise? So Jesus Christ (PBUH) replies, why thou callest me good? There is none good except one that is Almighty God. And if thou want to enter eternal life, if follow the commandments. He didn’t say that if you want to go to Jannah, want to go to Paradise you believe that I died for your sins. He never said that. He said, follow the commandments. And Jesus Christ (PBUH) said, it is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter no. 5, verse no. 17 to 20 that think not that I have come to destroy the law of the Prophets. I have come not to destroy, but to fulfill. Unless the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot of detail shall be pass away from the law until all be fulfilled and whosoever shall keep the commandments and teach me to do shall be called ………. in the kingdom of heaven. And whosoever shall break one of the least commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of ………………., in no way shall you enter into Paradise. If you want to be a good Christian, you have to follow all the commandments, there is only one God, you should not do idol worship, of all that Moses (PBUH) has said. So here we analyze it, if we do a research of the Biblical scriptures, it is actually believing in one God not Trinity. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Nisa, Chapter 4, verse 171,
“Wala Takoolu Salasa”- Don’t say trinity. “Intao Khairul Lakoom”- desist, stop, it will be better for you.
So if you say God is three in one, it is Shirk. You wouldn’t get salvation. There is no statement at all about Trinity. The word Trinity does not exist anywhere in the Bible but it is there in the Qur’an. Besides Surah Nisa, Chapter 4, verse 171, it is also there in Surah Maidah, Chapter 5, verse 73, it says,
“Lakad Kafr illazina Kaloo
Innallahu Salisi Salasa”
They are doing Kufr. They are blaspheming those who say God is three in one. The word trinity does not exist anywhere in the Bible. The closest statement is the first Epistle of John, Chapter no. 5, verse no. 7, which says for there are three that bear accorded in heaven. The father, the son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one. And this verse of the Bible by the 32 scholars of the highest eminence of Christian scholars in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, they have thrown this verse out of the Bible as interpolation, as a fabrication, as a concoction. So the verse which comes to the closest to the Trinity, doesn’t mention Trinity but come closes is thrown out by the scholars of Christianity as a fabrication. So if we analyze, if we want to check what is right in the Bible, here is a Furkan. This is the criteria. It will tell you what is right, what is wrong and if you compare with this. And even today if you read the Bible, the Bible never claims that Jesus is God (PBUH). It says, you should worship only one God and when Jesus Christ (PBUH) is asked which is the first commandment. It is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter no. 12, verse no. 29, it says,
“Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adonai Ikhad."
It’s a Hebrew quotation which means.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD”
So the problem is, if you read the Bible, the exact purpose of creation is not mentioned. It is vague. The Christian Church has taken up a teaching of Paul, St. Paul and says that you believe Jesus Christ (PBUH) died for your sins and you will go to heaven. Then you do anything, you rob, you rape, you do anything. If he has paid for our sins, if Jesus Christ (PBUH) paid for our sins, I can do anything. For example someone tells me to a restaurant. Go to the restaurant, eat whatever you want. I paid your bill. I will eat anything, chicken, mutton, biriyani, anything I can eat. So Jesus Christ (PBUH) died for my sins, then you can commit any sin and you go to heaven. Only I have to believe that he died for your sins. So this is a concept of the Church, which is not as the Bible mentions and you can refer to my video cassette “Similarities between Islam and Christianity”, which gives the similarities. That’s the reason I say that Jesus Christ taught nothing but Islam, that is submitting your will to Almighty God.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from brother over here? Please state your name and profession as well.
Questioner: Retired Superintendent. At the outset, I am extremely delighted to be here even though I am not a Muslim. In the Old Testament of the Bible it is noted that God created a day and night in the first day, after that God created the sun and the moon. How is it possible for the day and night without the sun? Likewise, in Qur’an, it is mentioned that the sun rotates the earth. As per chapter 21, verse 22 of Qur’an, God controls the universe. My doubt is altogether, God here mistaken when He creates the universe. I think the contents in the Bible and Qur’an are against the Science. Please explain.
D.Z.N: Brother, can I have your name and can you repeat what is about the Qur’an, I didn’t hear it correctly. Your name first and what you mentioned about the Qur’an, Qur’an says that the sun….
Questioner: Qur’an in Surah no. 6 I think.
D.Z.N: Surah no. 6 the Sun rotates. You said 21, 22. Chapter 21, verse 22?
Questioner: Chapter no. 21, verse 22.
D.Z.N: The sun rotates.
Questioner: No, in Surah no. 6, I think, but in Chapter 21, verse 22, God controls the universe.
D.Z.N: So that goes against the Science.
Questioner: Yes.
D.Z.N: Brother asked a question. He said that he has read the Bible. He quoted a few verses of the Bible and of the Qur’an, didn’t give the reference. He said that the Bible says that Almighty God created day and night at the first day. What he is quoting is the first Book of the Bible, the Book of Genesis, chapter no. 1, verse no. 3. It says that Almighty God created the day and the night and on the first day. And further if you read in Genesis, chapter no. 1, verse no. 13 to 19, it says Almighty God created the sun on the fourth day. I am giving the reference also. So doesn’t this go against Science? I do agree with you, it goes against the Science. And I had a debate with Dr. William Campbell in U.S.A. Dr. William Campbell, he is a missionary and a medical doctor and got a P.H.D against writing a book on Qur’an. And in that debate on “Qur’an and Bible: in the light of Science”, I posed this question, even he couldn’t answer. So I do agree there is a problem in the Bible. Now coming to your question that the Qur’an says that Almighty God controls the universe. Regarding the Bible, yes, I do agree with you that Bible is against established Science. Regarding your question, Qur’an says Almighty God controls the universe, you didn’t say the sun rotates?
Questioner: (not audible)
D.Z.N: Ah, that’s what I heard. That’s why I am asking you to repeat. Why aren’t you repeating? I heard that. And he gave reference chapter 21, verse 22. The reference is wrong. Yours’ reference…
Questioner: Sir, Sir…
D.Z.N: I will tell you, tell you. The real reference is Surah Anbiya, Chapter 21, Verse 33, not Verse 22, Verse 33. Here is the Qur’an. I am speaking from memory. I am not a computer. I will give the reply brother. After the reply whatever query you have, no problem brother. You ask, brother you ask the question, let me reply. After I finish my reply you can ask another 20 questions. But you ask the question, I was listening you carefully. Now you listen to my answer and after I finish my answer, if you have any query you can ask. I will give enough time. Even Chairman doesn’t agree, I will request him to give you time because you are delighted to come here we are more delighted you are here.
The brother said that the Qur’an says, in Surah Anbiya, Chapter 21, Verse 22, it’s actually Verse 33, that the sun rotates. What he is quoting is the Surah Anbiya, Chapter 21, Verse 22, which says,
“Huwal Ladhi Khalaqal Layla Wan Nahara”
“It is Allah who has created the night and the day”
“Wash Shamsa Wal Qamar”
“The Sun and the Moon”
“Kullun Fi Falakin Yasbahun.”
“Each one traveling in an orbit, with its own motion”
And this mistake was even taken out by Taslima Nasrin. You know, Taslima Nasrin. Heard of her? Aa… from Bangladesh. She said that if a book believes that a sun rotates around the earth then how can we advance? So the Qur’an has to be changed, Nauzubillah. The problem is that her view should be changed and she should learn the Qur’an correctly. The Qur’an says,
“Huwal Ladhi Khalaqal Layla Wan Nahara”
“It is Allah who has created the night and the day”
“Wash Shamsa Wal Qamar”
“The Sun and the Moon”
“Kullun Fi Falakin Yasbahun.”
“Each one traveling in an orbit, with its own motion”
Nowhere does the Qur’an say that the sun rotates or reverses around the earth, nowhere. What does the Qur’an say, the sun and the moon rotate and revolve. Nowhere does it say around the earth. The word Ardha is nowhere in this verse. It says,
Huwal Ladhi Khalaqal Layla Wan Nahara”
“It is Allah who has created the night and day”
“Wash Shamsa Wal Qamar”
“The Sun and the Moon”
“Kullun Fi Falakin Yasbahun.”
“Each one traveling in an orbit, with its own motion”
When I was in school, I had learned that the sun was stationary. It did not rotate about in its own axis. It revolved in the universe. The solar system is revolving. But I, when I passed my school in 1982, I had learned the sun was stationary, not rotate. But this verse of the Qur’an, it says, the Arabic word Yasbahun is derived from the word ‘Sabaha’, which describes the motion of a moving body. If I use this Arabic word ‘Sabaha’, for a person on the floor, it will not mean he is rolling, it will mean he walking or running. If I use this Arabic word for a person in the water, it will not mean he is floating, it will mean he is swimming. When Allah use this word for a celestial body, it doesn’t mean it is flying, it means it is rotating about its own axis. So the Qur’an says the sun and the moon, besides revolving, they are also rotating about their own axis. When I read the verse of the Qur’an, I said, but I read in my school in the book that the sun does not rotate. Today the Science has advanced and we come to know, we can have the image of the sun on a table top and see that the sun have black spots and these black spots take about 25 days to complete one rotation indicating the sun takes approximately 25 days to complete one rotation. So what I learnt in school in 1982, today Science says it is wrong. Qur’an has not mentioned these 20 years back, 1400 years back. What I learnt in school 20 years back, the Qur’an says what I learnt is wrong. First, I got a shock. But then when I research more, I realize that the Qur’an is right. Qur’an is not wrong. My science book was wrong and Taslima Nasrin, where did she put the word earth, I don’t know. Does she know Arabic? Can she read English? English translation doesn’t say that. She assumed that when the Qur’an say sun revolves, it revolves around the earth. That’s her assumption. So her assumption is wrong, Alhamdulillah, Qur’an is not wrong. And I do agree with you that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, he controls this universe. That’s the reason according to Francis Bacon, Francis Bacon the great philosopher, he said, little knowledge of Science makes you an atheist, but in depth knowledge of Science makes you a believer in one God. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: Do you have another question?...
D.Z.N: Do you have any question? You are most welcome. If you have any counter question, you are most welcome brother. We love you.
Questioner: Sir, I am not sure the chapter number.
D.Z.N: No problem. I never criticize you, I just corrected you. Either tell… I have tell the right thing. If you have given some wrong reference, if someone offends, I corrected you. I didn’t say you have to know by heart. Neither you a computer, nor I am a computer.
Questioner: But I think it is in the Surah no. 8, I think the sun is rotating the earth.
D.Z.N: It is nowhere in Qur’an, I am telling you. The verse you are quoting is Surah Anbiya, Chapter 21, one verse 33, even quoted by Taslima Nasrin and hundreds of critics of Islam. No where in Surah Anfal, Chapter 8 does it says that the sun, nowhere in the Qur’an does it says the sun rotates. The closest misunderstanding you can have if you don’t know Arabic or if you don’t read the translation correctly is Surah Anbiya. Your first reference was very close, only eleven verses difference. Your reference was right, chapter number was right 21, but the verse was not 22, it was verse 33. Here is the Qur’an.
Questioner: No, chapter no. 21, verse 22. The God controls the universe.
D.Z.N: Accha, now one more, the God control the universe. That’s what I am telling you. Science hasn’t advance so far to come to know the reality of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. I have given the talk “Is the Qur’an God’s word?” and I have proved scientifically the existence of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala I would request one of the volunteers to present my video cassette to him. I request Brother Ashraf that you can ask one of the volunteers. I give you a gift, a video cassette, “Is the Qur’an God’s word?”, which I have mentioned several scientific facts and even proved scientifically the existence of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Therefore, today scientists, top scientists are not eliminating God, they are not, they are eliminating models of God. La Ilaha, they are not eliminating God but eliminating models of God. La ilaha illallah. You understand? So today scientists, top scientists in the world, they all believe in God. Most. Some may have deviated. But most of them agree, there has to be a creator about the creation of this universe. Today Science tells us, how did this universe came into creation? How? By the Big Bang, correct.
Questioner: Yeah
D.Z.N: Yeah, very good. Big Bang. That today Scientists tell us that first there was prima nebula, the whole universe, then there was secondary separation, a big bang, which gave rise to galaxies, which gave rise to stars, the planets, the sun, the moon and the earth we live in. This is called the Big Bang. When do you come to know about the Big Bang? 20 years back, 30 years back, 40 years back. Correct? Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Anbiya, chapter no. 21, verse no. 30, Allah says 1400 years ago, Allah says that do not the unbelievers see that the heaven and the earth were joined together. Do not the unbelievers see,
“Annas Samawati Wal 'Arda…” that “the heaven and the earth were joined together, and We clove them asunder”. So Allah says that the heaven and the earth were joined together and We clove them asunder. This Big Bang today the scientists talk about, it is mentioned in the Qur’an 1400 years back in a nutshell. Who could have mentioned this? That time Science was not advanced. Who? The Creator. So, like that I have given a full talk. You can refer to my video cassette of “Qur’an and Modern Science” and “Is the Qur’an God’s word?”, Inshallah, Inshallah, if you watch it with open mind, you have to be convinced that there is one God and He is the creator of the universe.
Questioner: Thank you.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from the mike at the back?
Questioner: Mera nam Ravi hai. Aur mein IIT ka chhatra hu. Apne kaha love, mera jo feelings hai ki prem, agar mein bhagvan se prem karta hu to ai sare honesty and other goon apne jo bataie hain, matlab admi me hone chaeaa, ek sahi Allah ke bande mein hone chahiye. Oa sare goon to apne aap aa jate hain, fir ki aa neam jo Allah ne Qur’an me bataiye hain apke, kiya ai neam joruri hain? Agar me bhagvan se sirf prem karta hu to kiya ai kafi nahi hain? Apne Allah ke taraf me gratefulness ea praise prokat karne ke liye.
D.Z.N: The Brother posed the question in Hindi; I will give the translation in English. He said that God loves, even he loves God, human beings love God. The moment you love God all the good qualities are mentioned, honesty, charity come automatically. So is it require that we should follow the commandments mentioned in the Qur’an, is it a requirement? Brother, if everything comes automatically, you will automatically follow what is mentioned in the Qur’an. But everything doesn’t come automatically to everyone. You understand? So what Allah wants, if you love your Creator, for example, I say that I love my mother. I love my mother. My mother tells me that son, don’t tell lies. No, I love you mother. What the harm in lying? My mother says, Get for me a glass of water. Mother, I love you very much but don’t get the glass of water. I am sick. Please get some tablets. Mother, I love you very much. If I don’t obey the commandments of my mother, what is the use of this love? It is useless. It is a lip service. Therefore Allah says in Qur’an in Surah Ankaboot, chapter 29, verse no. 2, Just by saying you believe, Allah will test you. If you say, you love, mein Allah ko love karta hu. Allah will not leave you, Allah will test you. So just by saying you love Allah, or just by saying I believe in Allah or believe in God, Allah will surely test you. So this life is a test. Now when you go for the test, if you don’t know the rules and regulations of the test, there will be a problem. For example, if you sit for an examination, first you try and find out what is the question of examination and then you study that question. So what Allah has said, certain things are inborn, I agree with you. Certain things like quality, honesty charity, it comes inborn. Allah has put but many things we don’t know. Not having an IQ is not inborn. Certain thing like charity is inborn. May come like anyone you suppose anyone is tortured, you feel hurt. Certain things are inborn. Not to gamble is not inborn. So certain things are inborn, certain things are not. So what you have to do, we have to follow the commandments of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. As Allah has said, this life is a test. So unless you do not read the commandments of Almighty God, how will you pass the test? Why do I say read the Qur’an. Because this is the only Book, which is a revelation of Almighty God, which has remained in pristine purity. According Sir William More, who is a staunch critic of Islam, he was forced to write, forced means he was compelled, he had no option that there is no book on the earth which has remained as pure as Qur’an for the past 12 centuries. He said these 200 years back. Even a critic he had no option, he couldn’t lie here to say. So compare to all the other scriptures of Almighty God, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, He sent several revelations by name you know four, Torah, Jabur, Injeel, and the Qur’an. Torah is the wahi, the revelation, which was given to Moses (PBUH), Jabur is the wahi, the revelation, which was given to David (PBUH), Injeel is the wahi, the revelation, which was given to Jesus (PBUH) and Qur’an is last and final revelation, which was given to the last and final Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Otherwise, Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ra’d, chapter 13, verse 38, we have sent the revelations every age. There were many more revelations sent. By the passage of time they have corrupted. The only one which has remained in pristine purity is the Qur’an. That’s why I say that if you want to follow the real command of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, follow this. And if you being a Hindu, if you ask me how do I approve it? You have to come to my talk on 18th of January on Sunday for “Similarities between Hinduism and Islam”.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from the brother’s side?
Questioner: Brother Zakir gave the explanation just now, I totally agreed upon and I accept it because I am not a Christian and I am a person who thinks God should be there as a cell phone is here, there must be someone created it otherwise is not existence in this world. Similarly, I believe in God but I don’t have a religion and as Dr. Zakir said, any other religion of worshipping other than Muslim, is a sin. But how will you convince this little man over here that this only religion is only Islam and nothing else. But maybe the people, other religions think, maybe you people are doing a sin because you are telling we are sinning. You know, these things keep on happening between religion and religion.
D.Z.N: The Brother has asked a very good question. He gave a Christian name, if I heard it correctly but said he is not a Christian.
Questioner: Yes.
D.Z.N: He says, he believes in God. If there is a cell phone, there is a creator. So that way he believes in God. Very good, Alhamdulillah, congratulations. But he says that how can you prove to me that I should only follow Islam. That’s a very good question. Brother, Islam is an Arabic word; you may not know the meaning. So forget Arabic, leave it aside. What you should follow is, Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Imran, chapter no. 3, verse no. 19,
“Innad Dina Indallahil Islam”
The only religion acceptable in the sight of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala it is Islam, which is peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.
If you believe in God, that he is there, you don’t believe in religion, what is the definition of religion? Religion means believing in God. So if you believe in God and say I don’t believe in religion, you are contradicting. By definition of Oxford dictionary, religion means believing in a super natural being or God that deserves obedience. So if you believe, there is God, you also have to obey Him, right or wrong? That’s a different thing. You may not know which book is God’s book. You understand? So if you believe in God, do you want to obey this creator or not? Yes or no?
Questioner: Yeah, that’s why…… (not audible properly)
D.Z.N: Finish, I agree with you. I am not telling you have to obey the Creator. Now, what the Creator has said, you have to find out. Correct, now the Brother agrees that there is a Creator. He believes in God and he agrees that he should obey the Creator. So, same thing God is telling. The only of life acceptable is submitting your will to God, that’s it. Now what is submitting, that’s a different question. Correct. Forget the word Muslim. Forget the word Islam. Muslim means one who submits his will to Almighty God. If you submit your will to God, in Arabic, you called Muslim. Just by telling your name is Zakir, Abdullah or Sultan, you don’t become a Muslim. If I say my name is Zakir, I don’t become a Muslim. If someone says, his name is Muhammad, doesn’t make him a Muslim. Muslim by definition means a person who acquires peace, one who submits his will to Almighty God. Now, you want to know that how will you say that this is the right will of God. Correct? For that, you have to refer to my video cassette, “Is the Qur’an God’s Word?”, which is proved scientifically that this is the word of God, which you and I believe in. You and I believe in. This is the same word of God for that refer to my video cassette. It is approximately four hours. I don’t intend to giving a lecture and a questions and answers for four hours here and tomorrow you can come for my talk, “Shariah”, Shariah means the law of Allah, of Islam, Barbaric or Perfect? If you hear that talk, it will partly convince you. For complete answer, refer to my video cassette, “Is the Qur’an God’s Word?” And Inshallah, Inshallah, you will be convinced that this is the only way which is right. Names, don’t go on Arabic names. Don’t look at people, what people who don’t follow them. Don’t judge Islam what the followers are doing. If you want to judge, how good a car is? If a driver does not know how to drive a car, and he bangs up the car, who will you blame? The driver or the car? Driver. So don’t judge Islam by looking at the Muslims. Judge Islam by authentic source, the Qur’an. And if you judge according to this, if you want to want to judge the car, you go at the catalogue, what is the speed of the Mercedes car, what is the safety measures, what is his average etc. etc. or you judge by putting a driver behind the seat who is an expert driver. So if you want to observe the human being, to know Islam is, the best example is the last and final Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Moderator: Next question from the Brother here.
Questioner: I am Prasanna. I am doing my MBBS. Sir, you said, it was wrong to kill animals other than necessity that is for target practice etc. So in the present day, a man could look very comfortable and healthy life by being a vegetarian. So do you think its wrong to kill animal for just for the sake of satisfying your taste buds?
D.Z.N: Brother Prasanna has asked a very good question, very relevant question to the topic. When I said that you should not kill animal, they are creations of Allah’s unless you want for food. You cannot target practice then why do the Muslims kill animals? If you lead a healthy life, according to him, being a MBBS srudent. So why only kill animals for taste buds? Brother point no. 1, a Muslim can be a very good Muslim even being a pure vegetarian. There is no verse in the Qur’an or Hadith which says, you should compulsory, fard have non Veg. or have flesh. You can be a very good Muslim by being a pure vegetarian but Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an, in Surah Ma’idah, chapter no. 5, verse no. 1, you can have all the animals which are lawful for you, all four footed animals which are lawful for you with the exception in names. Allah says in Surah Nahl, chapter no. 16, verse no. 5 that Almighty God has created animals for you so that you can eat their meat. Allah says in Surah Mu’minoon, chapter no. 23, verse no. 21, that verily in the cattle there is sign for you from among the body you get the milk for you to drink and from which you derive warmth and of the meat you can eat. So when our Creator, Almighty God, gives us permission to have these meats why should we not have it? Now coming to your argument that in this meat, you being a MBBS student, even I am a medical doctor, I passed my MBBS. And you being a MBBS student, you might have read, I don’t know which year, first year or so, you might have read that, that there are certain amino acids, which are not synthesize in the body, which are known as essential amino acids, there are eight amino acids. Now these essential amino acids have to given in the external diet, if you don’t take it in external diet, it can cause Osteobody. No vegetable on the face of the earth gives you all these eight essential amino acids. No vegetable. The only food which gives you all these eight essential amino acids is the meat, fish, the flesh foods. Flesh food is rich in protein, rich in vitamins, rich in iron, it is healthy. But I do know, if you want you can remain healthy even abstaining from non veg. food, you can. By having a proper diet and checking up etc., you can. I am not saying you will not remain healthy. But when the food is healthy, why abstaining from it? The reason people give is that you are hurting animal which we will come to it later. Now if you analyze the set of teeth of the herbivorous animals, the cow, the goat, the sheep. They have flat set of teeth. They only have vegetables. They will never touch flesh, never. If you analyze the set of the carnivorous animals, tiger, leopard, lion, they have canine set of teeth. They have pointed teeth. They only have flesh, they never touch grass. If you analyze the human being’s teeth, go and look at the mirror. If I go and look in the mirror, we find that Almighty God has given us flat teeth as well as pointed teeth. If Almighty God, if Almighty God wanted us to have only vegetables, why did He give us the canine teeth? Now you are a medical student, the canine teeth are for flesh food. So this proves that Almighty God gave us for having non Veg. food. Furthermore, the digestive system of the herbivorous animals, cow, goat, sheep, they cannot digest flesh. They can only digest vegetables. The digestive system of the carnivorous animals, tiger, leopard, lion, only digest flesh. They cannot digest vegetables. But the digestive systems of the human beings, you being a medical student know, we can digest veg. also, non veg. also. Vegetables also, flesh foods also. Even flesh food. Even Almighty God wanted us to have only vegetables, why did he gave digestive system that we can digest both. But natural, to have it.
Now coming to your question that there is a misconception amongst the Hindus that the Hindu scripture does not permit them to have non veg. I quoted the Qur’an. If you read the Hindu scripture brother, if you read Manusmriti, chapter no.5, Manusmriti, chapter no. 5, verse no. 30-31, it says that if you eat the flesh of the animals, which are meant to be eaten, you are not doing a sin because Almighty God has created some animals to eat, and some to be eaten. Manusmriti, chapter no. 5, verse 31, that if you sacrifice an animal, the sacrifice of animal, you are doing a sin. Manusmriti, chapter no. 39-40 said that Almighty God has created 13 animals to be sacrificed. So if you kill the animals to be sacrifice, you are not killing. Manusmriti, chapter no. 5, verse no. 41-42 says that a Brahmin who has knowledge, who knowingly sacrifice animal, even the animal goes to heaven and even the Brahmin goes to heaven. Furthermore in Rig Veda, Book no. 10, Hymn no. 27, Verse no. 2, a person says that I am going to go for war, when I come back prepare for me a bull. Furthermore Rig Veda, Book no. 10, Hymn no. 28, Verse no. 4, it says that Indra, he says prepare for me bulls to eat. Buffaloes, bull to eat. And if you read Mahabharata, Anushasanparv, chapter no. 88, if you read that, this is also mentioned in Manusmriti, Chapter no. 3, verse no. 266- 277, Yudisthir, he asks Bhisma, what should we give in the yagna? In the puja, in sacrifice, so that our ancestors will be satisfied. So Bhisma replied that if you give herbs and shrubs, vegetables, our ancestors will be satisfied for one month. If you give fish, they will be satisfied for 2 months. If you give meat, they will be satisfied for 3 months. If you give hare, rabbit, they will be satisfied for 4 months. If you give goat meat, they will be satisfied for 5 months. If you give bacon, they will be satisfied for 6 months. If you give deer, they will be satisfied for 7 months. If you give birds, 8 months and the menu continues. This is scripture of Hindus. It further says that if you give a buffalo for 11 months and if you give cow for 12 months and rhinoceros inexhaustibly. So even according to Hindu scriptures, even according to Hindu scriptures, it give you permission to have non veg. including beef. I am not saying this, all the references are there. You can check it up. It’s absolutely correct. Now coming to the logical point of it, that why do the human beings have to harm the animals when you can live without eating non veg? The reason people give that killing animal is a great sin and killing a plant is a less sin because plant don’t have life. This was the logic. Previously, Hindu sages and sants ate non veg, they ate beef also. But they were influenced by Jains of the ahimsa philosophy who believed that plants have got no life, therefore eating a plant is a lesser sin compare to eating an animal. But today you know, even I know, that plants have got life. So now the logic has changed. They say, ok, Brother Zakir, we agree plant have got life. But plant can’t feel pain. So therefore, killing a plant is a lesser sin than killing an animal. Today Science has further advanced and we have come to know even plant can feel pain. The plant has a nervous system. They can feel pain, they can even cry. They can even feel happy. They even feel sad. But the cry of plants cannot be heard by human beings because the human beings only hear between a frequency of 20 cycles per second to 20 thousand cycles per second. Any thing below and above, they can’t hear. You may aware of silent dog whistle. The dog can hear up to 40 thousand cycles per second. So the whistle has a frequency above the human frequency, more than 20 thousand cycles per second but 40 thousand cycles per second. The master blow out the whistle, human being can’t hear, dog hears and comes. So even the plants cry, but we can’t hear. Just because we can’t hear doesn’t mean we can torture them, if you said it’s torturing. They was one person, who argued with me and told me that Brother Zakir, I agree with you that plants have got life. Plants can feel pain. But the plants have got two or three senses, animals have got five senses. Therefore, killing a plant is a lesser thing as compared to killing an animal. I told him, ok Brother, for the sake of argument I agree with you. Plants have got two or three senses, animal has got five senses. But suppose, you have a brother, he is born deaf and dumb. Two senses less, can’t speak, can’t hear. When he grows up, somebody comes and kills him. So will you go and tell the judge, O me lord, give the murderer less punishment because my brother had two senses less? You… you will tell him, give him a bigger punishment, he was a masoom, he was sinless. How did he kill my brother? So Islamic logic doesn’t work like that, two senses less or two senses more. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Bakarah, Chapter 2, verse no. 168, Eat of the good things I have provided you. What is good, you can have. What is not good, you cannot have. If you analyze that if you don’t kill these cattle, life cycle of the cattle is very short. They reproduce very fast. If you don’t kill the cattle for food, you have problem of overpopulation of cattle. The cow and the goat, they reproduce very fast and if an Indian, does not want to have non veg. I have no problem. If you don’t want to have non veg. brother no problem at all. Personally, I am happy because if all the Indians and the Hindus start having non veg. then the price of meat will go high.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from sister’s side? I see there is….. I cannot offend my Muslim sisters anymore. We can give you a chance. Yes sister, you can ask the question.
Questioner: Assalamo Alaikum! The question is not really related to your topic but one of the sisters like it to elaborate on this. We feel that by sending our children to secular school, they are losing the Islamic values. However, there are many other sisters who feel its fine to send them to secular school as long as they are taught Islam at home. Please comment.
D.Z.N: Sister has posed the question. I do agree, I thought of the topic, The Chairperson gave here a chance, I have to answer. She said that is it right if we send our children to secular schools and teach Islam at home? Sister, secular by definition means, nothing to do with God. If you send your children to secular schools, secular schools nothing to with God, but I know what you meant, you meant was non Islamic schools, run by Christian missionaries and others. Secular schools, by definition, mean nothing to do with God. If you send to school with nothing to do with God, those are atheists, there will be a problem. They will teach there is no God, you will teach at home there is God, there will be conflict. The child will have a problem. Similarly if you send to other schools, which teach wrong things, who teach to worship other besides God. So there they worship Jesus Christ (PBUH) everyday in the morning and you come and say, worshipping Jesus Christ is Shirk. So the child will get confused. You know what we are doing? It is we who are creating problems with our children. We are to blame. It is the duty of the parent to give an atmosphere, which is right atmosphere. It is like you are tying your children, tying the hands and the legs, putting in the swimming pool and say swim. How will we swim? So sister, my advice is, we do require the worldly knowledge, it’s important. The first guidance of our Creator, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala in the Qur’an to the humankind in Surah Iqra, chapter 96, verse no. 1 is Iqra- is to read, is to educate. Our Beloved Prophet said, it is obligatory every man or woman to acquire knowledge. So knowledge is a must. Both knowledge-religious as well as the other worldly knowledge- both are important sister. But be careful while running after the other worldly knowledge, your religious knowledge should not grope behind. Both should be there. The best put your children in schools which do not conflict with the commandment of the Creator, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. But the best is schools which teach both. Imagine you go to school and there you are taught about Darwin’s theory, we have been created from monkeys and Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says we have been created from Adam and Eve. Now the child gets confused. How many confusion will you remove? The best is Islamic school, unfortunately, unfortunately, there are very few Islamic schools. But Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, now throughout the world, including India, there are many Islamic schools springing up. Some are good qualities; some are medium qualities; some lower qualities. What we should do that we should support those people, who are opening such schools and Alhamdulillah even our Islamic Research Foundation, IRF Educational Trust has started a school three years back in Bombay by the name of Islamic International School and we are striving so that we can give to our children which we didn’t get. What we lacked in our childhood, we have a school which we have started Inshallah. Besides having formal education, I don’t call it secular, Mathematics is not secular. Science is not secular. I call it formal education because Science is an Islamic subject, according to me. Mathematics is an Islamic subject. The great mathematicians are Muslims. The great scientists were Muslims. So I don’t call Science as a secular subject, I call it for the non Muslim formal education, Islamically, it’s an Islamic subject but should be taught in the correct perspective. Scientific facts, not hypothesis and theories like Darwin’s theory etc. So sister, it is important we give our children the right atmosphere and see to it that they get right education that’s the best. If you cry and say that they go to a school which teaches wrong things and come home and teach the right things about the creation of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala and the religion, Sister, you are playing with fire. I advice you put him in an Islamic school. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: The next question from the Brother’s side on the back.
Questioner: May peace and mercy of God be upon you all. My name is Sarvana Kumar. See, Qur’an says God exists everywhere and others also saying God exists everywhere and within everything. And somebody says, within ourselves also God is there. And if God exists in everything, why don’t we worship in idols? That is also a God, know. Then if not, where God exists? Please explain. Thank you.
D.Z.N: The Brother has asked a very good question. Peace be on you too Brother. Walekum Assalam Oa Rahamatullah Oa Barkatuhu. Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala be upon you, Brother. The Brother has asked a very good question that even in the Qur’an it is mentioned that God exists everywhere. The Muslims believe God exists everywhere. Even the Hindus believe God exists everywhere. So what’s the harm in worshipping an idol? God exists in the idol, God exists in human beings also, so what’s the harm in worshipping an idol? Brother, nowhere in the Qur’an is it mentioned that God exists everywhere. Nowhere in the Qur’an is it mentioned that God exists everywhere. I am aware there is a misconception amongst many Muslims who assume God exists everywhere. Nowhere does the Qur’an said God exists everywhere. What the Qur’an says Allah’s power exists everywhere. Allah has the power. The verse of the Qur’an, wherever you turn your face, you will see the face of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. The face means the power of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Allah is capable of controlling anything and everything. But the statement he exists everywhere is not mentioned anywhere in the Qur’an, neither in any Hadiths. I am aware there are certain Muslims out of misconceptions, they believe that. This is nowhere mentioned. But His power exists, power exists everywhere. Now regarding your question, where does God exists and why can’t we worship an idol? Where does the God exists? The Qur’an, it says Allah is on the Arsh. There is a Hadith where a lady approached and the Prophet asked where is God? She said, point on top. God says, she has iman, she has faith. So God exists on the Arsh, on the throne. The throne exists on the water. He is up in the heaven. But natural he is not among human being. Yes, he can control. Allah says, He is closer to you than your jugular vein. That means he is aware everything, power is there. That doesn’t mean God himself has come into the jugular vein. It doesn’t mean that. It means that Allah has power. He is close to you that mean He loves you. He knows, He knows everything, He has power over everything. Not even a leaf can fall without the permission of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Now coming to your question, why can’t we worship idols? If you read the Qur’an, Qur’an says in Surah Ma’idah chapter 5, verse no. 90, which I quoted, idol worship is prohibited. Same thing, if you read the Bhagavat Gita, Bhagavat Gita says, in chapter no. 7, verse no. 20, “all those whose intelligence… you have to note down, Brother. Bhagavad Gita, chapter no. 7, verse no. 20, “All those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires, they worship demigods. So materialistic people, they do idol worship. If you read the Chandogyo Upanishad, chapter no. 6, section no. 2, verse no. 1, it says, “Ekam Evadvitiyam”
It’s a Sanskrit quotation which means,
“God is only one without a second.”
It’s mentioned in Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Chapter No. 6, Verse No. 9,
“Na casya kascij janita na cadhipah.”
“Of Him there are no lords, he has got no parents. Almighty God has got no father, he has got no mother, Almighty God has got no superior, he has got no master.”
It is mentioned in the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Chapter No. 4, Verse No. 19,
“Na Tasya Pratima Asti”
“Of Him there is no likeness” Almighty God has no likeness”.
Its further repeated, in Yajurveda Chapter No. 32, Verse No. 3,
“Na Tasya Pratima Asti”
“Of Him there are no images.”
Almighty God has no images. So the moment you make an image of Almighty God, you are going against the Veda, you are going against Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita, Veda, all these scriptures, they speak against idol worship. For the detail you can come to my talk on, not tomorrow, next Sunday 18 January, on “Similarities between Hinduism and Islam” and I will deal with this topic in detail. So even idol worship is prohibited in Hinduism. Why do they do? The Hindu scholars have a certain logic, which you can reply to there also. You come for my talk, “Similarities between Hinduism and Islam” and Inshallah you will get more knowledge on this aspect. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: The same question was answered. If you have a counter question on that.
Questioner: I have doubt on that. Sir, first of all you have misunderstood my question. I am not here to contradict Islam, or nor am I advocate of Hinduism or anything. My question I just based on your speech. You said, it’s wrong to kill animal for pleasure, right? So I just want to know that eating out for suppose I think mutton is tasty, so out of my own personal pleasure I am killing animal. Is it wrong? I am not trying to contradict you or put into your doubt. I just want to know, your point of view, that’s all.
D.Z.N: Brother you are most welcome to ask any question, I don’t feel hurt at all. I know you are not contradicting. Anyway, you contradict, no problem Brother. It’s my job. I am a Daee, it’s my profession. You can criticize me, you can criticize the Qur’an. I am young, but I can take it, Alhamdulillah. No problem, Brother. I don’t get agitated. You can ask any question, no problem Brother. The question he said that when I said in my talk that you cannot kill for pleasure of hunting. I said pleasure of hunting. You cannot kill any animal just without any purpose, pleasure of hunting. Here, we don’t eat non veg. only for taste, we eat for our sustenance. So if you say we can’t eat animals, we can’t eat plants also. So what will we eat? How will we survive? How will you survive? So…….
Questioner: I am not asking I am eating for necessity. Suppose, I think, ok animal food will going to be tasty. I want to kill it for my personal pleasure alone, not I am feeling hunger, nothing. Is it also a sin?
D.Z.N: If it’s for eating, for eating tasty food is also no problem. You have to eat. If you don’t eat you cannot survive. If you don’t eat you cannot survive. So, Almighty God as mentioned in Manusmriti, chapter no. 5, verse no. 30, some animal has been created to eat, some to be eaten.
Questioner: You are referring Manusmriti, I haven’t read it.
D.Z.N: But I have read it.
Questioner: I am interested to know that I am just asking your point of view. Is it wrong to kill animal on the basis of merely take pleasure.
D.Z.N: It is not wrong at all to kill animal if you want it tasty as long as it is for food. Why?
Questioner: Ok, thank you, Sir.
D.Z.N: Because Qur’an gives permission in Surah Ma’idah, chapter 5, verse no. 1, Manusmriti gives, you don’t want to know but I want to tell the people that I believe in this part of Manusmriti, the other part I may not believe. But this part of Manusmriti, I believe, chapter 5, verse 30 that Almighty God has created to eat, some to be eaten. So if you eat the animals which have been created to be eaten, you are not doing a sin. Similarly, Qur’an also say, certain animals has been created to be eaten. But if you eat the other animals which have not been created for eating then it’s a sin. Those cattle like ship etc, which are permitted in the Qur’an, that if you eat for food, even if it is tasty food, no problem. Some people to have vegetables, tasty vegetables, some people like brinjal, some people like lady finger, so no problem. If I agree with you that nothing should be eaten, then you have to kill either the plant or the animal. So while eating, if you eating good things, as long as you are not wasting, if you waste food, it is wrong. If you waste food, it is wrong. So if you kill for eating for your sustenance, even if it’s tasty, no problem, it is permitted. It’s mentioned in the Qur’an, Surah Ma’idah, chapter no. 5, verse no. 1, Surah Nahl, chapter 16, verse no. 5, as well as Surah Mu’minoon, chapter 23, verse 21. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: Can we have the next Brother?
D.Z.N: Okay Brother. What’s your question?
Questioner: One more question Sir. See, the world of Islam is only the percentage a few decades back or few centuries back. I don’t think that the teaching of Islam was throughout the world, right? You said it was wrong to associate any followers with God is a greatest sin. But a person brought up in some part of the world telling that okay, this is Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu or Jesus whatever. He is letting to believing that okay that is God, he or she is also committing the sin.
D.Z.N: A very good question Brother has asked that the world is so big and Islam is just 1400 years back , according to him, and people may not know about Islam. Somebody may believe in Shiva as Lord, Brahma as Lord, so what’s the problem? Someone believes that Jesus Christ is Lord. What’s wrong? I being a student of comparative religion, besides Qur’an saying it is wrong, even the Hindu scriptures say and the Christian scriptures, regarding Jesus is God, I quoted. So if the Christian scriptures say it is wrong, so why should the Christians worship? Tomorrow someone calls you God, someone calls me God, would have I agreed? What we have to…. what is wrong is wrong. Regarding calling Brahma, calling Brahma as god or Shiva as god, if you analyze these statements, it’s mentioned in Rig Veda. Rig Veda, book no. 2, hymn no. 1, verse no. 3, there is no less than 33 attributes given to Almighty God, in Rig Veda, book 2 alone. One of them is Brahma. Brahma is called creator, if you translate creator in Arabic, it means Khaleq. We Muslims got no objection if someone says Almighty God is Khaleq or Creator or Brahma. But if someone says, Brahma as Almighty God who has four heads, and in each head there is a crown, we Muslim takes strong objection to it. Moreover, you are going against Yajurveda, chapter no. 32, verse no. 3, which says, “Na tasya pratima asthi”. Of that God there is no images. Same thing Vishnu, Vishnu, they call sustainer. If you translate sustainer or cherisher into Arabic Rabb, we Muslims have no objection if someone calls Almighty God as Rabb or sustainer or cherisher or Vishnu. But if you say, Vishnu is Almighty God who is travelling on a couch of snakes, he has got four hands, one hand with a discus, left hand, he has the conch, he is travelling on a bird named Garuda, we take strong objection to it. Moreover you are going against the Shvetashvatara Upanishad, chapter no. 4, verse no. 19, which says, “Na tasya pratima asthi”, of Him there is no images. So Brother, if certain people follow wrong things, if they follow Brahma as a creator who has got no images, almighty, without associating partners, there is no problem. Regarding your question that people may not know Islam, Islam Brother, as I said in my talk is not a new religion, which came into existence 1400 years back. It is there since time immemorial and Jesus Christ (PBUH) also taught Islam. He said, not my will, Gospel of John, chapter 5, verse 30, not my will, but the will of my father. Anyone who says, not my will, but the will of Almighty God is a Muslim. So, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was a Muslim. He taught nothing but submitting his will to God, which you translate into Arabic is Islam. Adam (PBUH) taught nothing but submitting your will to Almighty God, Noah taught nothing but submitting your will to Almighty God. Moses taught nothing but submitting your will to Almighty God. Jesus taught nothing but submitting your will to Almighty God. May Peace Be Upon Them All. If you translate into Arabic it is Islam. Muhammad (SAW) is the last and final messenger, he was not sent for the Muslims or Arabs. Allah says in Surah Anbiya, chapter no. 21, verse no. 7,
“Wama Arsalnaka Illa Rahamatil Al Ameen”
That
“We have sent thee not but as a mercy to all of humanity, as a mercy to whole of mankind, as a mercy to all the creatures, as a mercy to all the worlds”. Therefore, it is a duty to every Muslim, I ended my talk by saying the quotation of Qur’an of Surah Al Imran, chapter 3, verse 110, which says, it is the duty of all Muslims to convey the message of Islam to the others. And Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Fussilat, chapter no. 41, verse no. 53, Allah says,
“Sanurihim Ayatina Fil Afaqi
Wa Fi Anfusihim
Hatta Yata Biana Annuhul Haq”, that
“Soon we shall show them our signs
In the furthest regions of the horizons
And into their souls
Until it is clear to them that this is the truth”.
There may be some people living in the far off islands, which may not heard of Islam, according to you, Allah says, He will put the message of the Creator in everyone’s heart by the signs in the horizon and into their souls. So Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, the Creator, He himself will give the message of submitting the will to God directly. So even if we don’t do the job, yet he will get the message and then if you reject it you will be a loser, if you accept it, you have passed the test. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from the sisters’ side?
Questioner: Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahamatullah Wa Barakatuhu! If Allah knows people would do sins and they are sent back again to earth after removing their thoughts of hellfire, why don’t He not show the mankind even to people of today’s generation that these are His punishments so that people seeing them on their own eyes fear Allah and go in right path?
D.Z.N: Sister asked a very good question that if he see the real scene in the next life, in the Hereafter, see the hellfire, everyone will believe that we should have believed, you made a mistake. But Allah can’t sent them back and wash their memory because they will again commit the same sins. So why doesn’t Allah show them here? That’s very good question. Sister, Allah does give trials here also. Allah has mentioned in the Qur’an about the hellfire. So what say, arre kaun hell mein jayenga, fire hai ki nehi hain? We think that where is jannat? Where is……we will see it afterwards. So we don’t believe in it. Allah has told, but we don’t believe in it. Regarding trials, Allah gives you trailer, you know highlights here. For example, AIDS. Allah says in the Qur’an, He has punished many of the people, many quams, many nations previously and He has extinct completely quam a Lut and various quams. Even today, you know AIDS. AIDS came in the 80s, early 80s. It’s a punishment. Punishment of Allah. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-AIDS, that’s a punishment. First the homosexuals got it, then heterosexuals got it. Go outside their marriage. So here we find Allah gives us signs. All these are signs. For example, Bosnia. It’s a calamity. The people of Bosnia. Two ways. Some people did wrong. People are Muslims, how are they? Are they practicing? Most of them were not practicing Muslims? They didn’t know Islam. So Allah gives signs. There maybe good people also in Bosnia. So Allah says when He gives punishment, even those who don’t do sin may get punished. For them it’s a test. The calamity, when Allah sends a calamity, even those people who are not sinful, Allah says in the Qur’an, even the calamity may befalls them. But that’s for them a test. So here all these are test, Sister. What’s happening in the world today? Bosnia, what’s happening? You see in other part. What’s happening in Iraq? All these are test. But where do we human beings reflect? We say, wuo to Bosnia mein ho raha hai, India mein thori ho raha hai? Wuo to Gujrat mein ho raha hai, Madras mein thori ho raha hai? So all these are signs, Sister. Allah is giving you trailers and if you read this Book, the last and final guidance and you realize it. Then we realize He is the Creator, He alone should be worshipped. And we always say, Alhamdulillah, whatever He has given us. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from the….we have time for a couple of questions more. The last two questions. Yes, Brother.
Questioner: Assalamo Alaikum! This is perhaps my first meeting by Dr. Zakir Naik and I am very convinced by his speech.
Moderator: Can we have your name and profession.
Questioner: Murtaza. Murtaza is my name and I am doing my MBA. So I have a small question, Sir. You have told me that Allah, Allah Pak knows that what each of us is going to do. What each of us is going to do next, why this world has been created and where we lead to? What am I going to do next moment also have been decided? Okay, so is this world test justified? Because the very fact, whenever we use the word test, logically speaking, it is perhaps an event but the consequences are not known. So wherever we used the word test that this world is a test. So are we justifying because if we already know, if Allah Pak knows, what is our consequences going to be, where each of us heading to, what each of us is going to be? So why are we here? And…
D.Z.N: We understood your question, Brother. One question at a time, please.
Questioner: No, I just want to complete this thing now.
D.Z.N: You want to complete this question?
Questioner: Yeah. And…
D.Z.N: Already given a short speech.
Questioner: You are the scientist and if you have an experiment and you know what is the consequence going to be. So why the experiment and why do you want to do it?
D.Z.N: The Brother has asked a question. Inshallah, the non Muslim, they should come up first on the microphone. We prefer non Muslims asking the questions. Volunteers see to it that the non Muslims should be brought front. Any non Muslims, you are most welcome, you can walk through, you can break the queue, come in front. It will be preferable. Brother Murtaza has asked a question that when a test takes place, the consequence is not known. If the consequence is known, where is the test? The scientist does the experiment, he doesn’t know the result. If he knows the result, where is the test? Very good. Now, no one is testing Allah. Allah knows the consequences. But Allah is not undergoing the test, we are undergoing the test and you and I don’t know the consequence. I don’t know my consequence. I don’t know, I am going to go to Jannah. If I have known I am going to Jannah, I would not have come all the way to Madras. I travelled throughout the world, I sweated out. I don’t know. My Jannah is not secured. If my Jannah was secured, then why would I left my medical profession and slogged out here and there. I don’t know. I am not sure I am going to go to the Jannah. I am asking for the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, be merciful, put me Jannah, I pray to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. I cannot say, oh I am a great Daee, I will go to Jannah. The consequences are not known to the person who undergoes the test. You do not know whether you will go to hell of heaven, I don’t know. But Allah knows and you may have missed out the point in my lecture that when the teacher takes examination, many a time the teacher knows the consequences. Teacher knows this student will going to come out first. Teacher knows he is going to fail. So do you mean to say I am not going to sit for the examination? The test is yours. The test is not for the teacher. And when the scientist does the experiment, the scientist doesn’t know the result. Therefore, he does the experiment. Here, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is not a scientist. Allah is not experimenting on us. There’s a mistake. Allah is not experimenting on us. Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is the Creator, the best to create. He is given, made a creation of human beings, who has a free will. He knows, but the reason is everything is going in this world because if He does not let you undergo this test, on the Day of Judgment, you will ask Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, why did you put me in hell? If Allah puts you in hell, Allah Alam, I don’t know. So you will object. So because of that I said in the lecture that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala is just. So Allah is not undergoing the test. Allah doesn’t require us. Allah already the greatest. We undergoing the test and we don’t know the results. Because we don’t know the results that the reason we are striving and we pray to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, may He grant us mercy, may He forgive us and may put up in Jannah. Ameen.
Moderator: Can we have the next question from the Brother here.
Questioner: I am Shakti Vel doing B.Tech. in MIT. Sir you have told that God told I can forgive any sin other than accepting a partner to me. To Islam only they are praying to Allah. Other than that for Hindus we are not following Allah and all. So we are sinners, from your point of view.
D.Z.N: The Brother has asked the question that Allah says anything if He wants. Not that He will forgive. That does not mean that if you believe in Allah, you can do any sin. If He wants, He can forgive you. But the sin of Shirk, He will never forgive. Regarding other non Muslims, who are worshipping who are worshipping anyone besides Allah, Allah means the true God. You may call Him by any name. Allah says in the Qur’an, in Surah Isra, chapter 17, verse 110,
“Kulliudullah Abedu Rahman
Aiya Mata Du Fal al Asma al Husna”
Say: “Call upon Him Allah or Rahman
By whichever name you call upon Him
To Him belong The most Beautiful Names.
But the concept should be correct. He should not be begotten, He should be one. If you worship the true Almighty God, whichever name you call Him, it should be good name. Correct concept, no problem. But if you worship theists, if you associate partners like someone said, Jesus Christ (PBUH) is god, we consider him to be a Messenger of God. If you call him god, not only a sinner but it is the biggest sin. According to Qur’an, not according to me, according to Qur’an, Surah Nisa, chapter 4, verse 48, Surah Nisa, chapter 4, verse 116, not only according to the Qur’an, according to the Bible, even according to the Bible, Almighty God says in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter no. 5, verse no. 7 to 9, “Thou shall make no image of Almighty God. It’s a sin. Even according to Rigveda, it’s a sin. According to Yajurveda, chapter 32, verse no. 3, it’s a sin. So not only Qur’an says it’s a sin, even the Hindu scriptures say, it’s a sin. Suppose a Muslim says that I believe in Allah and he starts worshipping Muhammad (SAW), naujibillah. Suppose a lunatic. He says, I believe in Allah but he worship Muhammad (SAW) and says, even he will not go to Jannah. Same way, if a Christian worships Jesus Christ (PBUH), though the Bible says he should not be worshipped. The Vedas says He should not be worshipped. So according to the Vedas, you will be a sinner. According to Bhagvat Gita, you will be a sinner, according to the Upanishad, you will be a sinner. According to the Qur’an, you will be a sinner. According the Bible, you will be a sinner. Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: About Creator and creation. Sir, I want to know…
Moderator: Your name please.
Questioner: Mohammad Ishaque.
Moderator: Any non Muslims from the Ladies’ side, this…okay Brother, you can continue your question.
Questioner: Human beings, mostly Muslims, are punished from Bosnia to Kashmir, in Iraq. Mr. Zakir told me that even in world they are punished today. Sir is there anything that for one sin in the world they are punished today, in Akhridin they will also be punished?
D.Z.N: The Brother has asked a question that Muslims are being punished everywhere. In Bosnia, they are being punished, in other parts of the world, punished here also and punished in Akhira also. If a Muslim is a true Muslim, true Muslim means, what is the meaning of Muslim? Not Zakir, Sultan, Abdullah. Muslim means one who submits his will to Almighty God. For a true Muslims, these calamities are a test. It’s not a punishment and the maximum calamities came on the Prophets. In the Akhira, they will get Jannah. But if you are a namesake Muslim, who say your name is Abdullah, Zakir, and Muhammad etc but namesake Muslim but don’t follow commandments, you are getting punished here and even can get punished there. Because, Allah says in the Qur’an, Surah Al Imran, chapter 3, verse 185,
“Kullun Nafsin Zaikatul Maut”
Every soul shall have a taste of death.
But the final recompense will be on the Day of Judgment. So you may get part punishment here, the balance there. Part punishment, this Bosnia, small, part punishment. Balance is there. So final is there. Or you may get a calamity, you may get test calamities here but in Akhira you may get Jannah. So if you follow the commandments, you are on the true path, whatever comes, you say, Alhamdulillah. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: Okay Brother, you can ask a question. We have a non Muslim Brother.
Questioner: Hello, I am Vivek. I am a software Engineer, and I have certain….today’s lecture was very good. In Qur’an, as far as I read, in one chapter it says that Allah says to Jesus that have you told to the people to worship yourself and your mother as part of Trinity, that means that puts that Qur’an believes that Mary and Jesus are part of Trinity. No Christians believe like that.
D.Z.N: The Brother has asked a very good question that Qur’an says that Jesus Christ never told the people that you worship and my mother as God. No Christian believes that Mother Mary is God. Brother, your knowledge about Christianity is limited. There are more than thousands of denominations in Christianity, thousands? Thousands? Even I don’t know all. And there are denomination known as Maronites, who believe in the Trinity, one of the trinity is Mother Mary. They believe Mother Mary to be God, though they are very few now. Now they exist or not, I don’t know. But if you read the books of Christianity, it talks about a sect, a denomination, which believes that Mother Mary was God. Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: But I have another question, so but according to the Bible, I never have found out a place where Jesus says that worship my mother or it is like, it is like…….
D.Z.N: The Brother says, he is a practicing Christian, he never found in the Bible where Jesus said that worship Mary (PBUH), neither did Jesus says, worship Jesus (PBUH). But you have to worship (Laughs). The Qur’an doesn’t say that Bible said. What Qur’an says, Say to the people, some people worship. So the same way Bible says, that never did the Bible said that Jesus Christ (PBUH) said unequivocal statement in the complete Bible, where Jesus Christ (PBUH) said worship me. I am God. But yet the Christians worship. You don’t worship, Alhamdulillah. I congratulate you. If you don’t worship Jesus Christ as God, Alhamdulillah, then you are coming closer to Islam. And Jesus Christ (PBUH) has said in the Gospel of John, chapter no. 16, verse no. 11 to 12, “I have got many things to send to you, but ye cannot bear them now. For Him when the spirit of truth shall come, he shall guide you onto all truth. He shall not speak of himself, all that he hears shall he speak. He shall glorify me. Talking about another Messenger to come. Talking about the last and final Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW). So believe in the Bible, you also have to believe in the last Messenger mentioned in the Bible, that is, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: The next question from here Brother.
Questioner: Good evening Sir. My question is why should God create us, why should He send us, why should we understand hell or heaven.
D.Z.N: The Brother asked the question why should God create us, why should He send here. The whole talk was on that. Why (laughs), that’s why I said the whole talk was based on that, that why should God create us? To test us etc. Now someone appears for examination, MBBS examination, now the… (interruption by the questioner, not audible), yes that’s what I am doing. The whole talk was based on that and if you… (interruption)
Questioner: Why should He create us? What is the need for Him?
D.Z.N: Okay, fine, why should He create us as human being. Okay, that’s a very good question. That why should He create us as human being. I will give a different angle to it. Because if you analyze, Allah says in Qur’an that when Allah ask who will like to be sent as human beings, the mountains and all, they said, No. But the human beings were the fools who said, no, we want to become human beings. Because the other creations, they don’t have a freewill of their own. Like angels, okay, they are good. But if you become a human being, you have a free will. If you have a free will and then you obey Allah, then you become higher than the angels. If you have a free will and then you don’t obey, then you become, then you fail. So we human beings are fool, including me, myself. We said, ah, we want to get distinction, high marks. So Qur’an says, we human beings are fool, who said we want to undergo the test and now we are tested. You won’t come to know now. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will give you that memory. So Allah says on the Qur’an and Allah testified in Surah A’raaf, chapter no. 7, verse no. 172, “we brought the children of Adams from the loins and Allah says, and testified do you agree that there is one God, yes, we agree. Now the memory has washed out. On the Day of Judgment again it will come back to you. So we were the fools who said we want to undergo the test. Somebody wants to sit for an MBBS examination, the teacher said, sit. If you got admission in Medical College, no problem. Now you sit, if you fail, that’s his problem, if you pass, that’s his problem. You understand? And the test is different. What’s question has to be given, that’s the choice of the teacher. You can’t tell, O teacher, why have you given me this question? That is the prerogative of the teacher. Whether he wants to give you question no. 1, question no. 2, whether he wants to give you question from chapter no. 3 or chapter no. 5. Therefore, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala gives different questions to different people in this stage. Some people He makes rich, some people He makes poor, some people healthy, some people diseased. Different people he tests in different ways but depending upon the way He tests them the correction is like that. If the test is difficult, the teacher corrects the paper leniently. If the paper is easy, the teacher corrects the paper very strictly. Same way, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, depending upon the facility He gives different human being, He tests them accordingly and He is the most Just. Hope that answers the question.
Moderator: We will take one. Do you have a question Brother. Alright, we will take one last question and then we conclude the programme then.
Questioner: This is regarding the lecture. You told in one place that angels do not have free will but somewhere in Qur’an I have read in Al Bakarah I read that Iblis was willing to bow down to Adam when Allah told. So that is his free will, hetook it like that.
D.Z.N: Masallah, our Brother Vivek is very learned. He read the Qur’an, Masallah. Brother Vivek had read the Qur’an and I do agree with him that Surah Bakarah, he is quoting from the Qur’an, Surah Bakarah, chapter no. 2, verse no. 34, He says, we told to the angels , bow down. All bowed down, except Iblis. This is mentioned not only in Surah Bakarah, it is mentioned minimum seven times in the Qur’an, in Surah Araf, chapter no. 7, in Surah Hijr, chapter no. 15, in Surah Kahf, chapter no. 18, same thing. We told to the angels, bow down. All bowed down, except Iblis. So now, Iblis objected. So from this we come to know that Iblis, if you read the translation, we understand Iblis for the angel. We think. But if we read in Surah Kahf, chapter no. 18, verse no. 50, it says that we asked the angels to bow down, all bowed down except Iblis, Iblis was amongst the jinn. You understand? So Iblis was a jinn. Now you will tell me, Brother Zakir, seven places Allah said to the angels bow down, all bowed down except Iblis. He is an angel. Now, one place in the Quran says he was a jinn. So there is a contradiction, correct? It’s a contradiction because this is the translation. In Arabic language, there is a law called as law of taglib, taglib means if the majority is addressed, the minority need not be addressed. For example, if there are 99 doctors, and one engineer, and if I say all doctors stand up, even the engineer will stand up. Because in the law of taglib, in Arabic grammar, the majority is addressed, minority ignored. I need not say, all doctors and one engineers stand up. But in English language, if I say, all doctors stand up. Only doctors will stand up, one engineer will not stand. So nowhere the Qur’an says, Iblis was an angel, nowhere. We, because of the translation, and lack of Arabic knowledge, we think, we assume, many of the Muslims also assume. But Qur’an clarifies in Surah Kahf, chapter 18, verse no. 50 that Iblis was a jinn and jinn like the human beings, have a free will. So, amongst the angels, there was one jinn also present, who was Iblis, who was very pious but his arrogance, that why should I bow down to Adams, he is made from mud. I am made from fire. Arrogance, that made him disobey Almighty God. He was a jinn, even human beings and jinn, both have a free will, they can disobey God. So here they disobey God and that’s the reason he was taken out and he is the biggest Satan. Now he tries to attract the people who are on the path of God and tries distract them from the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Hope that answers the question.
Zakir Ahmed: We have to conclude…. I know, we have to close, okay. Okay, go ahead fast.
Questioner: I am Mohammad Khaja Mohdin, retired officer, Madras University. Assalamo Alaikum Haji Dr. Zakir Naik Sahib.
D.Z.N: Walekum Salam Oa Rahamatullah Barkatuhu.
Questioner: Sir, you have told that you have opened Islamic International School in Mumbai. I request you why not you open Islamic School in Chennai and other parts of the ……. Because this is a need of the day today, Sir. Thank you Sir.
D.Z.N: Brother, you give me the land and give me the funds, Inshallah, I will open here.
Z.A: Thank you very much, Brothers and Sisters. Shukuran, Jazakallah Khair.